HB 2163 creates a program for nonviolent offenders with serious substance abuse issues (who haven't been convicted of a dangerous felony) to receive treatment instead of immediate incarceration. Eligible offenders undergo 12-24 months of institutional drug/alcohol treatment, with their sentence suspended until program completion. Upon successful completion, participants may petition their sentencing court for limited driving privileges to access work, school, medical care, or treatment programs. The bill replaces three existing Missouri law sections to establish this treatment pathway and driving privilege process.
HB 1896 allows individuals currently incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses to seek immediate release by petitioning their sentencing court. It specifically applies to people serving time *only* for marijuana offenses, requiring the Department of Corrections to release them without delay upon a court order. The bill amends Missouri law to override standard sentencing rules for these cases, enabling courts to vacate sentences and end incarceration. This creates a direct pathway for eligible individuals to be freed from custody and supervision under the department's control.
SB 1068 modifies Missouri's law against possessing prohibited items in prisons or jails. It specifically prohibits controlled substances (except prescribed by a doctor), intoxicating liquor, banned personal items, weapons, and unauthorized electronic devices (like cell phones), with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to class D felonies depending on the item. The bill also requires correctional facilities to post clear rules about allowed items and allows expungement of records for certain alkaloid violations (but not controlled substances). These changes directly affect prisoners, visitors, and facility staff by clarifying prohibited items and enforcement procedures.
SB 1069 limits the purchase and sale of drugs containing ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine (common methamphetamine precursors) by setting strict daily, monthly, and annual purchase caps. It prohibits selling or buying more than 3.6 grams in 24 hours, 7.2 grams in 30 days, or 61.2 grams in a year to a single person, regardless of transaction count. Pharmacies must sell these products behind counters, maintain sales records accessible to law enforcement, and manufacturers must pay fees starting in 2026 for a real-time tracking system. The law preempts local regulations requiring prescriptions for these products within the set limits.
SB 1158 creates new legal provisions for "extreme risk orders of protection," which would allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. This bill directly affects people identified by a court as being at extreme risk of causing violence, typically through emergency petitions filed by family members, law enforcement, or others with credible concerns. The key mechanism requires a judge to issue a temporary order (often within 24-72 hours) for firearm removal, with a later hearing to determine if a longer-term order is needed. The bill is currently pending review by the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee after being prefaced and first read.
