Attorney General Hanaway Reminds Missourians Of Halloween Restrictions For Registered Sex Offenders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -As Halloween approaches, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is reminding families and communities of the state's legal restrictions for registered sex offenders on October 31. These rules are designed to help protect children during one of the busiest nights for door-to-door activity.

"Parents should enjoy Halloween knowing the law provides clear safeguards for children," said General Hanaway. "Being informed and staying alert helps keep Halloween fun and safe for everyone, and our office will continue working with law enforcement to ensure these requirements are followed so Missouri families can celebrate with confidence."

Under Section 589.426 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, all individuals required to register as sex offenders must comply with the following restrictions on October 31 of each year:

• They must avoid all Halloween-related contact with children.
• They must remain inside their residence between 5:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., unless leaving for work, medical emergencies, or other justifiable reasons.
• They must turn off all outside residential lighting and decorations after 5:00 p.m.

Missouri law previously required registered sex offenders to post a "No candy or treats at this residence" sign in their yard. That requirement is no longer enforceable following a federal court ruling in Sanderson v. Bailey, which held that the sign mandate violated the First Amendment's prohibition on compelled speech. The ruling affects only the sign requirement and does not change the validity of the remaining statutory restrictions.

Violating any of the remaining requirements under Section 589.426 constitutes a class A misdemeanor.

Missourians who witness a registered sex offender violating Halloween restrictions should immediately contact local law enforcement. Reports may also be submitted to the Missouri Sex Offender Registry Enforcement Unit.

The Attorney General's Office encourages parents and guardians to take simple steps to promote safety, including reviewing Missouri's public sex offender registry and discussing safety plans with children before trick-or-treating. The registry allows individuals to search by name, address, or ZIP code to identify registered offenders in their area.