HB 1868

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
  HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
  HOUSE BILL NOS. 1868 & 3257
  103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
 4749H.02C  JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
  AN ACT
 To amend chapter 575, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the offense of
  impeding, threatening, or harassing a first responder, with a penalty provision.
 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
  Section A. Chapter 575, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be
2 known as section 575.356, to read as follows:
  575.356. 1. A person commits the offense of impeding, threatening, or harassing
2 a first responder if such person after receiving an oral warning not to approach from an
3 individual that the person knows or reasonably should know is a first responder and the
4 individual is engaged in the lawful performance of his or her duties as a first responder
5 knowingly and willfully violates such warning and approaches or remains within
6 twenty-five feet of the first responder with the intent to:
7(1) Impede or interfere with the first responder's ability to perform such duties;
8(2) Threaten the first responder with physical harm; or
9(3) Harass the first responder.
102. The offense of impeding, threatening, or harassing a first responder is a class
11 D misdemeanor.
123. As used in this section, the following terms mean:
13(1) "Emergency medical care provider", an ambulance driver, emergency
14 medical technician, paramedic, registered nurse, physician, or medical director. The
15 term "emergency medical care provider" also includes a physician, employee, agent, or
16 volunteer of a hospital as defined in section 190.100 who is employed, under contract, or
17 otherwise authorized by a hospital to perform duties directly associated with the care
18 and treatment rendered by the hospital's emergency department or the security thereof;
 EXPLANATION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
 intended to be omitted from the law. Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.
HCS HBs 1868 & 3257  2
19(2) "First responder", a law enforcement officer as defined in section 556.061, a
20 parole or probation officer, a firefighter as defined in section 87.120, or an emergency
21 medical care provider;
22(3) "Harass", to willfully engage in a course of conduct directed at a first
23 responder that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress in that first responder
24 and serves no legitimate purpose.
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