Missouri Highway Patrol outlines new traffic, public safety laws

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Changes to Missouri’s speed limit law, school bus safety penalties and protections against online abuse are among the public safety measures highlighted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The patrol released a summary Sept. 4 of legislation approved by the Missouri General Assembly. Several provisions took effect Aug. 28, while others will be implemented in 2027.

Traffic and school bus safety

The updated speed limit law allows limits of up to 75 mph on rural interstates and freeways. However, the patrol said the Missouri Department of Transportation will study potential changes before taking action. Drivers should continue following posted speed limits. Missouri’s speed limit law

Changes to school bus safety laws include five driver’s license points for violations of the state’s school bus stopping requirements. Violations that cause serious physical injury or death are classified as Class D felonies. Repeat offenders also face additional fines and license suspensions, according to the patrol.

The patrol said changes to the driving while intoxicated law classify cases involving criminally negligent driving that causes another person’s death as Class A felonies.

Bently and Mason’s Law establishes child maintenance requirements for people convicted of certain intoxicated driving or boating offenses that kill a parent. The length of those payments depends on factors including the child’s age, education and disability status.

Infrastructure protection and fraud

Other changes address damage to critical infrastructure and restrict certain drone flights below 400 feet over those facilities. The legislation also lowers the capacity threshold for covered open-air facilities to 500 people, according to the patrol.

A gift card fraud law covers knowingly tampering with gift cards or their packaging, as well as using deception to obtain cards or redemption information.

The patrol also highlighted laws addressing the harmful disclosure of intimate digital images and online exploitation involving threats, coercion or extortion.

Changes coming in 2027

Beginning Jan. 1, Mason’s Law will allow people to register information with the Missouri Department of Revenue about a condition affecting their ability, or a family member’s ability, to cooperate with law enforcement.

Also beginning Jan. 1, people born on or after Jan. 1, 2006, will generally need a boating safety identification card to operate a vessel on any Missouri waters, subject to statutory exceptions. Missouri’s boating safety law

RJ’s Law requires an alert system for missing people with certain disabilities affecting mental cognition to be implemented on or before July 1, 2027.

Changes to harassment and stalking laws, including provisions addressing technological abuse, take effect July 1, 2027. New cyberharassment and cyberstalking offenses also take effect that day. The cyberstalking law addresses threatening or fear-inducing conduct using digital technology to intimidate, track or follow another person. Missouri’s cyberstalking law

The patrol encouraged residents to review the full legislation for details about requirements, exceptions and penalties.