Creates and modifies provisions regarding sexual offenses

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" throughout the code 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 provisions contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 (2026).

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 seven 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 must receive sex and human trafficking training in the following increments prior to relicensure: • One hour if applying before January 1, 2028; • Two hours if applying between December 31, 2027 and January 1, 2029; • Three hours if applying between December 31, 2028 and January 1, 2030; and • Four hours if applying between December 31, 2029 and January 1, 2031.

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. 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 identical to provisions contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 (2026).

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 for a total of eighteen members. Additionally, the Attorney General is given the discretion to add any nongovernmental agencies that are 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". This fund is a dedicated fund and upon appropriation, moneys in the fund shall be used to pay for the position of the executive director and any administrative support of the Council.

These provisions are identical to provisions contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 (2026).

LODGING ESTABLISHMENTS (SECTIONS 315.005 and 315.081) Under this act, every employee and operator of a lodging establishment must receive human trafficking awareness training within one hundred eighty days of employment, and annual human trafficking awareness training after the first year of employment. Human trafficking awareness training shall be approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services and shall include certain enumerated components.

Provisions require that every operator of a lodging establishment shall adopt and implement policies and procedures for reporting suspected human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, or to a local law enforcement agency. Operators of lodging establishments are also required to maintain records of employee or operator training for the duration of the time that the employee is employed by the establishment and for one year after employment ends.

These provisions are identical to SB 1365 (2026).

DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION (SECTION 324.035) This act authorizes a board, commission, or committee within the Division of Professional Registration to 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 contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 (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 provisions contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 (2026).

EVIE AND SOPHIE'S LAW (SECTION 566.152) This act creates the offense of grooming of a minor. A person commits this offense when such person is twenty-one years old or older and knowingly engages in a pattern of conduct that includes at least one overtly sexual act toward a minor that a reasonable person would infer is intended to prepare, condition, or manipulate such minor for sexual conduct, sexual performance, or a commercial sex act. Direct evidence of explicit statements of intent of the defendant are not required. Intent of the defendant may be established by the nature, frequency, and context of communications or actions, however intent of the defendant shall be evaluated based only on what a reasonable person would infer. This act provides that the offense of grooming of a minor shall not apply to a parent, guardian, or family member of the minor who is providing care or support to the minor if there is no evidence of sexual intent or exploitation of the minor.

The offense of grooming of a minor shall be a class C felony, unless sexual conduct, sexual performance, or a commercial sex act occurs, in which case it is a class B felony. In addition to imprisonment, a person convicted of grooming of a minor shall be ordered to pay restitution to the victim.

This act provides that the Department of Public Safety shall issue guidance for the public on recognizing actions that constitute grooming of a minor and how to respond to potential instances of grooming of a minor and available treatments and services for victims of grooming. The Department shall also issue procedures and training for professionals on investigating and prosecuting those who commit the offense of grooming of a minor.

These provisions are identical to provisions contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 (2026).

SEXUAL OFFENSES (SECTIONS 566.211, 567.030, 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.

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.

These provisions are identical to provisions contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 (2026).

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 to include images of minors in 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 to include images of minors in 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 identical to provisions contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 (2026), and HB 3063 (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 provisions contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 (2026), and HB 3063 (2026).

MISSOURI CRIME VICTIMS FUND (SECTION 595.047) 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).

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.

These provisions are identical to provisions contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2273, 1946, 1814, & 2551 (2026), and similar to SB 1281 (2026). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.