HCS HB 1037, 1188, 1074 & 1271 -- STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

SPONSOR:  Monaco (Hosmer)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 19 to 0.

This substitute eliminates the statute of limitations for
forcible rape, attempted forcible rape, and forcible sodomy.

The substitute has an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of less
than $100,000 in FY 2003, FY 2004, and FY 2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that forcible rape and forcible
sodomy are very serious crimes.  Modern technology and DNA
testing now make it possible to conclusively convict perpetrators
of these crimes long after the crimes are committed and therefore
there should not be a statute of limitation for prosecution.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Hosmer, Fraser, and
Gratz; Missouri Prosecutors' Association; Jackson County
Prosecutor's Office; Kansas City Police Department Sex Crimes and
Child Abuse Unit; Kansas City Police Department Regional Crime
Lab; Victoria Nunley; Attorney General's Office; Mothers Outraged
at Molesters; People Outraged at Perpetrators; Missouri Coalition
Against Sexual Assault; Geoffrey Jolley; Kansas City Police
Officers' Association; Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 99;
Missouri Family Network; Missouri Coalition Against Domestic
Violence; and Concerned Women for America of Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:00 am