Bill > HB1408

This bill modifies Missouri state law to allow firefighters to initiate vehicle towing at accident scenes, expanding the previous authority held only by law enforcement officers and highway patrol. The bill adds a new definition for "firefighter" that includes both paid and volunteer fire personnel, and gives them the same rights as law enforcement officers to request towing services. Key provisions include allowing firefighters to utilize tow management companies or tow lists, honor vehicle owners' specific towing company preferences (with exceptions for immediate traffic hazards), and prevent unauthorized towing at accident scenes. The bill establishes penalties for tow truck operators who improperly tow vehicles, ranging from a class D misdemeanor for a first offense to a class D felony for a third or subsequent violation. The legislation also specifies that towing companies cannot tow vehicles out of Missouri without the vehicle owner's consent and provides some limitations on out-of-state towing. Notably, the bill does not apply to counties of the third or fourth classification, which suggests it is primarily targeted at more urban or populous areas of Missouri.

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https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1408&year=2025&code=R