Bill > HB1357

This bill decriminalizes certain prostitution offenses and establishes a new offense of commercial sexual exploitation. The bill introduces significant changes to how sexual services and related activities are legally treated in Missouri, replacing existing prostitution laws with a more nuanced approach that focuses on protecting victims, particularly minors and those being coerced. The new offense of commercial sexual exploitation creates different levels of criminal penalties based on specific circumstances, such as the age of the person being exploited and the nature of the exploitative actions. For instance, the bill establishes different felony classes for exploiting minors versus adults, with more severe penalties for actions involving individuals under 16 years old. The legislation also includes provisions for civil actions by victims, allows for record expungement in certain cases, and aims to provide more comprehensive protections for individuals who have been sexually exploited. Additionally, the bill modifies various related statutes across multiple areas of law, including sexual offender registration, human trafficking, and criminal proceedings, to align with the new legal framework around commercial sexual exploitation.