Valentine’s Law creates felony penalties for fleeing law enforcement when it results in injury or death.
This law is named in honor of St. Louis County Police Detective Antonio Valentine, who was killed on December 1, 2021, when a stolen vehicle fleeing from police crossed into oncoming traffic and struck his patrol car head-on.
What the Law Does
It creates the offense of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention, making it a felony to flee from a law enforcement vehicle when doing so creates a substantial risk of injury. Penalties increase to a Class B felony if the fleeing results in injury and to a Class A felony if it results in death.
Public Safety Impact
By establishing clear criminal penalties tied to the level of harm caused, the law strengthens accountability and reinforces consequences for conduct that places law enforcement officers and the public at significant risk.
PCLC Position
The Police Chiefs Legislative Coalition supported this legislation as a measure to strengthen accountability for dangerous fleeing behavior and improve public safety outcomes.
Status
Passed with bipartisan support and signed into law by Governor Mike Parson. Effective August 28, 2024.
SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATION
Provides tuition assistance to support recruitment and long-term retention of public safety personnel.
What the Law Does
It establishes the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act, providing tuition assistance benefits for public safety personnel after six years of service and for their dependents after ten years of service.
Public Safety Impact
By creating structured educational benefits tied to years of service, the law supports long-term retention, strengthens workforce stability, and improves the ability of agencies to recruit and retain qualified public safety personnel.
PCLC Position
The Police Chiefs Legislative Coalition supported this legislation as a measure to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts and support the long-term sustainability of the public safety workforce.
Status
Signed into law by the Governor Mike Kehoe on July 11, 2025. Effective August 28, 2025.
Expands Missouri’s mutual aid framework to allow broader interstate cooperation during critical incidents..
What the Law Does
It expands Missouri’s law enforcement mutual aid framework to allow broader cooperation with out-of-state agencies during critical incidents that present a risk of injury or death. The law authorizes Missouri agencies to request assistance from neighboring states and grants responding officers law enforcement authority within Missouri for the duration of those incidents.
Officers responding from outside the state are provided the same legal protections and immunities recognized under their home state’s laws while operating in Missouri.
Public Safety Impact
By expanding mutual aid authority across state lines, the law improves coordination during high-risk incidents, increases available resources in critical moments, and strengthens the ability of law enforcement agencies to respond effectively to threats that cross jurisdictional boundaries.
PCLC Position
The Police Chiefs Legislative Coalition supported this legislation as a measure to improve interagency coordination and ensure law enforcement agencies have the authority and protections needed to respond effectively during critical incidents.
Status
Signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe in July 2025. Effective August 28, 2025.