HCS HB 2064 -- CIVIL PROCEEDINGS (Black)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Judiciary

This bill adds mental health courts to the list of treatment court divisions, defined as a court focused on addressing the mental health disorder or co-occurring disorder of defendants charged with a criminal offense. The bill specifies that a mental health court may be established by any circuit court to provide an alternative for the judicial system to dispose of cases that stem from a mental health disorder or co-occurring disorder.

This bill adds provisions relating to civil proceedings. Please see the Summary Sheet for a detailed list of the additional language added in the House Committee Substitute of the House bill.

The HCS contains provisions from HB 1718, HB 1745, HB 1838, HB 1855 HCS HB 1886, HB 1958, HB 1969, HB 2109, HB 2194 and HB 2382 (2024).

DIVISIVE CONCEPTS (Section 160.2550)

Under this act, school districts are prohibited from teaching about The 1619 Project or any successor theory or concept, critical race theory or any successor theory or concept, and any divisive concepts, as such term is defined in the act. Districts are also prohibited from certain actions listed in the act relating to curriculum and instruction.

In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the social studies for each grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade, each school district shall adopt knowledge and skills that develop each student's civic knowledge as set forth in the act.

School districts shall not accept private funding for the purposes of teaching any curriculum substantially similar to critical race theory or The 1619 Project.

The Attorney General may investigate school districts for compliance with the act. Any school district that violates the provisions of the act shall have 50% of the district's state aid withheld until the district presents evidence to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that the district is no longer in violation of this section.

This provision is similar to a provision in SB 918 (2024), substantially similar to a provision in SB 42 (2023) and to SB 694 (2022), and similar to SB 172 (2023), SB 638 (2022), SB 676 (2022), SB 734 (2022), and SB 1184 (2022).

SUNLIGHT IN LEARNING (Section 161.856)

This act establishes the "Sunlight in Learning Act", which requires certain training, instructional, and curricular materials posted on a school website.

This act requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to ensure schools and charter schools publicly display instructional and training materials for teachers and learning materials and activities used for students on the school website.

The website shall include the title, author, organization and any website associated with the material or activity. The website shall also include the identity of the teacher or other person who created the learning material. Any activity that involves service-learning, internships or outside organizations, shall be included on the website, as outlined in the act.

All procedures for the documentation, review or approval of materials used for staff or faculty training or student learning shall be included on the website. A listing of available resources in the library shall be included on the website.

The information required on the website shall be displayed online prior to the first instance of training or instruction, or, at the latest, fourteen days after the training or instruction. The information shall be organized by school, grade, teacher, and subject, and be displayed on the website for at least two years.

Schools may use a collaborative online document or spreadsheet software to update the listing on the website. The listing shall be created and displayed in searchable or sortable electronic formats.

A school with fewer that twenty enrolled students and whose materials and activities are selected independently by instructors is not required to post a list of learning materials and activities on a website.

The Attorney General, Commissioner of Education, State Auditor, prosecuting attorney, or resident of a school district, may initiate a suit against the school district, public school, or public charter school or other governmental entity responsible for educational oversight if a violation of this act occurs.

Courts shall not entertain complaints unless complainants have first worked to remedy the situation by contacting school officials, who have fifteen days to resolve the situation, or by contacting the school board, who have forty-five days to resolve the situation.

No school officials shall purchase or contract copyrighted learning materials, including renewal of subscription-based materials where students are provided login credentials or access via electronic personal devices, unless provisions are made to allow parents and guardians of students to review the materials within thirty days of the submission of a written request to the school.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SB 42 (2023) and to SB 1225 (2022) and is similar to SB 645 (2022), SB 810 (2022), and HB 1995 (2022).

PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS (Section 161.1140)

This act creates the "Parents' Bill of Rights Act of 2023." Under this act, no school district shall deny to the parent or guardian of a minor child certain rights. Such rights includes the ability to fully review the curricula, books, and other educational materials used by the school attended by their child; the ability to access information on teachers, guest lecturers, and outside presenters who engage with students at the school; the ability to access information on third party individuals and organizations that receive contracts; the right to visit their child at school during school hours; the right to access all records generated by the school that concern their child; the ability to access information pertaining to the collection and transmission of data regarding their child; the right to be heard at school board meetings; the right to be notified of situations affecting the safety of their child at school; and the right to object to certain materials that the parent finds inappropriate to be taught to their child.

Any person denied one of these rights may bring a civil action for injunctive relief. Further, the attorney general may also bring a civil action for injunctive relief. If a school district is found to have violated this act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may withhold up to fifty percent of the state aid for such district.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SB 776 (2022) and is similar to a provision in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 42, 42 & 89 (2023).

PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETIC COMPETITION (Section 167.177)

Upon adoption by a school district and approval of the residents of the school district, no public school shall knowingly allow a student of the male sex who is enrolled in such public school to participate in a school-sponsored athletic team that is exclusively for students of the female sex. Beginning July 1, 2025, the Joint Committee on Education shall study exclusively male or female athletic events and the impact of a policy that prohibits participation in those events by individuals of the opposite sex. By January 1, 2026, the Committee shall report its findings to the General Assembly.

The Attorney General may investigate any school district alleged to be in violation of this provision. Any school district found to be in violation of this provision shall have fifty percent of any state moneys withheld until the school district provides evidence to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that it is in compliance with this provision.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 42 (2023), substantially similar to HB 2461 (2022) and a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2022), and similar to HB 2735 (2022).

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is identical to SB 726 (2024) and SB 1185 (2024) and similar to provisions in HCS/HBs 1520, 1519, 2355, and 2357 (2024).

SARAH HASKINS

The act also establishes provisions prohibiting school officials from withholding information regarding a student's gender identity from his or her parents. A school official shall inform a student's parents within forty-eight hours if the student expresses confusion about his or her gender identity. A school official shall obtain parental consent before addressing a student using a name other than the name provided during enrollment. Finally, a school official shall obtain parental consent before using a pronoun that differs from a student's biological sex as stated on his or her birth certificate or other government record, as provided in the act.

No public or charter school shall require a school official to address someone using a pronoun that does not match the person's biological sex if doing so would be contrary to the school official's religious or moral convictions.

A school district or charter school shall determine a reasonable and fair penalty for any school official who knowingly violates any provision of this act.

This act is similar to SCS/SB 134 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS PROGRAM (Sections 135.714 and 166.700)

The act modifies the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program by providing that the maximum total grant amount to a scholarship recipient shall be equal to 90% of the previous year's statewide average per-pupil state funding allocated to school districts under current law, rather than the state adequacy target.

The act provides that scholarship recipients who are not required to take the statewide assessment tests under current law shall be given the opportunity to choose to take such assessment tests or nationally norm-referenced tests, rather than requiring such students to take such a test.

The act repeals provisions requiring a "qualified student", as such term is defined in the act, to live in a charter county or a city with at least 30,000 inhabitants and to either have an individualized education plan or be a member of a household whose total annual income does not exceed 200% of the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced-price lunch.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SB 1118 (2024) and is similar to HB 1615 (2024), HB 1738 (2024), HB 2620 (2024), and to a provision in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024).

PERFORMANCE-BASED SCHOOL DISTRICT ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

(Sections 160.423, 160.2900, 160.2902, 160.2904, 160.2906, and 161.092)

Under this act, the State Board of Education shall establish and implement an accountability system for all public schools and school districts and shall provide an annual accreditation status for each school and school district. Each charter school sponsor shall provide an annual accreditation status for each school it sponsors based on policies that are consistent with accreditation standards used by the State Board of Education. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, as well as each charter school sponsor, shall annually, prior to July 1st, determine the annual accreditation status for each school and school district based on verifiable accreditation data from the previous school year. The annual accreditation status of each school and school district shall be based on compliance with best practice standards, as defined in the act. After assignment of the school's or district's status, the Department and each charter school sponsor shall monitor the schools and districts to determine the status of the schools or districts for the following school year. If the Department or a sponsor determines during the course of the monitoring that a school or district may be in violation of a best practice standard, the head of the school as well the school board or governing body of a charter school shall be notified and given an opportunity to correct the violation.

Schools and school districts shall be assigned an annual accreditation status based on a determination by the State Board of Education or the charter school sponsor of the school's or district's compliance with any policies or rules establishing accreditation policies and best practice standards. Such status shall include "accredited", "provisionally accredited", or "unaccredited".

The State Board of Education shall develop a simplified annual school report card for each school district, public school, and charter school for the purpose of providing information about the school's or district's academic performance. The act repeals the current provision of law regarding report cards for schools. The State Board shall assign the duties of implementing the report to the Department or to a contracted private entity.

The State Board shall assign each public school, charter school, and school district a letter grade of "A", "B", "C", "D", or "F". The school's or school district's grade shall be based on evaluation of a number of factors described in the act relating to student scores on the annual statewide assessment, the percentage of students demonstrating growth towards proficiency on assessment of English language arts and mathematics, the percentage of students in high school earning a high school diploma in four years, and measures of college and career readiness. The act further sets forth the student assessment data to be utilized in determining the school's or school district's grade.

If a school or school district earns a grade of "D" or "F" for a school year, the Department or the charter sponsor shall provide the school or school district with a list of organizations that can provide specific, evidence-based turnaround services. The school or school district shall implement a plan for improvement that is approved by the Department or charter sponsor. If a school or school district earns a "D" or "F" for three consecutive years, then students shall have the option of transferring to a nonresident school or district. For schools or school districts that earn a "D" or "F" for four consecutive years, the Department or charter sponsor shall choose a managing partner to lead the reorganization of the school or school district. Finally, if a school or school district earns a "D" or "F" for five consecutive years, the Department or charter sponsor shall consider school closures.

The Department shall prepare annual reports of the results of the accountability measures contained in this act.

These provisions are identical to SB 341 (2023) and HB 558 (2023).

SCHOOL SAFETY ASSESSMENTS (Section 160.3250)

The act requires every public school district and public charter school to develop and maintain a comprehensive school safety plan that addresses various aspects of school safety, including, but not limited to, emergency response procedures, crisis management, prevention of safety risks, and communication protocols. A school safety plan shall be developed in collaboration with local law enforcement, fire department, and emergency management officials.

To assist in the development of a school safety plan, a school district or charter school shall conduct a comprehensive school safety assessment every three years to assess the safety, security, accessibility, and emergency preparedness of school buildings and grounds. The school safety assessment shall be conducted in collaboration with local law enforcement, fire department, and emergency management officials. A comprehensive school safety assessment shall be conducted by more than one individual, including at least one individual who is not assigned to the facility being assessed, if the assessment is conducted by school district or charter school personnel.

The act outlines certain information that shall be assessed as part of a school safety assessment, including emergency response procedures, crisis management, risk prevention, and communication protocols.

The initial comprehensive school safety assessment for each school district and charter school shall be completed by July 1, 2026.

DECLARATIONS OF INTENT TO HOME SCHOOL (Section 167.042)

The act repeals a provision authorizing parents to submit a written declaration of intent to home school their child to the recorder of deeds of the county where the child legally resides or to the superintendent of the public school district where the child legally resides.

This provision is identical to provisions in SCS/SB 819 (2024) and in SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS (Section 167.071)

The act repeals a provision authorizing a seven-director school district to appoint a school attendance officer who has the powers of a deputy sheriff and may investigate claims of violations of the compulsory attendance law and arrest truant juveniles without a warrant.

This provision is identical to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SCS/SB 819 (2024), in HB 1905 (2024), and in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).

FLEX SCHOOLS

(Sections 161.670, 162.996, 162.1250, 166.700, 167.031, 167.061, 167.071, 167.600, 167.619, 167.790, 210.167, 211.031, 210.211, and 452.375)

The act defines a "Family-Led Educational eXperience (FLEX) school" or "FLEX school" as a school that meets certain criteria that also apply to home schools, except that a FLEX school may enroll students who participate in the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program or activities offered by a public school district. The definition of "home school" is modified to exclude students who participate in such Program or activities. The act modifies certain provisions of law to include FLEX schools in provisions that also apply to home schools. The act also modifies the definition of "qualified schools" in provisions relating to the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program to include FLEX schools instead of home schools. However, any state laws or regulations that apply to the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program shall not apply to FLEX school students who do not participate in such program. The act specifies that no state agency shall have regulatory oversight or rulemaking authority over FLEX schools unless such oversight or authority is specifically delegated under state law.

Public schools, state agencies, state employees, and certain private entities shall not refer to FLEX schools or to publicly funded programs, including but not limited to virtual school programs, as "home schooling". Additionally, public schools, state agencies and employees, and certain private entities shall not refer to students who are enrolled in an attendance center of a public school district, students who are enrolled in full-time virtual school programs, students who receive education funding from the state of Missouri, or students who participate in the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program as "home schooled" students.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 819 (2024), HB 1905 (2024), and in SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).

PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS (Sections 161.851 and 161.853)

This act establishes "The Parents' Bill of Rights for Student Well-Being", which lists rights for parents relating to education, health care, and mental health. The act prohibits public schools and school districts from infringing on the rights of a parent to direct the upbringing, education, health care, or mental health of such parent's minor child without first demonstrating that the infringement is narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling state interest and such interest cannot be otherwise served by a less restrictive means. The act lists a number of specific related rights.

The act requires school districts to adopt a policy to promote parental involvement, including procedures to object to instructional materials and to withdraw a student from health education courses relating to human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop forms for school districts to use that allow a parent to object to, and opt out of, instructional materials. School districts may provide any information that a parent is entitled to access by publishing such information electronically in a reasonably accessible format. Further, the act establishes a formal request process with specific time periods for a superintendent to comply with such request, as well as an appeal process to the school board if a request is denied.

Nondisclosure agreements shall not be required in order for a parent to review curricula, and parents may make copies of curriculum documents. Each school board meeting pertaining to curricula shall be open to the public and allow for public comment.

Public schools and school districts are required to notify parents in a timely manner of all reported incidents pertaining to student safety as outlined in the act.

No employee of a public school or school district shall coerce or encourage a minor child to withhold information from the child's parent, with exceptions for suspected abuse or neglect.

A public school or school district shall not, when publishing or providing any information to a parent as required pursuant to the provisions of the act, publish or provide any personally identifiable information relating to any student other than a parent's own child in violation of the provisions of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

This provision is similar to provisions in SB 158 (2023), in SB 810 (2022), and in HCS/HBs 1995 and 1474 (2022).

The Attorney General or any parent of a minor child enrolled in a public school may bring legal action against the school district in which the child is enrolled for violations of these provisions. If a school district or an employee is found liable, then such district or employee shall be fined $1,000 for each violation. The penalty for a knowing or purposeful violation shall be $10,000 for each violation. The proceeds of the fine shall be divided so that 20% will be awarded to the parent who brought the action and 80% will be awarded to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Fund. School district employees who disclose violations of the act shall be protected from any retaliation.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 158 (2023).

CURRICULUM AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MATERIALS

(Sections 161.852 and 161.853)

The act requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a tool, as described in the act, within the Department's comprehensive data system to give access to every school district's curriculum and professional development materials. The Department shall establish forms for school districts to complete. School districts are required to submit updates to any required information every six months and the Department shall update the tool monthly.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 158 (2023) and in HB 482 (2023), and is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89, in SB 42 (2023), in SB 89 (2023), and in SB 645 (2022).

