Bill > HB2555

This bill introduces several significant changes related to public protests and legal protections, with key provisions spanning multiple areas of Missouri law. The bill establishes new reporting requirements for "general lobbyists" - individuals receiving compensation for participating in protest activities - mandating that they and their principals file detailed reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission within seven days of a protest, including information about funding sources, compensation, location, and purpose. For protests, the bill requires demonstrators to yield to motor vehicles on roadways and pedestrians on walkways, with exceptions for permitted events. The legislation also modifies false imprisonment laws, creating more specific definitions and protections, such as allowing individuals to assume they are in danger if someone is within seven feet and behaving aggressively. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions around unlawful assembly, including making it a misdemeanor to wear face coverings during such assemblies, with subsequent offenses potentially becoming felonies. Throughout the bill, there are explicit protections for First Amendment rights, emphasizing that these provisions cannot be used to restrict peaceful assembly or protest based on content or viewpoint. The bill aims to provide clearer legal frameworks for public demonstrations while establishing more precise guidelines for personal safety and potential legal liability.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2555&year=2026&code=R