ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis woman has helped write a state bill that would force insurance companies to offer support for people impacted by gun violence just like her. 

Precious Jones has seen it multiple times: gunshots hitting her home, and in 2022, her son, Preston Jones, died when a gunshot came through his bedroom window. 

“You’re weary 24/7. You can’t sleep at night and you don’t know what’s going on. So I was always having to relocate,” she said. 

Jones recounted another instance when, she said, her grandchild came within inches of a similar fate. 

She said people in those situations need to find a safe place to stay. Now, Jones has helped craft legislation to require insurance companies to help out. 

“You should be able to relocate while your home is being repaired or if you don’t feel safe there anymore and you need to relocate,” Jones said. 

A Missouri house bill sponsored by Rep. Chanel Mosley (D-Black Jack) would require homeowners’ and renters’ insurance to cover more expenses for property damage caused by gun violence. 

Some things included would be temporary housing, increased transportation costs and meals for people forced out of their homes. 

“I’m sure some things will be critiqued but it would basically be around the same as what it would be if your house caught on fire or if the insurance company deemed your home as unsafe for whatever reason,” Jones said. 

It appears a lot of insurance policies already cover the property damage but not necessarily the extra living expenses. 

The bill would allow insurers to specify either a dollar limit or a time limit for those costs. 

FOX 2 reached out to the Missouri Insurance Coalition and Department of Insurance Monday afternoon but did not hear back before publication. 

The bill has had its second reading in Jefferson City. It does not have another meeting scheduled for it yet. 

But Jones said she will go to Jefferson City to discuss the legislation in committee when a date is set.