The Attorney General or any parent of a minor child enrolled in a public school may bring legal action against the school district in which the child is enrolled for violations of this provision. If a school district or an employee is found liable, then such district or employee shall be fined $1,000 for each violation. The penalty for a knowing or purposeful violation shall be $10,000 for each violation. The proceeds of the fine shall be divided so that 20% will be awarded to the parent who brought the action and 80% will be awarded to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Fund. School district employees who disclose violations of the act shall be protected from any retaliation.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 158 (2023).

STUDENT ATTENDANCE PLANS (Section 167.031)

Current law provides that the parent of a student who fails to attend school on a regular basis is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. This act specifies that for students enrolled in a public school district or public charter school, "on a regular basis" shall mean in compliance with the student attendance policy for the district or charter school, as provided in the act. The act requires every public school district and public charter school to establish a student attendance policy that defines the terms "excused absence" and "unexcused absence" and provides a system of accountability for unexcused absences. Such policy shall contain certain provisions intended to reduce unexcused absences, including mandatory meetings between the student's parent and the school principal, the school counselor, and the superintendent of the school district or the chief governing officer of the charter school. After certain conditions specified in the act are met, if a student continues to accrue additional unexcused absences, the student's parent or legal guardian shall be deemed to be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

DECLARATIONS OF INTENT TO HOME SCHOOL (Section 167.042)

The act repeals a provision authorizing parents to submit a written declaration of intent to home school their child to the recorder of deeds of the county where the child legally resides or to the superintendent of the public school district where the child legally resides.

This provision is identical to provisions in SCS/SB 819 (2024) and in SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS (Section 167.071)

The act repeals a provision authorizing a seven-director school district to appoint a school attendance officer who has the powers of a deputy sheriff and may investigate claims of violations of the compulsory attendance law and arrest truant juveniles without a warrant.

This provision is identical to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SCS/SB 819 (2024), in HB 1905 (2024), and in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).

PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ACTIVITIES (Section 167.790)

The act provides that a school district shall not be a member of, or remit any funds to, a statewide activities association that prohibits a student receiving instruction at a FLEX school or a full-time virtual school from participating in any event or activity offered by the school district in which the student resides or that requires such students to take any class at a public school in order to participate in such event or activity. The act further provides that a school district shall not prohibit such a student receiving instruction at a FLEX school or a full-time virtual school from participating in any event or activity offered by the school district in which such student resides or require such student to take any class in order to participate in such event or activity.

A school district may establish an attendance policy for any rehearsals, practice sessions, or training sessions that are directly related to and required for participation in an event or activity. A school district may also require students to participate in components of instruction that are required for participation in fine arts activities, career and technical student organizations, or integrated cocurricular activities.

A statewide activities association shall not prohibit any member school district from participating in any event with a school that is not a member of the association.

Any school disciplinary policies and attendance policies shall be applied in the same manner to all students who participate in an event or activity. A school district shall not establish a separate disciplinary or attendance policy for students who receive instruction at a FLEX school or a full-time virtual school.

If a student whose academic performance or disciplinary status would preclude such student from eligibility to participate in extracurricular events or activities in the resident school district disenrolls from such school district in order to receive instruction at a FLEX school or a full-time virtual school, such student shall not be eligible to participate in public school events or activities in the district of such student's disenrollment for twelve calendar months from the date of disenrollment.

The parent of a FLEX school student shall oversee any academic standards relating to such student's participation in a public school event or activity.

Any records created pertaining to a FLEX school student or a full-time virtual school student shall be made confidential.

The act outlines certain criteria that FLEX school and virtual school students shall satisfy in order to be eligible to participate in public school activities in their district of residence. Such students shall provide proof of residency in the district in which they wish to participate in public school activities. They shall also adhere to the same behavior, responsibility, performance, and code conduct standards as do students who are enrolled in the district.

This provision is similar to a provision in SCS/SB 819 (2024), a provision in HB 1905 (2024), a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023), HB 241 (2023), SB 835 (2022), HCS/HB 2369 (2022), HCS/HB 494 (2021), SCS/SB 875 (2020), a provision in SCS/HC/HB 1540 (2020), a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 528 (2020), HCS/HB 2273 (2020), SB 130 (2019), SB 726 (2018), and SB 500 (2017).

DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN CONCEPTS AND BELIEFS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Section 170.355)

No public school, school district, or employee thereof shall compel a teacher or student to discuss public policy issues without consent. No public school, school district, or employee thereof shall compel a teacher or student to adopt, affirm, adhere to, or profess ideas in violation of federal civil rights laws, including the idea that individuals of any race, ethnicity, color, or national origin are inherently superior or inferior and that individuals, by virtue of their race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, bear collective guilt and are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, ethnicity, color, or national origin. In addition to remedies brought under federal law, any school or school employee found to be in violation of this provision may have a private cause of action brought against them.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 158 (2023) and is similar to SB 1181 (2024), to provisions in HB 2160 (2024), in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89 (2023), in HCS/HB 482 (2023), in HCS/SS#2/SB 761 (2022), in HCS/HB 1858 (2022), and in HCS/HBs 1995 & 1474 (2022), and to HCS/HB 2428 (2022).

OLIVIA SHANNON

In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the social studies curriculum for each grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade, each school district shall develop each student's civic knowledge as set forth in the act.

School districts shall not accept private funding for the purposes of teaching any curriculum substantially similar to critical race theory or The 1619 Project.

The Attorney General may investigate school districts for compliance with the act. Any school district that violates the provisions of the act shall have 50% of the district's state aid withheld until the district presents evidence to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that the district is no longer in violation of the act.

This act is similar to SB 770 (2024), identical to provisions in SB 42 (2023) and in SB 694 (2022), and similar to SB 172 (2023), SB 638 (2022), SB 676 (2022), SB 734 (2022), and SB 1184 (2022).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Such offense shall be a class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a class E felony for any subsequent offense.

This act is identical to SB 693 (2023) and HB 494 (2023).

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

This act is identical to HB 2355 (2024), HB 2357 (2024), SB 690 (2018), and SCS/SB 98 (2017), is substantially similar to SB 720 (2016), and is similar to SB 728 (2024), SB 1274 (2024), and a provision in SB 165 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is identical to SB 390 (2023) and similar to HB 1752 (2022) and HB 786 (2021).

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act does not apply to contracts with a total potential value of less than $100,000 or to contractors with fewer than 10 employees.

This act is identical to SB 377 (2023) and substantially similar to a provision in SB 980 (2024) and SB 430 (2023).

SCOTT SVAGERA

Under this act, when entering into an agreement with Missouri subscribers, an internet service provider shall offer subscribers the ability to filter obscene websites. Such filtering system is described in the act. Opting in or out of the filtering system shall be a prerequisite to receiving internet service for new subscribers of internet service providers. On an annual basis, such subscribers shall be given an opportunity to opt in or out in the filtering system as described in the act.

An internet service provider shall not be in violation of this act if the provider makes a good faith effort to apply a generally accepted and commercially reasonable method of compliance under the act.

The Attorney General may seek injunctive and other equitable relief against an internet service provider that fails to comply with the provisions under the act.

The act is identical to SB 308 (2023).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

Under the act, public institutions of postsecondary education shall not require any applicant, student, employee, or contractor to submit a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement. Public institutions of postsecondary education are further prohibited from giving preferential consideration in admissions or employment on the basis of an individual's or entity's submission of an unsolicited statement relating to a discriminatory ideology.

The provisions of the act shall not be construed to restrict academic research or coursework, nor shall the act be construed to prevent an institution from requiring an applicant to discuss the content of such applicant's research or artistic creations.

An applicant, employee, student, or contractor who is compelled to submit a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or who is adversely affected by a violation of the act's prohibition on preferential consideration may pursue an action for injunctive or declaratory relief. An injunction granted under the provisions of the act may include an order requiring the institution to take certain actions relating to student admissions or the employment and tenure of staff members.

An employee who violates the provisions of the act shall, upon the first violation, be placed on unpaid leave for the next academic year and be ineligible for employment at any other institution in the state during such unpaid leave. Upon an employee's second violation of the act, the employee shall be terminated from employment and shall be ineligible for employment at any institution in the state for at least five years.

This act is similar to a provision in HB 1737 (2024) and a provision in HB 2198 (2024), identical to SB 680 (2023), and similar to a provision in HCS/HB 1196 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

BANKING CONTRACTS - RESTRICTED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

The act requires the State Treasurer to create a Restricted Financial Institutions List, containing the names of financial institutions that are engaged in a boycott of companies, as that phrase is defined in the act. The list is to be used by the Treasurer for the purpose of determining which financial institutions to enter into banking contracts with. The list must be updated annually and is required to be posted on the Treasurer's website and delivered to the Governor, the President Pro Tem of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The act requires a notice period for financial institutions prior to being included on the Restricted Financial Institutions List. Specifically, 45 days prior to including a financial institution on the restricted financial institution list, the Treasurer shall send a written notice to the institution notifying it that it has the opportunity to demonstrate that it is not engaged in a boycott of companies. Following inclusion on the list, the financial institution may be removed upon demonstration to the Treasurer that it has ceased all boycotts.

The act permits the Treasurer to disqualify restricted financial institutions from the competitive bidding process or from any other official selection process for any banking contract. The Treasurer may refuse to enter into a banking contract or an extension of any banking contract with a restricted financial institution based on its restricted financial institution status. The Treasurer may require, as a term of any banking contract, an agreement by the financial institution not to engage in a boycott for the duration of the contract.

With respect to actions taken in compliance with this act, a public body, public official, public employee, or member or employee of a financial institution shall be immune from any liability.

No party may take action to penalize or threaten to penalize any financial institution for compliance with this act. Furthermore, any contract subject to this act may be enforced by the Attorney General who shall have the same investigatory authority as permitted under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.

In addition to any other remedies available at law or equity, a company that provides false information to the Treasurer and later receives state monies, or violates a contractual agreement with the state not to engage in a boycott, is required to pay damages to the state in an amount equal to three times all monies paid to the company by the state for the company's goods or services.

PUBLIC CONTRACTS - TREATMENT BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE SCORE

This act requires public bodies to ensure that bidders, offerors, contractors, or subcontractors, when engaged in procuring or letting contracts for any purpose, are not given preferential treatment or discriminated against based on an environmental, social and governance score, as defined in the act.

This provision is similar to SB 1350 (2024), SB 1518 (2024), SB 50 (2023) and SB 1171 (2022).

This act contains a severability clause.

SCOTT SVAGERA

The act prohibits public and private institutions of higher education that receive state funds from excluding any student from participation in any education program, activity, or division of the institution based on such student's participation in a "protected association", defined in the act as activity involving the exercise of the freedom of speech as provided in the United States Constitution.

Beginning in 2025, every institution of higher education that receives state funds shall annually submit a statement to the Commissioner of Higher Education certifying that such institution's policies comply with its obligations pursuant to the provisions of the act. Private institutions that receive state funds shall submit an additional statement disclosing whether they guarantee students the same freedom of speech rights guaranteed to students at public institutions. By August 28, 2025, the Commissioner shall review these statements and shall publish certain information relating to the statements on the website of the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.

The provisions of this act shall not be construed to prohibit the imposition of official sanctions on students who substantially disrupt classes or to prohibit an institution of higher education from taking action to prevent violations of state law relating to alcohol abuse, sexual harassment, hazing, or the safety of student residences.

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act shall not be construed to prohibit constitutionally protected speech, access to research or study materials, or the discussion or assignment of materials for educational purposes. The act shall not be construed to prevent teachers from discussing current events in a historical context or courses including, but not limited to, African American history, Native American history, women's history, Asian American History and Hispanic history.

The act additionally provides that a school shall post on its website the names of all books required for students and provide parents access to the digital library catalogue for the attendance center where the parent's student is enrolled.

Any employee of a school who discloses a violation of these provisions shall be protected from any manner of retaliation as provided by current law.

Any parent of a student enrolled in a school may bring a civil action against the school for injunctive relief or damages for any violation of the act that causes harm to their child.

Any public school teacher who violates the provisions of the act shall face charges to suspend or revoke their license to teach based upon charges of incompetence, immorality, or neglect of duty.

This act is similar to provisions in SB 902 (2024), in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89 (2023), in SB 158 (2023), in HCS/HB 482 (2023), in HCS/SS#2/SB 761 (2022), in HCS/HB 1858 (2022), and in HCS/HBs 1995 & 1474 (2022), and to HCS/HB 2428 (2022).

OLIVIA SHANNON

The Attorney General or the prosecuting or circuit attorney in the county in which a violation of the act occurs may bring a cause of action against any school district or charter school that violates a provision of the act. An attorney acting on behalf of a school district or charter school may request an opinion of the Attorney General as to whether a particular piece of training, instructional, or curricular material complies with the provisions of the act.

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is identical to HB 1981 (2024) and HB 2145 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON

A public entity, as such term is defined in the act, including any institution supported in whole or in part by public funds, shall not require any individual working in any capacity at a public school or school district to use a pronoun that differs from a person's biological sex if doing so would be contrary to such individual's sincerely held religious or moral convictions.

If the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has reasonable cause to believe that a public school or school district has knowingly violated the provisions of the act, DESE shall withhold any state funding to which such school or school district may be entitled until the school or school district proves to DESE's satisfaction that it is no longer in violation of the act.

Any parent of a student may bring a civil action against a school or school district that violates the provisions of the act, and any individual or parent may bring a civil action against a public entity that violates the provisions of the act, as set forth in the act. A public entity that is found by a court to have violated the act shall, in addition to any damages or other remedy deemed appropriate by the court, be ineligible for state or local contracts using state funds allocated to public schools and school districts under the education funding formula for a period of time specified in the act.

OLIVIA SHANNON

Additionally, this act modifies the offense of providing explicit sexual material to a student to include if a person approves any explicit sexual material and also modifies the definition of "person affiliated with a public or private elementary or secondary school in an official capacity" to include a member of a library board.

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

A school district that violates any provision of the act shall be ineligible to receive state aid and shall be classified as unaccredited until the district proves to the satisfaction of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that it is no longer in violation of the act.

This act is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 728 (2024) and is similar to SB 974 (2024), HB 2355 (2024), HB 2357 (2024), a provision in SB 165 (2023), SB 690 (2018), SCS/SB 98 (2017), and SB 720 (2016).

OLIVIA SHANNON

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is substantially similar to HB 2365 (2024).

SCOTT SVAGERA

OLIVIA SHANNON

The act outlines the topics that the curriculum framework shall address. Such topics shall include, but shall not be limited to, a study of the dehumanization practices that have occurred in Missouri's history and the interventions that may be available to prevent such dehumanization practices in the future. The curriculum framework shall also include the story of Celia, a victim of chattel slavery and sexual violence who was executed in Missouri in 1855 for defending herself against her owner, Robert Newsom.

The act describes certain marginalized groups that shall be included in the curriculum framework and awareness weeks or months with which the curriculum framework may be aligned.

DESE shall conduct a pilot program to study the impact and success of the curriculum framework in consultation with the work group in up to 25 school districts or schools within a school district in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. All participating schools or districts shall be provided the curriculum framework and offered the opportunity to participate in the "Celia Professional Development Program for Teachers" that shall be developed by the work group and DESE. Such program shall include instructional guidance and examples of curriculum resources that are age appropriate and consistent with the curriculum framework, as described in the act. The program shall also include instructional guidance on class visits to historic sites in Missouri relating to the story of Celia's enslavement, abuse, and execution. All schools or districts that participate in the pilot program shall provide a plan of professional development to such district's or school's teachers and may voluntarily participate in the Celia Professional Development Program for Teachers.

