A number of new laws will take effect on Friday, August 28, 2026. Here is a quick summary of those new laws as reported by Ozark First out of Springfield, Missouri
New maximum speed limit (SB 1408)
Missouri is preparing to increase the state’s maximum speed limit from 70 to 75 miles per hour on some highways.
While the legislation allowing the change takes effect Friday, there will be some delays before drivers see higher speed limits. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will continue to evaluate eligible locations and traffic safety impacts before approving any new speed limits.
The legislation allows Interstates 35, 44, 55 and 70 to increase their maximum speed limit by 5 mph on eligible stretches designated as “rural, four-lane highways.” The speed limit would not be increased along more urban stretches where the posted limit is already below 70 mph.
DUI child support payments (HB 1740)
Drivers convicted of killing a parent while intoxicated in Missouri could soon be required to pay child support for the victim’s surviving child or children.
In most cases, the new legislation – to be known as “Bentley’s Law” – would require courts to order child support when someone is convicted of a DWI crash that kills a child’s parent. The offender would make payments to the surviving spouse or guardian responsible for raising the victim’s child or children.
Payments would begin within one year of the offender’s release and continue until the child turns 18, or 21 under certain circumstances. The courts would determine the amounts using Missouri’s existing child support guidelines, and payments would end if a child dies, gets married or enters active military service.
The legislation also requires at least five years in prison for most DWI convictions linked to a death and 10 years without probation and parole for repeat offenders.
Adult-site age verification (HB 1839)
Missouri will soon require adult sites to use third-party companies to verify the ages of users, an effort to ensure no one under 18 accesses such sites.
The state will order adult sites to use technology such as digital IDs, phone number checks and biometric verification, to confirm the ages of users.
Websites that violate the law would face steep fines for violations, including $250,000 if a minor accesses sexual material.
Last year, the Missouri Attorney General implemented an administrative rule that prompted Pornhub, a large adult-content website, to block access in Missouri rather than implement age verification measure. The new legislation now codifies that rule into state law. It also prohibits third-party companies from storing users’ verification data.
Downtown revitalization (HB 3231)
An effort to help transform Downtown St. Louis and other historic sites now comes to life. Missouri will begin offering major tax incentives designed to encourage redevelopment and private investment in vacant properties.
The legislation creates a new statewide economic development program that could allow any local geographic area designated as a historic downtown, central business district, or a Main Street corridor to qualify for millions in tax incentives.
Supporters say the bill could help spur redevelopment of long-abandoned properties in downtown St. Louis, such as the AT&T tower and Railway Exchange building, by closing financing gaps. The tax incentives could help convert such vacant building into new homes, offices or businesses.
Eligible projects would qualify for a wide range of incentives, including income-tax exemptions, opportunity zone benefits, office-to-residential tax credits, property tax abatements, tax increment financing and more.
Intoxicating cannabis crackdown (HB 2641)
Missouri will require all convenience stores, bars and restaurants to pull all “intoxicating” hemp products from shelves over the next several months.
The legislation establishes the “Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act” in Missouri, bringing state law in line with new federal restrictions on hemp products.
An “intoxicating” hemp product is considered one that contains cannabinoids capable of producing high or intoxicating effects. Under Missouri’s new guidelines, hemp-derived cannabinoid products can only be sold by business license by the state with less than 0.4 milligrams of THC. Otherwise the state could order retailers to pull certain products – including some hemp seltzers and gummies – off shelves by Nov. 12.
The legislation also changes how Missouri defines industrial hemp and hemp products, bans businesses that aren’t licensed marijuana dispensaries from using “dispensary” in their names, and limits how marijuana dispensaries can keep and share information about customers and their purchases.
Other new Missouri Laws that went into effect on Friday – August 28, 2026:
- SB 888: Reforms that make it easier to charge minors in violent crimes as adults
- SB 905: Creates “Missouri Rangers” program that allows specialized guards in school
- SB 907: Small business must update websites to comply with federal disability laws
- SB 963: More oversight of Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA)
- SB 999: Creates new “born alive” anti-abortion measures
- HB 1866: Updates state peace officer licensing rules and school protection officer program
- HB 1871: Changes to enrolling in recurring campaign contributions
- HB 1908: Pregnant women can file for divorce without judges blocking it
- HB 2061: Missouri schools define antisemitism and create new policies to prevent it
- HB 2273: Strengthens anti-grooming laws to protect children from sexual enticement
- HB 2372: Missouri tracks more Alpha-gal, tick-borne illness cases
- HB 2637: Updates Missouri’s penalties for unlawful use of drones or “unmanned” aircrafts
- HB 2818: Strengthens rules to allow annexations within unincoporated Missouri counties
