SECOND REGULAR SESSION

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FORHOUSE BILL NO. 1215

92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

     Reported from the Committee on the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence, April 23, 2004, with recommendation that the Senate Committee Substitute do pass.

TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.

4139L.03C

AN ACT

To repeal section 575.195, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to escape from commitment, with a penalty provision and an emergency clause.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A.  Section 575.195, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 575.195, to read as follows:

            575.195.  1.  A person commits the crime of escape from commitment or detention if he or she has been committed to a state mental hospital under the provisions of [sections 202.700 to 202.770 or of] sections 552.010 to 552.080, RSMo, or of sections 632.480 to 632.513, RSMo, or has been ordered to be taken into custody, detained, or held pursuant to sections 632.480 to 632.513, RSMo, and he or she escapes from such commitment or detention.  

            2.  Escape from commitment or detention is a class D felony.

            Section B.  Because of the immediate danger posed to the public from sexual predators escaping from mental institutions without penalty, section A of this act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace, and safety, and is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and section A of this act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.

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