Highway Patrol offers description of new laws that just went into effect

(From the Missouri State Highway Patrol)

Several laws related to public safety went into effect August 28, 2024. A synopsis of sections related to public safety follows. The abbreviated descriptions below are intended to make the public aware of some of the new legislation enacted by the Missouri General Assembly which is related to crime and public safety. 

For a complete description of these newly enacted laws, visit the Missouri House of Representatives or Missouri Senate websites or click on the link provided within this news release.

SENATE BILL 754

To read the truly agreed to and finally passed version of Senate Bill 754 in its entirety, follow this link:

https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/pdf-bill/tat/SB754.pdf


NO WARRANT TO BE ISSUED FOR TRAFFIC INFRACTION (307.018 & 556.021 RSMo)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no court shall issue a warrant of arrest for a person's failure to respond, pay the fine assessed, or appear in court with respect to a traffic citation issued for an infraction under the provisions of this chapter. In lieu of such warrant of arrest, the court shall issue a notice of failure to respond, pay the fine assessed, or appear, and the court shall schedule a second court date for the person to respond, pay the fine assessed, or appear. A copy of the court's notice with the new court date shall be sent to the driver of the vehicle. If the driver fails to respond, pay the fine assessed, or appear on the second court date, the court shall issue a second notice of failure to respond, pay the fine assessed, or appear. If the driver fails to respond, pay the fine assessed, or appear after the second notice, the court may issue a default judgment under section 556.021 for the infraction.

ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IN THE FIRST DEGREE (568.045 RSMo)

This act adds a section to the current law stating a person commits the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree if he or she knowingly encourages, aids or causes a child less than seventeen years of age to engage in any conduct which violates the provisions of chapter 571 or 579.

BLAIR’S LAW (571.031 RSMo)

This act creates the offense of unlawful discharge of a firearm if he or she recklessly discharges a firearm within or into the limits of any municipality. A person who commits the offense of unlawful discharge of a firearm shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor for a first offense, a class E felony for a second offense, and a class D felony for a third or subsequent offense.

VALENTINE’S LAW (575.151 RSMo)

This act creates the offense of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle. A person commits the offense of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle if he or she knows or reasonably should know that a law enforcement officer is attempting to detain or stop a motor vehicle, and for the purpose of preventing the officer from effecting the stop or detention, he or she flees and:

(1) Such person operates a motor vehicle at a high speed or in any manner which creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to any person; (class D felony)

(2) or as a result of such flight causes physical injury to another person; (class B felony)

(3) or as a result of such flight causes death to another person. (class A felony)

MAX’S LAW (575.353 RSMo)

This act creates the offense of assault on a law enforcement animal. A person commits the offense of assault on a law enforcement animal if he or she knowingly attempts to kill or disable or knowingly causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to a law enforcement animal when that animal is involved in law enforcement investigation, apprehension, tracking, or search, or the animal is in the custody of or under the control of a law enforcement officer, department of corrections officer, municipal police department, fire department or a rescue unit or agency.

The offense of assault on a law enforcement animal is a class A misdemeanor if the law enforcement animal is not injured to the point of requiring veterinary care or treatment. It is a class E felony if the law enforcement animal is seriously injured to the point of requiring veterinary care or treatment. It is a class D felony if the assault results in the death of such animal.

DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CAUSING SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY (579.021 RSMo)

A person commits the offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing serious physical injury if a person delivers or distributes a controlled substance knowing such substance is mixed with another controlled substance and serious physical injury results from the use of such controlled substance. The offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing serious physical injury is a class C felony.

DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CAUSING DEATH (579.022 RSMo)

A person commits the offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing death if a person delivers or distributes a controlled substance knowing such substance is mixed with another controlled substance and a death results from the use of such controlled substance. The offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing death is a class A felony.