Upon the completion of the first year of the pilot program, DESE shall evaluate the success and impact of the pilot program and shall report the results of such evaluation to the General Assembly, as specified in the act. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year and in all subsequent school years, the curriculum framework and Celia Professional Development Program for Teachers shall be made available to all school districts and charter schools in the state.

OLIVIA SHANNON

MISSOURI EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS PROGRAM (Sections 135.713, 135.714, 135.715, and 166.700)

This act modifies provisions relating to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program.

The act changes the maximum amount of tax credits that may be allocated in any year from $50 million to $75 million. Such maximum amount shall be increased annually by any percentage increase or decrease in the amount appropriated to school districts under the foundation formula. The act repeals a provision that the program shall be effective in any fiscal year immediately following any year in which the amount appropriated for pupil transportation equals or exceeds 40% of the projected amount necessary to fully fund transportation aid funding for fiscal year 2021. (Section 135.713)

The act modifies the scholarship distribution order to qualified students. The first students to receive scholarship funds shall be students who received scholarships in the previous year, followed by students who are siblings of students who are already receiving a scholarship. The act further outlines a distribution order that prioritizes funding to students who receive special education services, students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch and who reside in an unaccredited or provisionally accredited school district, students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch, and students who are the children of active duty military personnel who have relocated to Missouri.

The act modifies the total grant amount for students with an individualized education plan (IEP) or limited English proficiency or who receive free or reduced-price lunch. Students with limited English proficiency shall receive no more than 160% of the state adequacy target; students who receive free or reduced-price lunch shall receive no more than 125% of the state adequacy target; and students with an IEP shall receive no more than 175% of the state adequacy target. All other students shall receive a grant amount that does not exceed the state adequacy target.

The act provides that educational assistance organizations shall provide certain data that is currently provided only to the State Treasurer to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program Board, as well.

The act requires the State Treasurer to post certain information relating to scholarship recipients, qualified schools, and educational assistance organizations on the Treasurer's website annually. (Section 135.714)

The act repeals a provision that the annual increase to the cumulative amount of tax credits shall cease when the amount of tax credits reaches $50 million.

If the total contributions to educational assistance organizations exceed $25 million in any school year, the State Treasurer may certify one additional educational assistance organization to administer scholarship accounts. A maximum of seven, rather than six, educational assistance organizations may have their principal place of business in any one of the counties listed in the act.

The act provides that all laws and regulations that apply to employees of an educational assistance organization shall also apply to the actions of any employees of a private financial management firm while they are conducting work relating to the direct decision-making of the operation of such educational assistance organization.

The act modifies membership of the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Board by removing the Commissioner of Administration and adding an additional member to be appointed by the members of the board who is an employee of an educational assistance organization and whose responsibilities are directly related to such organization's involvement in the program. The board shall assist the State Treasurer with data collection, collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and making recommendations to the State Treasurer regarding the promulgation of rules concerning the program. (Section 135.715)

The act modifies the definition of "qualified school" by providing that FPE schools, rather than home schools, shall be qualified to participate in the program.

The act modifies the definition of "qualified student" by including any student who is a resident of this state, rather than only those students who live in a charter county or a city with at least 30,000 inhabitants, and who is not unlawfully present in the United States or a person who gained illegal entry into the United States. Such definition is further modified by including any student who is a member of a household whose total annual income is 300% or less than the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, rather than only those students whose household income is 200% or less than such standard. The definition is also modified by adding siblings of qualified students who received a scholarship in the previous year and will receive a scholarship in the current year. (Section 166.700)

These provisions are similar to SB 1118 (2024), SCS/SB 1391 (2024), SB 1392 (2024), HB 1615 (2024), HB 1738 (2024), HB 2104 (2024), HB 2620 (2024), SCS/SB 360 (2023), and provisions in SB 902 (2024) and in HCS/HB 350 (2023).

MINIMUM SCHOOL TERM (Sections 160.011, 160.041, 163.021, 171.028, 171.031, 171.033, 1, and B)

This act establishes provisions relating to the minimum school term.

The act modifies the definition of "school term" by providing that school districts located in charter counties or cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants shall have a school term that consists of at least 169 school days, unless the district has adopted a four-day school week, in which case a school term shall consist of at least 142 school days. (Sections 160.011, 163.021, 171.031, and 171.033)

The act repeals a provision specifying that school districts shall provide a minimum of 522 hours of actual pupil attendance for kindergarten pupils in order to receive state aid. (Section 163.021)

These provisions shall go into effect on July 1, 2026. (Section B)

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the act provides that school districts located wholly or partially in charter counties or cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants may adopt a four-day school week only upon a majority vote of the qualified voters of the school district, as provided in the act. (Section 171.028)

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall remit to any school district with a five-day school week an amount equal to 1% for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, or 2% for fiscal year 2028 and all subsequent fiscal years, of such district's preceding year's annual state aid entitlement as calculated in June. For school districts in which one or more charter schools operate, and for all charter schools located in such district, the calculation shall be made prior to any adjustment to the district's or charter school's state aid calculation pursuant to current requirements regarding state aid payments to charter schools.

Any funds received pursuant to this provision shall be used by school districts and charter schools exclusively to increase teacher salaries. Any school district or charter school that fails to utilize such funds solely to increase teacher salaries shall have an amount equal to the amount of the funds received withheld from the district's or charter school's state aid payments under current law. (Section 1)

These provisions are similar to SB 784 (2024), HB 1417 (2024), HB 1828 (2024), and HB 2812 (2024).

CHARTER SCHOOLS (Sections 160.400 and 160.415)

The act adds all school districts located in Boone County to the list of school districts in which a charter school may be operated by any entity currently authorized to operate a charter school under state law. Provisions of current law that provide for additional state aid to charter schools shall not apply to any charter school operated in Boone County.

This provision is similar to SB 920 (2024) and to provisions in SB 1006 (2024), in SCS/SB 1391 (2024), and in SB 1392 (2024).

The act also provides that all laws and regulations that apply to employees of a charter school shall also apply to the actions of any employees of a charter school management company while such employees are conducting any work relating to the direct decision-making of the operation of the charter school.

LITERACY OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (Section 161.239)

This act establishes the "Elementary Literacy Fund" for the purpose of providing grants to school districts and charter schools for home reading programs for children in kindergarten to 5th grade. The General Assembly shall annually appropriate an amount not to exceed $5 million to the Fund, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall develop a process by which a district or charter school may apply for a grant. Any district or charter school that receives such a grant shall match any funds that are granted.

The act sets forth certain criteria for a home reading program to be considered eligible for a grant from the Fund. Such program's objective shall be to mail books to students' homes that the students select themselves at a reading level with which they are comfortable. The program shall allow for parental engagement, as specified in the act, and shall allow students to select between six and nine new books to keep. The program provider shall provide summary data on the program to the General Assembly and to DESE, and shall further maintain verification that the provider has secured the required matching funds from the district or charter school. The combined total cost of the program, including matching funds from the district or charter school, shall not exceed $60 per student per semester.

This provision is identical to SB 857 (2024).

MISSOURI COURSE ACCESS AND VIRTUAL SCHOOL PROGRAM (Section 161.670)

Under this act, the average daily attendance of a student who is enrolled full-time in the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program shall be calculated by dividing the total number of hours attended in a term by enrolled pupils between the ages of five and 21 years old by the actual number of hours that the program was in session in that term. Such calculation shall be generated by the virtual provider and provided to the host district for submission to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Full-time virtual school students may complete their instructional activities during any hour of the day and during any day of the week. The hours attended for each enrolled pupil shall be documented by the pupil's weekly progress in the educational program according to a process determined by the virtual program and published annually in the virtual program's enrollment handbook or policy. The full-time equivalent average daily attendance of summer school students shall be added to the average daily attendance of the following school term.

Host districts that enroll one or more full-time virtual school students shall receive an amount of state aid specified in the act for such students on a monthly basis.

The act provides that students who reside in Missouri may enroll in the virtual program of their choice. Provisions of current law regarding a school district's approval of a student's request to enroll in a virtual program shall not apply to full-time virtual program enrollment.

The act requires host districts to adopt student enrollment policies for full-time virtual students and allows virtual schools to mutually agree with resident and host districts on the services that the resident district might offer, including possible financial reimbursements for those services. For students with disabilities, the enrollment policy shall ensure the development of an individualized education program and related services agreement, as necessary.

The act requires a student's parent or guardian, if the student is not considered homeless, to apply for enrollment directly with the full-time virtual program.

The act specifies that student progress reports to the school district are necessary only for part-time virtual school program enrollees.

A host district may contract with a provider to perform any required services involved with delivering a full-time virtual education.

A full-time virtual school shall provide regular student progress reports to parents or guardians at least four times per school year.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SS/HB 2287 (2024) and is similar to SB 780 (2024), SB 921 (2024), SB 1375 (2024), SB 545 (2023), and SS/HB 827 (2023).

FAMILY PACED EDUCATION (FPE) SCHOOLS (Sections 161.670, 162.996, 166.700, 167.012, 167.013, 167.031, 167.061, 167.600, 167.619, 210.167, 210.211, 211.031, and 452.375)

The act defines a "Family Paced Education school" or "FPE school" as a school that enrolls any student who participates in the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program and that satisfies certain other criteria relating to instruction. The current definition of "home school" is modified by specifying that a home school shall not enroll any student who participates in such Program, and a home school is not an FPE school. The act applies to FPE schools several provisions of law that currently apply to home schools, including provisions relating to child custody and the licensing of child care providers.

SCHOOL BOARD VACANCIES (Sections 162.471, 162.492, and 162.611)

Under current law, any vacancy on an urban school board shall be filled by special election. Under this act, the remaining members of the board shall fill any such vacancy by appointment until the next school board election.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 885 (2024) and in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023) and are substantially similar to provisions in HB 2161 (2024), in HCS/HB 2206 (2024), in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89 (2023), in HCS/SB 155 (2023), in HCS/HB 497 (2023), and in HB 716 (2023).

Current law also provides that any vacancy that occurs on the City of St. Louis school board outside of the normal election cycle shall be filled by appointment by the mayor for the remainder of the term. Under this act, the City of St. Louis school board shall fill any such vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the term.

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 885 (2024), in HB 2161 (2024), in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89 (2023), in CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023), in HCS/SB 155 (2023), in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023), in HCS/HB 497, and in HB 716 (2023), and is identical to SB 363 (2023) and HB 914 (2023).

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE (Section 163.011)

This act modifies the definition of "weighted average daily attendance" as used in the education funding formula by adding to such definition a weighting factor relating to school district enrollment.

"Membership" is defined in current law as the average number of students enrolled in a school district who attended school at least one day during ten days at the end of January and September.

The act defines "weighted membership" as the current law definition of "membership" multiplied by certain weighting factors relating to the number of students who fall into certain population groups, such as the number of students who receive special educational services above a certain threshold number that is determined in a manner provided for in current law.

Weighted membership shall be included in the calculation of a school district's weighted average daily attendance beginning in the 2026 fiscal year. In 2026, a district's weighted average daily attendance shall be calculated as the sum of 90% of such district's weighted average daily attendance as calculated in current law, plus 10% of such district's weighted membership. The percent of weighted membership included in such calculation shall increase by 10% each year until 2030, when a district's weighted average daily attendance shall be calculated as the sum of 50% of such district's weighted average daily attendance as calculated in current law, plus 50% of such district's weighted membership.

The same modification is made in the calculation of weighted average daily attendance for special school districts.

This provision is similar to SB 1378 (2024).

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS OPERATED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS (Section 163.018)

Currently, children between three and five years old who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch and attend an early childhood education program operated by a school district or a charter school may be included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance, provided that the total number of such pupils does not exceed 4% of the total number of pupils between 5 and 18 years old who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch and who are included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance. This act increases such percentage to 8%.

SMALL SCHOOLS GRANT (Section 163.044)

The act increases the Small Schools Grant appropriation from $15 million to $30 million. Of such moneys, $20 million, rather than $10 million, shall be distributed to the eligible districts, as described in the act, in proportion to their average daily attendance, and $10 million, rather than $5 million, shall be directed to the eligible districts that have an operating levy for school purposes in the current year in an amount specified in the act.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS' LOCAL EFFORT FIGURES (Section 163.096)

Beginning August 28, 2024, this act requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to recalculate the local effort figure of any school district that, in fiscal year 2005, recorded revenues from intangible taxes, the merchants' and manufacturers' surcharge, and payments in lieu of taxes other than tax increment financing in the district's teacher and incidental funds that caused an elevation of the district's local effort figure. The Department must calculate the amount of state aid such a district would have received had the district placed these revenues in the capital projects fund or the debt service fund for payments subsequent to August 28, 2024.

This provision is identical to SB 1479 (2024) and HB 2918 (2024) and is similar to SB 272 (2017) and HB 633 (2017).

MINIMUM TEACHER'S SALARY (Section 163.172)

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this act increases the minimum teacher's salary from $25,000 to $40,000. For teachers with a master's degree and at least ten years of experience, this act increases the minimum salary from $33,000 to $46,000 for the 2025-26 school year and further increases such salary by $1,000 each year until the 2027-2028 school year, when the minimum shall be $48,000.

In the 2028-29 school year and in all subsequent school years, the minimum teacher's salaries shall additionally be adjusted annually by the percentage increase in inflation, as such term is defined in the act. The State Board of Education shall publish the minimum salaries annually in February beginning in calendar year 2026. Modifications to the minimum salaries shall take effect on July 1 of each calendar year.

The act creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund" and "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" for the purpose of increasing minimum teacher's salaries. The General Assembly may appropriate moneys to the Fund, provided that the total amount appropriated shall not exceed the amount necessary to assist each school district in increasing minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. School districts may apply to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a grant from the Fund, provided that a grant shall not exceed the amount necessary for a district to increase minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act.

This provision is similar to provisions in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1014 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE (Sections 167.031 and 595.209)

The act provides that a child may be excused from attendance at school if the child is unable to attend school due to mental or behavioral health concerns, provided that the school receives documentation from a mental health professional.

This provision is identical to SB 761 (2024) and SB 122 (2023) and is similar to HB 2343 (2024).

The act also provides that a public school district, public school, or charter school shall not discipline a child for failure to comply with the district's or school's attendance policy, and the parent or legal guardian shall not be deemed to be in violation of the compulsory attendance law, based on such child's honoring a subpoena to testify in a criminal proceeding, attending a criminal proceeding, or for participating in the preparation of a criminal proceeding.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS (Section 167.071)

The act repeals a provision authorizing a seven-director school district to appoint a school attendance officer who has the powers of a deputy sheriff and may investigate claims of violations of the compulsory attendance law and arrest truant juveniles without a warrant.

This provision is identical to provisions in SCS/SB 819 (2024), in SB 902 (2024), in HB 1905 (2024), and in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).

RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOLS (Section 167.850)

This act changes the deadline for a school district to submit a proposal to operate a recovery high school from December 1st of the school year preceding the beginning of operation of the recovery high school to July 1st.

This provision is identical to SB 1393 (2024).

