Bill > HB2072

This bill modifies the offense of assault in the fourth degree by adding a new provision specifically addressing physical pain inflicted on a "special victim" (a term defined in section 565.002, though the specific definition is not provided in this text). The bill expands the existing assault in the fourth degree statute to include a seventh category of assault, which involves knowingly causing physical pain to a special victim. The penalties for this new provision vary based on prior offenses: for a first offense, it is a class A misdemeanor, but if the person has previously been found guilty of an assault offense, it becomes a class E felony. If the person has two or more prior assault offenses, it becomes a class D felony. Additionally, for this specific type of assault, the bill mandates that the offender cannot be sentenced to a fine and must serve a minimum of six months in prison for a first offense or one year for subsequent offenses, with no eligibility for probation or parole during that mandatory minimum incarceration period. The bill maintains the existing classifications for other types of fourth-degree assault, which generally remain class A misdemeanors with some exceptions.

Health and Social Services

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2072&year=2026&code=R