Missouri lawmakers back lawsuits over police budget cuts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers have passed legislation taking aim at the defund-the-police movement.

A bill given final approval Friday would allow people to sue local governments that cut police budgets by more than 12% compared to other departments over a five-year period.

The bill also includes other protections for police, including a ban on probation or parole for people convicted of dangerous crimes against law officers, firefighters or emergency service providers.

Another part of the bill would make it a misdemeanor crime to vandalize a public monument.

The bill primarily drew support from Republicans. Many Democrats spoke against it.