Introduced

SECTION 566.030 - Forcible Rape

This section increases the minimum sentence for forcible rape to 25 years when the victim is a child less than fourteen years of age. Also, a person who is convicted of or has pleaded guilty to forcible rape shall serve his or her term of imprisonment without the possibility of probation or parole.

SECTION 566.032 - Statutory Rape in the First Degree

This section increases the sentence for statutory rape in the first degree from 5 years to 25 years. Also, a person who is convicted of or has pleaded guilty to this crime shall serve his or her term of imprisonment without the possibility of probation or parole.

SECTION 566.034 - Statutory Rape in the Second Degree

Currently, statutory rape in the second degree is a class C felony, with a sentence of 1 to 7 years. This act makes the crime a class B felony, with a sentence of 5 to 15 years.

SECTION 566.060 - Forcible Sodomy

This section increases the minimum sentence for forcible sodomy to 25 years when the victim is a child less than 14 years of age. Also, a person who is convicted of or has pleaded guilty to this crime shall serve his or her term of imprisonment without the possibility of probation or parole.

SECTION 566.062 - Statutory Sodomy in the First Degree

This section increases the minimum sentence for statutory sodomy in the first degree from 5 years to 25 years. Also, a person who is convicted of or has pleaded guilty to this crime shall serve his or her term of imprisonment without the possibility of probation or parole.

SECTION 566.067 - Child Molestation in the First Degree

This section increases the minimum sentence for child molestation in the first degree from 5 years to 25 years. Also, a person who is convicted of or has pleaded guilty to this crime shall serve his or her term of imprisonment without the possibility of probation or parole.

SECTION 566.068 - Child Molestation in the Second Degree

Currently, child molestation in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor in most circumstances, with a sentence of up to 1 year. Under certain severe circumstances, the crime is a Class D felony, with a sentence of 1 to 4 years.

Under this act, child molestation in the second degree is a Class D felony, with a sentence of 1 to 4 years, but under severe circumstances, it is a Class C felony, with a sentence of 1 to 7 years.

SECTION 566.209 - Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation

This section increases the penalty for trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation from a class B felony to a Class A felony.

SECTION 566.212 - Sexual Trafficking of a Child

This section creates a minimum sentence of 25 years for a person who commits sexual trafficking of a child if the victim was less than 14 years of age at the time of the offense.

SECTIONS 589.407 & 589.414 - Required Information for Sexual Offender Registration

In addition to personal information, fingerprints, and a photograph, these sections requires a sexual offender to provide a physical description of his or her vehicle when originally registering and update such information when he or she changes vehicle.

Section 589.407, RSMo, also requires sexual offenders to report to the county law enforcement agency bi-annually, instead of annually, to verify their information. A sexual offender must also annually update his or her photograph on file.

SECTION 589.409 - Authority of Law Enforcement to Notify Neighbors

Within 10 days of a sexual offender completing his or her registration, the chief law enforcement officer of the county may provide written notice to individuals living within one-mile of an offender's primary residence of such person's intent to reside there, if the offense for which the person must register was committed against a victim of less than 17 years of age.

SECTION 589.418 - Assisting a Sex Offender in Eluding Law Enforcement

Under this section, any person who knowingly assists a sexual offender in eluding a law enforcement agency that is seeking to find the sexual offender to question him or her about, or to arrest the offender for, his or her noncompliance with the registration requirements is guilty of a class D felony.

This section is similar to certain provisions in TAT/SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1698 et al (2006).

SECTION 589.425 - Increasing the Penalty for Failing to Register

This section increases the penalty for failing to register as a sexual offender when required to do so by Sections 589.400 to 589.425, RSMo.

Under this act, a person who is required to register and does not meet all the requirements is guilty of a Class D felony unless the person failing to register was convicted of a sex crime which is an unclassified felony, a Class A felony, a class B felony, or any felony involving a child under the age of 14, in which case, it is a Class C felony.

A second or subsequent offense is a Class C felony unless the person failing to register was convicted of a sex crime which is an unclassified felony, a Class A felony, a Class B felony, or any felony involving a child under the age of 14, in which case, it is a Class B felony.

SUSAN HENDERSON MOORE