Bill > HB1814

This bill introduces "Sophie's Law" and makes several significant changes to sexual offense laws in Missouri. The primary new provision is the creation of the offense of "grooming of a minor," which occurs when a person 18 or older engages in a pattern of conduct designed to prepare, condition, or manipulate a minor (17 or younger) for sexual conduct. The law establishes specific criteria for determining intent, including communications, gift-giving, and attempts to reduce protective influences around a minor. The offense is classified as a class B felony, potentially escalating to a class A felony if sexual conduct occurs, with a mandatory minimum five-year sentence and ineligibility for early release. The bill also mandates that convicted offenders pay restitution to victims to cover mental and physical rehabilitation, lost income, and other related expenses. Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws related to sexual offenses, including expanding definitions of child pornography, creating new offenses around non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images, and updating sexual offender registration requirements to include these new offenses. The Department of Public Safety is tasked with creating guidance for identifying grooming behaviors and providing training for investigating such offenses.