HB 273 Missouri House · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes provisions relating to driving while intoxicated

HB 273 creates a diversion program for eligible first-time DWI (driving while intoxicated) offenders, allowing them to avoid criminal conviction by completing program requirements instead of facing trial. To qualify, defendants must not have prior DWI convictions, commercial licenses, or caused injury/death, and must not have refused a breath test. The program requires installing an ignition interlock device on all vehicles for at least one year (with possible extension for failed tests), plus other court-set conditions like victim impact panels, and lasts up to 24 months. Successful completion dismisses the criminal case, while noncompliance may lead to prosecution, with the Department of Revenue pausing license suspension during the program.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 2, 2024 Last action Apr 1, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced House Committee Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was rewritten to repeal existing sections 302.520 and 302.530 and replace them with new versions that focus on immediate license suspension procedures and hearing processes, while removing the DWI diversion program entirely. The new text clarifies when officers must serve suspension notices and establishes temporary permit procedures, but eliminates the diversion program that previously allowed eligible first-time offenders to avoid criminal charges through a structured program.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from adding a new DWI diversion program to Chapter 557 to repealing and rewriting sections in Chapter 302 that govern license suspension and revocation procedures.
ELIGIBILITY

The DWI diversion program that allowed eligible first-time offenders to avoid criminal charges by completing a program has been completely removed from the bill.

REQUIREMENT

New language clarifies that officers must serve suspension notices personally when chemical test results show high alcohol levels, and they must issue temporary permits valid for fifteen days.

ENFORCEMENT

The hearing process was revised to specify that hearings are conducted by department-employed examiners licensed to practice law, and the sole issue at hearing is whether the person was driving under the circumstances set out in section 302.505.

DEFINITION

The original definitions for terms like 'Failed start' and 'Running retest' were removed as they were part of the deleted diversion program section.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 8 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Committee
Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 19 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
HCS Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
Referred: Crime and Public Safety(H)
lower
Dec 2, 2024
Introduced
Prefiled (H)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Lane Roberts
Lane Roberts
RRepublican
MO
161