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HB 1978MISSOURISession 2026State Billin committee

Missouri House Bill 1978 removes the August 28, 2026 expiration date for the RX Cares for Missouri Program

Original title: THE RX CARES FOR MISSOURI PROGRAM

Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsor: Bennie Cook

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Missouri House Bill 1978 permanently extends the RX Cares for Missouri Program by removing its scheduled August 28, 2026 expiration date. The measure continues the Missouri Board of Pharmacy's authority to fund safety education and prescription drug abuse prevention initiatives.

Why it matters

The legislation removes the legal for a state-backed pharmaceutical safety program, ensuring the continuous operation and ongoing funding of medication safety and drug diversion prevention efforts in Missouri.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Missouri Board of Pharmacy

The board retains ongoing administrative and funding distribution duties for the RX Cares for Missouri Program without a sunset deadline.

Directly affected

Department of Mental Health

The department continues to be authorized to consult on program administration and enter interagency agreements with the board.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does House Bill 1978 change about the RX Cares for Missouri Program?

It removes the expiration date of August 28, 2026, making the program permanent unless altered by future legislation.

Can program funds be used for a state prescription drug monitoring program?

No, the bill explicitly prohibits program funds from being expended on any state prescription drug monitoring program.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

4 actions

May 15, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
Jan 8, 2026HouseFloor
Read Second Time (H)
Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced
Read First Time (H)
Dec 1, 2025HouseIntroduced
Prefiled (H)

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Department of Mental Health, Bennie Cook, Missouri Board of Pharmacy

OrganizationDepartment of Mental Health“Consulting department assisting in the management or operation of the program”Map →

PersonBennie Cook“Representative for District 143, introducing House Bill 1978”Map →

OrganizationMissouri Board of Pharmacy“Administrative agency responsible for implementing the RX Cares for Missouri Pro”Map →

Sources

Open source document

house.mo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance40
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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