MO HB300

Repeals and reenacts sections 455.080 and 565.074, RSMo, relating to domestic violence procedures and crimes.

Requires law enforcement agencies to apply the same response standards to domestic abuse incidents as they do to offenses involving strangers, with immediate response required when violence is imminent, a protection order is in effect, or prior incidents have occurred.

Mandates automatic arrest and prosecution when a third law enforcement response occurs for an alleged incident of abuse or violation of a protection order involving the same person.

Adds a new seventh criterion for domestic assault in the third degree: being the subject of three law enforcement responses to alleged abuse or protection order violations.

Requires courts to order persons convicted under the three-response criterion to participate in a court-approved batterer counseling program or substance abuse treatment program.