Title I, LAWS AND STATUTES

1.010. Common law in force — effect on statutes — failure to render health care services, no common law cause of action. — 1. The common law of England and all statutes and acts of parliament made prior to the fourth year of the reign of James the First, of a general nature, whic…

1.016. Secondary sources do not constitute law or public policy, when. — A secondary source, including a legal treatise, scholarly publication, textbook, or other explanatory text, does not constitute the law or public policy of this state to the extent its adoption would create,…

1.020. Definitions. — As used in the statutory laws of this state, unless otherwise specially provided or unless plainly repugnant to the intent of the legislature or to the context thereof: (1) "Certified mail" or "certified mail with return receipt requested", includes certifie…

1.025. Registered mail defined. — As used in the statute laws of this state, "registered mail", when used with reference to the sending of notice or any article having no intrinsic value, includes certified mail as defined and certified under regulations of the United States Post…

1.028. English is the common language of Missouri. — The general assembly recognizes that English is the common language used in Missouri and recognizes that fluency in English is necessary for full integration into our common American culture for reading readiness. ­­-------- (L…

1.030. Plural includes the singular — masculine includes feminine. — 1. Whenever, in any statute, words importing the plural number are used in describing or referring to any matter, parties or persons, any single matter, party or person is included, although distributive words a…

1.035. Voter defined. — Whenever the word "voter" is used in the laws of this state it shall mean registered voter, or legal voter. ­­-------- (L. 1973 H.B. 20, et al. § 27)

1.037. International organizations or bodies, no jurisdiction or power within Missouri. — 1. The World Health Organization, the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and any other international organization or body shall have no jurisdiction or power within the state of Misso…

1.040. Computation of time. — The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last. If the last day is Sunday it shall be excluded. ­­-------- (RSMo 1939 § 655, A. 1949 S.B. 1001, A.L. 1957 p. 587) Prior revisions: 1929 § …

1.050. Majority may act for all. — Words importing joint authority to three or more persons shall be construed as authority to a majority of the persons, unless otherwise declared in the law giving the authority. ­­-------- (RSMo 1939 § 655, A. 1949 S.B. 1001, A.L. 1957 p. 587) P…

1.060. Powers of deputies. — When a statute requires an act to be done, which by law an agent or deputy as well may do as the principal, the requisition is satisfied by the performance of the act by an authorized agent or deputy. ­­-------- (RSMo 1939 § 655, A. 1949 S.B. 1001, A.…

1.070. Reference to provisions in revised statutes. — 1. "RSMo" may be used as an abbreviation for the "Revised Statutes of Missouri" and "RSMo Supp.", when followed by the number of the year, means the Supplement to the Revised Statutes of Missouri published by the state after f…

1.080. County to include St. Louis — county clerk to include register of St. Louis. — Whenever the word "county" is used in any law, general in its character to the whole state, it includes the city of St. Louis, unless such construction is inconsistent with the evident intent of…

1.090. Words and phrases, how construed. — Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain or ordinary and usual sense, but technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import. ­­-------- (RSMo 1939 …

1.092. Best interest of child, welfare policy of state. — The child welfare policy of this state is what is in the best interests of the child. ­­-------- (L. 1995 H.B. 232 & 485 merged with S.B. 174)

1.100. Population, how determined — effective date of census — change in population, effect of. — 1. The population of any political subdivision of the state for the purpose of representation or other matters including the ascertainment of the salary of any county officer for any…

1.1001. Severability clause for H.B. 495, 2025. — In the event that any section, provision, clause, phrase, or word of this act* or the application thereof is declared invalid under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Missouri, it is the inte…

1.1002. Severability clause for H.B. 1696, 2026. — In the event that any section, provision, clause, phrase, or word of this act* or the application thereof is declared invalid under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Missouri, whether on pr…

1.1003. Severability clause for H.B. 1871, 2026. — In the event that any section, provision, clause, phrase, or word of this act* or the application thereof is declared invalid under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Missouri, whether on pr…

1.1004. Severability clause for H.B. 2636, 2026. — If any provision of this act* or the application thereof to anyone or to any circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of those sections and the application of such provisions to others or other circumstances shall not be affec…

1.1005. Severability clause for H.B. 2637 & 3155, 2026. — In the event that any section, provision, clause, phrase, or word of this act* or the application thereof is declared invalid under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the state of Missouri, whethe…

1.1006. Severability clause for S.B. 888, 2026. — In the event that any section, provision, clause, phrase, or word of this act* or the application thereof is declared invalid under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the state of Missouri, it is the inte…

1.1007. Severability clause for S.B. 973, 2026. — In the event that any section, provision, clause, phrase, or word of this act* or the application thereof is declared invalid under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the state of Missouri, it is the inte…

1.1008. Nonseverability clause for S.B. 999, 2026. — Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1.140 to the contrary, the provisions of this act* shall be nonseverable, and if any provision is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall invalidate all of the remaining …

1.1009. Severability clause for S.B. 1233, 2026. — In the event that any section, provision, clause, phrase, or word of this act* or the application thereof is declared invalid under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Missouri, it is the int…

1.1010. Severability clause for H.B. 1421, 2026. — In the event that any section, provision, clause, phrase, or word of this act* or the application thereof is declared invalid under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Missouri, whether on pr…

