MO SB22

Repeals 46 sections of Missouri law that specifically defined the boundaries of 45 judicial circuits and replaces them with a dynamic system allowing the Supreme Court to alter judicial boundaries.

Requires the Supreme Court to redraw circuit and appellate court geographical boundaries by January 1, 2015, and every ten years thereafter based on the administration of justice needs.

Mandates the Supreme Court use six criteria when redrawing boundaries: judicial workload studies, litigant access to courts, population of circuits and districts, judicial duties and travel time, historical county connections, and other relevant factors.

Prohibits any change to the total number of circuits and appellate districts that exist as of December 31, 2014, and voids any Supreme Court order that creates or reduces this number.

Modifies family court provisions to allow circuit judges to designate family courts by local court rule rather than mandate them in specific circuits, while preserving all existing family courts as of December 31, 2014.