The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri House Bill 1654 Prohibits Foreign and Religious Law Enforcement by State Courts
Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsors: Mike Steinmeyer and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
Missouri House Bill 1654 prohibits any state court, agency, or political subdivision from applying foreign, international, or religious law if doing so violates the U.S. Constitution, Missouri Constitution, or state public policy. The bill establishes criminal penalties for anyone attempting to impose foreign or religious law through coercion, threat, or force. The Attorney General is granted with local prosecutors to investigate and enforce these violations.
Residents and organizations are newly protected from the enforcement of foreign or religious legal codes in Missouri courts, while individuals using coercion to impose such laws face criminal charges under chapters 565 and 574 of state law.
- House Bill 1654 was introduced during the 2026 Regular Session of the 103rd General Assembly by Representative Mike Steinmeyer. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
State Courts and Agencies
State courts and agencies are barred from applying or enforcing foreign, international, or religious legal codes that conflict with federal or state constitutions or public policy.
Missouri Residents
Residents are protected from the enforcement of foreign or religious laws and gain legal recourse against coercive attempts to impose such laws.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this bill restrict voluntary religious practices?
Who can investigate violations of the forced imposition of foreign or religious law?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Secrecy over sex abuse permeates traditionalist Catholic group whose leaders were excommunicated by Pope Leo
Leap of faith
This article discusses the author's discovery of a radio program called 'Ye Gods! with Scott Carter' on WGCU-FM, which focuses on topics of religion and morality.
Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- May 15, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Emerging Issues(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 1, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy75Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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