HB 2273 - Carter, Jill
Creates and modifies provisions regarding sexual offenses
Bill Details
Sponsor
Carter, Jill
LR Number
5011S.09T
Title
SS SCS HCS HBs 2273, 1946, 1814 & 2551
House Handler
Journal Page
Effective Date
August 28, 2026
Committee
Current Status
Signed by Governor
Quick Links
CURRENT BILL SUMMARY
SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 - This act modifies various provisions relating to sexual offenses, including penalties and restitution.
ASSISTANCE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (SECTION 27.117)
Under this act, a prosecuting attorney may request assistance from the Attorney General for the prosecution of the offenses of disclosure of an intimate digital depiction and sadistic online exploitation if the offense occurred in more than one jurisdiction.
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL (SECTIONS 43.656, 67.2540, 168.071, 210.1080, 324.012, 329.050, 339.100, 542.301, 566.010, 566.147, 566.148, 566.149, 566.150, 566.155, 573.010, 573.023, 573.025, 573.035, 573.037, 573.038, 573.050, 573.052, 573.215, 589.042, 589.400, 589.414, 650.120, and 660.520)
Under current law, the phrase "child pornography" is used to describe sexual images of minors. This act replaces that phrase with "child sexual abuse material" and adds a provision to the definition that includes images even if the minor was not engaged in sexually explicit conduct at the time the image was created. This provision also includes anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, or any other items that resemble a minor if intended to be used for the sexual arousal or gratification of any person, or for the purpose of causing emotional distress to any person.
These provisions are identical to SB 893 (2026) and is substantially similar to SB 60 (2025), SB 284 (2025), in SB 755 (2025), SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), SB 1398 (2024), and HB 1308 (2023).
SEX AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING (SECTIONS 56.265, 190.142, 210.1505, 211.326, 337.618, and 590.050)
This act creates the Committee on Sex and Human Trafficking Training within the Statewide Council Against Adult Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. This eight member committee shall annually evaluate and establish guidelines for the sex and human trafficking training. This act provides that the committee shall produce and digitally distribute a training program that meets the guidelines the committee establishes. Additionally, the committee may approve training programs produced by another entity if it is consistent with the established guidelines. This committee shall be in effect starting January 1, 2027, and expire on December 31, 2031.
Under current law, prosecuting attorneys receive two thousand dollars of their salary only upon completion of twenty hours of classroom instruction relating to the operations of the prosecuting attorney's office. This act provides that in addition the twenty hour requirement, prosecuting attorneys must also complete one hour of sex and human trafficking training each year between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2031.
Under this act, EMTs and advanced EMTs that apply for relicensure after March 31, 2027, shall complete a one-time four-hour sex and human trafficking training. This act further provides that EMTs may take the required training online and that there shall be no cost associated with the training.
This act modifies the continuing education standards for juvenile officers to include one hour of sex and human trafficking each year starting on January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2031.
Currently, a social worker must complete a minimum of thirty hours of continuing education every twenty-four months to renew their license. This act provides that thirty hour requirement shall include two hours of sex and human trafficking training for the first renewal and one hour for subsequent renewals. This provision is effective starting January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2031.
This act requires that each peace officer receive two hours of sex and human trafficking training within the law enforcement continuing education one-year reporting period. This provision is effective starting January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2031.
These provisions are substantially similar to SB 893 (2026), SB 60 (2025), SB 284 (2025), in SB 755 (2025), SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), SB 1398 (2024), and HB 1308 (2023).
STATEWIDE COUNCIL AGAINST ADULT TRAFFICKING AND THE COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN (SECTION 210.1505)
This act renames the "Statewide Council on Sex Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children" to the "Statewide Council Against Adult Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children", and places the council within the office of the Attorney General to make recommendations for the statewide effort against trafficking. Under this act, the Council shall be created within thirty days of the August 28, 2026, and must have its first meeting within thirty days of its creation. The Council has the authority to create subgroups to offer recommendations on specific issues.
Currently, there are certain members of the Council that can choose a designee to be on the Council. This act requires that such designees have involvement in anti-human trafficking efforts, or knowledge or experience in human trafficking investigations. Under this act, the member of the judiciary that sits on the Council must have experience in the juvenile court and must be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court.
