SPONSOR: Hausman
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Children and Families by a vote of 14 to 0.
Upon voter approval, this resolution proposes an amendment to the Missouri Constitution to provide that the penalty for sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree is life imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole. For the purposes of this provision, life imprisonment means for the duration of the person's natural life.
This bill is the same as HJR 132 (2024).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the state is currently in the bottom five of the nation as it pertains to sex trafficking, which is modern-day slavery. The state should put before the people this resolution in order to empower them to determine, and make a statement, on how the state addresses the crime of sex trafficking.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Hausman; Arnie C. Dienoff; and Timothy Faber.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.