HB 929 -- Sexual Offenses

Sponsor:  Bivins

This bill increases the age of the victim as an element of the
offense in several sex crimes.

Under current law, statutory rape in the first degree is
committed when a person has sexual intercourse with another
person who is 13 years old or younger.  The bill increases this
age to 15 or younger.  The penalty for statutory rape is life
imprisonment with a minimum of five years, but the minimum
sentence is 10 years when the victim is 11 or younger.  The bill
changes this age to 13 or younger.  The bill makes the same
changes regarding the age of the victim for the crime of
statutory sodomy in the first degree.

The bill also increases the age of the victim, from 13 to 15, as
an element of the offense for child molestation in the first
degree and sexual misconduct involving a child.  Under current
law, the crime of sexual abuse is a class C felony, but is a
class B felony when the victim is age 13 or younger.  The bill
increases that age to 15 or younger.

Also under current law, evidence of a prior sexual offense
involving a victim who is age 13 or younger is admissible in the
prosecution of another such offense, for the purpose of showing
the defendant's propensity to commit these crimes.  The bill
increases the relevant age to 15 or younger.

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:14 am