TEACHER CERTIFICATION (Section 168.021)

Current law requires candidates for a teaching license to satisfy certain criteria, including obtaining the recommendation of a state-approved, baccalaureate-level teacher preparation program.

Under this act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop an eighteen hour, online teacher preparation program related to subjects appropriate for teachers in different content areas determined by the Department. The Department may contract with an entity skilled in developing online teacher preparation programs or a charitable organization registered in Missouri to develop and maintain the online teacher preparation program. Such entity or charitable organization shall be certified to develop and maintain the program by the Department. An individual with a bachelor's degree may complete the online training program and receive a certificate of license to teach. However, such certificate shall not be accepted by Missouri public schools, but shall be accepted by private schools and private school accrediting agencies.

The act also provides that the State Board of Education shall issue an additional professional subject-area teaching certification for specific content knowledge or for a specialty area to a teaching certificate holder who applies for an additional professional subject-area certification, successfully achieves an acceptable score on the state-approved teacher evaluation system, receives a recommendation from the employing school district, and completes a background check.

This provision is similar to SB 1394 (2024), HB 1786 (2024), and provisions in SS/HB 2287 (2024) and in HCS/HB 1447 (2024).

HARD-TO-STAFF SCHOOLS AND SUBJECT AREAS (Section 168.110)

The act provides that a school board may include differentiated placement of teachers on the salary schedule to increase compensation in order to recruit and retain teachers in hard-to-staff subject areas or schools, as the terms "hard-to-staff schools" and "hard-to-staff subject areas" are defined in the act. No modifications to the identification of hard-to-staff subject areas or schools shall result in the demotion of a teacher in the salary schedule. Each school district that includes differentiated placement of teachers on the district salary schedule shall annually provide to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education a report containing information outlined in the act.

This provision is identical to provisions in HB 1648 (2024) and in HCS/HB 1447 (2024) and is similar to HB 190 (2023) and to provisions in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS (Section 168.400)

The act repeals provisions of current law that require preservice teacher education programs to include a program of entry-level testing of all prospective teacher education students to be administered by the Commissioner of Education.

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

CAREER LADDER (Section 168.500)

Currently, public school teachers become eligible for the Career Ladder program after two years of public school teaching in Missouri. This act provides that the two year-requirement shall not apply to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or such member's spouse who has teaching experience in another state and who has transferred to this state.

The act repeals a provision of current law that teachers' Career Ladder responsibilities and career efforts shall be required to occur outside of compensated hours. The act also specifies that teachers may receive Career Ladder admission and stage achievement for certain activities that are not included in the duties that require a teaching certificate under current law.

The act adds serving as a mentor for teachers to the list of activities for which teachers may receive Career Ladder admission and stage achievement.

This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HB 1447 (2024) and is similar to provisions in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1014 (2024), and in SB 1163 (2024).

PSRS/PEERS - WORKING AFTER RETIREMENT LIMITS (Sections 169.560 and 169.660)

Currently, a retired member, except for those retired due to disability, of the Public School Retirement System ("PSRS") may work after retirement in a certified position with a covered employer without discontinuance of his or her retirement benefits if the member does not exceed 550 hours of work each school year and 50% of the annual compensation to the person who last held the position. This act provides that the member, including those retired due to disability, may earn up to 50% of the annual compensation to the person who last held the position or 50% of the limit set by the employer's school board for the position which has been submitted and approved by the Board of Trustees of PSRS.

Additionally, current law provides that if a member of PSRS or the Public Education Employee Retirement System ("PEERS") is in excess of the limitations, the member shall not be eligible to receive the retirement allowance for any month so employed. This act provides that either member shall not be eligible to receive the retirement allowance for any month so employed or the retirement system shall recover the amount earned in excess of the limitations, whichever is less.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2431 (2024) and in HCS/SS/SB 898 (2024) and are similar to SB 1286 (2024) and HB 2906 (2024).

SUICIDE PREVENTION IN GRADES 7-12 (Section 170.048)

This act modifies provisions of current law that require suicide prevention information to be printed on the identification cards of public school students in grades 7-12. Beginning July 1, 2025, the act adds to such information the non-emergency phone number of the local police department. The identification cards may also include the phone number of the Crisis Text Line and the phone number of a local suicide prevention hotline, if such hotline is available.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 762 (2024).

TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (Section 173.232)

The act changes the name of the "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program." The corresponding state treasury fund is also renamed accordingly.

The act provides that scholarship funds may be used to cover up to 100% of the tuition costs related to teacher preparation at a four-year college or university located in Missouri, except that no amount granted for tuition shall exceed the amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident at the University of Missouri-Columbia for attendance.

The number of years a student may receive a scholarship is reduced from four to two years. The number of students who may receive a scholarship is increased from 100 to 200 in the 2025-26 academic year, or a maximum awarded amount of $1.2 million dollars. The act further increases the maximum number of scholarships or the maximum awarded amount for each year through the 2030-31 academic year, when the maximum shall be 600 scholarships or a maximum awarded amount of $3.4 million, as provided in the act.

Scholarship recipients after June 30, 2025, shall sign a statement that they have made a good faith effort to secure all available federal sources of grant funding.

The act a repeals a provision that a student must have attended a Missouri high school in order to be eligible for a scholarship.

To be eligible for a scholarship, recipients shall sign an agreement to teach in a Missouri public school that is a hard-to-staff school or to teach at least one hard-to-staff subject area in a Missouri public school, or both, for two years for every one year the recipient receives a scholarship. The act defines a "hard-to-staff school" as an attendance center where the percentage of certificated positions that were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year exceeds 10% as reported to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. A "hard-to-staff subject area" is defined as a content area for which positions were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year.

The scholarships provided in the act shall be available to students who have successfully completed 48 credit hours at a community college, who have been awarded an associate degree, or who have completed 60 credit hours at a four-year college, as provided in the act.

The act modifies the interest rate paid by scholarship recipients who do not follow through on their agreement to teach in a hard-to-staff subject or school and must therefore repay their scholarship award as a loan.

An individual who has qualified as an eligible student under the act shall continue to qualify as an eligible student as long as he or she remains employed by the school district in which he or she agreed to teach, regardless of whether his or her employing school no longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff school, the class he or she teaches longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff subject area, or his or her position within the school district changes.

This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HB 1447 (2024) and is similar to SB 1013 (2024), HB 2092 (2024), HB 2335 (2024), and to provisions in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

To be eligible for a tax credit, a taxpayer shall not have enrolled a qualified student in the taxpayer's resident school district during the tax year for which the taxpayer is claiming a tax credit.

Tax credits authorized by the act shall be claimed by the taxpayer at the time such taxpayer files a return. The taxpayer shall submit to the Department of Revenue certification obtained after November 15th from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that the taxpayer did not enroll a qualified student in the taxpayer's resident school district during the tax year for which the taxpayer is claiming a tax credit.

The amount of revenue distributed to a school district from the School District Trust Fund shall be reduced by an amount equal to the aggregate amount of tax credits claimed pursuant to this act by taxpayers residing in the school district.

This act is substantially similar to SB 867 (2024), HB 1911 (2024), and HB 2366 (2024), and to a provision in HCS/HB 1935 (2024).

JOSH NORBERG

This act is identical to SB 60 (2023), SB 711 (2022) and SB 81 (2021) and substantially similar to HB 2478 (2024), HB 384 (2023), HB 574 (2023), HB 1760 (2022), HB 2580 (2022), HB 275 (2021), HB 984 (2021), HB 1527 (2020), SB 954 (2020), HB 1763 (2020), SB 172 (2019), HB 208 (2019), SB 753 (2018), HCS/HBs 1360 & 2100 (2018), HB 1782 (2018), SB 338 (2017), HB 485 (2017), SB 653 (2016), SB 237 (2015), SB 962 (2014), SB 96 (2013) and SB 798 (2012) and similar to HB 1737 (2022), HB 407 (2015), SB 757 (2014), SS/HCS/HB 320 (2013), SB 239 (2011), SB 626 (2010), SB 109 (2009), SB 824 (2008), SB 266 (2007), SB 452 (2001), and SB 622 (2000).

SCOTT SVAGERA

To be eligible for a tax credit, a taxpayer shall have enrolled a qualified student in a private school or home school during the tax year, and shall not have enrolled a qualified student in the taxpayer's resident school district during the tax year for which the taxpayer is claiming a tax credit.

Tax credits authorized by the act shall be claimed by the taxpayer at the time such taxpayer files a return.

This act shall sunset on August 28, 2030, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.

This act is identical to a provision in HCS/HB 1935 (2024), and is substantially similar to SB 729 (2024), HB 1911 (2024), and HB 2366 (2024).

JOSH NORBERG

MAGNET SCHOOLS (Section 163.161)

Under this act, any school district that operates magnet schools as part of a master desegregation settlement agreement shall not be considered inefficient for purposes of state aid for transportation of pupils attending such magnet schools and shall not receive a financial penalty for the magnet school transportation portion of the overall transportation budget. This provision is identical to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42, & 89 (2023), in SB 5 (2023), in HCS/HB 253 (2023), HB 672 (2023), and a provision in SB 1010 (2022).

PUBLIC SCHOOL OPEN ENROLLMENT ACT (Sections 167.1200 to 167.1230)

The act establishes the "Public School Open Enrollment Act" to enable students to transfer from their district of residence ("resident district") to a nonresident district. The Act shall become effective on July 1, 2025. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 5 (2023) and to SB 1010 (2022), HCS/HB 253 (2023), HB 1814 (2022), and HS/HCS/HB 543 (2021).

TRANSFER POLICY AND PARTICIPATION (Section 167.1205)

On or before October 1st of each year, each school district and charter school shall indicate whether it will participate in the open enrollment program during the subsequent school year. Participating districts and schools may accept transferring nonresident students from any other school district. For the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years, a district may restrict the number of students who may transfer away from the school district to a maximum of 5% of the district's enrollment for the prior year. The act shall not be construed to require any school to add teachers, staff, or classrooms.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop a model policy for districts and charter schools to determine such standards and the number of transfers they may accept. The model policy shall be adopted by all districts and charter schools, whether or not they participate in the program, and may be modified to meet each district's or charter school's particular needs. The model policy shall require each district or charter school to define "insufficient classroom space" and may provide additional standards for evaluating transfer applications.

Nonresident districts shall accept credits toward graduation from other districts and shall award a diploma to any transferring student who meets the nonresident district's graduation requirements.

Superintendents shall cause information regarding the open enrollment program to be posted on the school district's or charter school's website and in the district's or charter school's student handbook.

A student seeking to transfer to a magnet school, an academically selective school, or a school with a competitive entrance process shall submit proof that the student meets all admission requirements.

A student may be denied transfer if, in the most recent school year, he or she has been suspended from school two or more times, was suspended for an act of school violence, or expelled for acts that school administrators are required to report to law enforcement under current law. Such student may alternatively be permitted to transfer on a provisional, probationary basis subject to no further disruptive behavior based on standards that shall be developed by the nonresident district. Students denied transfer shall have the right to an in-person meeting with the nonresident district's superintendent.

A 9th to 12th grade transfer student shall be ineligible to participate in varsity sports during the first 365 days of such student's enrollment, unless the student meets certain conditions as provided in the act. A statewide activities association may provide additional penalties if the student was unduly influenced to transfer for reasons related to participation in sports.

APPLYING FOR TRANSFER (Section 167.1210)

Students may transfer into only one nonresident district per school year. Transferring students shall commit to attending and taking all courses through the nonresident district for at least one school year, and at least one such course shall be in-seat. Students who transfer back to their resident districts shall reapply in order to transfer back into a nonresident district and shall first remain in the resident district for at least one full semester.

Siblings of transferring students may also enroll in the same nonresident district to which their sibling transfers, subject to limitations based on school capacity and the student's disciplinary record.

Except for students who qualify for reimbursement of transportation costs as described in the act and for agreements allowing such students to be picked up at an existing bus stop, transferring students or their parents shall be responsible for transportation to and from nonresident districts. By agreement with the nonresident district, parents of transferring students may waive requirements for such district to provide transportation required under the student's individualized education program.

Any student who qualifies for free and reduced price lunch and transfers to an adjacent school district or charter school shall be reimbursed quarterly by the Parent Public School Choice Fund established in this act, based on calculations described in the act.

PARENT PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE FUNDS (Sections 167.1211 and 167.1212)

Nonresident districts shall receive reimbursement for the costs of certain special educational services for transferring students. Such reimbursement shall not exceed the district's current expenditure per average daily attendance. The reimbursement shall come from the Parent Public School Choice Fund established in the act. The Fund shall consist of an appropriation of $60 million and any subsequent appropriations. The Department shall annually evaluate the availability and use of moneys from the fund. If additional moneys are needed to fulfill the purposes of the act, the Department shall request such moneys by a specific line item appropriation.

NUMBER OF TRANSFER STUDENTS (Section 167.1215)

By October 1st annually, each school district and charter school shall set the number of transferring students such district or charter school is willing to accept for the following school year. The district or charter school may set criteria, including limits on the number of students to be accepted to particular buildings, grades, classrooms, or programs. Districts and charter schools shall publish and notify the Department of such information.

Each district and charter school shall develop a procedure for creating a waiting list for all transfer applications when applications exceed the district's or charter school's maximum. In accepting students from the waiting list, nonresident districts shall give additional priority to students in the following order: siblings of transfer students, children of active duty military personnel, children of district or charter school employees, students who previously attended school in the district or charter school as resident students, and students whose parents' employment circumstances would cause transfer to be in the student's best interest. Nonresident districts may also include other priority factors. Parents of applicants shall be informed of how the waiting list shall operate and may be required to reapply to remain on the waiting list.

APPLICATION PROCESS (Section 167.1220)

A student's transfer application shall be submitted to the nonresident and resident districts on a form approved by the Department before December 1st in the year prior to the school year in which the student seeks to transfer. Nonresident districts shall mark the date and time of receipt on each such application. Applications shall be reviewed and decided upon by the superintendent. Reasons for any rejection shall be submitted to the school board or charter school governing body for review. Rejection decisions may be finalized only by a majority vote of the board or governing body.

School boards and governing bodies of charter schools may adopt a policy granting the superintendent authority to approve transfer applications submitted after the December 1st deadline if conditions described in the act are met, including a finding of good cause. The act provides additional procedures related to the timing of late applications. Resident districts may appeal the decisions of nonresident districts for suspected violations of the late application provisions of the act. The Commissioner of Education or a three member panel selected by the Missouri Charter Public School Commission shall mediate such disputes and shall conduct a hearing if the mediation is unsuccessful. A decision shall be issued within 10 days of such hearing and may be appealed within 5 days.

The superintendents of nonresident districts shall notify the parents of transfer applicants by February 1st whether the application has been accepted or rejected. Such notice shall include, if the application is rejected, the reason for a rejection, or, if the application is accepted, an enrollment deadline and instructions for renewing the transfer enrollment.

AUTHORIZED EXEMPTIONS (Section 167.1225)

The provisions of the Public School Open Enrollment Act shall not supercede any provision of an enforceable desegregation court order or a court-approved desegregation plan. A school district may declare an exemption from the Act if the district is subject to such an order or desegregation plan, or if the district is subject to a settlement agreement to remedy past segregation. Such exemption is irrevocable for one year from the date the district gives notice to the Department. Notice of a district's exemption or intent to resume participation in open enrollment for the next school year shall be issued to the Department by April 1st.

