Modifies the age of consent

HB 1471 raises the age of consent from 17 to 18 years for sexual intercourse and sexual contact. It reclassifies statutory rape involving a person under 18 as a class D felony and adjusts penalties for child molestation offenses involving minors under 18. The bill also updates Missouri’s sex offender registration requirements, mandating tiered registration periods (15, 25, or lifetime) based on offense severity, with potential reductions for offenders maintaining a clean record. This legislation directly affects individuals aged 17-18 engaging in sexual activity with minors and those convicted of specific sex offenses requiring registration. The bill was introduced in February 2025 and referred to a committee for further review.