Missouri Bill to Ban Execution of Mentally Retarded Passes Legislature; Awaits Governor's Signature The Missouri Legislature approved a bill to prohibit the imposition of the death penalty on a defendant who suffers from mental retardation. The bill provides for life imprisonment for a person with mental retardation who is found guilty of first-degree murder. Governor Bob Holden has indicated that he will sign the bill. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/11/01) A bill to ban the execution of those with mental retardation is also awaiting the governor's signature in Florida (see below). If both the bills are signed, Florida and Missouri would bring the total number of states banning such executions to 16.