Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 573

Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 573
in effect

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.010 Definitions.

573.010. Definitions. — As used in this chapter the following terms shall mean: (1) "Adult cabaret" , a nightclub, bar, juice bar, restaurant, bottle club, or other commercial establishment, regardless of whether alcoholic beverages are served, which regularly features persons who appear semi-nude; (2) "Characterized by" , describing the essential character or dominant theme of an item; (3) "Child" , any person under the age of fourteen; (4) "Child pornography" : (a) Any obscene material or performance depicting sexual conduct, sexual contact as defined in section 566.010 , or a sexual performance and which has as one of its participants or portrays as an observer of such conduct, contact, or performance a minor; or (b) Any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture, or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct where: a. The production of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; b. Such visual depiction is a digital image, computer image, or computer-generated image that is, or is indistinguishable from, that of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, in that the depiction is such that an ordinary person viewing the depiction would conclude that the depiction is of an actual minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct; or c. Such visual depiction has been created, adapted, or modified to show that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct. "Identifiable minor" means a person who was a minor at the time the visual depiction was created, adapted, or modified; or whose image as a minor was used in creating, adapting, or modifying the visual depiction; and who is recognizable as an actual person by the person's face, likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic, such as a unique birthmark or other recognizable feature. The term identifiable minor shall not be construed to require proof of the actual identity of the identifiable minor; (5) "Employ" , "employee" , or "employment" , any person who performs any service on the premises of a sexually oriented business, on a full-time, part-time, or contract basis, whether or not the person is denominated an employee, independent contractor, agent, or otherwise. Employee does not include a person exclusively on the premises for repair or maintenance of the premises or for the delivery of goods to the premises; (6) "Explicit sexual material" , any pictorial or three-dimensional material depicting human masturbation, deviate sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse, direct physical stimulation or unclothed genitals, sadomasochistic abuse, or emphasizing the depiction of postpubertal human genitals; provided, however, that works of art or of anthropological significance shall not be deemed to be within the foregoing definition; (7) "Furnish" , to issue, sell, give, provide, lend, mail, deliver, transfer, circulate, disseminate, present, exhibit or otherwise provide; (8) "Material" , anything printed or written, or any picture, drawing, photograph, motion picture film, videotape or videotape production, or pictorial representation, or any recording or transcription, or any mechanical, chemical, or electrical reproduction, or stored computer data, or anything which is or may be used as a means of communication. Material includes undeveloped photographs, molds, printing plates, stored computer data and other latent representational objects; (9) "Minor" , any person less than eighteen years of age; (10) "Nudity" or "state of nudity" , the showing of the human genitals, pubic area, vulva, anus, anal cleft, or the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple or areola; (11) "Obscene" , any material or performance if, taken as a whole: (a) Applying contemporary community standards, its predominant appeal is to prurient interest in sex; and (b) The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find the material depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way; and (c) A reasonable person would find the material lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value; (12) "Operator" , any person on the premises of a sexually oriented business who causes the business to function, puts or keeps the business in operation, or is authorized to manage the business or exercise overall operational control of the business premises. A person may be found to be operating or causing to be operated a sexually oriented business whether or not such person is an owner, part owner, or licensee of the business; (13) "Performance" , any play, motion picture film, videotape, dance or exhibition performed before an audience of one or more; (14) "Pornographic for minors" , any material or performance if the following apply: (a) The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the material or performance, taken as a whole, has a tendency to cater or appeal to a prurient interest of minors; and (b) The material or performance depicts or describes nudity, sexual conduct, the condition of human genitals when in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal, or sadomasochistic abuse in a way which is patently offensive to the average person applying contemporary adult community standards with respect to what is suitable for minors; and (c) The material or performance, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors; (15) "Premises" , the real property upon which a sexually oriented business is located, and all appurtenances thereto and buildings thereon, including but not limited to the sexually oriented business, the grounds, private walkways, and parking lots or parking garages or both; (16) "Promote" , to manufacture, issue, sell, provide, mail, deliver, transfer, transmute, publish, distribute, circulate, disseminate, present, exhibit, or advertise, or to offer or agree to do the same, by any means including a computer; (17) "Regularly" , the consistent and repeated doing of the act so described; (18) "Sadomasochistic abuse" , flagellation or torture by or upon a person as an act of sexual stimulation or gratification; (19) "Semi-nude" or "state of semi-nudity" , the showing of the female breast below a horizontal line across the top of the areola and extending across the width of the breast at such point, or the showing of the male or female buttocks. Such definition includes the lower portion of the human female breast, but shall not include any portion of the cleavage of the female breasts exhibited by a bikini, dress, blouse, shirt, leotard, or similar wearing apparel provided the areola is not exposed in whole or in part; (20) "Sexual conduct" , actual or simulated, normal or perverted acts of human masturbation; deviate sexual intercourse; sexual intercourse; or physical contact with a person's clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or the breast of a female in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification or any sadomasochistic abuse or acts including animals or any latent objects in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification; (21) "Sexually explicit conduct" , actual or simulated: (a) Sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex; (b) Bestiality; (c) Masturbation; (d) Sadistic or masochistic abuse; or (e) Lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person; (22) "Sexually oriented business" includes: (a) An adult bookstore or adult video store. "Adult bookstore" or "adult video store" means a commercial establishment which, as one of its principal business activities, offers for sale or rental for any form of consideration any one or more of the following: books, magazines, periodicals, or other printed matter, or photographs, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, compact discs, digital video discs, slides, or other visual representations which are characterized by their emphasis upon the display of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas. A principal business activity exists where the commercial establishment: a. Has a substantial portion of its displayed merchandise which consists of such items; or b. Has a substantial portion of the wholesale value of its displayed merchandise which consists of such items; or c. Has a substantial portion of the retail value of its displayed merchandise which consists of such items; or d. Derives a substantial portion of its revenues from the sale or rental, for any form of consideration, of such items; or e. Maintains a substantial section of its interior business space for the sale or rental of such items; or f. Maintains an adult arcade. "Adult arcade" means any place to which the public is permitted or invited wherein coin-operated or slug-operated or electronically, electrically, or mechanically controlled still or motion picture machines, projectors, or other image-producing devices are regularly maintained to show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time, and where the images so displayed are characterized by their emphasis upon matter exhibiting specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas; (b) An adult cabaret; (c) An adult motion picture theater. "Adult motion picture theater" means a commercial establishment where films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or similar photographic reproductions, which are characterized by their emphasis upon the display of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas are regularly shown to more than five persons for any form of consideration; (d) A semi-nude model studio. "Semi-nude model studio" means a place where persons regularly appear in a state of semi-nudity for money or any form of consideration in order to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured, photographed, or similarly depicted by other persons. Such definition shall not apply to any place where persons appearing in a state of semi-nudity do so in a modeling class operated: a. By a college, junior college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation; b. By a private college or university which maintains and operates educational programs in which credits are transferable to a college, junior college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation; or c. In a structure: (i) Which has no sign visible from the exterior of the structure and no other advertising that indicates a semi-nude person is available for viewing; and (ii) Where, in order to participate in a class, a student must enroll at least three days in advance of the class; (e) A sexual encounter center. "Sexual encounter center" means a business or commercial enterprise that, as one of its principal purposes, purports to offer for any form of consideration physical contact in the form of wrestling or tumbling between two or more persons when one or more of the persons is semi-nude; (23) "Sexual performance" , any performance, or part thereof, which includes sexual conduct by a child who is less than eighteen years of age; (24) "Specified anatomical areas" include: (a) Less than completely and opaquely covered: human genitals, pubic region, buttock, and female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola; and (b) Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered; (25) "Specified sexual activity" , includes any of the following: (a) Intercourse, oral copulation, masturbation, or sodomy; or (b) Excretory functions as a part of or in connection with any of the activities described in paragraph (a) of this subdivision; (26) "Substantial" , at least thirty percent of the item or items so modified; (27) "Visual depiction" , includes undeveloped film and videotape, and data stored on computer disk or by electronic means which is capable of conversion into a visual image. (L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1985 H.B. 366, et al., A.L. 1987 H.B. 113, et al., A.L. 1989 H.B. 225, A.L. 2000 S.B. 757 & 602, A.L. 2006 H.B. 1698, et al., A.L. 2014 S.B. 491, A.L. 2022 S.B. 775, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.020 Promoting obscenity in the first degree - penalty.

