Bill > HB225

This bill allows the chief law enforcement executive in any jurisdiction, or their designee, to request assistance from a law enforcement agency of another jurisdiction, including one outside the state of Missouri but within the United States. The bill establishes several key provisions for such inter-jurisdictional law enforcement assistance, including that: 1. If an officer makes an arrest outside their home jurisdiction, the offender must be delivered to the first available local law enforcement officer, and the initial arresting officer must help prepare necessary legal documentation. 2. For employment and liability purposes, law enforcement officers remain employees of their original agency throughout any assistance request, and standard legal protections like qualified immunity will continue to apply. 3. The provisions do not limit existing mutual aid agreements or actions conducted under other statutory provisions. 4. Chapter 544 of Missouri law will be applicable to out-of-state law enforcement officers acting under these provisions. The bill appears designed to provide greater flexibility for law enforcement agencies to collaborate across jurisdictional boundaries while maintaining clear protocols for such assistance and preserving the legal protections and employment status of participating officers. This could help improve law enforcement's ability to respond to emergencies, pursue suspects, or provide mutual support across different regions and states.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB225&year=2025&code=R