Bill > SB1181

This bill establishes a comprehensive Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Program in Missouri, creating a new Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Commission within the Department of Public Safety to address automobile theft and related crimes. The bill introduces several key provisions, including making it illegal to manufacture, sell, transfer, or possess motor vehicle key programming devices and relay attack devices (which are tools that can electronically unlock or start vehicles without the original key), with exceptions for law enforcement, specific industry professionals, and lawful purposes. The bill creates a twelve-member commission composed of state officials and appointed representatives from various sectors like law enforcement, insurance, and automotive industries, who will oversee grant programs aimed at preventing and investigating motor vehicle theft. The commission can award grants to local law enforcement agencies and multi-jurisdictional task forces for activities such as theft prevention, crime investigation, personnel hiring, equipment purchasing, and public awareness campaigns. A dedicated revolving fund will be established to support these efforts, and the program includes reporting requirements to assess its effectiveness, with a mandatory sunset provision after six years. Violations of the key programming device restrictions can result in criminal penalties, ranging from a class A misdemeanor to a class D felony, depending on the specific offense.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=145