Missouri bill aims to expand who could get paid for being wrongfully imprisoned

Missouri could expand current law to repay some wrongfully convicted prisoners. 

State law only allows payments to some exonerated prisoners who prove their innocence through DNA testing. 

State Senator Brian Williams wants to remove the DNA requirement and give the wrongfully convicted up to 65-thousand-dollars for each year they were in prison.

Williams told newstalk KZRG:   “We’re creating an environment for them to come out and be model citizens and that’s by advancing policies around our workforce and clearly ensuring that the criminal justice system works for everyone and not just when it’s convenient,”

His bill would also give the wrongfully imprisoned help with housing, tuition, and counseling.

During a Senate committee hearing, no one opposed the bill.