Bill > HB1142

This bill modifies Missouri's laws regarding sexual trafficking of children by establishing two distinct criminal offenses: sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree (involving children under 12) and sexual trafficking of a child in the second degree (involving children under 18). The bill increases penalties for these offenses, specifically by extending the mandatory minimum imprisonment periods. For first-degree sexual trafficking of a child (under 12), the bill increases the mandatory minimum imprisonment before parole eligibility from 25 to 30 years, with potential life imprisonment. For second-degree sexual trafficking of a child (under 18), the bill significantly raises the minimum prison sentence from 10 to 25 years, with potential life imprisonment if the trafficking was accomplished through force, abduction, or coercion. The bill also specifies that it is not a defense for the perpetrator to claim they believed the child was older than the specified age. The offenses include recruiting, enticing, transporting, or advertising children for commercial sex acts, sexual performances, or production of explicit sexual material, with potential fines up to $250,000. These changes aim to provide stronger legal protections for children and more severe punishment for those who sexually exploit minors.

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https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1142&year=2025&code=R