By June 1st of each year, the Department shall report to each school district the maximum number of transfers under the Public School Open Enrollment Act for the next school year.

When students are unable to transfer due to an exemption declared by a school district due to a court order, desegregation plan, or segregation-related settlement agreement, such students shall be given priority for any transfers in the subsequent school year by the resident district in the order application notices were received from such students.

A school district with an approved or voluntary diversity plan may deny an Public School Open Enrollment Act transfer if the district determines that such transfer conflicts with such plan. Such denials shall be deemed to be made in good faith.

Students transferring to nonresident districts pursuant to provisions of current law allowing transfer if the resident district does not offer high school instruction, under the Elementary and Secondary School District Enrollment Option Act, or through the Metropolitan Schools Achieving Value in Transfer Corporation, shall not be subject to the requirements of the Open Enrollment Act. School districts participating in such programs shall also not be subject to such requirements. Students transferring pursuant to the Open Enrollment Act shall not be considered transfer students for purposes of other provisions of current law allowing transfer.

APPEAL PROCEDURE (Section 167.1230)

Transfer applicants who are rejected may file an appeal with the Department or a three member panel selected by the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. The appeal shall be sent in writing within 10 business days after the student or the student's parent receives notice of rejection. A copy shall also be sent to the superintendent of the nonresident district where the applicant seeks to transfer. The appeal shall state the basis for appeal, shall include a copy of the notice of rejection, and may include documentation to show that transfer would be in the student's best interest. The nonresident district may submit additional documentation or arguments supporting the rejection decision to the Department or the three member panel, and shall submit copies of any such response to the student or student's parent, no later than 10 days after receiving a copy of the appeal. The Department or the three member panel shall notify the parent, nonresident district, and resident district of the basis for the Department's or panel's decision if it overturns the rejection.

The Department shall collect data from school districts and each charter school sponsor shall collect data from each sponsored charter school on the number of applications made under the act to study its effects. The Department shall consider the maximum number of transfers and exemptions for up to two years to determine whether a significant racially segregative impact has occurred in any district. Before October 1st of each year, the Department and each charter school sponsor shall report its findings to the Joint Committee on Education, the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education, the Senate Committee on Education, and any other education committee designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

OLIVIA SHANNON

Under this act, certain health care professionals may use expedited partner therapy and such therapy may be used for designated sexually transmitted infections beyond chlamydia and gonorrhea. This act repeals the requirement that antibiotic medications prescribed and dispensed through expedited partner therapy for the treatment of chlamydia or gonorrhea be in pill form.

This act is identical to a provision in the perfected HCS/HB 2413 (2024) and substantially similar to HB 1879 (2024).

SARAH HASKINS

HCS HB 2310 -- HIGHER EDUCATION CORE CURRICULA (Parker)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on General Laws

This bill specifies that, prior to June 30, 2026, the coordinating board, with the assistance of an advisory committee, shall approve a 60 credit hour transferable lower-division courses and common course numbering equivalency matrix for at least five applicable degree programs with substantial enrollment beginning in the 2027- 28 academic year. Each public institution of higher education, offering the approved degree programs, shall include in its programs of study an approved 60 hour program equivalency matrix.

If a student successfully completes the transferable lower-division courses at a public institution of higher education, such courses may be transferred and shall be substituted for core curriculum courses in the same degree program at a receiving institution. The transferring student receives credit towards the student's degree and is not required to take additional core classes for the same degree program at the receiving institution. Transferring students who have not fully completed the transferable coursework curriculum may be required to satisfy further course requirements at the receiving institution.

The coordinating board shall report to the House Higher Education Committee and the Senate Education Committee on progress related to the requirements of the bill.

This act is identical to SB 122 (2023) and a provision in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024) and is similar to HB 2343 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act ensures that it is the intent of the General Assembly to acknowledge the sanctity of innocent human life and the unborn child at every stage of development has all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens, and residents of this state pursuant to the Missouri Constitution.

This act also provides that any person accused of committing any criminal offense against a person under the laws of this state where the victim is an unborn child shall be prosecuted in a venue as provided in the act.

The affirmative defense of duress for the offense of murder shall be available where the victim is an unborn child and the defendant is the child's mother. This act also provides it shall be a justifiable defense if a medical procedure is performed by a licensed physician on a pregnant female to avert the death of the female which the results in the accidental or unintentional death of the unborn child and all reasonable alternatives to save the life of the unborn child were unavailable or were unsuccessful.

Finally, this act adds the definition of person in the criminal code to include a human being, including an unborn child at every stage of development from the moment of fertilization until birth.

This act contains a referendum clause.

This act is identical to SB 356 (2023).

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

JOINT COMMITTEE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT (Section 21.771)

This act repeals the expiration date of January 15, 2023, for the Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.

CHILDREN'S DIVISION CONTRACTORS (Sections 210.109 and 210.112)

This act permits the Children's Division to contract for services designed to ascertain child safety and provide preventative services. A contractor providing child safety services for a child shall not also be a placement provider for that child.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SB 862 (2024) and SCS/SB 229 (2023).

Additionally, provisions in service provider contracts with the Division in which the state is indemnified, held harmless, or insured for damages, claims, losses, or expenses arising from any injury caused by or resulting from the state's negligence shall be void as against public policy and unenforceable.

CHILDREN'S DIVISION EMPLOYEES (Section 210.135)

This act modifies existing statutory immunity from liability for certain persons involved with reporting, investigating, or responding to allegations of child abuse or neglect to include employees of the Department of Social Services, as well as to include additional provisions of law under which such individuals' actions may receive immunity from liability.

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 458 (2023) and similar to SB 823 (2022).

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS (Sections 210.140 and 210.147)

This act modifies existing statutory exceptions against recognizing privileged communications in situations of child abuse or neglect to include cooperation with the Children's Division in its activities under additional provisions of law, including child abuse or neglect investigations, termination of parental rights, and adoption and foster care.

Under current law, all information provided at a family support team meeting relating to the removal of a child from the child's home is confidential. This act modifies this provision so that all information provided at the meeting is confidential.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 458 (2023) and similar to SB 823 (2022).

TEMPORARY CHILD CARE PROVIDER LICENSES (Section 210.221)

Under this act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall have the authority to grant temporary child care licenses to child care providers to expand an existing site or add a new location if the provider also submits an approved fire safety and sanitation inspection for the new site. Additionally, each child care facility license shall specify its effective dates and whether it is a temporary license.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/SS#2/SB 862 (2024).

QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS (Sections 210.715, 210.762, and 211.081)

Under this act, if a child is placed in a residential setting, the Children's Division shall arrange for a qualified individual to complete an assessment of the child within 30 days to determine the child's placement options and short-term and long-term goals, as specified in the act. The Children's Division shall assemble a family support team for the child. A qualified individual working with the child to develop the child's assessment shall have unlimited access to the child's records, including medical, educational, mental health, and placement records. The assessment shall be provided to all parties in a juvenile proceeding.

Within 60 days of the start of a placement in a qualified residential treatment program (QRTP), the court shall assess the appropriateness of the child's placement and make specific findings of fact, as described in the act. The court shall reassess the appropriateness for the child to remain in a residential setting placement at every subsequent hearing until the child is no longer placed in the QRTP.

This act modifies current law regarding family support team meetings to permit biological family members and relatives, as appropriate, as well as professionals who are a resource to the child's family, to participate in the family support team meetings. In the case of a child who is age 14 or older, the team shall include members selected by the child. The Children's Division may exclude an individual from a meeting or make alternative arrangements for an individual to express his or her views if the individual becomes disruptive.

These provisions are identical to SB 458 (2023) and similar to SB 823 (2022).

CHILD PLACEMENT (Section 211.221)

Under this act, the Children's Division and child placing agencies shall, whenever practicable, select either a person or agency or institution governed by persons of the same religious faith as that of the child's parents or that of the child, as described in the act, when placing a child.

This act is identical to provisions in SB 1133 (2024), HCS/SS#2/SB 862 (2024), the perfected HCS/HB 2227 (2024), SB 621 (2023), HCS/SS/SCS/SB 129 (2023), HB 1034 (2021), and HCS/SS/SB 198 (2023).

HEARSAY EXEMPTIONS INVOLVING CHILDREN (Sections 491.075 and 492.304)

Under current law, a statement made by a child under 14 years of age may be admissible in criminal proceedings under certain circumstances. This act changes the age to a child under the age of 18 years of age.

Additionally, this act provides that visual or audio recordings of a child under 18 years of age relating to certain criminal offenses shall be admissible in criminal proceedings under certain circumstances.

These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in SB 905 (2024), SCS/SB 897 (2024), SCS/HCS/HB 2700 (2024), SB 906 (2024), SB 1245 (2024), SCS/HCS/HB 2064 & HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024), SB 1398 (2024), HCS/HBs 1777, 2203, 2059, & 2502 (2024), SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), the perfected HCS/HB 454 (2023) and SCS/HS/HCS/HBs 1108 & 1181, et al (2023) and substantially similar to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SB 862 (2024).

SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILDREN (Sections 566.151 and 567.030)

Under current law, a person over 21 years old commits the offense of enticement of a child if he or she persuades any person less than 15 years old to engage in sexual conduct. This act changes the age to less than 17 years old.

Additionally, this act modifies the offense of patronizing prostitution if the person patronized for prostitution is ages 15 to 17 it shall be a Class E felony and if the person is less than 15 years old it shall be a Class B felony.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 906 (2024), SCS/HCS/HB 2700 (2024), SB 1245 (2024), SCS/SB 897 (2024), SCS/HCS/HBs 2064 & HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024), the perfected HCS/HB 454 (2023), SCS/HS/HCS/HBs 1108 & 1181, et al (2023), SCS/HB 2697, et al (2022), SCS/HB 2088, et al (2022), HB 1637 (2022), and HB 2590 (2022).

SARAH HASKINS

STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (Section 160.518)

The act repeals provisions of current law that authorize the State Board of Education to develop a statewide assessment system and a standardized assessment instrument based on academic performance standards. Instead, the State Board shall develop a statewide summative assessment system that satisfies the requirements of federal law, and the State Board shall use the results of the assessments only for the purpose of compliance with federal law and the determination of performance districts in the calculation of state aid. The State Board shall not use assessment results to classify school districts and charter schools.

The act repeals a provision of current law that the statewide assessment system shall permit the academic performance of students in each school to be tracked only against prior academic performance in the same school.

Under the act, school districts and charter schools shall create, purchase, or adopt an interim assessment system that measures students' knowledge at the beginning of each school year and measures academic growth throughout the same school year. Such assessment system shall meet certain criteria outlined in the act.

The act repeals provisions of law relating to the State Board of Education's authority to suggest criteria for a school to demonstrate that its students learn the knowledge, skills, and competencies measured by the statewide assessment system at exemplary levels. The act further repeals provisions relating to "Outstanding School Waivers" that exempt certain schools from requirements relating to the authority of the State Board to classify school districts.

SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARDS (Section 160.522)

The act repeals provisions of law authorizing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to produce a school accountability report card for each public school district, public school building, and charter school in the state. Under the act, districts and charter schools shall report certain accountability data annually to the media, to all district and charter school patrons, and to the Department.

The act repeals provisions of law relating to the identification of priority schools that fail to meet acceptable standards of student achievement set by the State Board of Education. The act also repeals provisions relating to the identification of attendance centers that are categorized as requiring school improvement strategies.

The act repeals the requirement for school districts and charter schools to provide their school accountability report cards to legislators by December first annually, as well as the requirement for the State Board of Education to approve the inclusion of charter school data in a school district's school accountability report card.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Section 161.092)

The act repeals provisions of law authorizing the State Board of Education to classify public schools in the state and establish requirements for the schools of each class. The act provides that the State Board of Education shall identify a minimum of two national school accreditation agencies from which any district may seek to obtain accreditation. Any district accredited by at least one of these agencies shall be considered to be fully accredited for all legal purposes. The State Board may adopt a system of accreditation that school districts may utilize for accreditation purposes, but the State Board shall not use any such system to classify any district that chooses to utilize a national school accreditation agency as provided in the act.

This provision is similar to a provision in HB 1851 (2024)and HB 2147 (2024).

This act is similar to provisions in SB 1006 (2024), SS/SCS/SB 85 (2023), and provisions in SS/SB 304 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS (Sections 30.260 and 30.950)

This act requires written investment policies of the state and each political subdivision to include provisions requiring the investment of public funds to be based solely on pecuniary factors, as defined in the act.

This provision is similar to a provision in SB 827 (2024).

PUBLIC CONTRACTS (Section 34.715)

The act requires all public entities, when engaged in procuring or letting contracts for any purpose, to ensure that bidders, offerors, contractors, or subcontractors are not given preferential treatment or discriminated against based on social, political, or ideological interests. The public entity procuring or letting the contract shall not ask for documentation or any corroborating sources of information relating to any social, political, or ideological interests. Any solicitation for bids shall include a notice to all potential contractors of this provision.

This provision is similar to a provision in SB 827 (2024), SB 1142 (2024), SB 1350 (2024), SB 50 (2023), SB 177 (2023), SB 316 (2023), and SB 1171 (2022).

INVESTMENT OF RETIREMENT FUNDS (Section 105.688)

The act requires investment fiduciaries for retirement systems to make investments based solely on pecuniary factors, as defined in the act.

ESG BONDS (Section 108.1100)

All public entities empowered to issue bonds are prohibited from:

· Issuing Environmental, Social, Governance bonds, as that term is defined in the act;

· Using moneys derived from the issuance of bonds to pay for the services of a third-party verifier related to the designation or labeling of bonds as ESG bonds, including, but not limited to, certifying or verifying that bonds may be designated or labeled as ESG bonds, rendering a second-party opinion or producing a verifier's report as to the compliance of proposed ESG bonds with applicable ESG standards and metrics, complying with post-issuance reporting obligations, or other services that are only provided due to the designation or labeling of bonds as ESG bonds; or

· Enter into a contract with any rating agency whose ESG scores for such issuer will have a direct, negative impact on the issuer's bond ratings.

This provisions does not apply to any bonds issued before August 28, 2024, or to any agreement entered into or any contract executed before August 28, 2024.

DISCRIMINATION IN FINANCIAL SERVICES (Section 314.300)

No person or entity shall be denied any services from a financial institution or otherwise discriminated against by such financial institution based upon any of the following:

·

The person or entity's political opinions, speech, or affiliations;

· The person or entity's religious beliefs, religious exercise, or religious affiliations; or

· Any rating, scoring, analysis, tabulation, or action that takes into consideration a social credit score based on certain factors listed in the act.

Not later than August 28, 2025, and every 12 months thereafter, the certified agent of each financial institution shall submit an attestation to the Division of Finance, under penalty of perjury, on a form prescribed by the Division of Finance, whether the financial institution has been in compliance with this provision during the previous 12-month period.

SCOTT SVAGERA

DECLARATIONS OF INTENT TO HOME SCHOOL (Section 167.042)

The act repeals a provision authorizing parents to submit a written declaration of intent to home school their child to the recorder of deeds of the county where the child legally resides or to the superintendent of the public school district where the child legally resides.

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 902 (2024) and in SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS (Section 167.071)

The act repeals a provision authorizing a seven-director school district to appoint a school attendance officer who has the powers of a deputy sheriff and may investigate claims of violations of the compulsory attendance law and arrest truant juveniles without a warrant.

