Senator Sifton’s Child Safety Bill Becomes Law with Governor’s Signature

New law removes statute of limitations on certain child abuse crimes and raises the minimum marriage age in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY – State Sen. Scott Sifton’s, D-Affton, legislation to protect Missouri’s children and bring criminals to justice became law today with the governor’s signature of Senate Bill 655. This public safety legislation, sponsored by Sen. Sifton, removes the statute of limitations on sexual offenses committed against children.

“I appreciate the governor signing this bill into law so that criminals who sexually abuse children can no longer escape consequence simply by running out the clock,” Sen. Sifton said. “We must do everything we can to protect Missouri’s children from abuse and neglect. This legislation is an important tool to help keep dangerous criminals off our streets and away from children.”

This legislation also contains provisions to raise the minimum marriage age in Missouri by a year and to strengthen the Missouri Highway Patrol’s online sex offender database by updating it to comply with federal law.