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HB1770 • 2026

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

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

Children
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Amato, Phil (113)
Last action
2026-04-02
Official status
04/02/2026 - Reported Do Pass (H)
Effective date
2026-08-28

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on whether it removes existing rules or adds new ones without specifying removals. The bill text only mentions adding a new section, implying the addition of a ten-year limitation but not explicitly removing previous limitations.

Changes Time Limits for Child Abuse Cases

This act changes how long prosecutors have to start cases about child abuse or neglect.

What This Bill Does

  • Adds a new rule saying these cases must begin within ten years after the victim turns eighteen.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who are accused of abusing or neglecting children under eighteen
  • Prosecutors who handle child abuse and neglect cases

Terms To Know

prosecutions
Legal actions taken by the government to punish someone for breaking a law.
time limitations
Rules that set deadlines for when certain legal actions must be started or completed.

Limits and Unknowns

  • It is unclear how this will affect past cases where the ten-year limit has already passed.
  • Does not change other rules about time limits for different types of crimes.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-02 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Executive Session Completed (H)

  2. 2026-04-02 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Voted Do Pass (H)

  3. 2026-04-02 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 11 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

  4. 2026-03-24 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)

  5. 2026-03-03 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Executive Session Completed (H)

  6. 2026-03-03 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Voted Do Pass (H)

  7. 2026-03-03 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 15 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

  8. 2026-02-24 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Public Hearing Completed (H)

  9. 2026-02-12 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Referred: Children and Families(H)

  10. 2026-01-08 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Read Second Time (H)

  11. 2026-01-07 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Read First Time (H)

  12. 2025-12-01 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Prefiled (H)

Official Summary Text

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

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1770
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBL Y
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENT A TIVE AMA TO .
3875H.02I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
T o amend chapter 556, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to time limitations
for prosecutions for abuse or neglect of a child.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 556, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be
2 known as section 556.035, to read as follows:
556.035. Notwithstanding the pro visions of section 556.036, prosecutions for
2 abuse or neglect of a child under eighteen years of age under section 568.060 must be
3 commenced within ten years fr om the victim's eighteenth birthday .
✔
EXPLANA TION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law . Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.