OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE ORGANIZING IN LATE 2024:
- In January, 2025, MOAFR contracted with a leading lobbyist firm, Gamble & Schlemeier, in Jefferson City, MO. The firm dedicated two professionals to our case, seasoned lobbyist Sarah Schlemeier Henke and former MO state senator, Jeff Smith.
- A primary goal that our lobbyists have pursued and will continue to fight for in the 2026 legislative session, is a bill to restore the path for removal from the registry that was unanimously enacted in 2018. It was struck down by the MO Supreme Court in 2023 because of some confusing language. Our lobbyists have obtained the critical support of stakeholders, including law enforcement and lawmakers.
- Our lobbyists also fought several harmful bills in 2025 which would have resulted in job loss, more parents being denied access to their kids’ education, grossly unnecessary monitoring of law-abiding citizens, and other harmful consequences.
MOVING INTO 2026
- Our lobbyists engaged with key legislators and stakeholders over the fall of 2025 and secured sponsors for a 2026 bill to revise the registry statute which will clarify several provisions and will restore the path for removal that mirrors the federal Walsh act of 2006. The lobbyists have obtained support from state law enforcement officials and county sheriffs, which is essential in getting public safety bills passed. We are optimistic about our success in the 2026 legislative session that began in January.
- The 2026 pre-filed bills already include several bills that would further restrict the ability to participate in society and obtain housing and would impose the harshest judicial punishments possible on almost all persons convicted of a sex offense, regardless of the charges. Our lobbyists are developing strategies to combat these harmful bills. Often, explaining the unintended consequences of a bill to its sponsors can stop a bill from progressing before a hearing is scheduled. If a bill is passed through committee, our lobbyists can persuade lawmakers to amend it, so it does the least amount of harm possible.
- Our lobbyists will watch for more concerning legislation that may be filed throughout the legislative session and will assist us in preparing testimony for bills that progress to committee hearings.
A FEW OF THE MANY BILLS WE ARE MONITORING IN 2026 (“PCSO” = Person convicted of a Sex Offense)
HB 1687 - Cupps - Surgical castration
HB 1688 - Cupps - Lifetime incarceration or death for nearly all sex offenses
HB 1907 - Steinmeyer - Prohibits PCSO from participating in nonprofit organizations
HB 2462 - Amato - PCSO cannot reside in apartment or condo with pool
SB 969 - Fitzwater - Prohibits parents designated Tier 3 at their kids’ schools; no permission may be granted. Video hearings and depositions up to age 19 (Public hearing held 1/21/26)
GOOD BILLS
SB 982 - Coleman - Revises registry statute/ path for removal (Public hearing held 1/21/26)
HB 2592 - Stinnett - Restores vote after release from incarceration
SB 1418 - Trent - Exempts certain criminal records from public access online
OTHERS THAN COULD CREATE MORE CRIMINAL OFFENSES:
HB 2311 - Costlow - Age of consent from 17 to 18; Romeo/Juliet gap from 4 to 3 yrs.
HB 1723 - Costlow - Age of consent from 17 to 18; Romeo/Juliet gap from 4 to 3 yrs.
HB 1689 - Cupps - Criminalizes AI-generated images of minors
HB 1814/HB 2551 - Warwick/Whaley and SB 893 Carter
2 inappropriate communications between an adult and minor (up to 18) = crime of grooming (House public hearing held 1/13/26. Senate public hearing 1/21/26)
HB 1834 - Kelley - Raises age of enticement victims from 17 to 18
SB 1123 - Schroer - Providing sexually explicit material to students = sex offense
SB 1140 - Hudson - No statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse
