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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri House committee has endorsed legislation that would eliminate the current time limits for prosecuting cases that involve sexual offenses against people age 18 and younger.

Right now, prosecutions must start within 30 years after the victim's 18th birthday. The statute of limitations already does not apply to instances of forcible rape or forcible sodomy, attempted forcible rape or attempted forcible sodomy and kidnapping. The measure would allow prosecutions for child abuse at any time.

The House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee approved the legislation Monday.

Earlier this year, a state child sex abuse task force released a report urging lawmakers to eliminate the statute of limitations for first-degree statutory rape and first-degree statutory sodomy.

Illinois lawmakers are pushing forward with a measure that would repeal the state's ban on same sex marriage.

The State House Executive Committee voted 6-5 late Tuesday to move the measure to the floor, where passage is considered likely.

Advocates say the bill would help eliminate discrimination against children of homosexual couples. But opponents say this measure steps on people's religious freedoms. They argue lawmakers don't have the right to redefine marriage.

The bill was approved by the Senate on Valentine's Day. A House OK would send the matter to Governor Pat Quinn, who says he'll sign it. 

UPDATE:
Fire investigators say that a High Ridge home that caught fire this morning, was under foreclosure. More than 30 firefighters responded to the scene and found the body of 24-year-old Charles Odell in the burned out home. KMOV reports that kerosene heaters were found in the house and the home's gas supply had previously been shut off. Odell was alone in the house at the time of the fire. EARLIER:
Jefferson County fire investigators are trying to find out how a High Ridge home caught fire this morning--killing a man in his mid 20's.

The two-alarm blaze was reported at about 4 a.m.near the end of Ridge Road, off of New Sugar Creek Road north of Highway 30.

Tom Lakin, deputy chief of the High Ridge Fire Protection District, said a neighbor reported hearing what sounded like an explosion. When firefighters arrived, they saw the single-family home engulfed in flames, with fire coming through the roof. The man's body was found under debris after the roof collapsed.

More than 30 firefighters from five departments were on the scene. No firefighters were injured.