Mo. drug, firearm, other laws take effect this week

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- After months of hearings, debates and filibusters, a slew of new laws went into effect in Missouri this week. From synthetic substances and electric cars to adoptions and concealed-carry rules, the laws cover a wide swath of policy areas.

Here are some of the notable changes most likely to impact the everyday lives of Missourians:

Concealed-carry age

Starting this week, properly trained firearm owners no longer have to wait until their 23rd birthday to obtain a concealed-carry permit. House Bill 294 lowers the age for obtaining a permit for covertly carry a firearm to 21. The measure easily passed both chambers of the Republican-dominated legislature, largely on the grounds that Missouri previously had the highest age restriction of any concealed-carry. The same bill also prohibits the state or any local government from levying a sales tax on firearms that is higher than the tax on other sporting goods.

Late-term abortions

Any woman seeking an abortion more than 20 weeks into her pregnancy will now face stiffer legal requirements. Senate Bill 65, which was allowed to pass into law without Gov. Jay Nixon's signature, would make it a felony to perform an abortion in Missouri after 20 weeks, unless it can be determined by two independent physicians that the mother's health is in jeopardy or that the fetus is nonviable. It also prohibits mental health conditions from being considered as a threat to the mother's health.

The bill passed both the House and Senate with heavy majorities but not without criticism from some lawmakers who called it a scientifically unnecessary assault on abortion rights. Critics like NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri argue that no fetus is viable at 20 weeks, and that all abortions that take place in Missouri after 20 weeks are nonelective, resulting only from medical calamities. But supporters argued that the fetus represents an independent life and that extra precautions should be taken to ensure its safety.

Synthetic drugs

A statewide ban on synthetic marijuana goes into effect this week. The ban includes substances such as K2 and bath salts that are used to create the same chemical effects as smoking marijuana. The new law makes possession of synthetic cannabinoids a misdemeanor if it is less than 35 grams and felony if it's greater than that amount.

Drug testing

A controversial law that requires to state to screen suspected drug users goes into effect this week. House Bill 73 requires the state Department of Social Services to begin drug testing Missourians who receive financial assistance from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Those who test positive will lose their benefits for six months. If they enter a recovery program and test negative for drugs after the six months, they can begin receiving benefits again. However, a second failed test will lead to a three-year ban on benefits.

Although most lawmakers agreed the government should not subsidize drug addiction, many disagreed over the particulars of the bill. Critics say the most glaring fault is that the bill fails to appropriate more funds for drug treatment programs. They also say that the testing process and the network of third-party bureaucrats who will see that TANF payments are still received by an offender's children, is too complicated and will cost the state money.

Foster parent policies

Many new adoption rules and initiatives will go into effect this week with the passage of House Bill 431. Among other things, the bill directs the Children's Division of the Department of Social Services to expedite the licensing process for would-be foster parents who have a pre-existing relationship with the children they are seeking to adopt. It also sets new guidelines, encouraging the Children's Division to place children with family friends when appropriate and to keep siblings together when possible.

Emission tests

To encourage more drivers to switch to greener vehicles, the state will no longer require the owners of plug-in electric cars to submit to the mandatory emissions inspection. The exemption does not apply to hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles, only those that can run solely on electricity. Those cars will still be subject to safety inspections.

Pertinent address:

Jefferson City, MO