Missouri lawmakers change STEM education and treatment courts bills

Tuesday marked the second day of the special legislative session called by Missouri Governor Mike Parson, and two bills were the center of conversation: STEM education and treatment courts.

Lawmakers held hearings to take another look at the two bills, and some said they are optimistic changes made to the bills will help get them passed.

Kevin Austin, R-Springfield, and sponsor of the treatment court bill, said he is appreciative the governor called the special session.

“The governor is wanting to find a solution because he believes and understands the benefits of treatment courts,” he said.

If passed, the bill would allow people with substance use disorders to seek treatment as an alternative to jail time. The governor vetoed the bill in July for problematic language, but in his veto letter, Parson said he believes treatment courts are valuable.

Now, with new changes, the bill will expand treatment courts, according to Austin.

“People are not being imprisoned,” he said. “People are not having to be, we are not having to pay guards to watch them. Instead, these people are actually becoming working, tax paying members of our society.”

Lawmakers also changed the STEM education bill’s language so it does not favor one particular company as the program provider.

The STEM education bill, if passed, would create an online program for middle school students to learn about STEM career paths.

Wednesday begins the special session’s third day and the start of the annual veto session.