Or maybe not. How did we miss this one?:
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 799
97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLYINTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES CONWAY (104) (Sponsor), REIBOLDT AND FITZWATER (Co-sponsors).
0088L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 566, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to sexual exploitation by a clergyperson, with a penalty provision.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 566, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 566.088, to read as follows:
566.088. 1. A person commits the crime of sexual exploitation by a clergyperson if such person is or holds oneself out to be a clergyperson as defined in subsection 3 of this section, and engages in sexual conduct, as defined in section 566.010, with another person who is not the clergyperson’s spouse, and the sexual conduct occurred:
(1) During the course of a meeting in which the victim sought or received religious, spiritual, marital or relationship advice, counseling, therapy, aid, or comfort from the clergyperson or within one hundred twenty days after such meeting; or
(2) During a period of time in which the victim was meeting on an ongoing basis with the clergyperson to seek or receive religious, spiritual, marital or relationship advice, counseling, therapy, aid, or comfort from the clergyperson; or
(3) While the clergyperson was in a position of trust or authority over the victim and used that position of trust or authority to engage in the sexual conduct.
2. Consent by the victim is not a defense under this section.
3. As used in this section “clergyperson” means any person practicing as a minister of the gospel, clergy, pastor, priest, bishop, cardinal, rabbi, Christian Science practitioner, or other person serving in a similar capacity for any religious organization, as defined in section 352.400.
4. Sexual exploitation by a clergyperson is a class C felony.
This bill, sponsored by Representative Kathie Conway (r), had a committee hearing today:
Missouri House of Representatives
97th General Assembly , 1st Regular Session
Activity History for HB 799
Date Jrn Pg Activity Description
3/07/2013 H 546 Introduced and Read First Time (H)
3/08/2013 H 558 Read Second Time (H)
4/18/2013 H 1365 Referred: Crime Prevention and Public Safety(H)
4/30/2013 Public Hearing Completed (H)
“…or within one hundred twenty days after such meeting…”
Fancy that, there’s a waiting period. Is there a background check? Just asking.