Bill > HB1723

This bill modifies several sections of Missouri law related to sexual offenses and the sex offender registry, primarily focusing on changing the age of consent and related legal definitions. Specifically, the bill raises the age threshold from 17 to 18 years old in several statutes concerning statutory rape and child molestation, reducing the age difference between the offender and victim from four to three years in some provisions. The bill also adjusts registration requirements for sex offenders, creating provisions for reducing registration periods for offenders who maintain a clean record over specified time frames. The legislation modifies the categories of offenses requiring sex offender registration, provides exemption pathways for certain types of offenders, and allows for potential removal from the registry under specific circumstances. Key changes include allowing tier I and tier III sex offenders to petition for registry removal after maintaining a clean record for specified periods, and exempting certain individuals from registration based on the nature of their offense, such as cases involving consensual sexual conduct with minimal age differences or without force. The bill aims to provide more nuanced legal treatment of sexual offenses while maintaining protections for minors.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1723&year=2026&code=R