Missouri House advances bill targeting child grooming and trafficking
Euphenie Andre
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A bill to strengthen protections for children against grooming and trafficking has cleared a Missouri House committee and is now headed to the Senate.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Ed Lewis (R-Moberly).
The bill passed the full House on Monday with a 148–2 vote. Rep. Lewis described the two representatives who voted against it, Michael Davis and Bryant Wolfin, as “misguided.” According to Lewis, both lawmakers said they believe the bill has merit but argued on the House floor that it is unconstitutional and should be divided into separate pieces of legislation.
The bill will the measure would allow survivors of child sex trafficking to file lawsuits up to 20 years after turning 21, rather than the current 10-year window. It would also increase criminal penalties for child trafficking and for purchasing sex from minors.
According to attorney Jill Harper, civil recovery in child sexual abuse cases is often difficult because offenders are frequently incarcerated, deceased, or lack insurance coverage for intentional misconduct, making it hard to collect damages. Successful civil cases typically involve institutions, such as schools, churches, or agencies that failed in their duty to supervise, where negligence claims and insurance coverage may apply.
“We do handle childhood sexual abuse cases, but they are complex, fact-intensive, and often emotionally difficult for survivors. While statute-of-limitations analysis is sometimes a key component of the case, identifying a viable source of recovery is usually the central issue on whether or not it will be successful.” Harper said.
Included in the proposal is a provision known as the “Evie and Sophie’s Law,” which would establish a specific criminal offense for grooming a minor in Missouri.
Under the bill, a person 21 years or older could be charged if they knowingly and intentionally engage in ongoing behavior that includes at least one clearly sexual act or communication directed at a minor. The behavior must be such that a reasonable person would believe the intent is to prepare, condition, or manipulate the minor for sexual activity, sexual performance, or a commercial sex act.
Missouri does not have a specific law that makes grooming a minor a standalone crime, but Illinois does. On Wednesday, a Columbia man was charged in Boone County in connection with several alleged sex offenses committed in Illinois, including grooming.
According to Safe Home data from 2024, Missouri had 26,294 registered sex offenders, ranking among the states with the most registered offenders per 100,000 residents. The data also shows 91 child sex abuse victims per 100,000 children in the state.
National Human Trafficking Hotline data indicate that the number of minors identified as trafficking victims in Missouri has slightly decreased in recent years but remains steady at around 100 cases annually:
2020: 102 cases
2021: 102 cases
2022: 102 cases
2023: 106 cases
2024: 94 cases
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