Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri HB2677: Establishes provisions relating to the admissibility of a defendant's creative or artistic expression as evidence
Status: In committee, May 15, 2026
What the bill says
To amend chapter 490, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the admissibility of a defendant's creative or artistic expression as evidence. Section A. Chapter 490, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 490.750, to read as follows: 490.750. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Restoring Artistic Protection Act of 2026". 2. As used in this section, the term "creative or artistic expression" means the expression or application of creativity or imagination in the production or arrangement of forms, sounds, words, movements, or s.
From the introduced text:
To amend chapter 490, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the admissibility of a defendant's creative or artistic expression as evidence. Section A. Chapter 490, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 490.750, to read as follows: 490.750. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Restoring Artistic Protection Act of 2026". 2. As used in this section, the term "creative or artistic expression" means the expression or application of creativity or imagination in the production or arrangement of forms, sounds, words, movements, or symbols, including music, dance, performance art, visual art, poetry, literature, film, and other such objects or media. 3. Except as provided under subsection 4 of this section, a defendant's creative or artistic expression, whether original or derivative, shall not be admissible as evidence against such defendant in a criminal case. 4. A court may admit evidence described in subsection 3 of this section in a hearing conducted in camera if the state proves by clear and convincing evidence: (1) (a) If the expression is original, that the defendant intended a literal meaning rather than a figurative or fictional meaning; or (b) If the expression is derivative, that the defendant intended to adopt the literal meaning of the expression as the defendant's own …