Bill > SB451

This bill modifies Missouri's drug offense laws, specifically focusing on how drug-related crimes are classified when involving persons under 22 years old. The legislation amends three sections of state law (579.030, 579.055, and 579.065) related to drug distribution, manufacturing, and trafficking. Key changes include: expanding the definition of drug distribution in protected locations to explicitly include distribution to individuals under 22 years old, with new provisions that the offense does not apply if the person committing the crime is themselves under 22; modifying manufacturing of controlled substances near schools to include a specific clause about involving another person under 22; and adjusting trafficking drug offenses to include additional penalties when drugs are distributed to individuals under 22. The bill maintains existing felony classification levels for different types and quantities of controlled substances but introduces nuanced age-related considerations that provide some protection for younger offenders. These changes aim to provide more precise legal guidelines for drug-related offenses involving young people, potentially offering more balanced treatment in the criminal justice system based on the age of the individuals involved.

Justice

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=182