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SB 1782

SB 1782 - This act establishes "Justin's Law". The Director of the Department of Public Safety shall establish the Illicit Narcotics Canine Committee (INCC). The primary purpose of the INCC is to review applicants and award funds for illicit narcotics canine programs. This committee shall also create a list of approved kennels that programs can choose from when purchasing a canine. The INCC shall consist of nine members that shall be appointed by the Director. This act authorizes police or county sheriff departments to establish an illicit narcotics canine program within the department. A program established under this provision must use law enforcement dogs that have been trained to detect illicit narcotics. In addition, all law enforcement canine and handler teams must be accredited by certain entities. Further, all canine and handler teams shall train for at least sixteen hours per month with criteria established by the INCC. This act requires that each program submit statistics no less than quarterly into Packtrack or a similar record management software system. This act establishes the Illicit Narcotics Canine Fund which is administered by the Department of Public Safety. Under this act, the General Assembly shall appropriate five hundred thousand dollars to this fund every year. Police or county sheriff departments that establish or operate an illicit narcotics canine program may apply for a grant of no more than thirty five thousand dollars. These grants can be used to cover the cost of certain law enforcement canine-related expenses, except for the purchase of vehicles and salaries. TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

2026 Regular Session

Creates a state-funded program via Illicit Narcotics Canine Fund and Committee to standardize, certify, and financially support police canine units focused on illicit narcotics.

Second Read and Referred S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1782

Summary of Bill: SB 1782 (2026, Missouri)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes “Justin’s Law,” creating a centralized framework to promote and fund illicit narcotics canine programs within Missouri law enforcement.
  • Creates a dedicated governance body and a dedicated fund to support the establishment and operation of these canine programs.

Key provisions and changes

  • Illicit Narcotics Canine Committee (INCC)

    • The Director of the Department of Public Safety shall establish the INCC.
    • Nine members appointed by the Director:
    • 2 members from the Department of Public Safety or Missouri State Highway Patrol
    • 2 members from the Missouri Police Chiefs Association
    • 2 members from the Missouri Sheriff’s Association
    • 2 canine officers
    • 1 narcotics officer or detective
    • Primary role: review applicants and award funds for illicit narcotics canine programs; maintain an approved kennel list (certified vendors) for programs to purchase canines from.
    • INCC operates in coordination with: Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Missouri Sheriff’s Association, and other law enforcement entities as appropriate.
    • Programs established under this act must use law enforcement dogs trained to detect illicit narcotics.
    • All dogs and handlers must be fully certified as a team by one of several accredited organizations (listed in statute) or any other INCC-approved certification.
    • Programs may select from approved certified kennels designated by the INCC.
    • Programs may apply for grants from the Illicit Narcotics Canine Fund to cover dog-related expenses (excluding vehicles and salaries).
    • Departments must report statistics at least quarterly into Packtrack or a similar system.

  • Illicit Narcotics Canine Fund (INCF)

    • Created in the state treasurer’s custody as a dedicated fund to support the INCC.
    • Annual appropriation of $500,000 by the General Assembly.
    • The Fund may also receive money from private sources, gifts, and donations.
    • End-of-biennium funds do not revert to the general revenue fund.
    • The Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with the INCC, shall issue grants of up to $35,000 to police or sheriff departments for establishing illicit narcotics canine programs.
    • Eligible grant uses:
    • Purchase of a law enforcement dog
    • Training for the dog or handler
    • Kennel build-out for officer vehicles
    • Kennels at residence or department
    • Training aids
    • Veterinary bills
    • Medical insurance for the canine
    • Other equipment deemed necessary by the INCC
    • Grants cannot be used for vehicle purchases or salaries.
    • Canine units funded by grants must have heat alarms on vehicles and, for the working life of the canine, have department-paid medical insurance.

  • Training and reporting requirements

    • All canine and handler teams must train at least 16 hours per month, with criteria set by the INCC.
    • Departments must submit quarterly statistics into Packtrack or an equivalent record management system.

Who/what is affected

  • Law enforcement agencies: Police departments and county sheriff departments may establish illicit narcotics canine programs under this act.
  • Canine units and personnel: Dogs and their handlers must be certified through approved organizations; training minimums apply.
  • Funding recipients: Eligible departments can apply for grants (up to $35,000) for program development and operations.
  • Vendors and kennels: Only approved/certified kennels designated by the INCC can supply canines to programs.
  • State administration: Department of Public Safety administers the INCC and coordinates with advocacy associations; the State Treasurer administers the INCF.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective governance and funding rely on:
    • Appointment of INCC members by the Director of Public Safety.
    • Annual appropriation of $500,000 to the INCF by the General Assembly.
    • Establishment of the INCC and its approved kennel list (no explicit sunset; ongoing).
    • Quarterly data submissions into Packtrack or equivalent.
    • Training minimums of 16 hours per month for canine teams.
  • Grants from the INCF have a cap of $35,000 per department for eligible dog-related expenses; no grants for salaries or vehicle purchases.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Standardization: Creates uniform standards for canine programs (certifications, training hours, reporting).
  • Accountability and oversight: INCC provides centralized oversight of approvals, certifications, and kennel accreditation.
  • Funding accessibility: Provides a stable funding stream to support program start-up and ongoing costs, with restrictions on what funds may be used for.
  • Operational scope: Encourages broader adoption of illicit narcotics canine programs across Missouri police and sheriff departments.
  • Practical requirements: Departments must maintain reporting and equipment standards (e.g., heat alarms, canine medical insurance).

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page layperson’s briefing or a side-by-side comparison with current law to highlight changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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