HB 401 Missouri House · 2025 Regular Session

Modifies the time limitations for prosecutions for abuse or neglect of a child

HB 401 removes the time limit for prosecuting child abuse or neglect cases involving children under 18. It allows prosecutors to file charges at any time, regardless of when the abuse or neglect occurred. This change directly affects victims of child abuse/neglect (under 18), prosecutors, and the justice system by eliminating the previous statute of limitations. The bill modifies section 556.035 to ensure cases can be pursued without time constraints.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2024

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Dec 5, 2024 Last action Apr 30, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → House Committee Substitute · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill changed the statute of limitations for child abuse and neglect prosecutions from being able to commence at any time to requiring that prosecutions be started within twenty years of the offense.

Scope change

The time limit for bringing criminal charges against adults for past child abuse or neglect cases was extended from unlimited to twenty years.

TIMELINE

Prosecutions for child abuse or neglect under section 568.060 must now be commenced within twenty years of the offense, whereas previously they could be commenced at any time.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 30, 2025

Committee

Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 14 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 2

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Referred: Crime and Public Safety(H)

lower

Dec 5, 2024

Introduced

Prefiled (H)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors