The bill proposes the addition of a new section, 565.131, to chapter 565 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, which defines the offense of false imprisonment and establishes corresponding penalties. Under this new section, a person is guilty of false imprisonment if they knowingly restrain or impede another individual's movement unlawfully and without consent, significantly interfering with that person's liberty. The offense is classified as a class A misdemeanor, but escalates to a class E felony if the restrained individual is removed from the state. Furthermore, the bill outlines that if physical contact occurs during the act of false imprisonment, the offender may also be charged with third-degree assault. It provides specific conditions under which an individual can be presumed to fear for their life, such as when the aggressor is within seven feet or throwing objects capable of causing harm. The bill also extends the definition of false imprisonment to include actions against occupied motor vehicles and buildings, assuming that occupants in these scenarios fear for their safety. Definitions for key terms related to the offense, such as "interfere substantially" and "willful blocking," are also included to clarify the scope of the law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (5443H.01): 565.131