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HB1654 • 2026

Establishes sovereignty of Missouri law and protects religious freedoms

Establishes sovereignty of Missouri law and protects religious freedoms

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Steinmeyer, Mike (020)
Last action
2026-05-15
Official status
05/15/2026 - Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
Effective date
2026-08-28

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide detailed information on specific penalties or how international treaties affect the act.

Missouri Law Sovereignty and Religious Freedom Act

This act establishes that Missouri's Constitution is the supreme law within the state, protects religious freedoms, and prohibits foreign or religious laws from being enforced in Missouri if they conflict with U.S. or Missouri Constitutions or public policy.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes Missouri’s Constitution and federal Constitution the highest laws in the state.
  • Stops courts and agencies in Missouri from applying foreign or religious laws if they go against U.S. or Missouri Constitutions or public policy.
  • Allows individuals, groups, or organizations to freely express their religion without restrictions.
  • Prohibits anyone from forcing others to follow foreign or religious laws using threats or force.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People in Missouri who practice religion
  • Courts, agencies, and political subdivisions in Missouri
  • The Attorney General and local prosecutors

Terms To Know

Constitution
A set of rules or principles that form the basis for a country's legal system.
Public Policy
The goals and policies established by government to address issues affecting society.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if federal laws conflict with Missouri state law.
  • Does not define the penalties for violating this act beyond mentioning chapters 565 and 574 of Missouri law.
  • Does not clarify how international treaties affect this act.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-15 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

  2. 2026-01-08 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Read Second Time (H)

  3. 2026-01-07 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Read First Time (H)

  4. 2025-12-01 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Prefiled (H)

Official Summary Text

Establishes sovereignty of Missouri law and protects religious freedoms

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1654
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBL Y
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENT A TIVE STEINMEYER.
5139H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
T o amend chapter 1, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to religious freedom,
with penalty provisions.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 1, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be
2 known as section 1.347, to read as follows:
1.347. 1. The Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Missouri
2 ar e the suprem e law within the state of Missouri. No law , rule, reg ulation, or legal code
3 of any for eign government, international body , or relig ious system shall be applied or
4 enfor ced by any court, agency , or political subdivision of this state to the extent such
5 application would violate the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of
6 Missouri, or the public policy of this state.
7 2. Nothing in this section shall be construed to pr ohibit or r estrict the voluntary
8 expr ession, practice, or exer cise of reli gion by any individual, gr oup, or organization in
9 accordance with Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution of Missouri and the First
10 Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
11 3. No person, organization, for eign power , or entity shall, thr ough coerci on,
12 thr eat, or use of for ce, attempt to impose or enfor ce any for eign or r eligious law upon
13 another person or gro up within the state of Missouri. Any violation of this subsection
14 shall be subject to criminal penalty under Missouri law including, but not limited to,
15 chapters 565 and 574.
EXPLANA TION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law . Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.
16 4. This section shall not impair or supersede obligations arising under the
17 Constitution of the United States, federal statutes, or tr eaties lawfully enter ed into by
18 the United States.
19 5. The attorney general of Missouri shall have concurr ent authority with local
20 pr osecutors to investigate and pr osecute any action undertaken in violation of
21 subsection 3 of this section.
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HB 1654 2