Criminal Justice (Drug Policy) in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1724: Makes xylazine a Schedule III controlled substance

SB 1724 reclassifies xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance under Missouri law. This change subjects xylazine to state regulations governing controlled substances, including penalties for unauthorized possession or distribution. The bill amends Missouri's controlled substances schedule to include xylazine in Schedule III, which applies to substances with moderate abuse potential and accepted medical uses. This reclassification directly affects individuals who possess or distribute xylazine without authorization in Missouri. The bill does not alter federal scheduling of xylazine.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

in committee · Missouri · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1793: Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor and creates an income tax deduction for compensation as a first responder

SB 1793 creates a new criminal offense for minors possessing firearms without permission and establishes an income tax deduction for first responders receiving certain compensation payments. The bill would make it illegal for minors to have firearms (excluding authorized scenarios like supervised training), and allow first responders to deduct specific compensation (e.g., overtime or hazard pay) from their taxable income. This bill directly affects minors and first responders in the state, with no further details available as it is newly introduced (first read on 2026-02-26).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Income Tax Drug Policy Firearms

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3417: Modifies provisions relating to treatment courts

HB 3417 defines and establishes specialized treatment courts (including adult, DWI, family, juvenile, mental health, and veterans courts) to address substance use or mental health disorders among defendants. It requires circuit courts to create these divisions by a specific deadline, mandating referrals to state-certified treatment programs unless none exist locally. The bill specifies that successful completion of treatment can lead to dismissed, reduced, or modified charges, with fees paid to treatment providers not classified as court costs. It directly affects defendants with substance use or mental health disorders in criminal cases, as well as courts and treatment providers operating within the system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Juvenile Justice Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Missouri · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1747: Modifies provisions relating to cybercrimes, harassment, and stalking

SB 1747 replaces outdated definitions and provisions related to cybercrimes, harassment, and stalking in Missouri law with 30 new sections. It creates clear definitions for "cyberharassment" (repeated digital contact causing fear) and "cyberstalking" (using digital tools to intimidate or track), specifying these involve invasion of privacy and repeated actions over time. The bill directly affects victims of these offenses and their family members, as it expands protections for "qualified individuals" impacted by cyberharassment, cyberstalking, or related violence. Key mechanisms include standardizing legal definitions to improve prosecution and clarify jurisdiction for cases occurring across multiple locations. The changes aim to strengthen legal tools for addressing digital harassment and stalking without adding new penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Drug Policy Telecommunications

in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 1680: Modifies provisions relating to eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SB 1680 modifies Missouri's rules for SNAP (food stamp) eligibility for individuals convicted of felony offenses involving controlled substances. It allows these individuals to qualify for SNAP benefits if they meet four specific conditions: (1) participating in or completing an approved substance abuse treatment program, (2) complying with court and treatment obligations, (3) avoiding new substance-related offenses within one year, and (4) providing documented sobriety through voluntary urinalysis testing. The bill requires applicants to provide evidence of compliance to the Department of Social Services, which will work with the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse to establish implementation rules. This change exempts eligible individuals from a federal disqualification that previously barred them from SNAP benefits after such convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3536: Modifies provisions relating to extended sentences for prior criminal conduct

HB 3536 modifies sentencing rules to require longer prison terms for certain defendants with prior criminal records. It directly affects individuals convicted of class B, C, D, or E felonies who are classified as "persistent offenders" (two or more prior felonies), "dangerous offenders" (violent felony plus prior serious offense), or those subject to prior conviction-based sentencing enhancements. The bill mandates that courts automatically sentence these defendants to the term authorized for the next higher felony class - such as sentencing a class B felony conviction as if it were a class A felony - rather than the standard term. This applies only when prior offenses occurred before the current crime and meet the specific definitions outlined in the bill.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3370: Modifies provisions relating to court-ordered treatment

HB 3370 requires courts to offer treatment court programs for first-time felony offenders with substance use disorders before they enter a plea. Upon completing the program, pending charges are dismissed (after paying associated costs), and the bill explicitly prohibits treatment courts from barring participants from medication-assisted treatment for opioid or substance misuse. It also establishes procedures for transferring participants between jurisdictions and ensures participation in medication-assisted treatment cannot violate program terms. The bill directly affects eligible offenders in criminal cases seeking substance use disorder treatment instead of traditional sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Sentencing Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Missouri · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1782: Establishes "Justin's Law", authorizes law enforcement agencies to use canines to detect illicit narcotics

SB 1782, titled "Justin's Law," authorizes law enforcement agencies to use trained canines for detecting illicit narcotics. This bill directly affects police departments and other law enforcement entities by providing a legal basis for employing drug-sniffing dogs during investigations. The key provision is the explicit authorization for canine use in narcotics detection, which becomes part of standard law enforcement procedures. The abstract does not specify additional requirements or limitations for this authorization.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 1693: Modifies provisions relating to firearms

SB 1693 modifies Missouri's firearm laws by creating new offenses for unlawful transfer and possession. It prohibits selling, giving, or delivering firearms to individuals who are prohibited under Section 571.070 - such as felons, people on the No Fly List, those intoxicated, or members of terrorism groups - while adding specific rules for transfers to minors without parental consent. Unlawful transfer to prohibited individuals is a class E felony, while other violations (like reckless sales to minors) are class A misdemeanors. Unlawful possession of a firearm by prohibited individuals (e.g., felons, fugitives, or terrorism group members) is a class C felony, escalating to class B if there’s a prior conviction. The bill does not apply to antique firearms.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 2828: Adds certain psychoactive substances to the list of Schedule I controlled substances and modifies the offenses of possession of a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance

This bill adds numerous specific psychoactive substances - including fentanyl analogs (like acetyl fentanyl and 3-methylfentanyl), opium derivatives (such as heroin and desomorphine), and hallucinogens (like MDMA, psilocybin, and mescaline) - to the state's Schedule I list of strictly controlled substances. It directly affects individuals possessing or distributing these newly listed drugs, making such actions illegal under enhanced penalties. The bill modifies existing laws to treat possession and delivery of these substances as more severe offenses. It does not include exceptions for industrial hemp or medical use, as specified in the Schedule I criteria.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

All criminal justice bills