MO HB1616

Establishes the Independent Office of Corrections and Transparency with two full-time employees to conduct facility inspections and investigate complaints regarding conditions, safety, abuse, medical care, and programming in Missouri correctional facilities

Creates a 12-member Corrections Transparency Committee appointed by legislative leaders and the governor, including formerly incarcerated individuals, corrections officers, family members, and healthcare professionals, who serve three-year terms and appoint a Transparency Advocate for a six-year term

Requires mandatory annual inspections of all correctional facilities (twice yearly for high-risk Tier 1 facilities) with public reports covering staffing, assaults, deaths, lockdowns, programming, and conditions, with initial inspections completed by August 28, 2028

Establishes complaint systems including secure online forms for families and incarcerated people, telephone hotlines, and confidential communication protections, with the office required to confirm receipt within 5 business days and determine investigation status within 7 business days

Grants the office subpoena power, access to all facilities and records, and requires the department to respond to inspection reports with corrective action plans within 60 days, while prohibiting retaliation against complainants