For only the second time in 175 years, Missouri’s criminal laws are being updated and rewritten. Lawmakers will study a 1,000-page bill assembled by lawyers and lawmakers.

Senator Jolie Justus of Kansas City says half the lawyers were prosecutors and half were defense attorneys, so finding agreement was not easy. Justus says the goal is to eliminate outmoded laws, make the laws gender-neutral, and make sure that felony classifications are appropriate for the crimes. Justus says she does not expect the legislature to complete this work in one session.