Currently, there are two representatives from agencies providing services to the victims of child sex trafficking. This provision replaces them with one member of the Missouri Hospital Association with experience and knowledge of human trafficking. This act also adds three new members to the Council, including a designee from the Governor's office, a member of the Missouri Sheriff's Association or Missouri Police Chiefs Association, and a representative from any other nongovernmental organization deemed necessary.
This provision creates the position of executive director to be appointed by the Attorney General, and shall serve under their supervision.
This act creates the "Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Education and Awareness Fund". Moneys in the fund shall be used to pay for the position of the Executive Director, any administrative support of the Council, human trafficking education and awareness, and anti-trafficking efforts.
These provisions are identical to SB 893 (2026) and is substantially similar to SB 60 (2025), SB 284 (2025), in SB 755 (2025), SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), SB 1398 (2024), and HB 1308 (2023).
CONTINUING EDUCATION OFFERED BY THE DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION (SECTION 324.035)
This act authorizes a board, commission, or committee within the Division of Professional Registration to utilize occupational fees and contract or partner with an outside vendor or agency for the purpose of offering continuing education classes if the program has been approved by the Director of the Division of Professional Registration. If such program is approved, it must be made available to all licensees of the board, commission, or committee.
These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 284 (2026) and SB 755 (2025), substantially similar to provisions in SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), SB 1398 (2024), and HB 1308 (2023) and similar to provisions in SB 906 (2024).
ORDERS OF PROTECTION (SECTION 455.050)
Under current law, a person that petitions for a full or ex parte protective order is protected from certain offenses if the order is granted. This act adds cyberstalking to the list of offenses.
This provision is identical to a provision in SB 893 (2026).
CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING CASES (SECTION 537.054, 566.201, and 566.218)
Under these provisions, a person can bring an action to recover damages for any injury or illness caused by child sex trafficking within twenty years of the plaintiff attaining twenty-one years of age. A person can also bring an action under these provisions within three years of the date the plaintiff discovers, or reasonably should have discovered that the injury or illness was caused by child sex trafficking.
This act provides that a prosecuting or circuit attorney may request assistance from the Attorney General to assist in the prosecution of child sex trafficking cases. Prosecuting or circuit attorneys may also request any resource or capability of the Office of the Attorney General while prosecuting a child trafficking case.
Any defendant that has been found guilty of a sex trafficking offense may have such defendant's real or personal property that was used, attempted to be used, or intended to be used in furtherance of a sex trafficking offense seized. Any property seized under this provision shall be forfeited pursuant to the Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act.
These provisions are identical to SB 893 (2026) and is substantially similar to SB 60 (2025), SB 284 (2025), in SB 755 (2025), SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), SB 1398 (2024), and HB 1308 (2023).
EVIE AND SOPHIE'S LAW (SECTION 566.151, 589.015, and 650.120)
This act modifies the offense of enticement of a child to create the offense of grooming or enticement of a minor. A person commits this offense when such person is more than four years older than the minor and knowingly engages in a pattern of conduct that a reasonable person would infer is intended to prepare, condition, or manipulate such minor to engage in sexual conduct, a sexual performance, or a commercial sex act.
The offense of grooming or enticement of a minor shall be a felony. A person convicted of such offense shall be sentenced to not less than five years and not more than thirty years unless sexual conduct, sexual performance, or a commercial sex act occurs, in which case the minimum penalty shall be not less than ten years. A person that is convicted and sentenced for the offense of grooming or enticement of a minor shall not be eligible for parole of conditional release for a period of five years, unless the enticement results in the minor engaging in sexual conduct, a sexual performance, or a commercial sex act, in which case the person shall serve ten years prior to eligibility for parole, probation, or conditional release. Where a person is convicted of grooming or enticement of a minor, the imposed sentence shall be in addition and consecutive to any punishment provided by law for any offense committed as a result of this offense. In addition to imprisonment, a person convicted of grooming or enticement of a minor shall be ordered to pay restitution to the victim.
These provisions are similar to SB 893 (2026).
SEXUAL OFFENSES (SECTIONS 566.211, 567.030, 573.570, 573.575, and 610.131)
Under this act, the offense of sexual trafficking of a child in the second degree by a parent, legal guardian, or other person that has custody or control of a child is a felony for which the authorized term of imprisonment is imprisonment for the duration of the person's natural life.
