HCS/HB 454 - This act modifies provisions relating to criminal offenses.ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES (Sections 491.075 & 492.304)
Under current law, a statement made by a child under 14 years of age may be admissible in criminal proceedings under certain circumstances. This act changes the age to a child under the age of 18 years of age.
Additionally, this act provides that visual or audio recordings of a child under 18 years of age or a vulnerable person relating to certain criminal offenses shall be admissible in criminal proceedings under certain circumstances.
These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HS/HCS/HBs 1108 & 1181, et al (2023).
SEXUAL OFFENSES (Sections 566.151 & 567.030)
Under current law, a person over 21 years old commits the offense of enticement of a child if he or she persuades any person less than 15 years old to engage in sexual conduct. This act changes the age to less than 17 years old.
Additionally, this act modifies the offense of patronizing prostitution if the person patronized for prostitution is ages 15 to 17 it shall be a Class E felony and if the person is less than 15 years old it shall be a Class B felony.
These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HS/HCS/HBs 1108 & 1181, et al (2023), SCS/HB 2697, et al (2022), SCS/HB 2088, et al (2022), HB 1637 (2022), and HB 2590 (2022).
MARY GRACE PRINGLE