573.020. Promoting obscenity in the first degree — penalty. — 1. A person commits the offense of promoting obscenity in the first degree if, knowing of its content and character, such person: (1) Wholesale promotes or possesses with the purpose to wholesale promote any obscene material; or (2) Wholesale promotes for minors or possesses with the purpose to wholesale promote for minors any material pornographic for minors; or (3) Promotes, wholesale promotes or possesses with the purpose to wholesale promote for minors material that is pornographic for minors via computer, internet or computer network if the person made the matter available to a specific individual known by the defendant to be a minor. 2. The offense of promoting obscenity in the first degree is a class E felony. 3. As used in this section, "wholesale promote" means to manufacture, issue, sell, provide, mail, deliver, transfer, transmute, publish, distribute, circulate, disseminate, or to offer or agree to do the same for purposes of resale or redistribution. (L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1987 H.B. 113, et al., A.L. 2000 S.B. 757 & 602, A.L. 2009 H.B. 62, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.023 Sexual exploitation of a minor - penalties.

573.023. Sexual exploitation of a minor — penalties. — 1. A person commits the offense of sexual exploitation of a minor if such person knowingly or recklessly photographs, films, videotapes, produces or otherwise creates obscene material with a minor or child pornography. 2. The offense of sexual exploitation of a minor is a class B felony unless the minor is a child, in which case it is a class A felony. (L. 2000 S.B. 757 & 602, A.L. 2009 H.B. 62, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.024 Enabling sexual exploitation of a minor, offense of - penalty.

573.024. Enabling sexual exploitation of a minor, offense of — penalty. — 1. A person commits the offense of enabling sexual exploitation of a minor if such person acting with criminal negligence permits or allows any violation of section 566.210 , 566.211 , 573.020 , 573.023 , 573.025 , 573.030 , 573.035 , 573.200 , or 573.205 . 2. The offense of enabling sexual exploitation of a minor is a class E felony for the first offense and a class C felony for a second or subsequent offense. 3. If the person guilty of the offense of enabling sexual exploitation of a minor is an owner of a business or the owner's agent and the business provided the location or locations for such exploitation, the business location or locations shall be required to close for up to one year for the first offense, and the length of time shall be determined by the court. For a second offense, such business location or locations shall permanently close. As used in this section, "business" shall include, but is not limited to, a hotel or massage parlor and "owner's agent" shall include any person empowered to manage the owner's business location or locations. (L. 2022 S.B. 775, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.025 Promoting child pornography in the first degree - penalties.

573.025. Promoting child pornography in the first degree — penalties. — 1. A person commits the offense of promoting child pornography in the first degree if, knowing of its content and character, such person possesses with the intent to promote or promotes child pornography of a child less than fourteen years of age or obscene material portraying what appears to be a child less than fourteen years of age. 2. The offense of promoting child pornography in the first degree is a class B felony unless the person knowingly promotes such material to a minor, in which case it is a class A felony. No person who is found guilty of promoting child pornography in the first degree shall be eligible for probation, parole, or conditional release for a period of three calendar years. 3. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a provider of electronic communication services or remote computing services to monitor any user, subscriber or customer of the provider, or the content of any communication of any user, subscriber or customer of the provider. (L. 1985 H.B. 366, et al., A.L. 2000 S.B. 757 & 602, A.L. 2008 S.B. 714, et al., A.L. 2009 H.B. 62, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.030 Promoting obscenity in the second degree - penalties.

573.030. Promoting obscenity in the second degree — penalties. — 1. A person commits the offense of promoting pornography for minors or obscenity in the second degree if, knowing of its content and character, he or she: (1) Promotes or possesses with the purpose to promote any obscene material for pecuniary gain; or (2) Produces, presents, directs or participates in any obscene performance for pecuniary gain; or (3) Promotes or possesses with the purpose to promote any material pornographic for minors for pecuniary gain; or (4) Produces, presents, directs or participates in any performance pornographic for minors for pecuniary gain; or (5) Promotes, possesses with the purpose to promote, produces, presents, directs or participates in any performance that is pornographic for minors via computer, electronic transfer, internet or computer network if the person made the matter available to a specific individual known by the defendant to be a minor. 2. The offense of promoting pornography for minors or obscenity in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor unless the person has been found guilty of an offense pursuant to this section committed at a different time, in which case it is a class E felony. (L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1987 H.B. 113, et al., A.L. 2000 S.B. 757 & 602, A.L. 2009 H.B. 62, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17 (1986) It may be inferred that a clerk in a convenience store "knows", for purpose of a criminal conviction under this section, of the obscene nature of a magazine's content if the cover is sexually explicit. State v. Triplett, 722 S.W.2d 633 (Mo.App.). (1989) Obscenity is not within the area of constitutionally protected speech and statute is not impermissibly overbroad, ambiguous, or vague, and gives adequate prior notice of what constitutes prohibited conduct. (Mo. banc) State v. Simmer, 772 S.W.2d 372.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.035 Promoting child pornography in the second degree - penalties.

