Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri HB1954: Adds provisions relating to a landlord failing to remedy a condition that would materially affect the health and safety of a tenant
Status: In committee, May 15, 2026
What the bill says
To amend chapter 441, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the habitability of the premises of a tenant. Section A. Chapter 441, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 441.237, to read as follows: 441.237. 1. As used in this section, the word "pests" means any unwanted: (1) Member of the class Insecta including, but not limited to, houseflies, bees, cockroaches, moths, silverfish, beetles, bedbugs, ants, termites, hornets, mosquitoes, and wasps; (2) Member of the phylum Arthropoda including, but not limited to, spiders, mites, ticks, centipede.
From the introduced text:
To amend chapter 441, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the habitability of the premises of a tenant. Section A. Chapter 441, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 441.237, to read as follows: 441.237. 1. As used in this section, the word "pests" means any unwanted: (1) Member of the class Insecta including, but not limited to, houseflies, bees, cockroaches, moths, silverfish, beetles, bedbugs, ants, termites, hornets, mosquitoes, and wasps; (2) Member of the phylum Arthropoda including, but not limited to, spiders, mites, ticks, centipedes, and wood lice; and (3) Member of the order Rodentia including, but not limited to, mice and Norway rats. 2. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a landlord of a premises shall be liable for damages to a tenant of such premises if, through no fault of the tenant, the premises contain conditions that would materially affect the health and safety of the tenant and the landlord fails to begin remediation of such conditions within thirty days after the tenant notifies the landlord in writing of such conditions. Conditions that would materially affect the health and safety of the tenant include, but are not limited to, hazardous mold, rotting or deteriorating floors, sewage backup, roof leaks, or infestation of pests. EXPLANATION -- Matter …