Bill > HB1467

This bill requires all circuit and associate circuit courts in Missouri to offer a treatment court program for first-time felony offenders with substance use disorders before they enter a plea in court. Under this program, if an offender successfully completes the treatment court program, the pending criminal charges will be dismissed, though the offender must still pay associated costs. The bill also provides additional details about treatment court operations, including allowing treatment court teams to meet and discuss participant progress, and establishing procedures for determining appropriate incentives or sanctions. Notably, the bill mandates that treatment courts cannot prohibit participants from receiving medication-assisted treatment for substance misuse under a physician's care, and participants cannot be considered in violation of program terms solely for engaging in such treatment. The legislation allows for treatment court transfers between jurisdictions with the agreement of all involved parties and provides flexibility for courts to integrate treatment alternatives into criminal case proceedings, with the ultimate goal of addressing substance use disorders through rehabilitation rather than traditional punitive approaches.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1467&year=2025&code=R