573.035. Promoting child pornography in the second degree — penalties. — 1. A person commits the offense of promoting child pornography in the second degree if, knowing of its content and character, such person possesses with the intent to promote or promotes child pornography of a minor under the age of eighteen or obscene material portraying what appears to be a minor under the age of eighteen. 2. The offense of promoting child pornography in the second degree is a class D felony unless the person knowingly promotes such material to a minor, in which case it is a class B felony. No person who is found guilty of promoting child pornography in the second degree shall be eligible for probation. (L. 1985 H.B. 366, et al., A.L. 2000 S.B. 757 & 602, A.L. 2008 S.B. 714, et al., A.L. 2009 H.B. 62, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.037 Possession of child pornography - penalty.

573.037. Possession of child pornography — penalty. — 1. A person commits the offense of possession of child pornography if such person knowingly or recklessly possesses any child pornography of a minor less than eighteen years of age or obscene material portraying what appears to be a minor less than eighteen years of age. 2. The offense of possession of child pornography is a class D felony if the person possesses one still image of child pornography or one obscene still image. The offense of possession of child pornography is a class B felony if the person: (1) Possesses: (a) More than twenty still images of child pornography; or (b) More than twenty obscene still images; or (c) Child pornography comprised of one motion picture, film, videotape, videotape production, or other moving image; or (d) Obscene material comprised of one motion picture, film, videotape production, or other moving image; or (2) Has previously been found guilty of an offense under this section. 3. A person who has committed the offense of possession of child pornography is subject to separate punishments for each item of child pornography or obscene material possessed by the person. (L. 1987 H.B. 113, et al., A.L. 2000 S.B. 757 & 602, A.L. 2004 H.B. 1055, A.L. 2008 S.B. 714, et al., A.L. 2009 H.B. 62, A.L. 2013 H.B. 215, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17 (2023) Sufficient evidence exists to support a conviction for knowing possession of child pornography when evidence of such images are found in cache files on a defendant's computer and other corroborating evidence exists that defendant knowingly possessed child pornography. State v. Ingram, 662 S.W.3d 212 (Mo.App.E.D.).

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.038 Property or material constituting child pornography to remain in custody of ...

573.038. Property or material constituting child pornography to remain in custody of the state — availability of, when. — 1. In any criminal proceeding, any property or material that constitutes child pornography shall remain in the care, custody, and control of either the state or the court. 2. (1) Notwithstanding Missouri rule of criminal procedure 25.03 or any other rule or statute to the contrary, a court shall deny, in any criminal proceeding, any request by the defendant to copy, photograph, duplicate, or otherwise reproduce any property or material that constitutes child pornography, so long as the state makes the property or material reasonably available to the defendant. (2) For the purposes of subdivision (1) of this subsection, property or material shall be deemed to be reasonably available to the defendant if the state provides ample opportunity for inspection, viewing, and examination at a state or other governmental facility of the property or material by the defendant, his or her attorney, and any individual the defendant may seek to qualify to furnish expert testimony at trial. (L. 2008 S.B. 714, et al.) Effective 6-30-08

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.040 Furnishing pornographic materials to minors - penalty.

573.040. Furnishing pornographic materials to minors — penalty. — 1. A person commits the offense of furnishing pornographic material to minors if, knowing of its content and character, he or she: (1) Furnishes any material pornographic for minors, knowing that the person to whom it is furnished is a minor or acting in reckless disregard of the likelihood that such person is a minor; or (2) Produces, presents, directs or participates in any performance pornographic for minors that is furnished to a minor knowing that any person viewing such performance is a minor or acting in reckless disregard of the likelihood that a minor is viewing the performance; or (3) Furnishes, produces, presents, directs, participates in any performance or otherwise makes available material that is pornographic for minors via computer, electronic transfer, internet or computer network if the person made the matter available to a specific individual known by the defendant to be a minor. 2. It is not a defense to a prosecution for a violation of this section that the person being furnished the pornographic material is a peace officer masquerading as a minor. 3. The offense of furnishing pornographic material to minors or attempting to furnish pornographic material to minors is a class A misdemeanor unless the person has been found guilty of an offense committed at a different time pursuant to this chapter, chapter 566 or chapter 568 , in which case it is a class E felony. (L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1987 H.B. 113, et al., A.L. 2000 S.B. 757 & 602, A.L. 2004 H.B. 1055, A.L. 2008 S.B. 714, et al., A.L. 2009 H.B. 62, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.050 Evidence in obscenity and child pornography cases.

573.050. Evidence in obscenity and child pornography cases. — 1. In any prosecution under this chapter evidence shall be admissible to show: (1) What the predominant appeal of the material or performance would be for ordinary adults or minors; (2) The literary, artistic, political or scientific value of the material or performance; (3) The degree of public acceptance in this state and in the local community; (4) The appeal to prurient interest in advertising or other promotion of the material or performance; (5) The purpose of the author, creator, promoter, furnisher or publisher of the material or performance. 2. Testimony of the author, creator, promoter, furnisher, publisher, or expert testimony, relating to factors entering into the determination of the issues of obscenity or child pornography, shall be admissible. 3. In any prosecution under this chapter, when it becomes necessary to determine whether a person was less than seventeen or eighteen years of age, the court or jury may make this determination by any of the following methods: (1) Personal inspection of the child; (2) Inspection of the photograph or motion picture that shows the child engaging in the sexual performance; (3) Oral testimony by a witness to the sexual performance as to the age of the child based on the child's appearance at the time; (4) Expert medical testimony based on the appearance of the child engaging in the sexual performance; or (5) Any other method authorized by law or by the rules of evidence. 4. In any prosecution for promoting child pornography in the first or second degree, no showing is required that the performance or material involved appeals to prurient interest, that it lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value, or that it is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the community as a whole. (L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1985 H.B. 366, et al., A.L. 1987 H.B. 113, et al., A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.052 Child pornography, attorney general authorized to investigate, when - ...

