Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri HB2339: Establishes definitions that relate to the issuance of protective orders
Status: In committee, May 15, 2026
What the bill says
An act of domestic violence, or person alleged to have committed an act of stalking or sexual assault, against whom a verified petition has been filed or a person served on behalf of a child pursuant to section 455.503; [(14)] (16) "Sexual assault", as defined under subdivision (1) of this section; [(15)] (17) "Stalking", is when any person purposely engages in an unwanted course of conduct that causes alarm to another person, or a person who resides together in the same household with the person seeking the order of protection when it is reasonable in that person's situation to have been alar.
From the introduced text:
an act of domestic violence, or person alleged to have committed an act of stalking or sexual assault, against whom a verified petition has been filed or a person served on behalf of a child pursuant to section 455.503; [(14)] (16) "Sexual assault", as defined under subdivision (1) of this section; [(15)] (17) "Stalking", is when any person purposely engages in an unwanted course of conduct that causes alarm to another person, or a person who resides together in the same household with the person seeking the order of protection when it is reasonable in that person's situation to have been alarmed by the conduct. As used in this and (b) "Course of conduct", two or more acts that serve no legitimate purpose including, but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through a third party follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to a person by any action, method, or device. 455.032. In addition to any other jurisdictional grounds provided by law, a court shall have jurisdiction to enter an order of protection restraining or enjoining the respondent from committing or threatening to commit domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, molesting or disturbing the peace of the petitioner, or abusing a pet, pursuant to sections 455.010 to 455.085, if the petitioner is present, whether permanently or …