Missouri SB615 (aka 2006 Photo Ban Bill)

The Joplin Independent, January 29, 2006, reported that controversy is spreading regarding SB 615 (aka the 2006 Photo Ban bill) introduced by Senator Bill Stouffer. SB615 is now in the hands of the Judicial and Civil & Criminal Jurisprudence Committee of the Missouri Legislature.

A summary of the bill follows: SB 615 - The act extends the "Animal Research and Production Facilities Protection Act" so that its provisions apply to all agricultural research and production facilities. For example, the act covers agricultural production involving forestry products, horticulture products, and tobacco as well as products derived from livestock and other farm animals [including CAFOs].

The act adds to the list of punishable offenses perpetrated against such facilities: 578.407 1. No person shall commit, attempt to commit, conspire to commit, or knowingly allow to commit, any of the following: (9) ...any photographic, video or electronic image of such objects or the facility.