573.052. Child pornography, attorney general authorized to investigate, when — violator immune from civil liability, when. — Upon receipt of any information that child pornography as defined in section 573.010 is contained on a website, the attorney general shall investigate such information. If the attorney general has probable cause to believe the website contains child pornography, the attorney general shall notify a website operator of any child pornography site residing on that website operator's server, in writing. If the website operator promptly, but in no event longer than five days after receiving notice, removes the alleged pornography from its server, and so long as the website operator is not the purveyor of such child pornography, it shall be immune from civil liability. If the website operator does not promptly remove the alleged pornography, the attorney general may seek an injunction pursuant to section 573.070 to remove the child pornography site from the website operator's server. This section shall not be construed to create any defense to any criminal charges brought pursuant to this chapter. (L. 2003 H.B. 228, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.060 Public display of explicit sexual material - penalties.

573.060. Public display of explicit sexual material — penalties. — 1. A person commits the offense of public display of explicit sexual material if he or she recklessly: (1) Exposes, places, exhibits, or in any fashion, displays explicit sexual material in any location, whether public or private, and in such a manner that it may be readily seen and its content or character distinguished by normal unaided vision as viewed from a street, highway, public sidewalk, or the property of others, or from any portion of the person's store, the exhibitor's store or property when items and material other than this material are offered for sale or rent to the public; or (2) Fails to take prompt action to remove such a display from property in his or her possession after learning of its existence. 2. The offense of public display of explicit sexual material is a class A misdemeanor unless the person has been found guilty of an offense under this section committed at a different time, in which case it is a class E felony. 3. For purposes of this section, each day there is a violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense. (L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1987 H.B. 113, et al., A.L. 2009 H.B. 62, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.065 Coercing acceptance of obscene material - penalty.

573.065. Coercing acceptance of obscene material — penalty. — 1. A person commits the offense of coercing acceptance of obscene material if such person knowingly: (1) Requires acceptance of obscene material as a condition to any sale, allocation, consignment or delivery of any other material; or (2) Denies any franchise or imposes any penalty, financial or otherwise, by reason of the failure or refusal of any person to accept any material obscene or pornographic for minors. 2. The offense of coercing acceptance of obscene material is a class E felony. (L. 1987 H.B. 113, et al., A.L. 2009 H.B. 62, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.070 Injunctions and declaratory judgments.

573.070. Injunctions and declaratory judgments. — 1. Whenever material or a performance is being or is about to be promoted, furnished or displayed in violation of this chapter, a civil action may be instituted in the circuit court by the prosecuting or circuit attorney or by the city attorney of any city, town or village against any person violating or about to violate those sections in order to obtain a declaration that the promotion, furnishing or display of such material or performance is prohibited. Such an action may also seek an injunction appropriately restraining promotion, furnishing or display of the material or performance. 2. Such an action may be brought only in the circuit court of the county in which any such person resides, or where the violation is taking place or about to take place. 3. Any promoter, furnisher or displayer of, or a person who is about to be a promoter, furnisher or displayer of, the material or performance involved may intervene as of right as a party defendant in the proceedings. 4. The trial court and the appellate court shall give expedited consideration to actions and appeals brought under this section. The defendant shall be entitled to a trial of the issues beginning within one week after joinder of issue and a decision shall be rendered by the court within two days of the conclusion of the trial. No restraining order or injunction of any kind shall be issued restraining the promotion, furnishing or display of any material or performance without a prior adversary hearing before the court. 5. A final declaration obtained pursuant to this section may be used to form the basis for an injunction and for no other purpose. 6. All laws regulating the procedure for obtaining declaratory judgments or injunctions which are inconsistent with the provisions of this section shall be inapplicable to proceedings brought pursuant to this section. There shall be no right to jury trial in any proceedings under this section. (L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1987 H.B. 113, et al.) Effective 7-15-87

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.080 Preemption and standardization - cities, towns, and certain counties may ...

573.080. Preemption and standardization — cities, towns, and certain counties may regulate, limitations. — The general assembly by enacting this chapter intends to preempt any other regulation of the area covered by section 573.020 , to promote statewide control of pornography, and to standardize laws that governmental subdivisions may adopt in other areas covered by this chapter. No governmental subdivision may enact or enforce a law that makes any conduct in the area covered by section 573.020 subject to a criminal or civil penalty of any kind. Cities and towns and counties of the first class may enact and enforce laws prohibiting and penalizing conduct subject to criminal or civil sanctions under other provisions of this chapter. (L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1981 S.B. 365, A.L. 1987 H.B. 113, et al.) Effective 7-15-87

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.090 Video cassettes, morbid violence, to be kept in separate area - sale or ...

573.090. Video cassettes, morbid violence, to be kept in separate area — sale or rental to persons under seventeen prohibited, penalties. — 1. Video cassettes or other video reproduction devices, or the jackets, cases or coverings of such video reproduction devices shall be displayed or maintained in a separate area if the same are pornographic for minors as defined in section 573.010 , or if: (1) Taken as a whole and applying contemporary community standards, the average person would find that it has a tendency to cater or appeal to morbid interest in violence for persons less than seventeen years of age; and (2) It depicts violence in a way which is patently offensive to the average person applying contemporary adult community standards with respect to what is suitable for persons less than seventeen years of age; and (3) Taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for persons less than seventeen years of age. 2. Any video cassettes or other video reproduction devices meeting the description in subsection 1 of this section shall not be rented or sold to a person less than seventeen years of age. 3. Violation of the provisions of subsection 1 or 2 of this section shall be punishable as an infraction, unless such violation constitutes furnishing pornographic materials to minors as defined in section 573.040 , in which case it shall be punishable as a class A misdemeanor or class E felony as prescribed in section 573.040 , or unless such violation constitutes promoting obscenity in the second degree as defined in section 573.030 , in which case it shall be punishable as a class A misdemeanor or class E felony as prescribed in section 573.030 . (L. 1989 H.B. 225 § 1, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17 (1992) Where statute attempted to regulate expression was not drafted with precision and clarity and did not contain definitions of prohibited conduct so that people of common intelligence might guess at the meaning of the statute, statute is unconstitutionally vague. Video Software Dealers Assn. v. Webster, 773 F.Supp. 1275 (W.D. Mo.).

