The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri House Bill 2174 Shields Drivers Fleeing Riots from Criminal and Civil Liability
Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsor: Chad Perkins
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What This Bill Would Do
Drivers fleeing an in a motor vehicle are exempt from criminal or civil liability for any resulting death or injury to a participant, provided the driver reasonably believes they or an occupant are in danger and exercises due care.
Modifies legal protections for motorists caught in civil disturbances, establishing a specific exemption from lawsuits and criminal charges under defined conditions involving perceived danger and the exercise of due care.
- House Bill 2174 was introduced during the 2026 Regular Session of the 103rd General Assembly of Missouri. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
motorists
Motorists driving through or near an unlawful or riotous assemblage gain protection from criminal and civil liability under specified conditions.
participants in unlawful or riotous assemblages
Participants risk losing the ability to claim criminal or civil damages against a fleeing motorist if they are injured or killed during the escape.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this bill protect drivers from all liabilities if they hit someone while fleeing a riot?
What happens to the liability of people participating in the unlawful assemblage?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- May 15, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Emerging Issues(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 4, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Driver Protections During Civil Unrest
The bill amends existing liability statutes to explicitly shield drivers fleeing riots from both criminal charges and civil lawsuits under specific safety conditions.
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy80Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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