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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri House Bill 2361 makes nonconsensual altered sexual depictions a class C felony and sets website removal rules
Last action · February 26, 2026: HCS Reported Do Pass (H)Sponsors: Melissa Schmidt and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
Missouri House Bill 2361 establishes criminal penalties and civil remedies for generating, soliciting, or promoting nonconsensual digital s of identifiable persons. The bill classifies the offense as a , allows victims to sue for injunctive relief and statutory damages of ten thousand dollars or actual damages, and requires covered online platforms to establish a removal request process by December 31, 2026.
Residents can face charges for creating or sharing nonconsensual digital forgeries, while websites hosting user content must implement takedown request procedures within 48 hours or face unfair trade practice penalties.
- House Bill 2361 was introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives during the 2026 Regular Session to address nonconsensual digital media alterations. context
- State legislative measures addressing nonconsensual altered sexual depictions have been introduced across multiple states to combat digitally manipulated media. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Identifiable persons
Individuals receive new legal protections, civil lawsuit options, and statutory damage rights against unauthorized digital depictions.
Covered platforms
Websites and online services hosting user content must establish a written notice and 48-hour removal process or face unfair trade practice penalties.
Law enforcement officers
Law enforcement officers and agencies are explicitly exempted from the criminal and civil penalties while performing official duties.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered an altered sexual depiction under this bill?
What must online platforms do when notified of nonconsensual content?
Can a disclaimer protect someone from criminal liability if they share an altered image?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
8 actions- Feb 26, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Reported Do Pass (H)
- Feb 25, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Voted Do Pass (H)
- Feb 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session Completed (H)
- Feb 16, 2026HousePublic Hearing Completed (H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Emerging Issues(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
Show 2 earlier actions
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 10, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
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Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Establishment of Direct Platform Takedown Deadlines
The bill imposes a strict 48-hour takedown window on covered platforms receiving valid removal requests, backed by unfair trade practice penalties.
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz55Current news / social attention level
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