Missouri Lawmakers Pass Court Bill

The Missouri Legislature has passed a wide-ranging court-related bill. 

The bill would allow mental health treatment courts as an alternative to resolve cases that stem from any mental health disorders of criminal defendants. 

Another provision would raise the mileage rate for citizens who serve jury duty from the current seven-cents per mile to 65-and-a-half-cents per mile. 

In addition to criminal cases, the legislation would also allow parties to civil and juvenile cases to have a language interpreter and the services would be funded by the state. 

The bill, sponsored by Chillicothe Senator Rusty Black, now heads to the governor.