Read the full stored bill text
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
HOUSE BILL NOS. 2139 & 2175
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBL Y
5492H.03C JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
T o amend chapters 506 and 508, RSMo, by adding thereto two new sections relating to
application of foreign law .
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapters 506 and 508, RSMo, are amended by adding thereto two new
2 sections, to be known as sections 506.602 and 508.074, to read as follows:
506.602. 1. As used in this section, the term "foreig n law , legal code, or system"
2 shall mean any legal framework fr om a jurisdiction outside of any state or territory of
3 the United States, including international organizations and tribunals.
4 2. Except as pr ovided in subsection 3 of this section, application of any for eign
5 law , legal code, or system that denies the parties the fundamental liberties, rights, and
6 privileges guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of
7 Missouri shall be pro hibited. Any legal document or court decision that purports to
8 apply any such for eign law , legal code, or system shall be void and unenfor ceable.
9 3. The pr ovisions of this section shall not be construed to:
10 (1) Disappr ove or abr ogate existing pre cedent of the Missouri suprem e court;
11 (2) Limit adjudication of ecclesiastical matters of a re ligious organization,
12 including the selection, appointment, discipline, or r emoval of clergy or interpr etation of
13 doctrine;
14 (3) Apply to corporations, partnerships, or associations that voluntarily subject
15 themselves to for eign law or courts; or
16 (4) Apply where federal law pr eempts state law , including obligations under
17 tr eaties or international agreements.
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.
508.074. No state court, arbitration panel, tribunal, or administrative agency
2 shall transfer any civil action if such transfer would r esult in the application of any
3 for eign law , legal code, or system that would violate or likely violate the fundamental
4 liberties, rights, and privileges of the parties guaranteed under the Constitution of the
5 United States or the Constitution of Missouri.
✔
HCS HBs 2139 & 2175 2