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.100 Telephones, obscene or indecent commercial messages, direct or electronic ...

573.100. Telephones, obscene or indecent commercial messages, direct or electronic recording, penalties, exceptions. — 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Indecent" , language or material that depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards, sexual or excretory activities or organs; (2) "Obscene" , any comment, request, suggestion or proposal is obscene if: (a) Applying contemporary community standards, its predominant appeal is to prurient interest in sex; and (b) Taken as a whole with respect to the average person, applying contemporary community standards, it depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way; and (c) Taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. Obscenity shall be judged with reference to its impact upon ordinary adults. 2. A person commits the offense of obscene or indecent commercial messaging if he or she, by means of a telephone communication for commercial purposes, makes directly or by means of an electronic recording device, any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal which is obscene or indecent; or knowingly permits any telephone or telephone facility connected to a local exchange telephone under such person's control to be used for obscene or indecent commercial messaging. Any person who makes any such comment, request, suggestion, or proposal shall be in violation of the provisions of this section regardless of whether such person placed or initiated the telephone call. 3. The offense of obscene or indecent commercial messaging is a class A misdemeanor unless such person has been found guilty of the same offense committed at a different time, in which case the violation is a class E felony. For purposes of this subsection, each violation constitutes a separate offense. 4. The prohibitions and penalties contained herein are not applicable to a telecommunications company as defined in section 386.020 over whose facilities prohibited communications may be transmitted. (L. 1989 H.B. 225 § 2, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.110 Nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, offense of - ...

573.110. Nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, offense of — definitions — elements — exemptions — immunity from liability, when — penalty — private cause of action, when. — 1. As used in this section and section 573.112 , the following terms mean: (1) "Computer" , a device that accepts, processes, stores, retrieves, or outputs data and includes, but is not limited to, auxiliary storage and telecommunications devices connected to computers; (2) "Computer program" , a series of coded instructions or statements in a form acceptable to a computer that causes the computer to process data and supply the results of the data processing; (3) "Data" , a representation in any form of information, knowledge, facts, concepts, or instructions including, but not limited to, program documentation, that is prepared or has been prepared in a formalized manner and is stored or processed in or transmitted by a computer or in a system or network. Data is considered property and may be in any form including, but not limited to, printouts, magnetic or optical storage media, punch cards, data stored internally in the memory of the computer, or data stored externally that is accessible by the computer; (4) "Image" , a photograph, film, videotape, digital recording, or other depiction or portrayal of an object, including a human body; (5) "Intimate parts" , the fully unclothed, partially unclothed, or transparently clothed genitals, pubic area, or anus or, if the person is female, a partially or fully exposed nipple, including exposure through transparent clothing; (6) "Private mobile radio services" , private land mobile radio services and other communications services characterized by the public service commission as private mobile radio services; (7) "Public mobile services" , air-to-ground radio telephone services, cellular radio telecommunications services, offshore radio, rural radio services, public land mobile telephone services, and other common carrier radio communications services; (8) "Sexual act" , sexual penetration, masturbation, or sexual activity; (9) "Sexual activity" , any: (a) Knowing touching or fondling by the victim or another person or animal, either directly or through clothing, of the sex organs, anus, or breast of the victim or another person or animal for the purpose of sexual gratification or arousal; (b) Transfer or transmission of semen upon any part of the clothed or unclothed body of the victim for the purpose of sexual gratification or arousal of the victim or another; (c) Act of urination within a sexual context; (d) Bondage, fetter, sadism, or masochism; or (e) Sadomasochism abuse in any sexual context. 2. A person commits the offense of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images if he or she: (1) Intentionally disseminates an image with the intent to harass, threaten, or coerce another person: (a) Who is at least eighteen years of age; (b) Who is identifiable from the image itself or information displayed in connection with the image; and (c) Who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed, in whole or in part; (2) Obtains the image under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know or understand that the image was to remain private; and (3) Knows or should have known that the person in the image did not consent to the dissemination. 3. The following activities are exempt from the provisions of this section: (1) The intentional dissemination of an image of another identifiable person who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed if the dissemination is made for the purpose of a criminal investigation that is otherwise lawful; (2) The intentional dissemination of an image of another identifiable person who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed if the dissemination is for the purpose of, or in connection with, the reporting of unlawful conduct; (3) The intentional dissemination of an image of another identifiable person who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed if the image involves voluntary exposure in a public or commercial setting; or (4) The intentional dissemination of an image of another identifiable person who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed if the dissemination serves a lawful public purpose. 4. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impose liability upon the following entities solely as a result of content or information provided by another person: (1) An interactive computer service, as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 230(f)(2); (2) A provider of public mobile services or private mobile radio services; or (3) A telecommunications network or broadband provider. 5. A person convicted under this section is subject to the forfeiture provisions under sections 513.600 to 513.660 . 6. The offense of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images is a class D felony. 7. In addition to the criminal penalties listed in subsection 6 of this section, the person in violation of the provisions of this section shall also be subject to a private cause of action from the depicted person. Any successful private cause of action brought under this subsection shall result in an award equal to ten thousand dollars or actual damages, whichever is greater, and in addition shall include attorney's fees. Humiliation or embarrassment shall be an adequate showing that the plaintiff has incurred damages; however, no physical manifestation of either humiliation or embarrassment is necessary for damages to be shown. (L. 2018 H.B. 1558, A.L. 2019 H.B. 243 & 544)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.112 Threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, ...

573.112. Threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, offense of — elements — penalty. — 1. A person commits the offense of threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images if he or she gains or attempts to gain anything of value, or coerces or attempts to coerce another person to act or refrain from acting, by threatening to disseminate an image of another person, which was obtained under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know or understand that the image was to remain private, against the will of such person: (1) Who is at least eighteen years of age; (2) Who is identifiable from the image itself or information displayed in connection with the image; and (3) Who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed, in whole or in part. 2. The offense of threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images is a class E felony. (L. 2018 H.B. 1558) Effective 6-01-18

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.200 Child used in sexual performance - penalties.

