MO HB584

Creates a 10-member Commission on the Death Penalty within the office of administration to be appointed by December 1, 2013, with members equally divided between death penalty supporters and opponents.

Commission shall conduct comprehensive review of all death penalty cases since January 1, 1977, examining evidence quality, defendant and victim demographics, attorney experience, appellate procedures, and racial disparities in sentencing.

Implements a moratorium on all executions from the bill's effective date through January 1, 2016, during which capital case proceedings continue but no execution dates may be set.

Commission shall report findings and recommendations to the governor, legislature, and Missouri Supreme Court by January 1, 2016, including statutory and court rule amendments to ensure accuracy, adequate defense counsel, and fair application of capital punishment.

Establishes the Cold Case Investigation Revolving Fund administered by the department of public safety, to be funded by savings from death penalty abolition and used to reimburse law enforcement agencies for costs of reopening investigations into homicides, missing persons, sexual assaults, and child abductions.