This provision is identical to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 902 (2024), in HB 1905 (2024), and in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).

PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ACTIVITIES (Section 167.790)

The act provides that a school district shall not be a member of, or remit any funds to, a statewide activities association that prohibits a student receiving instruction at a home school or a full-time virtual school from participating in any event or activity offered by the school district in which the student resides or that requires such students to take any class at a public school in order to participate in such event or activity. The act further provides that a school district shall not prohibit such a student from participating in any event or activity offered by the school district in which such student resides or require such student to take any class in order to participate in such event or activity.

A school district may establish an attendance policy for any rehearsals, practice sessions, or training sessions that are directly related to and required for participation in an event or activity. A school district may also require students to participate in components of instruction that are required for participation in fine arts activities, career and technical student organizations, or integrated cocurricular activities.

A statewide activities association shall not prohibit any member school district from participating in any event with a school that is not a member of the association.

Any school disciplinary policies and attendance policies shall be applied in the same manner to all students who participate in an event or activity. A school district shall not establish a separate disciplinary or attendance policy for students who receive instruction at a home school or a full-time virtual school.

If a student whose academic performance or disciplinary status would preclude such student from eligibility to participate in extracurricular events or activities in the resident school district disenrolls from such school district in order to receive instruction at a home school or a full-time virtual school, such student shall not be eligible to participate in public school events or activities in the district of such student's disenrollment for twelve calendar months from the date of disenrollment.

The parent of a home school student shall oversee any academic standards relating to such student's participation in a public school event or activity.

Any records created pertaining to a home school student or a full-time virtual school student shall be made confidential.

The act outlines certain criteria that home school and virtual school students shall satisfy in order to be eligible to participate in public school activities in their district of residence. Such students shall provide proof of residency in the district in which they wish to participate in public school activities. They shall also adhere to the same behavior, responsibility, performance, and code conduct standards as do students who are enrolled in the district.

This provision is similar to a provision in SB 902 (2024), a provision in HB 1905 (2024), a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023), HB 241 (2023), SB 835 (2022), HCS/HB 2369 (2022), HCS/HB 494 (2021), SCS/SB 875 (2020), a provision in SCS/HC/HB 1540 (2020), a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 528 (2020), HCS/HB 2273 (2020), SB 130 (2019), SB 726 (2018), and SB 500 (2017).

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is identical to SB 1317 (2024), HB 1874 (2024), and HB 2190 (2024), and similar to provisions in HCS/HB 2413 (2024), SB 512 (2023), HB 287 (2023), SB 641 (2022), SB 472 (2021), HB 1373 (2021), and SB 346 (2019).

ERIC VANDER WEERD

INVESTMENT OF STATE FUNDS (Section 30.260)

Current law requires the State Treasurer to prepare, maintain, and adhere to a written investment policy. This act requires such policy to include provisions prohibiting the investment of state funds in any particular investment held by any entity that prioritizes a social objective or other nonfinancial objective into its discretionary business or investment decisions.

This provision is similar to a provision in SB 815 (2024).

PUBLIC CONTRACTS (Section 34.715)

The act requires public bodies to ensure that bidders, offerors, contractors, or subcontractors, when engaged in procuring or letting contracts for any purpose, are not given preferential treatment or discriminated against based on an environmental, social and governance score or based on the prioritization or lack of prioritization of any socially responsible criteria by the bidder, offeror, contractor, or subcontractor.

This provision is similar to a provision in SB 815 (2024), SB 1142 (2024), SB 1350 (2024), SB 50 (2023), SB 177 (2023), SB 316 (2023), and SB 1171 (2022).

RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (Sections 105.688 and 105.692)

The act modifies the responsibilities of investment fiduciaries. Specifically, investment fiduciaries are required to:

· Not consider environmental, social, or governance characteristics in a manner that would override his or her fiduciary duties;

· Not be subject to any legislative, regulatory, or other mandates to invest with environmentally, socially, or other noneconomically motivated influence unless they are consistent with the fiduciary's responsibility or as provided in the system's governing statutes with respect to the investment of system assets or other duties imposed by law relating to the investment, management, deposit, or custody of system assets; and

· Not be subject to any legislative, regulatory, or other mandates for divestment from any indirect holdings in actively or passively managed investment funds or in private assets.

All shares of common stock held directly by a retirement system shall be voted solely in the economic interest of plan participants. Voting shares for the purposes of furthering noneconomic environmental, social, political, ideological, or other goals is prohibited. The act creates provisions on proxy voting for such purposes.

These provisions are identical to HB 1937 (2024), provisions in HCS/SS/SB 898 (2024), HB 769 (2023), and provisions in HCS/HB 863 (2023) and substantially similar to SB 1113 (2024).

INVESTMENT-ADVISERS AND BROKER-DEALERS (Sections 409.115 and 409.117)

If a broker-dealer or agent, as such terms are defined in the act, incorporates a social objective or other nonfinancial objective into a discretionary investment decision to buy or sell a security or commodity for a customer, a recommendation or solicitation to a customer for the purchase or sale of a security or commodity, or the selection, recommendation or advice to a customer regarding the selection of a third-party manager or subadviser to manage the investments in the customer's account, then such broker-dealer or agent shall disclose to such customer the existence of such incorporation.

Furthermore, if an investment adviser or investment adviser representative, as such terms are defined in the act, incorporates a social objective or other nonfinancial objective into a discretionary investment decision to buy or sell a security or commodity for a client, advice or a recommendation to a client for the purchase or sale of a security or commodity, or the selection, or advice or a recommendation to a client regarding the selection, of a third-party manager or subadviser to manage the investments in the client's account, such investment adviser or investment adviser representative shall disclose to such client the existence of such incorporation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/HB 863 (2023) and similar to HB 2799 (2024) and HCS/HB 824 (2023).

SCOTT SVAGERA

Additionally, current law requires a physician-patient relationship for purposes of telehealth to include a sufficient dialogue with the patient regarding treatment. This act changes "dialogue" to "exchange" with the patient regarding treatment.

This act is identical to SCS/SB 418 (2023) and substantially similar to HB 1532 (2024) and HB 710 (2023).

SARAH HASKINS

The act sets forth certain criteria for a home reading program to be considered eligible for a grant from the Fund. Such program's objective shall be to mail books to students' homes that the students select themselves at a reading level with which they are comfortable. The program shall allow for parental engagement, as specified in the act, and shall allow students to select between six and nine new books to keep. The program provider shall provide summary data on the program to the General Assembly and to DESE, and shall further maintain verification that the provider has secured the required matching funds from the district or charter school. The combined total cost of the program, including matching funds from the district or charter school, shall not exceed $60 per student per semester.

OLIVIA SHANNON

Current law also provides that any vacancy that occurs on the City of St. Louis school board outside of the normal election cycle shall be filled by appointment by the mayor for the remainder of the term. Under this act, the City of St. Louis school board shall fill any such vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the term. This provision is identical to SB 363 (2023) and HB 914 (2023) and to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89 (2023), in CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023), in HCS/SB 155 (2023), in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023), in HCS/HB 497, and in HB 716 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

A court may immediately issue an ex parte order of protection for good cause shown and the court shall order the respondent to surrender all firearms as provided in the act. If the respondent does not comply, then a law enforcement officer serving the order shall conduct a lawful search and seizure of any firearms of the respondent. The court shall then hold a hearing within 15 days of the filing of the petition and, if the court issues a full extreme risk order of protection, the person subject to the order of protection shall surrender any firearms in his or her possession, control, or ownership as provided in the act.

Additionally, this act provides that a respondent to an extreme risk order of protection may file a petition to modify or rescind an order. The petitioner may also renew the extreme risk order of protection for up to one year from the expiration of the preceding order.

Finally, any violation of an ex parte or full extreme risk order of protection shall be a class A misdemeanor for the first violation and a class E felony for any subsequent violation.

This act is identical to SB 329 (2023) and similar to SB 940 (2020) and to provisions in SB 42 (2019), SB 1101 (2018), and HB 2281 (2018).

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

STEM CAREER AWARENESS

(Section 161.264)

This act creates the "STEM Career Awareness Activity Fund" for the purpose of establishing a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activity program for students in grades nine through twelve. Under the act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall select a provider to deliver a teacher-led program that involves facilitating a cohort of students to conduct STEM activities at state, national, or international competitions. DESE shall select a provider that presents data demonstrating the effectiveness of the program in achieving certain goals specified in the act. DESE shall begin soliciting applications from providers by January 1, 2025, and select a provider by March 1, 2025.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/SB 1039 (2024), to HB 1972 (2024), to SB 535 (2023), to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023), to HB 887 (2023), and to a provision in HCS/HB 502 (2023).

SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY INSTRUCTION

(Section 161.265)

Under the act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall create a model curriculum and instructional materials for social media safety instruction for students in grades 6 through 12. The model curriculum and instructional materials shall be published on DESE's website and the website of each school district. Each school district shall notify students' parents of the availability of such materials online. DESE shall periodically update such materials to reflect changes in social media use, emergent technologies, and new threats to teens using social media platforms.

Each school district may offer instruction on social media and internet safety to students in grades 6 through 12. Students' parents shall be given the ability to opt their child out of such instruction. The act outlines certain topics that shall be included in such instruction, such as the negative effects of social media on mental health; the permanency of sharing materials online; and how to report suspicious behavior. The act also specifies certain benefits of social media that may be covered in the instruction.

A school district shall prohibit student access to social media platforms through the use of internet access provided by the school district, except when access to social media is expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes.

Finally, the act provides that a school district shall provide and adopt an internet safety policy for student access to the internet provided by the school district. Such policy shall include certain provisions specified in the act, including limiting internet access to age-appropriate subject matter and prohibiting students from accessing websites that do not protect against the disclosure, use, or dissemination of students' personal information.

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is identical to SB 711 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

AUDITS BASED ON IMPROPER GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY (Sections 29.225 and 610.021)

The act allows the State Auditor, or his or her authorized representatives, to audit all or part of any political subdivision or other governmental entity if, after an investigation of the political subdivision or governmental entity, or its officers or employees, the Auditor believes an improper governmental activity has occurred. An audit may also be conducted by the Auditor when requested by a prosecuting attorney, circuit attorney, or law enforcement agency as part of an investigation of an improper governmental activity. Records relating to reports of allegations of improper governmental activities are permitted to be closed under the Sunshine Law.

SUBPOENA POWER (Section 29.235)

Insofar as necessary to conduct an investigation, the act allows the Auditor or the Auditor's authorized representatives to have the power to subpoena witnesses, to take testimony under oath, to cause the deposition of witnesses residing within or without the state to be taken in a manner prescribed by law, and to assemble records and documents, by subpoena or otherwise. The subpoena power shall be exercised in the same manner as permitted in the course of conducting an audit under current law.

RESULTS OF AUDITS OF INSURANCE FUNDS (Section 374.250)

Current law requires the State Auditor to audit, adjust and settle all receipts and disbursements in the Insurance Dedicated Fund and the Insurance Examiners' Fund, and certain taxes certified or collected on foreign and domestic insurance premiums, surplus line premiums, and county taxes on the property owned by insurance companies in the state. This act repeals the requirement with respect to the taxes certified and collected and additionally requires the results with respect to the Insurance Dedicated Fund and the Insurance Examiners' Fund to be reported as part of the annual audit of the state's financial statements.

This act is identical to the truly agreed to and finally passed HB 2111 (2024) and substantially similar to SB 645 (2023) and HB 1175 (2023).

SCOTT SVAGERA

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is identical to SB 62 (2023).

SARAH HASKINS

This act is identical to SB 273 (2023) and SB 950 (2022) and is substantially similar to HB 1645 (2024), HB 66 (2023), and HB 1776 (2022).

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is similar to HB 2398 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Any taxpayer, as well as the attorney general, shall have standing to bring a cause of action in any court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction to enforce these provisions, as described in the act.

This act modifies existing statutory language permitting any MO HealthNet participant to obtain MO HealthNet services from any provider of such services in a MO HealthNet provider agreement with the state by requiring such provider to not be disqualified or excluded from serving as a MO HealthNet provider.

Additionally, this act requires the Department to suspend, revoke, or cancel any contract or provider agreement or refuse to enter into a new contract or provider agreement with any provider when it is determined that the provider is not qualified to perform the required services because such provider has committed certain offenses specified in the act, including being found guilty of a pattern of intentional discrimination in the delivery or non-delivery of health care services or being founded by a person who supported eugenics, or if the provider is an abortion facility or an affiliate or associate thereof.

Finally, this act prohibits reimbursement to abortion facilities, or associates or affiliates thereof, under the "Uninsured Women's Heath Program".

This act has an emergency clause.

This act is substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/HCS/HB 2634 (2024), SB 916 (2024), SB 160 (2023), SS/SB 667 (2022), SB 637 (2022), and HB 2 (1st Extraordinary Session (2021)).

SARAH HASKINS

This act is identical to SB 589 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

The Task Force shall study and make recommendations regarding security needs of nonprofit organizations at risk of terrorist attacks in Missouri. The Task Force shall issue a report to the Office of Homeland Security of its recommendations with respect to terrorist attacks in Missouri. Such report shall be issued annually and shall also be provided to the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the House Budget Committee.

This act also establishes the "Supplemental Nonprofit Safety and Security Fund" which shall consist of moneys appropriated for eligible nonprofit organizations for security measures as provided in the act.

This act is substantially similar to SB 1192 (2024), HB 1557 (2024), and SB 690 (2023).

This act contains an emergency clause.

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

This amendment is identical to SJR 19 (2023) and SJR 53 (2022).

SARAH HASKINS

This constitutional amendment is identical to SJR 20 (2023) and SJR 47 (2022) and substantially similar to SJR 50 (2022).

SARAH HASKINS

This act is identical to SB 776 (2024) and SB 1185 (2024) and similar to provisions in HCS/HBs 1520, 1519, 2355, and 2357 (2024).

SARAH HASKINS

PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS ACT OF 2024 (Section 161.841)

This act creates the "Parents' Bill of Rights Act of 2024", which shall be construed to empower parents to enforce rights, as delineated in the act, to access records maintained by schools in which their children are enrolled in a timely manner or as specified in the act. The act defines a "school" as a public school, school district, charter school, or virtual school authorized under the provisions of the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program.

Parents and members of the public shall have the right to be given the opportunity to view online and submit comments on all textbooks and instructional materials under review by a school. Publishers and other content providers shall given the opportunity to submit comments in response to an evaluation of textbooks or other instructional materials, as specified in the act. All comments submitted in relation to a reviewed textbook or instructional material shall be posted online.

No school shall require nondisclosure agreements for a parent's review of curricula, and each school shall allow parents, within two business days upon request, to review or make a copy of curriculum documents or to receive such documents in an electronic format, provided that no request would cause an infringement of copyright protections under the federal Copyright Act of 1976. Where the curricular materials being made available to parents for review are subject to copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property protection, the review process shall include technical and procedural safeguards to ensure that the materials are not able to be widely disseminated to the general public in violation of the intellectual property rights of the publisher or any contractual agreements between the publisher and the school, and that content validity is not undermined. If more than twenty pages are being copied using the school's equipment, the school may, at the school's discretion, charge the parent a fee described in the act.