573.200. Child used in sexual performance — penalties. — 1. A person commits the offense of use of a child in a sexual performance if, knowing the character and content thereof, the person employs, authorizes, or induces a child less than eighteen years of age to engage in a performance which includes sexual conduct or, being a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of such child, consents to the participation by such child in such sexual performance. 2. The offense of use of a child in a sexual performance is a class C felony, unless in the course thereof the person inflicts serious emotional injury on the child, in which case the offense is a class B felony. 3. The court shall not grant a suspended imposition of sentence or a suspended execution of sentence to a person who has previously been found guilty of an offense under this section. (L. 1984 H.B. 1255, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Transferred 2014; formerly 568.080; Effective 1-01-17 CROSS REFERENCE: Child sexual abuse, action for civil damages may be brought, when, 537.046

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.205 Promoting sexual performance by a child - penalties.

573.205. Promoting sexual performance by a child — penalties. — 1. A person commits the offense of promoting a sexual performance by a child if, knowing the character and content thereof, the person promotes a performance which includes sexual conduct by a child less than eighteen years of age or produces, or directs any performance which includes sexual conduct by a child less than eighteen years of age. 2. The offense of promoting a sexual performance by a child is a class C felony. 3. The court shall not grant a suspended imposition of sentence or a suspended execution of sentence to a person who has previously been found guilty of an offense under this section. (L. 1984 H.B. 1255, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Transferred 2014; formerly 568.090; Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.206 Patronizing a sexual performance of a child, offense of - penalty.

573.206. Patronizing a sexual performance of a child, offense of — penalty. — 1. A person commits the offense of patronizing a sexual performance by a child if such person obtains, solicits, or participates in a sexual performance by a child under eighteen years of age. 2. The offense of patronizing a sexual performance by a child is a class C felony. (L. 2022 S.B. 775, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.215 Failure to report child pornography - penalty.

573.215. Failure to report child pornography — penalty. — 1. A person commits the offense of failure to report child pornography if he or she being a film and photographic print processor, computer provider, installer or repair person, or any internet service provider who has knowledge of or observes, within the scope of the person's professional capacity or employment, any film, photograph, videotape, negative, slide, or computer-generated image or picture depicting a child under eighteen years of age engaged in an act of sexual conduct fails to report such instance to any law enforcement agency immediately or as soon as practically possible. 2. The offense of failure to report child pornography is a class B misdemeanor. 3. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a provider of electronic communication services or remote computing services to monitor any user, subscriber or customer of the provider, or the content of any communication of any user, subscriber or customer of the provider. (L. 1984 H.B. 1255, A.L. 2000 S.B. 757 & 602, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Transferred 2014; formerly 568.110; Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.503 Local government may require background checks.

573.503. Local government may require background checks. — Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any city not within a county and any county may, by order or ordinance, require a background check be conducted on all employees of any adult cabaret to ascertain whether any such employees have been convicted of or have pled guilty to any misdemeanor or felony involving prostitution or aiding or abetting prostitution, drug possession or trafficking, money laundering, tax evasion, or illegal gambling activity. (L. 1993 S.B. 180 § 12) Effective 7-02-93

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.505 Sales tax authorized, vote required - ballot - disposition of revenue - ...

573.505. Sales tax authorized, vote required — ballot — disposition of revenue — termination — city and county background check tax trust fund created, refunds — duties of director of revenue. — 1. In order to defray the costs of background checks conducted pursuant to section 573.503 , any city not within a county and any county may, by ordinance or order, impose a sales tax on all retail sales which are subject to taxation under the provisions of sections 144.010 to 144.510 made in such city or county by any adult cabaret. The tax authorized by this section shall not be levied at a rate which would amount to a sum greater than ten percent of the gross receipts of any such business. The tax authorized by this section shall be in addition to any and all other sales taxes allowed by law, except that no order or ordinance imposing a sales tax under the provisions of this section shall be effective unless the governing body of the city or county submits to the voters of the city or county, at a city, county or state general, primary, or special election, a proposal to authorize the governing body of the city or county to impose a tax. 2. The ballot of submission shall contain, but need not be limited to, the following language: If a majority of the votes cast on the proposal by the qualified voters voting thereon are in favor of the proposal, then the ordinance or order and any amendments thereto shall become effective on the first day of the second calendar quarter after the director of revenue receives notice of adoption of the tax. If a majority of the votes cast by the qualified voters voting are opposed to the proposal, then the governing body of the city or county shall have no power to impose the sales tax authorized by this section unless and until the governing body of the city or county shall again have submitted another proposal to authorize the governing body of the city or county to impose the sales tax authorized by this section and such proposal is approved by a majority of the qualified voters voting thereon. 3. All revenue received by a city or county from the tax authorized under the provisions of this section shall be deposited in a special trust fund and shall be used by the city or county for the investigation of the backgrounds of persons employed at any adult cabaret in such city or county and for the general law enforcement use of the sheriff's office. Any funds in such special trust fund which are not needed for current expenditures may be invested by the governing body in accordance with applicable laws relating to the investment of other city or county funds. 4. The tax authorized by this section shall terminate four years from the date on which such tax was initially imposed by the city or county, unless sooner abolished by the governing body of the city or county. 5. All sales taxes collected by the director of revenue under this section on behalf of any city or county, less one percent for cost of collection which shall be deposited in the state's general revenue fund after payment of premiums for surety bonds as provided in section 32.087 , shall be deposited with the state treasurer in a special trust fund, which is hereby created, to be known as the "City and County Background Check Tax Trust Fund". The moneys in the trust fund shall not be deemed to be state funds and shall not be commingled with any funds of the state. The director of revenue shall keep accurate records of the amount of money in the trust fund which was collected in each city or county imposing a sales tax under this section, and the records shall be open to the inspection of officers of the city or county and the public. Not later than the tenth day of each month, the director of revenue shall distribute all moneys deposited in the trust fund during the preceding month to the city or county which levied the tax. Such funds shall be deposited with the city or county treasurer of each such city or county, and all expenditures of funds arising from the trust fund shall be by an appropriation act to be enacted by the governing body of each such city or county. 6. The director of revenue may authorize the state treasurer to make refunds from the amounts in the trust fund and credited to any city or county for erroneous payments and overpayments made, and may redeem dishonored checks and drafts deposited to the credit of such cities or counties. If any city or county abolishes the tax, the city or county shall notify the director of revenue of the action at least ninety days prior to the effective date of the repeal and the director of revenue may order retention in the trust fund, for a period of one year, of two percent of the amount collected after receipt of such notice to cover possible refunds or overpayment of the tax and to redeem dishonored checks and drafts deposited to the credit of such accounts. After one year has elapsed after the effective date of abolition of the tax in such city or county, the director of revenue shall authorize the state treasurer to remit the balance in the account to the city or county and close the account of that city or county. The director of revenue shall notify each city or county of each instance of any amount refunded or any check redeemed from receipts due the city or county. 7. Except as modified in this section, all provisions of sections 32.085 and 32.087 shall apply to the tax imposed under this section. 8. As used in this section, the term "city" means any city not within a county. (L. 1993 S.B. 180 § 13, A.L. 2005 S.B. 210) (2001) Imposition of tax on adult cabarets does not violate the equal protection or due process clauses of the federal and state constitutions. Miss Kitty's Saloon, Inc. v. Missouri Department of Revenue, 41 S.W.3d 466 (Mo.banc).

