Legislation was pre-filed on Dec. 29 that would protect houses of worship in Missouri by providing comprehensive security measures. State Rep. Ray Reed, D-Brentwood, introduced the Missouri Safer Communities Act (HB 2519) in part to address an alarming increase in hate crimes and acts of antisemitism.
“We’ve seen a real rise in threats and hate-motivated incidents including against the Jewish community and synagogues,” Reed said. “As an elected leader, I feel like we can’t look away from that.”
A proactive approach to security
The proposed legislation would create a “supplemental nonprofit safety and security fund” in the state treasury to help fund security enhancements for eligible nonprofit organizations. Jewish synagogues, as well as churches, mosques and LGBTQ+ community centers, would be the primary recipients of this financial assistance.
The funding would support:
- Safety and security planning, equipment, training and exercises
- Security technology such as cameras, reinforced doors and alarm systems
- Threat awareness and response training
- Retaining trained security personnel for large gatherings or holidays
In addition, the legislation would create the “Missouri Hate Crime Victim Assistance Fund” to help pay for mental health counseling, relocation support and legal aid for victims and families affected by hate crimes.
Meeting a real financial need
“I think this gives more concrete protections for the community because a lot of these institutions like synagogues, mosques, churches and LGBTQ centers don’t have massive security budgets,” Reed said. “This bill would help them install basic protections like security cameras, reinforced doors or hiring trained personnel during major events or holidays. For me, this bill is more about being proactive instead of reactive, more about prevention.
“The cost is nothing compared to the cost of losing a single young or any Jewish life to a horrible hate crime,” Reed said.
Building bipartisan support
When the 2026 Missouri legislative session began on Jan. 7, Reed planned to seek co-sponsors for HB 2519. He said he has already discussed the legislation with some colleagues and is optimistic about bipartisan backing.
“This isn’t really a Republican or a Democrat issue,” Reed said. “This is just kind of common sense.”
Related bills targeting antisemitism
A separate bill addressing antisemitism was pre-filed on Dec. 1. House Bill 2061, sponsored by Rep. George Hruza, R-St. Louis County, calls for protections against antisemitic acts that threaten students and staff in educational institutions. The bill would adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
HB 2061 closely mirrors legislation Hruza introduced in 2025. That bill passed the Missouri House on April 10, 2025, but failed to advance in the state Senate during the final month of the session. The newly filed version has two co-sponsors: Rep. Steve Butz, D-St. Louis, and Rep. Ron Fowler, R-Kansas City.
State Rep. Ian Mackey, D-St. Louis, also pre-filed antisemitism-related legislation on Dec. 12. His bill, HB 2393, recognizes the IHRA definition of antisemitism and would require educational institutions to adopt a code of conduct aimed at preventing harassment and discrimination against Jews.
This story was originally published in the St. Louis Jewish Light.
