MO HB1451

Creates Missouri False Claims Act (sections 537.800-537.810) allowing civil actions against persons who knowingly submit false claims to government or public entities, with penalties of $10,000-$100,000 plus three times damages, and qui tam provisions allowing private citizens to bring actions on behalf of the state.

Establishes whistleblower programs for securities violations (section 409.6-601(g)) and false claims with monetary awards up to 30% of sanctions, confidentiality protections, and anti-retaliation provisions for employees reporting violations.

Creates prosecution diversion program (section 557.014) allowing prosecuting attorneys to suspend criminal proceedings for six months to two years for nonviolent, nonsexual crimes without child victims, with administrative handling costs of $100 per case.

Modifies criminal penalties to distinguish between knowing and reckless violations of various statutes (sections 195.233, 302.020, 302.321, 303.025), with reckless violations reduced to infractions in certain circumstances.

Establishes "Reverend Nathaniel Cole Memorial Pursuit Reduction Grant" fund (section 650.470) to provide 50% matching grants to urban police departments for real-time tagging and tracking pursuit management systems.