SCS/HB 1918 - This act removes the defense of marriage to the victim for crimes of sexual assault and deviant sexual assault.

The act also requires local law enforcement agencies to determine whether homicides are related to domestic violence, and to report such findings to the Missouri State Highway Patrol on forms that the Patrol shall develop and distribute by October 1, 1998. The Highway Patrol shall compile annual reports based on the information. This provision is identical to SB 673.

Clean-up changes are also made to current adoption law. The act clarifies the content of existing language and deletes repetitive language. This provision is identical to SB 674.

The act prohibits all insurers from discriminating against victims of domestic violence when issuing, renewing or canceling a policy. "Domestic violence" is defined as provided in Section 455.200. Insurers are also prohibited from restricting coverage, increasing premiums, denying claims or terminating group coverage. Property coverage shall not be denied to an innocent coinsured who did not contribute to a loss and where the perpetrator is criminally prosecuted. Any violation will be considered an unfair trade practice. The Director of Insurance shall investigate any written complaint and may take various types of disciplinary actions. These provisions of this act shall become effective on January 1, 1999. The above sections are identical to SB 722.

Current law is amended to allow stepparents employed by the state of Missouri to take employee leave in order to care for their stepchildren. Current law only applies to biological and adoptive parents. This provision is identical to SB 756.
JOAN GUMMELS