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.507 Minimum age limit - security personnel - random drug testing - space ...

573.507. Minimum age limit — security personnel — random drug testing — space limitation — prohibition of public displays. — 1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any city not within a county and any county may establish a minimum age limit for admission into any adult cabaret within the city or county. 2. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any city not within a county and any county may require security personnel to be present on the premises of any adult cabaret within the city or county. 3. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any city not within a county and any county may require employers of any adult cabaret within the city or county to conduct random testing for the presence of illegal substances within the blood or urine of any or all employees of such adult cabaret. 4. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any city not within a county and any county may prohibit within such city or county any live public nudity within ten feet of any person observing such nudity. 5. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any city not within a county and any county may prohibit within such city or county the public display of sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or appearing in a state of nudity in any adult cabaret. (L. 1993 S.B. 180 § 14) Effective 7-02-93

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.509 Adult cabaret, persons less than nineteen years of age prohibited from ...

573.509. Adult cabaret, persons less than nineteen years of age prohibited from dancing, penalty. — 1. No person less than nineteen years of age shall dance in an adult cabaret, nor shall any proprietor of such establishment permit any person less than nineteen years of age to dance in an adult cabaret. 2. Violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor. (L. 2003 S.B. 298, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.525 Purpose - findings.

573.525. Purpose — findings. — 1. It is the purpose of sections 573.525 to 573.537 to regulate sexually oriented businesses in order to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of this state, and to establish reasonable and uniform regulations to prevent the deleterious secondary effects of sexually oriented businesses within the state. The provisions of sections 573.525 to 573.537 have neither the purpose nor effect of imposing a limitation or restriction on the content or reasonable access to any communicative materials, including sexually oriented materials. Similarly, it is neither the intent nor effect of sections 573.525 to 573.537 to restrict or deny access by adults to sexually oriented materials protected by the first amendment, or to deny access by the distributors and exhibitors of sexually oriented entertainment to their intended market. Neither is it the intent nor effect of sections 573.525 to 573.537 to condone or legitimize the distribution of obscene material. 2. The general assembly finds that: (1) Sexually oriented businesses, as a category of commercial enterprises, are associated with a wide variety of adverse secondary effects, including but not limited to personal and property crimes, prostitution, potential spread of disease, lewdness, public indecency, obscenity, illicit drug use and drug trafficking, negative impacts on surrounding properties, urban blight, litter, and sexual assault and exploitation; (2) Sexually oriented businesses should be separated from sensitive land uses to minimize the impact of their secondary effects upon such uses, and should be separated from other sexually oriented businesses, to minimize the secondary effects associated with such uses and to prevent an unnecessary concentration of sexually oriented businesses in one area; (3) Each of the foregoing negative secondary effects constitutes a harm which the state has a substantial interest in preventing or abating, or both. Such substantial government interest in preventing secondary effects, which is the state's rationale for sections 573.525 to 573.537 , exists independent of any comparative analysis between sexually oriented and nonsexually oriented businesses. Additionally, the state's interest in regulating sexually oriented businesses extends to preventing future secondary effects of current or future sexually oriented businesses that may locate in the state. (L. 2010 S.B. 586 & 617)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.531 Establishment of business, prohibited where - nudity in establishment ...

573.531. Establishment of business, prohibited where — nudity in establishment prohibited — display of sexual activities, requirements — state requirements — hours of operation — minors and alcohol prohibited — definitions. — 1. No person shall establish a sexually oriented business within one thousand feet of any preexisting primary or secondary school, house of worship, state-licensed day care facility, public library, public park, residence, or other sexually oriented business. This subsection shall not apply to any sexually oriented business lawfully established prior to August 28, 2010. For purposes of this subsection, measurements shall be made in a straight line, without regard to intervening structures or objects, from the closest portion of the parcel containing the sexually oriented business to the closest portion of the parcel containing the preexisting primary or secondary school, house of worship, state-licensed day care facility, public library, public park, residence, or other sexually oriented business. 2. No person shall establish a sexually oriented business if a person with an influential interest in the sexually oriented business has been found guilty of any of the following specified offenses for which less than eight years has elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement for the conviction, whichever is later: (1) Rape and sexual assault offenses; (2) Sexual offenses involving minors; (3) Offenses involving prostitution; (4) Obscenity offenses; (5) Offenses involving money laundering; (6) Offenses involving tax evasion; (7) Any attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit one of the offenses listed in subdivisions (1) to (6) of this subsection; or (8) Any offense committed in another jurisdiction which if committed in this state would have constituted an offense listed in subdivisions (1) to (7) of this subsection. 3. No person shall knowingly or intentionally, in a sexually oriented business, appear in a state of nudity. 4. No employee shall knowingly or intentionally, in a sexually oriented business, appear in a semi-nude condition unless the employee, while semi-nude, shall be and remain on a fixed stage at least six feet from all patrons and at least eighteen inches from the floor in a room of at least six hundred square feet. 5. No employee, who appears in a semi-nude condition in a sexually oriented business, shall knowingly or intentionally touch a patron or the clothing of a patron in a sexually oriented business. 6. A sexually oriented business, which exhibits on the premises, through any mechanical or electronic image-producing device, a film, video cassette, digital video disc, or other video reproduction, characterized by an emphasis on the display of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas shall comply with the following requirements: (1) The interior of the premises shall be configured in such a manner that there is an unobstructed view from an operator's station of every area of the premises, including the interior of each viewing room but excluding restrooms, to which any patron is permitted access for any purpose; (2) An operator's station shall not exceed thirty-two square feet of floor area; (3) If the premises has two or more operator's stations designated, the interior of the premises shall be configured in such a manner that there is an unobstructed view of each area of the premises to which any patron is permitted access for any purpose from at least one of the operator's stations; (4) The view required under this subsection shall be by direct line of sight from the operator's station; (5) It is the duty of the operator to ensure that at least one employee is on duty and situated in an operator's station at all times that any patron is on the portion of the premises monitored by such operator station; and (6) It shall be the duty of the operator and of any employees present on the premises to ensure that the view area specified in this subsection remains unobstructed by any doors, curtains, walls, merchandise, display racks, or other materials or enclosures at all times that any patron is present on the premises. 7. Sexually oriented businesses that do not have stages or interior configurations which meet at least the minimum requirements of sections 573.525 to 573.537 shall be given one hundred eighty days after August 28, 2010, to comply with the stage and building requirements of sections 573.525 to 573.537 . During such one hundred eighty-day period, any employee who appears within view of any patron in a semi-nude condition shall remain, while semi-nude, at least six feet from all patrons. 8. No operator shall allow or permit a sexually oriented business to be or remain open between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. on any day. 9. No person shall knowingly or intentionally sell, use, or consume alcoholic beverages on the premises of a sexually oriented business. 10. No person shall knowingly allow a person under the age of eighteen years on the premises of a sexually oriented business. 11. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Establish" or "establishment" , includes any of the following: (a) The opening or commencement of any sexually oriented business as a new business; (b) The conversion of an existing business, whether or not a sexually oriented business, to any sexually oriented business; or (c) The addition of any sexually oriented business to any other existing sexually oriented business; (2) "Influential interest" , includes any of the following: (a) The actual power to operate a sexually oriented business or control the operation, management, or policies of a sexually oriented business or legal entity which operates a sexually oriented business; (b) Ownership of a financial interest of thirty percent or more of a business or of any class of voting securities of a business; or (c) Holding an office, such as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, managing member, or managing director, in a legal entity which operates a sexually oriented business; (3) "Viewing room" , the room, booth, or area where a patron of a sexually oriented business would ordinarily be positioned while watching a film, video cassette, digital video disc, or other video reproduction. (L. 2010 S.B. 586 & 617, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.534 Strict liability not imposed - mental state required for violation - act by ...

