GPS devices are being placed on vehicles to track people without their knowledge. It is not illegal in Missouri to do so, but state lawmakers are working to make it a crime.
The Missouri House could soon debate a bill co-sponsored by Rep. Kemp Strickler, D-Lee’s Summit, that would criminalize the secret tracking of people with these devices, such as Apple AirTags.
“If someone tapes that to the underside of your vehicle without the owner’s knowledge, under current law, there’s nothing, unless it’s part of stalking. That can contribute to stalking,” Strickler told reporters.
He said domestic violence victims must be protected.
“That is a real problem in the state,” said Strickler. “On the Kansas City side, we’ve had people who’ve been killed because ex-boyfriends have tracked them. Unfortunately one of the young ladies who was murdered on the west side of the state, her boyfriend had put one on, had tracked, not just where she was at, but also was alerted when she was at work, when she was at her home, when she was at these different places. That is, just in my opinion, way too invasive,” said Strickler.
House Bill 293 would create the offense of unlawful tracking of a vehicle, with the punishment being a misdemeanor. Repeat offenses would be a felony.
Exceptions would include for criminal investigations, a parent or guardian who wants to monitor their child driving the vehicle without them, “vulnerable adults” with disabilities, rental car companies, or if the vehicle is being repossessed.
The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Cecelie Williams, R-Dittmer, and Rep. Bill Irwin, R-Lee’s Summit.
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