Missouri House Bill HB1780

Missouri 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/5/22
• Refer: 5/13/22

Caption

Requires law enforcement officers to give persons under arrest forty-eight hours to arrange for their motor vehicle to be removed before authorizing a towing company to remove a motor vehicle

Impact

If enacted, HB1780 would significantly alter existing procedures within law enforcement agencies throughout the state. By instituting a requirement for officers to wait a specified period before initiating towing, the bill seeks to protect the rights and property of individuals who have been arrested. This shift in policy not only emphasizes a more humane approach to the management of seized vehicles but also aligns with broader efforts to ensure that interactions between law enforcement and citizens are conducted in a fair and balanced manner.

Summary

House Bill 1780 focuses on the procedures that law enforcement officers must follow concerning the removal of motor vehicles belonging to individuals under arrest. The bill mandates that officers provide a grace period of forty-eight hours for these individuals to arrange for the removal of their vehicles before any towing company is authorized to act upon the vehicle's removal. This provision aims to ensure that individuals have the opportunity to retrieve their vehicles or make arrangements for their safe removal prior to the onset of towing, thereby addressing concerns about potential hardships that may arise from immediate towing actions.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding HB1780 may arise from various stakeholders within the law enforcement community and towing industry. Some law enforcement officials may argue that a mandated waiting period could hinder their operations and create logistical challenges, especially in situations involving abandoned or improperly parked vehicles. Conversely, advocates of the bill suggest that the proposed grace period is a reasonable measure to safeguard the rights of individuals, reducing the distress that often accompanies unexpected vehicle towing, particularly in vulnerable situations such as arrests.