573.534. Strict liability not imposed — mental state required for violation — act by employee not imputed to the business, when. — Sections 573.525 to 573.537 do not impose strict liability. Unless a culpable mental state is otherwise specified herein, a showing of a knowing or reckless mental state is necessary to establish a violation of sections 573.525 to 573.537 . Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, for purposes of sections 573.525 to 573.537 , an act by an employee shall be imputed to the sexually oriented business for purposes of finding a violation of sections 573.525 to 573.537 only if an officer, director, or general partner, or a person who managed, supervised, or controlled the operation of the business premises knowingly or recklessly allowed such act to occur on the premises. It shall be a defense to liability that the person to whom liability is imputed was powerless to prevent the act. (L. 2010 S.B. 586 & 617)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.537 Violations, penalty - public nuisance for repeated violations - state ...

573.537. Violations, penalty — public nuisance for repeated violations — state remedies permitted. — 1. Any person, business, or entity violating or refusing to comply with any provision of sections 573.525 to 573.537 shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by imposition of a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed ninety days, or both. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist or occur, and each separate occurrence, shall constitute a separate offense. 2. Any premises, building, dwelling, or other structure in which a sexually oriented business is repeatedly operated or maintained in violation of sections 573.525 to 573.537 shall constitute a public nuisance and shall be subject to civil abatement proceedings initiated by the state in a court of competent jurisdiction. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist or occur shall constitute a separate operation or maintenance of the violation. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the state may employ any remedy available at law or in equity to prevent or remedy a violation of any provision of sections 573.525 to 573.537 . (L. 2010 S.B. 586 & 617)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.540 No state preemption on regulation - consistency with state law required for ...

573.540. No state preemption on regulation — consistency with state law required for local law. — 1. Nothing in sections 573.525 to 573.537 shall be construed as preempting or preventing any political subdivision of this state from maintaining, enacting, or enforcing any local ordinance, rule, regulation, resolution, or similar law concerning the regulation of sexually oriented businesses or similar adult oriented businesses which is stricter than but not inconsistent with the provisions of sections 573.525 to 573.537 . 2. Political subdivisions of this state are specifically authorized to maintain, enact, and enforce local ordinances, rules, regulations, resolutions, or other similar laws concerning the regulation of sexually oriented businesses or similar adult-oriented businesses which are the same as or stricter than but not inconsistent with the provisions of sections 573.525 to 573.537 . (L. 2010 S.B. 586 & 617)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.550 Providing explicit sexual material to a student, offense of - penalty - ...

573.550. Providing explicit sexual material to a student, offense of — penalty — definitions. — 1. A person commits the offense of providing explicit sexual material to a student if such person is affiliated with a public or private elementary or secondary school in an official capacity and, knowing of its content and character, such person provides, assigns, supplies, distributes, loans, or coerces acceptance of or the approval of the providing of explicit sexual material to a student or possesses with the purpose of providing, assigning, supplying, distributing, loaning, or coercing acceptance of or the approval of the providing of explicit sexual material to a student. 2. The offense of providing explicit sexual material to a student is a class A misdemeanor. 3. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean: (1) "Explicit sexual material" , any pictorial, three-dimensional, or visual depiction, including any photography, film, video, picture, or computer-generated image, showing human masturbation, deviate sexual intercourse as defined in section 566.010 , sexual intercourse, direct physical stimulation of genitals, sadomasochistic abuse, or emphasizing the depiction of postpubertal human genitals; provided, however, that works of art, when taken as a whole, that have serious artistic significance, or works of anthropological significance, or materials used in science courses, including but not limited to materials used in biology, anatomy, physiology, and sexual education classes shall not be deemed to be within the foregoing definition; (2) "Person affiliated with a public or private elementary or secondary school in an official capacity" , an administrator, teacher, librarian, media center personnel, substitute teacher, teacher's assistant, student teacher, law enforcement officer, school board member, school bus driver, guidance counselor, coach, guest lecturer, guest speaker, or other nonschool employee who is invited to present information to students by a teacher, administrator, or other school employee. Such term shall not include a student enrolled in the elementary or secondary school. (L. 2022 S.B. 775, et al.)
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=573Fetched: 10/17/2026