Limits criminal or civil liability when a person flees an unlawful or a riotous assemblage while in a motor vehicle

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chad Perkins

HB 2174 would shield drivers who flee a riotous or unlawful crowd in a motor vehicle from criminal or civil liability.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#civilprocedure #liability #motorvehicles

Purpose and intent

HB 2174 seeks to limit criminal or civil liability for individuals who flee from an unlawful or riotous assemblage while operating a motor vehicle. The bill appears to provide protections for drivers who exit or escape such assemblies by driving away, aiming to reduce potential charges or liability arising from their actions during confrontations with crowd control or unlawful protests.

Key provisions and changes

Limitation on liability: The bill would restrict both criminal charges and civil liability that could be imposed on a person who, while in a motor vehicle, flees from an unlawful or riotous assemblage.

Scope of situation: Applies specifically to scenarios where the driver is departing from a gathering deemed unlawful or riotous, and where the individual is operating a motor vehicle at the time of withdrawal.

Protective language: Likely establishes conditions or standards under which liability would not be imposed, such as considerations of the threat, necessity, or proportionality, though the exact criteria are not provided in the summary.

Relationship to existing law: The measure would interact with current Missouri criminal and civil liability statutes, potentially creating an affirmative or defensive basis for a driver in such circumstances.

Who or what would be affected

Drivers operating motor vehicles who are attempting to flee or escape from an unlawful or riotous assemblage.

Potentially includes cases arising in traffic stops, protests, or mob actions where a vehicle is used to depart from a scene.

Civil claimants and prosecutors in such incidents would face changing liability standards when the fleeing driver asserts the protections in this bill.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Referral and readings: The bill was prefiled in December 2025, had its first reading on January 7, 2026, second reading on January 8, 2026, and was referred to the Emerging Issues committee on May 15, 2026.

Sponsorship: Co-sponsored by Chad Perkins, indicating potential bipartisan interest or regional support within Missouri.

Next steps: If advanced, the bill would move through committee hearings, possible amendments, and floor votes in the Missouri House of Representatives, followed by potential consideration in the Senate (not shown in the provided history).

Potential impacts to consider

Public safety vs. liability relief: The bill creates a tension between preventing unlawful or riotous activity and ensuring road safety. It could influence police apprehension decisions and prosecutorial charging decisions in incidents where a vehicle is used to escape a crowd.

Legal standards: The absence of detailed criteria in the summary means the exact tests for immunity or liability protection would be crucial for practitioners, defendants, and plaintiffs.

Civil litigation dynamics: If enacted, the bill could reduce civil claims against drivers who flee, or shift the burden to prove that the fleeing conduct fell within protected circumstances.

Note: The summary above reflects the bill’s stated aims and available action history. The exact statutory language would be necessary to determine precise eligibility, limitations, and definitions.