Section 567.030 - Patronizing prostitution - penalty1. A person commits the offense of patronizing prostitution if he or she:(1) Pursuant to a prior understanding, gives something of value to another person as compensation for having engaged in sexual conduct with any person; or(2) Gives or agrees to give something of value to another person with the understanding that such person or another person will engage in sexual conduct with any person; or(3) Solicits or requests another person to engage in sexual conduct with any person in return for something of value.2. It shall not be a defense that the person believed that the individual he or she patronized for prostitution was eighteen years of age or older.3. The offense of patronizing prostitution is a class B misdemeanor, unless the individual who the person patronizes is less than eighteen years of age but older than fourteen years of age, in which case patronizing prostitution is a class E felony.4. The offense of patronizing prostitution is a class D felony if the individual who the person patronizes is fourteen years of age or younger. Nothing in this section shall preclude the prosecution of an individual for the offenses of:(1) Statutory rape in the first degree pursuant to section 566.032;(2) Statutory rape in the second degree pursuant to section 566.034;(3) Statutory sodomy in the first degree pursuant to section 566.062; or(4) Statutory sodomy in the second degree pursuant to section 566.064.Amended by 2018 Mo. Laws, SB 793,s A, eff. 8/28/2018.Amended by 2014 Mo. Laws, SB 491,s A, eff. 1/1/2017.L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 2004H.B. 1487