Rape bill passes hurdle in House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The House gave initial approval Monday to legislation allowing prosecutors to press charges in rape and sodomy cases no matter how old the crime.

The bill has been listed as a priority by numerous lawmakers who want to reverse the effects of a state appeals court ruling prohibiting charges more than three years after the offense.

Representatives endorsed the bill by voice vote Monday but still must take a roll call vote before sending the bill to the Senate.

Senators are expected to debate their own version later this week.

"If we fast-track this bill, we can send a loud message to the people of Missouri that you can't get away with rape," said Rep. Ralph Monaco, D-Raytown, one of the bill's many sponsors.

The Missouri Court of Appeals' Western District changed the existing law's interpretation when it ruled two years ago that there is a three-year statute of limitations for rape and sodomy crimes.

Prosecutors say new developments in DNA technology mean an anonymous rape can be solved many years after it happens.

Rep. Matt Bartle, R-Lee's Summit, questioned whether the bill would allow prosecutors to press charges when people claim, for the first time, that they were raped 20 years ago.

While the sun would never set on the statute of limitations, lead sponsor Rep. Craig Hosmer, R-Springfield, said prosecutors still would need solid evidence.

In addition, the new legislation would apply only to future rapes and cases for which the three-year statute of limitations has not yet expired, Hosmer said.

He urged legislators to pass the bill without expanding its scope.

Bartle wanted to include all sexual crimes in the bill, not just rape, sodomy, attempted rape and attempted sodomy.

Rep. Mark Wright, R-Springfield, wanted to add an amendment that would have increased the potential punishment for rape.