No school shall collect any biometric data of a minor child without obtaining parental consent, except for biometric data necessary to create and issue appropriate school identification cards. Any company that produces school identification cards is prohibited from selling students' biometric data, and is additionally required to ensure that any copies of students' biometric data are destroyed upon the successful production of school identification cards. A school that collects a child's biometric data shall ensure that all copies of such data are destroyed within one year of the child's withdrawal of participation in all school activities.

Each school board meeting or charter school governing board meeting approving curricula shell be held in public in accordance with the Missouri Sunshine Law and shall allow for public comments.

Finally, each school shall notify parents of certain safety incidents and criminal charges filed against teachers, employees, and any guests or visitors to a school, as outlined in the act.

This provision is similar to provisions in HB 1739 (2024), in HB 2160 (2024), in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89 (2023), in HCS/HB 482 (2023), in HCS/SS#2/SB 761 (2022), in SS/SCS/SB 741 (2022), in HB 2195 (2022), in HB 1858 (2022), and in HB 1474 (2022).

DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN TOPICS BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL

(Sections 170.385 and 170.386)

This act prohibits public school officials from encouraging a student under the age of 18 years old to adopt a gender identity or sexual orientation. The act additionally prohibits public school officials from withholding information regarding a student's gender identity from the student's parent.

The act defines a student's "documented identity" as such student's gender identity or sex as registered by the student's parent during enrollment. If a student's parent does not register such student's gender identity or sex during enrollment, the student's documented identity shall be their biological sex as correctly stated on their birth certificate or other government record, as specified in the act.

A school official shall inform a student's parent within twenty-four hours if the student expresses confusion about their documented identity or requests to use personal pronouns that differ from their documented identity. A school official shall obtain written parental consent before allowing a student to use a name other than the name provided by the parent when registering the student for school and before encouraging a student to wear certain items of clothing. Finally, a school official shall not encourage a student to pursue gender reassignment therapy or surgical procedures.

Any teacher, including any school counselor, who violates the provisions of the act shall face charges of incompetence, immorality, and neglect of duty under the laws governing the discipline of holders of certificate of license to teach. The State Board of Education shall promptly investigate any claim from a parent of a public school student that a teacher of such student has violated the act. If the claim is found to be valid, the State Board shall discipline such teacher as set forth in the act. The Board of Nursing shall promptly investigate any claim from a parent of a public school student that school nurse has knowingly violated the act. If the Board finds that such claim is valid, the Board shall file a complaint against such school nurse's license with the Administrative Hearing Commission on grounds of unethical or unprofessional conduct involving a minor. Any other school staff member who knowingly violates the provisions of the act shall have his or her employment terminated for gross misconduct, and shall additionally be ineligible to work in any public school for a period of four years.

A parent may bring a civil action against a school district, public elementary or secondary school, or public charter school that violates the provisions of the act, and the attorney general may bring a civil action against any school district, public elementary or secondary school, or public charter school that violates the provisions of the act.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1739 (2024), similar to SB 868 (2024), and similar to SCS/SB 134 (2023).

PHYSICAL PRIVACY OF CHILDREN (Section 171.425)

This act requires that all public school shower rooms, locker rooms, and restrooms accessible for use by minors under 18 years of age shall be designated for and used by male or female minors only. The act provides for the best available accommodations for any minor who asserts that his or her gender differs from his or her biological sex, provided that such minor's parent shall consent to such accommodations in writing. Such accommodations may include, but are not limited to, controlled use of faculty shower rooms, locker rooms, or restrooms, or access to single-stall and unisex restrooms.

A school district that violates any provision of the act shall be ineligible to receive state aid and shall be classified as unaccredited until the district proves to the satisfaction of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that it is no longer in violation of the act.

This provision is identical to SB 1274 (2024) and is similar to SB 974 (2024), HB 2355 (2024), HB 2357 (2024), a provision in SB 165 (2023), SB 690 (2018), SCS/SB 98 (2017), and SB 720 (2016).

OLIVIA SHANNON

ACCESS TO SNAP BENEFITS (Section 208.247)

This act repeals provisions of law allowing for individuals convicted of certain drug offenses to participate in SNAP only if certain conditions are met. Under this act, individuals convicted of a state or federal felony drug offense shall not be excluded from SNAP for such conviction.

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 1012 (2024), HCS/HBs 1777, 2203, 2059, & 2502 (2024), the perfected SS/SB 82 (2023), and the perfected HCS/HB 719 (2023).

PREGNANT OFFENDERS (Section 221.520)

Under this act, all county and city jails shall be prohibited, except in extraordinary circumstances, from using restrains on a pregnant offender in her third trimester, including during transportation or labor, delivery, and 48 hours post-delivery. Pregnant offenders shall be transported in vehicles equipped with seatbelts. In cases of extraordinary circumstances requiring restraints to be used, the sheriff or jailer shall document in writing within 48 hours of the incident the reasons for the restraints used, as specified in the act.

If restraints are used, they shall be the least restrictive available and the most reasonable under the circumstances. No leg, ankle, or waist restraints or mechanical restraints shall be used and any wrist restraints used shall be placed in front of the offender's body.

Jails shall offer staff training on the provisions of this act and inform offenders of policies and practices developed under this act.

By January 1, 2025, all county and city jails shall develop specific procedures for intake and care of pregnant offenders, including maternal health evaluations, dietary supplements, nutritious meals, substance abuse treatment, HIV treatment, hepatitis C, sleeping arrangements, mental health; sanitary materials; postpartum recovery, and a requirement that a female medical professional be present during examinations.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1012 (2024) and HCS/SS/SB 900 (2024), substantially similar to provisions in SCS/SB 803 (2018), HB 1002 (2017), and SB 180 (2017), and similar to provisions in HCS/HBs 1777, 2203, 2059, & 2502 (2024).

ADMISSIBILITY OF CERTAIN EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES (Sections 491.075 and 492.304)

Under current law, a statement made by a child under 14 years of age may be admissible in criminal proceedings under certain circumstances. This act changes the age to a child under the age of 18 years of age.

Additionally, this act provides that visual or audio recordings of a child under 18 years of age or a vulnerable person relating to certain criminal offenses shall be admissible in criminal proceedings under certain circumstances.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 897 (2024), SCS/HCS/HB 2700 (2024), SB 906 (2024), SB 1245 (2024), SCS/HCS/HB 2064 & HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024), SB 1398 (2024), HCS/HBs 1777, 2203, 2059, & 2502 (2024), SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), the perfected HCS/HB 454 (2023) and SCS/HS/HCS/HBs 1108 & 1181, et al (2023) and substantially similar to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SB 862 (2024).

SARAH HASKINS

This act is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 1006 (2024), in SCS/SB 1391 (2024), in SB 1392 (2024), and in HB 1485 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON

The act provides that students who reside in Missouri may enroll in the virtual program of their choice. Provisions of current law regarding a school district's approval of a student's request to enroll in a virtual program shall not apply to full-time virtual program enrollment.

The act requires host districts to adopt student enrollment policies for full-time virtual students and allows virtual schools to mutually agree with resident and host districts on the services that the resident district might offer, including possible financial reimbursements for those services. For students with disabilities, the enrollment policy shall ensure the development of an individualized education program and related services agreement, as necessary. The act also specifies that student progress reports are necessary only for part-time virtual school program enrollees. The act requires a student's parent or guardian, if the student is not considered homeless, to apply for enrollment directly with the full-time virtual program.

Finally, the act provides that a host district may contract with a provider to perform any required services involved with delivering a full-time virtual education.

This act is identical to SS/HB 827 (2023), substantially similar to SB 780 (2024) and SB 1375 (2024), and similar to SB 545 (2023) and to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024) and in SS/HB 2287 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON

A court may immediately issue an ex parte order of protection for good cause shown and the court shall order the respondent to surrender all firearms as provided in the act. If the respondent does not comply, then a law enforcement officer serving the order shall conduct a lawful search and seizure of any firearms of the respondent. The court shall then hold a hearing within 15 days of the filing the petition and, if the court issues a full extreme risk order of protection, the person subject to the order of protection shall surrender any firearms in his or her possession, control, or ownership as provided in the act.

Additionally, this act provides that a respondent to an extreme risk order of protection may file a petition to modify or rescind an order. A law enforcement officer or agency may also renew the extreme risk order of protection for up to one year from the expiration of the preceding order.

Finally, any violation of an ex parte or full extreme risk order of protection shall be a class A misdemeanor for the first violation and a class E felony for any subsequent violation.

This act is identical to SB 33 (2023) and similar to SB 940 (2020) and to provisions in SB 42 (2019), SB 1101 (2018), and HB 2281 (2018).

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

This provision is substantially similar to SJR 20 (2023), SJR 47 (2022), and SJR 50 (2022).

Additionally, no licensed or registered health care facility shall require visitors to undergo an invasive medical procedure, including an injection or vaccine, in order to have in-person contact with a patient or resident.

SARAH HASKINS

MINIMUM TEACHER'S SALARY (Section 163.172)

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this act increases the minimum teacher's salary from $25,000 to $38,000.

For teachers with a master's degree and at least ten years of experience, this act increases the minimum salary from $33,000 to $44,000 for the 2025-26 school year and further increases such salary by $1,000 each year until the 2029-2030 school year, when the minimum shall be $48,000. In the 2026-27 school year and in all subsequent school years, such minimum salary shall additionally be adjusted annually by the percentage increase in inflation, as such term is defined in the act. The State Board of Education shall publish such minimum salaries annually beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The act creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund" and "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" for the purpose of increasing minimum teacher's salaries. The General Assembly may appropriate moneys to the Fund, provided that the total amount appropriated shall not exceed the amount necessary to assist each school district in increasing minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. For the 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28 school years, each school district may apply to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for a grant from the Fund, provided that a grant shall not exceed 70% of the amount necessary for a district to increase minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. The remaining 30% of the amount necessary to increase minimum teacher's salaries shall be allocated from the district's local effort funding as provided in current law. These provisions shall expire on December 31, 2028.

This provision is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 1014 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

HARD-TO-STAFF SCHOOLS AND SUBJECT AREAS (Section 168.110)

The act provides that a school board may include differentiated placement of teachers on the salary schedule to increase compensation in order to recruit and retain teachers in hard-to-staff subject areas or schools. No modifications to the identification of hard-to-staff subject areas or schools shall result in the demotion of a teacher in the salary schedule. Each school district that includes differentiated placement of teachers on the district salary schedule shall annually provide to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education a report containing information outlined in the act.

This provision is identical to HB 190 (2023) and to a provision in SB 1163 (2024) and is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), in HB 1648 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS (Section 168.400)

The act repeals provisions of current law that require preservice teacher education programs to include a program of entry-level testing of all prospective teacher education students to be administered by the Commissioner of Education.

This provision is identical to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

CAREER LADDER (168.500)

The act repeals a provision of current law that teachers' Career Ladder responsibilities and career efforts shall be required to occur outside of compensated hours. The act also specifies that teachers may receive Career Ladder admission and stage achievement for certain activities that are not included in the duties that require a teaching certificate under current law.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 1163 (2024) and is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 1014 (2024), and in HCS/HB 1447 (2024).

TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (173.232)

The act changes the name of the "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program". The corresponding state treasury fund is also renamed accordingly.

The number of years a student may receive a scholarship is reduced from four to two years. The number of students who may receive a scholarship is increased from 100 to 200 in the 2025-26 academic year, with 20 more students being added in each subsequent year until 2030-31 and all subsequent academic years, when 300 students may receive scholarships.

To be eligible for a scholarship, recipients shall sign an agreement to teach in a hard-to-staff subject or a hard-to-staff school, as defined in the act, in a Missouri public school for two years for every one year the recipient receives a scholarship. Recipients after June 30, 2025 shall also sign a statement that they have made a good faith effort to secure all available federal sources of grant funding.

The scholarships provided in the act shall be available to students who have successfully completed two years at a community college, been awarded an associate degree or the equivalent, or have completed their baccalaureate degree.

The act modifies the interest rate paid by scholarship recipients who do not follow through on their agreement to teach in a hard-to-staff subject or school and must therefore repay their scholarship award as a loan.

An individual who has qualified as an eligible student under the act shall continue to qualify as an eligible student as long as he or she remains employed by the school district in which he or she agrees to teach, regardless of whether his or her employing school no longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff school, the class he or she teaches longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff subject area, or his or her position within the school district changes.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 1163 (2024) and is similar to SB 1013 (2024), to HB 2092 (2024), to HB 2335 (2024), and to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 955 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

In any fiscal year in which actual revenues are less than the revenue estimates upon which appropriations were based, the Governor may, subject to appropriation, transfer from the Education Stabilization Fund to the foundation formula such moneys as are necessary to ensure the free public schools are funded as closely to the fully appropriated amount as practicable.

The balance in the fund at the close of any fiscal year shall not exceed ten percent of the appropriation to the foundation formula from the previous fiscal year. When the balance in the fund at the close of a fiscal year exceeds ten percent of the appropriation to the foundation formula from the previous fiscal year, the excess balance shall be transferred, subject to appropriation, to the General Revenue fund.

This act is identical to SB 1164 (2024), SB 587 (2023), and SB 601 (2023).

JOSH NORBERG

OLIVIA SHANNON

Additionally, the act authorizes any person to bring an action for damages for willful and knowing violation of the notification requirement in instances of a breach of security relating to personal information. Damages shall not exceed $150,000 per breach and a civil penalty for a violation may be awarded, but shall not exceed $150,000 per breach.

This act is identical to SB 222 (2021) and HB 1499 (2020).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

REQUIREMENTS FOR DESIGNATING A STATE HOLIDAY (Section 9.005)

This act specifies that beginning January 1, 2025, in order for a day to be designated a state holiday by the General Assembly, the honoree must have been deceased for at least 3 years, or for at least 1 year if the honoree was killed in combat while on active military duty or killed in the line of duty as a first responder.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024), and substantially similar to HB 1117 (2023).

BLAKE C. SNYDER DAY (Section 9.171)

This act designates October 6 of each year as "Blake C. Snyder Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

EDDIE GAEDEL DAY (Section 9.292)

This act designates August 19 of each year as "Eddie Gaedel Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER DAY (Section 9.293)

This act designates April 24 of every year as "Cedric the Entertainer Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), and SB 1464 (2024).

JOHN DONALDSON DAY (Section 9.294)

This act designates February 20 of each year as "John Donaldson Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), and substantially similar to SB 1417 (2024) and HB 2684 (2024).

NATIONAL GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY AND NATIONAL GOOD NEIGHBOR WEEK (Section 9.344)

This act modifies the statute designating "National Good Neighbor Day" and "National Good Neighbor Week" in Missouri by repealing language regarding rebuilding following a flood.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024).

BLACK BEAR AWARENESS DAY (Section 9.358)

This act designates April 22 of each year as "Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to HB 2486 (2024) and provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024).

CHRIS SIFFORD DAY (Section 9.367)

This act designates August 6 of each year as "Chris Sifford Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to HB 1924 (2024), provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), and substantially similar to SB 584 (2023).

HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY AWARENESS DAY (Section 9.383)

This act designates the fourth Wednesday of February of each year as "Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

EMMETT KELLY DAY (Section 9.386)

This act designates the last Saturday of April of each year as "Emmett Kelly Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to SB 1144 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), and substantially similar to HB 1562 (2024) and provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024).

