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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri House Bill 1727 modifies unlawful discriminatory practices provisions in housing, employment, and contracting
Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsor: Mike Costlow
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What This Bill Would Do
House Bill 1727 modifies state anti-discrimination statutes by removing references to race across multiple chapters, expanding protections and regulations regarding unlawful discriminatory practices in public and private contracting, employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Changes the legal standards and protected characteristics enforced by the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, affecting how employers, housing providers, financial institutions, and public contracting entities evaluate bids and personnel actions.
- Chapter 213 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri governs human rights and prohibits discriminatory practices in employment, housing, and public accommodations. context
- The Missouri Commission on Human Rights is the state agency responsible for enforcing civil rights laws and investigating complaints of discrimination. 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.
Employers
Employers must comply with modified definitions and standards of unlawful discriminatory practices in employment.
Contractors
Contractors are subject to new statutory provisions governing public and private procurement, bidding, and contract awards.
Housing providers
Housing providers and lenders must follow updated standards regarding discriminatory housing practices and real estate loans.
Key Facts
- The bill repeals sections 213.010, 213.030, 213.040, 213.045, and 213.070, RSMo, and enacts six new sections relating to unlawful discriminatory practices.
- Section 213.053 is created to prohibit public or private entities from denying access to bidding, procurement, or contract processes, or refusing to contract with any person because of color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, or disability.
- No consideration, preference, or priority in the contract process shall be given because of color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, or age under Section 213.053.
- Definitions of discrimination across employment, housing, and public accommodations are modified to remove specific references to race.
Show all 7 facts
- The powers and duties of the Missouri Commission on Human Rights are updated to reflect modified jurisdiction regarding discriminatory practices.
- Provisions are established regarding housing for older persons, multifamily dwelling design and construction standards, and mortgage loan practices.
- Retaliation or discrimination against any person for opposing practices prohibited under Chapter 213 or filing a complaint remains unlawful under Section 213.070.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does House Bill 1727 do regarding contracts?
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News Coverage
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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
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Restructuring of Anti-Discrimination Statutes
The bill removes references to race from key definitions under Chapter 213 while introducing comprehensive procurement and contracting non-discrimination rules under a new section.
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy80Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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