Wrap: With a voice vote, House members gave the DWI bill first-round approval.

Included in that, a provision allowing police to get blood samples without a warrant.

But, Webb City Republican Representative Bryan Stevenson pointed out police would not be drawing blood themselves, trained professionals would do it.

"We do not want to put our law enforcement personnel in the position of drawing blood on the side of the road...I don't think anybody wants to do that."

On the other side of the aisle, members said the only place for this kind of evidence collection is the hospital.

From the State Capitol, I'm Abby Grimmett, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Wrap: House members perfected the bill with several amendments, one coming from St. Louis City Democrat Mike Colona.

Colona's amendment repealed many of the original ideas in the bill.

Under the amendment, DWI court participants could withdraw a guilty plea, and first time offenders could keep a DWI conviction off their record.

Colona: "I wanna keep drunks off the street just as much as you do, but I also don't want to ruin the lives of people who are so unexperienced in this that after a couple drinks, they box themselves out of the opportunity to become a classroom teacher."

Also added to the bill, an amendment that would allow police to collect blood samples from DWI suspects without a warrant.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Abby Grimmett, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Wrap: Bill Sponsor, Webb City Republican Representative Bryan Stevenson, said DWI courts are needed, because repeat drunken drivers are suffering from an addiction.

Stevenson: "I have a cousin who's 12 years younger than I am who has now gotten his fourth DWI, gentleman. And it is a very, very sad situation. It's very traumatic for him, it's very traumatic for the family. And in those types of situations, it's an addiction, and there needs to be treatment.

Through a voice vote, the bill got initial approval, but there were several amendments attached.

One, from St. Louis City Democratic Representative Mike Colona, allows first time offenders to keep DWI convictions off their records.

Also included was a provision to allow Missouri Police to collect blood samples from DWI suspects without a warrant.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Abby Grimmett, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.