Currently, the offense of patronizing prostitution is a class B misdemeanor, unless the individual who the offender patronizes is less than eighteen years of age but older than fifteen years of age, in which case it is a class E felony. This act modifies the offense to be a class E felony, unless the individual who the offender patronizes is less than eighteen years of age but older than fifteen years of age, in which case it is a class D felony.
These provisions are identical to SB 893 (2026) and is substantially similar to SB 60 (2025), SB 284 (2025), in SB 755 (2025), SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), SB 1398 (2024), and HB 1308 (2023).
This act creates the offense of disclosure of an intimate digital depiction. A person shall be guilty of such offense if he or she discloses or threatens to disclose an intimate digital depiction with the intent to harass or threaten another person. A violation of such offense is a class D felony if the person discloses an intimate digital depiction and a class E felony if the person threatens to disclose an intimate digital depiction. Any second or subsequent violation of such offense is a class C felony. Additionally, it shall be a class C felony if the disclosure interferes with a government proceeding or causes violence.
This provision is identical to SB 1748 (2026) and is substantially similar to a provision in SB 604 (2025), SB 1444 (2024), and is similar to a provision in HB 362 (2025), in SB 411 (2025), in SB 1424 (2024), and in HB 2573 (2024).
This act creates the offense of sadistic online exploitation. A person commits this offense where he or she uses the internet to coerce a victim into committing certain acts. This offense shall be a class E felony.
This provision is identical to a provision in SB 928 (2026) and SB 1747.
Under current law, a person that was convicted of prostitution can have records of such conviction expunged only if the person was under the age of eighteen at the time of the offense. This act removes the requirement that the person be under the age of eighteen at the time of the offense to apply to have such records expunged.
This provision is identical to SB 893 (2026) and is substantially similar to SB 60 (2025), SB 284 (2025), in SB 755 (2025), SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), SB 1398 (2024), and HB 1308 (2023).
EVAN'S VOICE ACT (SECTIONS 573.110, 573.112, and 573.114)
Under current law, the offense of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images only applies if the image is of a person that is at least eighteen years of age. This act removes that element of the offense. This act also provides that the offense of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images shall be a class C felony if the images are of a minor.
Under current law, the offense of threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images only applies if the image is of a person that is at least eighteen years of age. This act removes that element of the offense. Currently the offense of threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images is a class E felony. This act provides that upon the second offense it shall be a class D felony and a third or subsequent offense shall be a class C felony. If the image is of a minor or vulnerable person, the offense of threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images is a class B felony. Where the threat of the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images is the proximate cause of serious physical injury or death of a person, the offense shall be a class B felony.
This act provides that a person that has been found guilty of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images or threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images shall be ordered by the sentencing court to pay restitution, in an amount determined by the court, to the victim of the offense.
These provisions are similar to SB 893 (2026)).
CRIME VICTIMS' COMPENSATION FUND (SECTION 595.045)
Under current law, a person found guilty of certain crimes shall have a judgment in favor of the state of Missouri entered against them. This provision adds that a person found guilty of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images or threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images shall have a judgment of five hundred dollars but not more than five thousand dollars entered against such person.
These provisions are identical to SB 893 (2026).
CYBER CRIME GRANTS (SECTION 650.120)
Under current law, there is a Cyber Crime Investigation Fund and a panel within the Department of Public Safety is authorized to award grants to multijurisdictional internet cyber crime law enforcement task forces, enforcement groups, and other law enforcement agencies. The program expired on August 28,
2024, and terminated on September 1, 2025. This act reauthorizes the fund and repeals the expiration.
This provision is identical to SB 893 (2026) and is substantially similar to SB 60 (2025), SB 284 (2025), in SB 755 (2025), SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), SB 1398 (2024), and HB 1308 (2023).
MISSOURI CRIME VICTIMS FUND (SECTION 660.845)
This act establishes the "Missouri Crime Victims Fund". Moneys in the fund shall be disbursed to entitlement jurisdictions, eligible entities, or local governmental entities that are eligible for victim assistance grants under the federal Victims of Crime Act.
These provisions are identical to SB 1242 (2026).
TRISTAN BENSON JR