Signed by Governor Mike Parson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a Pre-trial Witness Protection Services Fund.

Highlights:

• Establishes the “Pretrial Witness Protection Services Fund” (Sec. A).

• Authorizes funds from the Pretrial Witness Protection Services Fund to be disbursed to law enforcement agencies for the purchase, rental, or modification of protected housing facilities (Sec. A).

• Authorizes expenditures for law enforcement agencies to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of witnesses and victims, and their families, whenever testimony from, or a willingness to testify by, such a witness or victim would place the life of such person, or a member of their family, in jeopardy (Sec. A).

• Requires law enforcement agencies seeking to provide witness protection to submit an application to the Department of Public Safety including, but not limited to (Sec. A):

• A statement of conditions which qualify the persons for protection;

• Precise methods to be used to provide protection including the relocation of persons;

• A statement of the projected costs;

• A brief statement of anticipated evidence from the persons, if applicable; and

• Any offer made in exchange for the person agreeing to give evidence.

• Specifies that such applications are closed records and not subject to disclosure (Sec. A).

Full Bill Text