SB 196 - This act provides that the death penalty may be sought for the offenses of statutory rape in the first degree and sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree.

If the death penalty is not waived by the state, the trial shall proceed in two stages before the same trier of fact. In the first stage, the trier shall determine whether the defendant is guilty. In the second stage, if the trier found the defendant guilty of statutory rape in the first degree or sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree, the trier shall assess and determine the punishment.

If the trier finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is intellectually disabled, there is a mitigation of punishment, or the trier decides not to declare a punishment of death, then a punishment at life imprisonment without eligibility for parole shall be declared. If the trier is a jury and it is unable to decide upon the punishment, the judge shall determine the punishment.

This act shall only apply to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2025.

This act is identical to SB 951 (2024).

KATIE O'BRIEN

Statutes affected:
Introduced (0616S.01): 566.250

Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 196
Sponsor: Moon
Hearing Date: 2/19/2025


COMMITTEE: Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

CHAIRMAN: Schroer

DATE REFERRED: 2/3/2025 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 2/13/2025



STAFF:
Eric Michael
Katie O'Brien


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:



WITNESSES AGAINST:
Sharon Geuea Jones - MO to Abolish the Death Penalty
Sage Coram - American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri