Two bills would expand limited driving-privilege access after treatment completion; sponsors and public defender back broader eligibility

Representatives David Dolan (HB 15 31) and Tyson Smith (HB 9 31) presented substantially similar bills to allow people who complete specified treatment programs to seek limited driving privileges.

Dolan’s bill would permit the court that sentenced a person after completion of certain Department of Corrections programs — including specified long-term or 120-day DOC treatment programs — to consider limited driving privileges under the existing limited-privileges statute (transcript reference: 302.309). Smith’s measure would expand eligibility by allowing adult treatment courts (including drug courts) and Department of Corrections treatment-program completers to qualify for limited privileges, addressing gaps in rural areas that may lack DWI courts.

Mary Fox, director of the Missouri State Public Defender, testified in support of both bills and suggested making explicit in the statutory language which kinds of adult treatment courts should qualify (for example, veterans courts and family-treatment courts), noting judges and practitioners had expressed uncertainty about whether certain specialty courts should qualify. Other supporters on the record included the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and several advocacy groups.

Supporters framed the bills as easing reintegration for people who have completed treatment by restoring access to work, childcare and other responsibilities that commonly require driving in outstate Missouri. Opponents did not appear in force at the hearing; judicial representatives said they would work with sponsors on precise statutory language. The committee took no formal vote during the session.