MISSOURI
KSHB
By: Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A Missouri House committee is considering legislation that would make it a crime for clergy to have sexual contact with adults whom they are counseling.
It would be a felony for a member of the clergy to have sexual contact within 120 days of a meeting for religious, spiritual, marital or relationship advice, counseling or therapy. The bill also covers instances in which a clergy member uses a position of trust or authority to engage in sexual contact.
Consent would not be a defense. Violators could face up to seven years in prison.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.