MO HB435

Repeals detailed statutory descriptions of 45 judicial circuits and grants the Missouri Supreme Court authority to redraw circuit and appellate court boundaries by January 1, 2015, and every ten years thereafter based on judicial administration needs.

Requires the Supreme Court to use specific criteria when redrawing boundaries, including judicial workload studies, litigant access to courts, population, judicial duties and travel time, historical county connections, and other relevant factors.

Prohibits the Supreme Court from altering the total number of circuits and appellate districts that existed as of December 31, 2014, with any order to create or reduce districts declared null and void.

Preserves existing family court divisions in seven specified circuits (Clay, Boone and Callaway, Jackson, St. Louis County, St. Louis City, Greene) and allows other circuits to establish family courts by local court rule.

Effective date of December 31, 2014 for the repeal of the detailed circuit descriptions and reenactment of the new flexible boundary authority.