Bill > HB224

This bill establishes a comprehensive approach to addressing human trafficking in Missouri by creating several key initiatives and making multiple legislative changes. The bill creates a new "Committee on Sex and Human Trafficking Training" composed of representatives from various state agencies, law enforcement, and victim advocacy organizations, which will develop guidelines and training standards for sex and human trafficking awareness across multiple professional sectors. The committee will be responsible for creating and distributing digital training materials and will operate from 2026 to 2030. Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws to require professionals in various fields—including emergency medical technicians, juvenile officers, peace officers, and licensed professionals—to complete between one to four hours of sex and human trafficking training as part of their continuing education requirements. The legislation also establishes a new "Statewide Council Against Adult Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children" within the attorney general's office, creates a "Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Fund" that will collect restitution from human trafficking offenders, and makes several changes to criminal statutes related to trafficking, including increasing penalties for patronizing prostitution and extending prosecution timelines for certain sexual offenses. The bill aims to improve prevention, training, victim support, and legal responses to human trafficking across Missouri.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB224&year=2025&code=R