Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri HB1985: Modifies provisions relating to self-defense
Status: In committee, May 15, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text:
SECOND REGULAR SESSION HOUSE BILL NO. 1985 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE COOK. 4005H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk To repeal section 563.031, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to selfdefense. Section A. Section 563.031, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 563.031, to read as follows: 563.031. 1. A person may, subject to the provisions of subsection 2 of this section, use physical force upon another person when and to the extent he or she reasonably believes such force to be necessary to defend himself or herself or a third person from what he or she reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of unlawful force by such other person, except that in such case his or her use of force is nevertheless justifiable provided: (a) He or she has withdrawn from the encounter and effectively communicated such withdrawal to such other person but the latter persists in continuing the incident by the use or threatened use of unlawful force; or (b) He or she is a law enforcement officer and as such is an aggressor pursuant to section 563.046; or (c) The aggressor is justified under some other provision of this chapter or other provision of law; (2) Under the circumstances as …
Sponsors
- Bennie Cook (R, 143) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
- : Read Second Time (H)
- : Read First Time (H)
- : Prefiled (H)
Common questions
- What is HB1985?
- HB1985 is a bill in the Missouri Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Modifies provisions relating to self-defense.
- What is the status of HB1985?
- In committee as of May 15, 2026. Latest action: Referred: Emerging Issues(H) (May 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1985?
- Bennie Cook (R, 143).
- Where is the official record for HB1985?
- On the Missouri Legislature website: https://house.mo.gov/BillContent.aspx?bill=HB1985&year=2026&code=R
Source: official Missouri record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.