1.120. Reenactments, how construed. — The provisions of any law or statute which is reenacted, amended or revised, so far as they are the same as those of a prior law, shall be construed as a continuation of such law and not as a new enactment. ­­-------- (RSMo 1939 § 683, A. 194…

1.130. Effective date of laws. — A law passed by the general assembly takes effect ninety days after the adjournment of the session at which it is enacted; but if the general assembly recesses for thirty days or more, it may prescribe by joint resolution that laws previously pass…

1.140. Severability of statute provisions. — The provisions of every statute are severable. If any provision of a statute is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, the remaining provisions of the statute are valid unless the court finds the valid provi…

1.150. Repealing law repealed, former law not revived, when. — When a law repealing a former law, clause or provision is itself repealed, it does not revive the former law, clause or provision, unless it is otherwise expressly provided; nor shall any law repealing any former law,…

1.160. Effect of repeal of penal statute. — No offense committed and no fine, penalty or forfeiture incurred, or prosecution commenced or pending previous to or at the time when any statutory provision is repealed or amended, shall be affected by the repeal or amendment, but the …

1.170. Repeal of law not to affect rights acquired thereunder. — The repeal of any statutory provision does not affect any act done or right accrued or established in any proceeding, suit or prosecution had or commenced in any civil case previous to the time when the repeal takes…

1.180. Actions pending, how affected by repeal of law. — No action or plea pending at the time any statutory provisions are repealed shall be affected by the repeal; but the same shall proceed, in all respects, as if the statutory provisions had not been repealed, except that all…

1.185. Civil court actions, public officials prohibited from compromising or settling if conflict with chapters 115 to 128 — challenge to constitutionality of statute, procedure — intervention in cases, when. — 1. As used in this section, the term "public official" means any elec…

1.190. Notices, how served. — Whenever any of the statutes of this state require or imply that a notice shall be given to any person concerning or affecting any right, property, claim, duty, matter or thing of any character or nature, unless the statutes expressly direct a differ…

1.200. Equality of citizens. — In all cases proper for the cognizance of the civil authority of this state and the courts of judicature in the same, all the citizens of the United States are equally entitled to the privileges of law and justice with the citizens of this state. ­­…

1.205. Life begins at conception — unborn child, defined — failure to provide prenatal care, no cause of action for. — 1. The general assembly of this state finds that: (1) The life of each human being begins at conception; (2) Unborn children have protectable interests in life, …

1.210. No imprisonment without authority of law. — No person's body shall be imprisoned or restrained unless by authority of law. ­­-------- (RSMo 1939 § 648, A.L. 1957 p. 587) Prior revisions: 1929 § 648; 1919 § 7051; 1909 § 8050

1.217. Cloning — use of state funds prohibited, definition. — No state funds shall be used for research with respect to the cloning of a human person. For purposes of this section, the term "cloning" means the replication of a human person by taking a cell with genetic material a…

1.302. Religious freedom restoration act. — 1. A governmental authority may not restrict a person's free exercise of religion, unless: (1) The restriction is in the form of a rule of general applicability, and does not discriminate against religion, or among religions; and (2) Th…

1.307. Applicability of religious freedom restoration act — limitations — relevant circumstances defined. — 1. Section 1.302 and this section apply to all state and local laws, resolutions and ordinances and the implementation of such laws, resolutions, and ordinances, whether st…

1.310. Big government get off my back act — certain federal mandates not subject to appropriations or statutory authorization — 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Big Government Get Off My Back Act". 2. Any federal mandate compelling the state to enact, enfor…

1.330. Health care, no requirement to participate, no penalties — purchase or sale of health insurance in private system not prohibited — definitions. — 1. No law or rule shall compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any hea…

1.410. Citation of law — findings. — 1. Sections 1.410 to 1.485 shall be known and may be cited as the "Second Amendment Preservation Act". 2. The general assembly finds and declares that: (1) The general assembly of the state of Missouri is firmly resolved to support and defend …

1.420. Federal laws deemed infringements of United State and Missouri Constitutions. — The following federal acts, laws, executive orders, administrative orders, rules, and regulations shall be considered infringements on the people's right to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by…

1.430. Invalidity of federal laws deemed an infringement. — All federal acts, laws, executive orders, administrative orders, rules, and regulations, regardless of whether they were enacted before or after the provisions of sections 1.410 to 1.485, that infringe on the people's ri…

1.440. Protection of citizens against infringement against right to keep and bear arms. — It shall be the duty of the courts and law enforcement agencies of this state to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms within the borders of this state and to prot…

1.450. Enforcement of federal laws that infringe on right to keep and bear arms prohibited. — No entity or person, including any public officer or employee of this state or any political subdivision of this state, shall have the authority to enforce or attempt to enforce any fede…

1.460. Violations, liability and civil penalty — sovereign immunity not a defense. — 1. Any political subdivision or law enforcement agency that employs a law enforcement officer who acts knowingly, as defined under section 562.016, to violate the provisions of section 1.450 or o…

1.470. Employment of certain former federal employees prohibited, civil penalty — standing — no sovereign immunity. — 1. Any political subdivision or law enforcement agency that knowingly employs an individual acting or who previously acted as an official, agent, employee, or dep…