Rep. Steven Roberts of St. Louis: Reforming the System

Rep. Steven Roberts Jr. of St. Louis is a member of the Missouri House of Representatives who was reelected for his second term in November of 2018. 

He is a fourth generation St. Louis native whose sense of civic responsibility and social justice has earned him an excellent reputation, and he has received several awards for his dedication to those causes. 

During his tenure in the House of Representatives, he has set his sights on reforming the criminal justice system as his number one priority.

"There is no denying that the current system disproportionately and negatively impacts communities of color, the waste in lost human potential is absolutely staggering," said Rep. Steven Roberts Jr. of St. Louis in a recent interview. 

"Mandatory minimums for nonviolent offenses need to be eliminated, there needs to be increased funding for diversion and drug courts, as well as an end to money bail. As a nation, we can do a better job of holding to our basic principles of equality and justice for all."

Rep. Steven Roberts, St. Louis Legislator - This Week in Missouri Politics

Rising star of the Democratic Party and chair of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus, St. Louis Rep. Steven Roberts was recently interviewed by Scott Faughn for This Week in Missouri Politics.

When asked what the Legislative Black Caucus is and why it matters, Steven Roberts Jr. explained, "The important thing about the Black Caucus is we're focused on issues facing the African-American community and we're especially relevant now that we make up half of the Democratic Caucus."

When asked about some practical things St. Louis Rep. Steve Roberts wanted to impact, he spoke about criminal justice reform and working with Republicans to raise the age of who can be charged as an adult. To see the entire interview, click here.

Rep. Steven Roberts of St. Louis: House Bill 2218

During the 2018 legislative session, St. Louis Rep. Steven Roberts sponsored several House bills that he believes are in the best interest of all Missourians, including a bill that would abolish the death penalty.

Rep. Steven Roberts Jr. of St. Louis explains that House Bill 2218 would repeal provisions that allow courts to issue the death penalty as punishment and would require courts to change the sentencing on anyone currently facing the death penalty who were sentenced prior to August 28, 2018.

A state legislator who represents portions of St. Louis, Rep. Steve Roberts works hard to advocate for solutions that benefit his constituents, as well as people throughout Missouri. House Bill 2218 was referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention and Safety during the 2018 legislative session.

Rep. Steven Roberts, St. Louis Legislator: House Bill 2526

Rep. Steven Roberts of St. Louis sponsored House Bill 2526 during the 2018 legislative session of the Missouri’s General Assembly. 

Steven Roberts Jr. explains that House Bill 2526 would remove the requirement that certain defendants serve out specified minimum sentences upon conviction (i.e., mandatory minimum sentences).

In addition to the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences, St. Louis Rep. Steve Roberts explains that House Bill 2526 specifies that any offender who meets certain qualifications would be eligible for a parole hearing (excluding those found guilty of first-degree murder or certain sexual offenses). 

The bill was referred to the House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee during the 2018 legislative session.

Rep. Steven Roberts, St. Louis Legislator - Missouri's Millennial Leadership

In the Missouri Legislature, millennials have taken leadership roles in the Republican Caucus, Democratic Caucus and the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus.

"You have this new generation of leaders that believe in themselves and have the confidence to go forward and reach for their greatest ambitious," said Rep. Steven Roberts Jr.

Within the Missouri General Assembly, those that fit the "millennial" definition in leadership roles include Rep. Elijah Haahr, Speaker of the House; Sen. Caleb Rowden, Senate majority floor leader; Rep. Crystal Quade, House minority leader; Rep. DaRon McGee, House assistant minority floor leader; Rep. Steven Roberts, black caucus chairman; and Rep.-elect LaKeySha Bosley, black caucus secretary.

Rep. Steven Roberts of St. Louis - Personal Privacy Protection

Rep. Steven Roberts Jr.  of St. Louis is committed to standing up for the rights of others – and to utilizing his role as state legislator to advocate for fairness, equality and justice on behalf of those without the means to stand up for themselves. 

To that end, Roberts recently co-sponsored HCS HB 1358 – legislation designed to eliminate any requirement of personal online account access by landlords, employers and educational institutions.

HB 1358, as Rep. Steven Roberts Jr. of St. Louis knows, bans the requirement of personal account access as a condition of anything from residency and college enrollment to employment. It also protects private users from retaliation from employers or other entities once such a request has been denied.

Though HB 1358 does eliminate this access requirement, it does not prevent employers, landlords or public education institutions from accessing public information. This bill originated in the House’s Special Committee on Innovation and Technology.

Rep. Steven Roberts, St. Louis Legislator - Working to Help At-Risk Youth

Missouri State Rep. Steven Roberts Jr. represents constituents throughout portions of St. Louis City – a district that covers a section of the city from the central corridor northwest to the riverfront. 

As such, Roberts works hard to sponsor and support legislation that makes a difference for those throughout his community – particularly those facing significant struggles and disadvantages.

During the most recent session of the Missouri General Assembly, Rep. Steven Roberts Jr. of St. Louis was proud to sponsor and testify on behalf of HB 1321 – a bill that would have required the Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard to officially establish the Youth Challenge Academy. 

The Academy, if/when in place, would provide school-aged, at-risk youth a resource of support – positive interventions that proponents argue would lead to positive, meaningful results.

HB 1321 made significant progress last session – though the last movement on the bill was its referral to the House Committee on Legislative Oversight.