Rep. Steven Roberts of St. Louis - Working to Eliminate Racial Bias

During the 2018 Missouri State legislative session, Rep. Steven Roberts Jr. of St. Louis introduced and sponsored HB 1996—a bill created to make racial and gender bias training a basic aspect of peace officer basic training throughout the state of Missouri.

The bill, which was officially introduced at the beginning of the session, specified that such a curriculum must be based on evidence and evidence-based practices, patterns and protocols—and shall prescribe such that help prevent identity and racial profiling in the future.

In the bill, Rep. Steve Roberts of St. Louis included a provision designed to establish the "Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board," the purpose of which being to stop racial and identity profiling in law enforcement, and to improve racial sensitivity throughout the law enforcement community.

HB 1996 was referred to the Committee on Crime Prevention and Public Safety last May, though it is not currently on the legislative calendar. 

Rep. Steven Roberts of St. Louis - Inspired to Serve

Missouri State Rep. Steven Roberts Jr., the representative of District 77 and portions of St. Louis City, recently ran for and won reelection. Currently, in his second term as a state house representative, Roberts enjoys the honor of serving his constituents for another two years. He hopes to work toward meaningful reforms that benefit his District, the City and citizens throughout the state.

When asked about that "defining moment" that led him to initially run for office, Rep. Steve Roberts of St. Louis credits the time he served as prosecutor in the Circuit Attorney’s Office—particularly the observation he made regarding the disproportionate number of young black men circulating through the criminal justice system at the time.

“I saw young black men, like myself, in orange jumpsuits chained together,” says Roberts. “Day after day, I saw the same thing until it became apparent that this was the norm. That could have been me, if I had been born under different circumstances. Locking people up is not a solution to the problem. I knew that I could have a greater impact at the policy level."

Roberts works toward making much needed criminal justice reform as Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Criminal Justice.

Rep. Steven Roberts of St. Louis - The Privilege of Public Service

Missouri House Rep. Steven Roberts Jr. was recently reelected to serve a second term as the District 77 representative. Privileged to serve constituents in portions of St. Louis City for yet another two years, Rep. Roberts looks forward to defending and advancing the interests of his constituents and all Missourians throughout his next term.

Rep. Steve Roberts Jr. is currently serving as the Ranking Member on the Special Committee on Criminal Justice—working with colleagues to make significant, much-needed reforms to the state’s criminal justice system. 

He also serves as member of the Utilities, Judiciary and Workforce Development Committees—and is proud to serve as current Chairman of the Missouri House and Senate Black Caucus.

Prior to last November’s election, Roberts sat down with Missouri Times Magazine to take part in the publication’s 20 Questions series. Click here to view the article in its entirety.