State Rep. Phil Amato on House Bill 2896 Known as the “Squatters” Bill

(JEFFERSON CITY, ARNOLD) State Representative Phil Amato of Arnold has seen one of his bills making its way through the Missouri legislature with quick action since being introduced. Amato filed House Bill 2896 at the very end of February, and it is close to being finalized to advance to the Senate. The bill would amend the trespassing law when a person knowingly or intentionally enters and refuses to leave the vacant real property or vacant structure of another. Amato says the bill has become known as the “squatters” bill and is similar to a bill filed in Florida.

Amato says the bill helps to speed the process of removal of a person or persons considerably.

Amato explains why this is so important.

House Bill 2896 will be discussed by the Rules and Regulatory Oversight Committee this week, possibly today (Monday), and will then need a vote of the entire House before moving on to the Senate for its consideration.