Bill > HB2552

This bill establishes a new legal offense of false imprisonment in Missouri, defining it as knowingly and unlawfully restraining or impeding another person's movement without their consent in a way that substantially interferes with their liberty. The offense is classified as a class A misdemeanor, but becomes a class E felony if the restrained individual is removed from the state. The bill includes provisions that automatically trigger an assault in the third degree charge if physical contact occurs during the false imprisonment, with a presumption that contact was initiated by the person blocking someone's movement. The legislation also creates legal assumptions about an individual's fear for their life if they are blocked or impeded within certain proximity distances (seven feet or seventy-five feet if objects are being thrown), and extends the offense to situations involving occupied motor vehicles or buildings where blocking constitutes a felony. The bill broadly defines "interfere substantially" and "willful blocking" to include actions like establishing a grip, moving to block, or participating in a group that blocks rights-of-way, and explicitly states that the person with the right-of-way has no obligation to escape or retreat.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2552&year=2026&code=R