Opinion ID: 1870902
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Missouri's 2006 Revisions to Megan's Law.

Text: H.B. 1698, signed into law June 5, 2006, significantly modifies Megan's Law. H.B. 1698, 93rd Gen. Assem., 2nd Reg. Sess. (Mo.2006). [4] It adds additional sexual offenses involving children and other potentially vulnerable persons, and requires offenders to report twice rather than once a year and to provide an updated photograph yearly. Sec. 589.414.6, H.B. 1698. [5] But, the 2006 revisions remove registration requirements for persons whose convictions were for: (1) kidnapping or felonious restraint by a child's parent or guardian or (2) non-sexual child abuse under section 568.060. Sec. 589.400.6, H.B. 1698. These offenses have never required registration under the acts of most other states. The 2006 revisions also significantly modify the length of time for which registration is required. Those who have committed the most serious offenses or who are repeat offenders must continue to register for life. But, other registrants who demonstrate they do not present a threat to public safety may petition the courts for removal of his or her name from the sexual offender registry after ten years have passed from the date he or she was required to register if the offense is: (1) promoting prostitution in the second degree or third degree; (2) public display of explicit sexual material; and (3) statutory rape in the second degree, if the crimes did not involve physical force or the threat of force. Sec. 589.400.7, H.B. 1698. And, if an offender was 19 or younger and the victim was 13 or older, the offender may petition for removal from the registry two years from the date he or she was required to register. Secs. 589.400.8, H.B. 1698.