Bill > HB1557

This bill comprehensively updates Missouri's stealing statute by expanding and clarifying provisions related to theft offenses. The bill establishes a detailed graduated penalty system for stealing based on the type, value, and circumstances of the stolen property, ranging from a class A misdemeanor to a class A felony. Key modifications include specific penalties for stealing certain types of property like anhydrous ammonia containers, livestock, motor vehicles, and specialized items such as teller machines, firearms, and controlled substances. The bill introduces enhanced penalties for repeat offenders, with increasingly severe classifications for multiple stealing-related offenses within a ten-year period. Notably, the bill adds two significant new provisions: first, it establishes guidelines for determining property ownership in cases where the victim is deceased, allowing documentation, heir testimony, or other evidence to prove ownership; second, it creates a presumption that consent was not given in situations where a vulnerable end-of-life care recipient has property stolen by their caregiver, with the burden of proving consent placed on the accused. These changes aim to provide more precise legal definitions, protect vulnerable populations, and create a more nuanced approach to prosecuting theft crimes.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1557&year=2025&code=R