MO HB541

Requires courts to "consider" dual jurisdiction (rather than "may invoke") for offenders under 17 years and 6 months convicted in adult court, allowing simultaneous juvenile disposition and suspended adult criminal sentence.

Changes first-degree murder sentencing for offenders who have not reached their 18th birthday from life without parole to either life without parole or life with parole eligibility after 50 years, determined by prosecuting attorney motion and court hearing.

Requires prosecuting attorney to file motion within 14 days of conviction specifying basis for life without parole sentence; if motion not filed, default sentence is life with 50-year parole eligibility.

Permits persons sentenced to life without parole for crimes committed before age 18 prior to this act's effective date to file motion for resentencing hearing to potentially reduce sentence to life with 50-year parole eligibility.

Modifies juvenile transfer hearing criteria to include consideration of "racial disparity in certification" and changes when juvenile court jurisdiction permanently terminates (only upon conviction in adult court, not upon transfer).