Have You Been Injured? We're Ready to Fight for You.

New Law Changes Coming to Missouri in 2020

Published on Jan 13, 2020 by Thomas Law Offices.

The Law Office of Mike Campbell has joined forces with Thomas Law Offices as of September 1st, 2020. Click here for details.

As 2020 begins, Missouri lawmakers are geared up for a busy year, and residents should be aware of the law changes that could impact their everyday lives.

While new laws will be decided upon throughout the year, there are a few that will start in January that you should know about. The new law changes coming to Missouri in 2020 include changes to motor vehicle inspection requirements, punitive damages caps, and extended summer vacation for school districts.

Motor Vehicle Inspection Changes

Senate Bill 89 was signed into law in July 2019. Taking effect January 2020, this law adds five years to motor vehicle biannual inspection requirements. Prior to this law, motor vehicles were exempt from biannual inspections for a period of five years following their model year. Now, motor vehicles are exempt for a period of ten years following their model year, proving the vehicle has fewer than 150,000 miles on the odometer.

For example, if you purchased a brand new vehicle in 2014, you would be due for an inspection in 2020. Now, however, you’ll have until 2025 or 150,000 miles. This affects approximately 1.1 million vehicles in Missouri. The act also requires the collection of odometer information for vehicles 10 years old or newer with fewer than 150,000. That information should be retained for ten years.

Inspections are important because they ensure a vehicle’s braking, steering, exhaust systems, lights, turn signals, wipers, seat belts, tires, and horn are in proper working condition. Roadworthy vehicles are less likely to breakdown or cause accidents because of faulty parts.

In addition to the motor vehicle inspection changes, Senate Bill 89 includes the following new laws:

  • If a driver hits an emergency responder or highway worker, the Director of the Department of Revenue will revoke the driver’s license. This is because a number of workers are injured and killed in roadside accidents every year because of speeding and distracted drivers.
  • All homemade trailers are required to be inspected. The inspection fee is now $25.
  • Entities engaged in the business of renting or leasing vehicles are now required to pay the Director of the Department of Revenue an annual $250 fee.

Extended Summer Vacation

Parents and guardians should be aware that Missouri Governor Mike Parson approved a bill in July 2019 that gives some students a lengthened summer vacation in 2020. The bill moves the earliest possible start day for public school by four days. Schools are allowed to start no sooner than ten days before the first Monday in September. The goal is to help the state’s tourism industry and give families another week of summer vacation.

Deciphering new laws can be confusing and may seem overwhelming if you know they could have an impact on your future or your personal injury claim. That’s where we come in. Thomas Law Offices stays up-to-date on all the state’s law changes, so we can help our clients understand their impacts.

If you have concerns or questions about the laws discussed above or other laws in Missouri, we can help you find answers. If you’ve been injured and think you may need to file a personal injury claim, we can also evaluate your situation and help you determine how best to proceed.

We want all Missouri residents to enter into 2020 with confidence and ease. Injuries can hinder that. To learn more about the law changes, personal injury claims, or your legal rights and options after being wrongfully harmed, schedule a consultation with our attorneys today.

Free Case Evaluation

At Thomas Law Offices, our personal injury attorneys recognize that our potential clients are likely going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. We don't want you to have to worry about paying out of pocket for legal advice when you're just starting to learn your legal rights and options. That's why we provide free case evaluations. We'll offer our expert advice about your potential case and walk you through how we can help you.

Call us or fill out the form below to tell us about your potential case and a personal injury lawyer will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Meet Our Founder

Tad Thomas - Trial Lawyer

Tad Thomas

Managing Partner

Tad Thomas has dedicated his practice to representing plaintiffs in various types of civil litigation, including personal injury, business litigation, class actions, and multi-district litigation.

After graduating with his law degree in 2000 from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, Mr. Thomas immediately opened his own private practice and began representing injury victims.

In 2011, Thomas Law Offices was established in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the past decade, Mr. Thomas has expanded his firm and now has offices in three additional locations: Cincinnati, Ohio, Columbia, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. He is also a frequent lecturer on topics like trial skills and ethics and technology.

Legal & Firm News

What Injuries Commonly Cause Death in Car Accidents?

Car accidents have the potential to cause serious, lasting injuries to drivers and passengers alike. Unfortunately, we know that not every accident victim will survive a crash. Many serious injuries commonly cause death in car accidents, leaving surviving family members to deal with the emotional and financial losses. Whether driving on the Dan Ryan Expressway […]

Read More

What To Do if You Have Back Pain After a Car Accident

Even a seemingly minor car accident has the potential to cause severe, catastrophic, and life-altering injuries. Knowing what steps to take in the immediate aftermath of a collision can be difficult, though, especially if you’re in pain and feeling scared. At Thomas Law Offices, it is our goal to arm our clients with the knowledge […]

Read More

The Old National Bank Shooting Victims Plan to Sue Radical Firearms for Damages

Individuals who were visiting or working in Louisville on the morning of April 10th knew little about why the police and paramedics were speeding down E. Main Street in the direction of Old National Bank in the downtown area. However, it wasn’t long thereafter that the reason for those first responders’ sense of urgency to […]

Read More
Tad Thomas on The National Crime Victim Bar Association
National Civil Justice Institute - Trustee
Tad Thomas on Lawyer Minds
Tad Thomas on American Association for Justice
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Ohio Association for Justice
Kentucky Justice Association
Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America
Martindale Hubbell Preeminent
2021 Public Justice Member
AAJ Masters of Trial Law: Champion