On April 7, 2026, Governor Mike Kehoe signed a new law called House Bill 2273. This is a very important change for families in Missouri. The law was made to keep children safe and to help people who were hurt when they were young.
Because the rules just changed, the law firm of Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer (HEHN) is helping our neighbors understand what this means for their rights.
One of the biggest changes is about “time limits.” A time limit is how long a person has to ask for help in court.
Before: For many cases, a person had 10 years after they turned 21 to speak up.
Now: For cases involving child trafficking, the new law gives people 20 years after they turn 21.
This change is important because it gives survivors more time to feel ready to tell their stories.
“We want our community to know that the law is changing to protect them,” says Jill Harper, a lawyer at the firm. “While having more time is a good step, these cases are still very complicated. It is not just about the time limit; it is about finding a way to truly help the person who was hurt.”
Jill Harper explains that it is often hard to get help from just one person. Most of the time, legal help is only possible when a big place – like a school, a church, or a camp – did not do their job to watch over children. This is called “negligent supervision.”
The firm also wants to remind everyone that “secret promises” (also called NDAs) do not work in these cases. Even if someone was told they had to stay quiet, Missouri law says they are allowed to speak the truth.
For over 40 years, the HEHN law firm has been a trusted neighbor in Columbia, Missouri. They believe that when families have the right information, our whole community becomes safer.
About Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer:
HEHN is a law firm in Columbia, Missouri, started in 1983. They are a team of experts who care about fairness and safety for everyone in our state. You can learn more at LawMissouri.com or by calling (573) 442-1660.
Legal Note: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Past results afford no guarantee of future results; every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.
Sources:
Missouri Governor Kehoe Signs HB 2273 into Law: https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-signs-three-bills-law
ABC 17 News – Missouri House Advances Child Safety Bill: https://abc17news.com/news/missouri/2026/02/12/missouri-house-advances-bill-targeting-child-grooming-and-trafficking
Media Contact
Company Name: Harper Evans Hilbrenner & Netemeyer
Contact Person: Jill Harper
Email: Send Email
City: Columbia
State: Missouri
Country: United States
Website: https://www.lawmissouri.com/
Press Release Distributed by ABNewswire.com
To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Missouri’s New Child Safety Laws: Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer Provides Legal Roadmap for Local Families
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