Missouri limits public bodies' use of international rules and foreign laws

Missouri state and local public bodies do not enforce or carry out rules from international organizations. This covers state agencies and local governments, including municipalities and other local public bodies. The Hague Conference on Private International Law is excluded from this rule. Missouri's child support program may still carry out the Hague Conference's conventions, protocols, or other instruments.

Courts, arbitrators, and agencies may not apply certain foreign laws or enforce decisions and agreements that deny a party's fundamental rights. Fundamental rights are rights protected by the Missouri and U.S. Constitutions, including rights to fair legal treatment, equal protection, religious freedom, and rights involving marriage, children, and property. Foreign law includes law from outside the United States, including religious law when used instead of state or federal law. The law preserves existing Missouri Supreme Court precedent, religious groups' internal decisions, voluntary choices by corporations and other business groups to use foreign law or courts, and matters where federal law takes priority. In marriage, divorce, child custody, adoption, and inheritance matters, foreign law may not be applied when it conflicts with fundamental rights or public policy.

A Missouri court, arbitration panel, tribunal, or agency may not transfer a civil case if the transfer would lead to foreign law that violates or likely violates a party's fundamental rights. This applies to civil cases before a state court, arbitration panel, tribunal, or administrative agency. Fundamental rights are rights protected by the Missouri and U.S. Constitutions.