CELIA DAY (Section 9.388)

This act designates the second Tuesday of April of each year as "Celia Day" in Missouri. The teachers and students of the schools of this state are encouraged to observe the day with age-appropriate instruction regarding Celia and her story.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1512 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

APRN APPRECIATION DAY (Section 9.394)

This act designates May 6 of each year as "Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Appreciation Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to SB 1058 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

TINA TURNER DAY IN MISSOURI (Section 9.396)

This act designates November 26 of each year as "Tina Turner Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to HB 2222 (2024) and provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024).

MISSOURI COMPOST AWARENESS WEEK (Section 9.397)

This act designates the first full week of May each year as "Missouri Compost Awareness Week".

These provisions are identical to HB 2241 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

BLUE LIGHT AWARENESS DAY (Section 9.398)

This act designates October 10 each year as "Blue Light Awareness Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to HB 2321 (2024) and provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2023).

MISSOURI TRAILS DAY (Section 9.400)

This act designates the first Saturday in June each year as "Missouri Trails Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to HB 2491 (2024).

BELIEVE IN GIANNA DAY (Section 9.401)

This act designates November 13 each year as "Believe in Gianna Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are substantially similar to HB 2580 (2024) and identical to provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024).

AMYLOIDOSIS AWARENESS DAY (Section 9.402)

This act designates May 8 of each year as "Amyloidosis Awareness Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to SB 1490 (2024), HB 2591 (2024), provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS DAY (Section 9.403)

This act desigates August 14 of each year as "Kansas City Chiefs Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to HB 2738 (2024).

ULYSSES S. GRANT DAY (Section 9.406)

This act designates April 27 of each year as "Ulysses S. Grant Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to HB 2751 (2024).

MAKE MUSIC DAY (Section 9.408)

This act designates June 21 of each year as "Make Music Day" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), and similar to SCR 13 (2023).

KAPPA ALPHA PSI WEEK (Section 9.409)

This act designates the week in which January 5 falls each year as "Kappa Alpha Psi Week" in Missouri.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

APPLE CAPITAL OF MISSOURI (Section 10.250)

This act designates the city of Waverly in Lafayette County as the "Apple Capital of Missouri".

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), and substantially similar to HB 2171 (2024) and provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024).

PATRIOTIC MURAL CITY (Section 10.251)

This act designates the city of Concordia as the official patriotic mural city of the state of Missouri.

These provisions are identical to HB 2172 (2024) and provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024).

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT CAPITAL (Section 10.254)

This act designates the city of Branson as the "Live Entertainment Capital" for the state of Missouri.

These provisions are identical to HB 2320 (2024) and provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024).

OFFICIAL KANSAS CITY WHISKEY FOR THE STATE (Section 10.256)

This act designates J. Rieger & Co. whiskey as the official Kansas City whiskey for the state of Missouri.

These provisions are identical to HB 2646 (2024) and provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024).

OZARK HIGHLANDS SPIRITS REGION (Section 226.1170)

This act provides that the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Ozark Highland Distillers Guild, shall erect and maintain suitable markings and signs designating the Ozark Highlands Spirits Region.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SBs 1067, 1308, & 1303 (2024), provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), HCS/HB 2414 (2024), and provisions in HCS/HB 2279 (2024).

COTTON FITZSIMMONS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.822)

This act designates "Cotton Fitzsimmons Memorial Highway" in Pike County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations.

These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

SENATOR BILL FOSTER BRIDGE (Section 227.830)

This act designates "Senator Bill Foster Bridge" in Butler County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations.

These provisions are identical to HB 1407 (2024).

DR DAN BROWN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.839)

This act designates "Dr Dan Brown Memorial Highway" in Phelps County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations.

These provisions are identical to the truly agreed to and finally passed SB 1453 (2024), and substantially similar to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

CELIA MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.840)

This act designates "Celia Memorial Highway" in Callaway County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1512 (2024) and substantially similar to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

POLICE CHIEF MASON GRIFFITH MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.841)

This act designates "Police Chief Mason Griffith Memorial Highway" in Gasconade County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SBs 1067, 1308, & 1303 (2024) and HB 2176 (2024), and substantially similar to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

SHERIFF JOHN HARLOW MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.842)

This act designates "Sheriff John Harlow Memorial Highway" in Barton County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1566 (2024), provisions in HB 1662 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

SHERIFF ROY PATTERSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.843)

This act designates "Sheriff Roy Patterson Memorial Highway" in Barton County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1566 (2024), provisions in HB 1662 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

CONSTABLE W EARL GOWDY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.844)

This act designates "Constable W Earl Gowdy Memorial Highway" in Barton County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1566 (2024), provisions in HB 1662 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

SHERIFF CHARLES LAREW MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.845)

This act designates "Sheriff Charles LaRew Memorial Highway" in Cedar County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1566 (2024), provisions in HB 1662 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

LT DEPUTY WILLIAM HARVILLE MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.846)

This act designates "LT Deputy William Harville Memorial Highway" in Cedar County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1566 (2024), provisions in HB 1662 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

SHERIFF JOHN PAYNTOR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.847)

This act designates "Sheriff John Payntor Memorial Highway" in Cedar County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1566 (2024), provisions in HB 1662 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

PATROLMAN E.O. BRAY MEMORIAL BRIDGE (Section 227.848)

This act designates "Patrolman E.O. Bray Memorial Bridge" in Jasper County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1566 (2024), provisions in HB 1662 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

CITY MARSHAL LEONARD S RICH MEMORIAL BRIDGE (Section 227.849)

This act designates "City Marshal Leonard S Rich Memorial Bridge" in Jasper County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1566 (2024), provisions in HB 1662 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

SGT SCOTT ARNER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.851)

This act designates "SGT Scott Arner Memorial Highway" in Jasper County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1566 (2024), provisions in HB 1662 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

CITY MARSHAL MELVIN STILES MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.852)

This act designates "City Marshal Melvin Stiles Memorial Highway" in Jasper County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1566 (2024), provisions in HB 1662 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

POW/MIA SSG PAUL HASENBECK MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.854)

This act designates "POW/MIA SSG Paul Hasenbeck Memorial Highway" in Osage County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SCS/SB 912 (2024), provisions in SCS/SBs 1067, 1308, & 1303 (2024), HB 1908 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

US ARMY SPC4 JAMES W CAHALL MEMORIAL BRIDGE (Section 227.856)

This act designates "US Army SPC4 James W Cahall Memorial Bridge" in Audrain County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 2162 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

SP4 FORREST P DICKEY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.861)

This act designates "SP4 Forrest P Dickey Memorial Highway" in Ray County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 2639 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

CW2 RUSTEN SMITH MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.863)

This act designates "CW2 Rusten Smith Memorial Highway" in Phelps County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 2653 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

SGT NORBERT OVERKAMP JR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.864)

This act designates "SGT Norbert Overkamp Jr Memorial Highway" in Montgomery County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 2662 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

POW/MIA THOMAS HUNT MEMORIAL BRIDGE (Section 227.865)

This act designates "POW/MIA Thomas Hunt Memorial Bridge" in Shannon County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

PATROLMAN LANE BURNS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.867)

This act designates "Patrolman Lane Burns Memorial Highway" in Jasper County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

DILLARD FAMILY HIGHWAY (Section 227.869)

This act designates "Dillard Family Highway" in Dent County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations.

These provisions are identical to HB 2878 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

GUNNERY SERGEANT KENNETH D WARREN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.870)

This act designates "Gunnery Sergeant Kenneth D Warren Memorial Highway" in Lincoln and Pike Counties. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

HISTORIC LEGACY TRAILS OF MISSOURI (Section 620.471)

This act designates certain trails as "Historic Legacy Trails of Missouri". The Department of Economic Development shall place at least two signs along each trail, denoting the trail's status as a historic legacy trail.

These provisions are similar to HB 1934 (2024), and identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

ERIC VANDER WEERD

HA 1 - SPECIFIES THAT A PLAQUE SHALL BE PLACED ON THE PERMANENT HEADQUARTERS OF THE LAND SURVEY PROGRAM, WITH INSTALLATION COSTS TO BE PAID BY THE STATE, AND MODIFIES THE BUILDING'S DESIGNATION TO INCLUDE THE DESIGNEE'S NICKNAME

HA 2 - DESIGNATES "DEPUTY MARSHAL DAVID THURMAN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" IN MCDONALD COUNTY, WITH COSTS TO BE PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

HA 3 - DESIGNATES "SSG RONALD C. BLYSTONE MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" IN GREENE COUNTY, WITH COSTS TO BE PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

HA 1 to HA 3 - DESIGNATES "US NAVY ENS PAUL C PHIFER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" IN POLK COUNTY, WITH COSTS TO BE PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

HA 2 to HA 3 - DESIGNATES "DILLARD FAMILY HIGHWAY" IN DENT COUNTY, WITH COSTS TO BE PAID BY PRIVATE DONATIONS

HA 3 to HA 3 - DESIGNATES "WWII ROBERT EARL SAULS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" IN JACKSON COUNTY, WITH COSTS TO BE PAID BY PRIVATE DONATIONS

HA 4 to HA 3 - DESIGNATES "OFFICER CODY ALLEN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" I LAFAYETTE COUNTY, WITH COSTS TO BE PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

This act is identical to HB 2442 (2024).

JOSH NORBERG

This act is identical to SCS/SB 443 (2023) and similar to SB 794 (2022), HB 2440 (2022), and SB 357 (2021), and provisions in HB 2704 (2022) and HB 2723 (2020).

SARAH HASKINS

Additionally, in custody cases where a court finds each parent to be unfit, unsuitable, or unable to be a custodian and the court determines that custody, temporary custody, or visitation with a third person is in the best interests of the child, the court shall notify the child's relatives, within the third degree, and any persons with whom the child has resided within 5 years that such persons may intervene to seek third party custody, temporary custody, or visitation, if such persons are not already a party to the action. Any person may petition the court to intervene as a party of interest at any time and the court shall allow such intervention as a matter of right. Priority and preference for third party custody shall be given as set forth in the act.

No order denying third party contact with a child shall be entered by the court against a third party who has not been made a party to the action unless the court finds that the third party may not be found and joined as a party.

This act modifies the definition of "relocation" of a child in a custody arrangement to include the permanent transfer of custody of a child under a court order. In cases involving a proposed permanent transfer of custody to a third party, the legal custodian shall give notice of the proposed change in residence or location of the child to any noncustodial parent whose last known address is on record with the court, as provided for in the act. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be provided at least 60 days in advance of the proposed transfer. The notice shall not include the actual address to which the child shall be relocated, but shall include information on the noncustodial parent's right to intervene and seek custody of the child. After August 28, 2024, every court order establishing or modifying custody shall include the addresses of the legal custodians and noncustodial parents, as specified in the act.

Current law requires each party in a child custody proceeding to give information as to the child's residences over the prior five years. Under this act, any person who knowingly, purposefully, or intentionally fails to give accurate, full, and complete information shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and shall be reported to the local prosecuting or circuit attorney.

Under current law, any person may file a petition for appointment as guardian of a minor. This act requires that the minor not be currently subject to a prior custody order. Petitions shall include information about the minor's residences over the prior five years. Notice of the guardianship petition shall be given to persons identified as having physical custody of the minor over the prior five years and each of these persons shall have the right to intervene and seek guardianship of the minor. Failure to give notice shall be grounds to set aside the guardianship appointment. Priority and preference in the award of guardianship to a third party shall be given as specified in the act.

This act is identical to SB 314 (2023) and SB 857 (2022) and substantially similar to SB 274 (2021).

SARAH HASKINS

ECONOMIC BOYCOTTS (Section 34.650)

Under this act, public entities are prohibited from entering into certain contracts with a company unless the contract includes a written certification that the company is not currently engaged in, and agrees for the duration of the contract not to engage in, any kind of economic boycott, as that term is defined in the act. Any contract failing to comply with the provisions of this act shall be void against public policy.

Provisions are included allowing the Attorney General to enforce this act. A company that enters into a contract with a public entity that is subject to this act and engages in any economic boycott during the term of the contract shall be obligated to pay damages to the state in an amount equal to three times all monies paid to the company under the contract. Additionally, any person injured as a result of any violation or threatened violation of this act may bring a cause of action in Cole County Circuit Court and shall be entitled to injunctive relief as well as damages, including costs and attorney fees.

This act does not apply to contracts with a total potential value of less than $100,000 or to contractors with fewer than 10 employees.

This provision is identical to SB 430 (2023) and substantially similar to SB 1061 (2024).

UNLAWFUL BUSINESS PRACTICES - DEI CLASSIFICATIONS (Section 431.205)

The act also creates unlawful business practices relating to DEI classifications. A DEI classification is defined as race, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity.

Pursuant to the act, it is an unlawful business practice for any private business, in entering into, maintaining, or seeking to establish contractual relations with any other private business to:

· Fail or refuse to enter into a contract, maintain a contract, or entertain bids or offers to contract, based, in whole or in part, on the fact that the other private business: (a) does not provide information or data, or does not provide sufficient information or data, about the extent to which its workforce or ownership exhibit particular DEI classifications; or (b) Fails to satisfy any rule, standard, policy, goal, aspiration, or preference, whether express or implied, regarding the extent to which its workforce, managers, executives, or ownership exhibit or claim to exhibit particular DEI classifications.

· Consider, including as one criterion among many other criteria, whether or not it is treated as a dispositive criterion in making a decision, and whether or not it is part of an express or implied scoring or grading system: (a) Whether the owners, controllers, officers, or employees of another private business exhibit or claim to exhibit particular DEI classifications; or (b) Whether another private business has adopted or endorsed any particular policy or practice that promotes the hiring and promotion of employees based on the fact that those employees or prospective employees exhibit or claim to exhibit particular DEI classifications;

· Require or suggest that individuals exhibiting particular DEI classifications, because of their DEI classifications, work on the contract or have particular roles in performing the contract, or to require or suggest that a particular quota or percentage of individuals working on the performance of a contract exhibit one or more particular DEI classifications; and

· Require or suggest that any other contracting party provide data regarding the extent to which its workforce, managers, executives, or ownership exhibit or claim to exhibit particular DEI classifications.

A civil action for violation of this provision may be brought within two years after the alleged unlawful business practice occurred or after its reasonable discovery by the alleged injured party. In any civil action brought pursuant to this act, the plaintiff shall bear the burden of proving the alleged unlawful practice was the direct proximate cause of the claimed damages. The court may award certain fees, damages, and court costs as described in the act.

The act additionally empowers the Attorney General to issue a civil investigative demand or bring a civil action in the Cole County Circuit Court seeking appropriate remedies if there is reasonable cause to believe that any private business or group of private businesses is engaged in an unlawful business

practice prohibited by this provision.

This act contains various exemptions.

SCOTT SVAGERA

Additionally, this act repeals provisions of current law prohibiting the Administrative Hearing Commission from granting certain stay orders without prior certification in writing from the appropriate federal agency that federal financial participation will be continued under the stay order.

SARAH HASKINS

This act is identical to HB 422 (2023).

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

This act is identical to SB 803 (2024), a provision in SS#2/SB 872 (2024), SB 947 (2024), SB 1316 (2024), a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 1746 (2024), SB 152 (2023), and substantially similar to the truly agreed to and finally passed HB 2057 (2024), HCS/HB 2058 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2206 (2024), HB 2281 (2024), a provision in HCS/SS/SB 222 (2023), HCS/SB 275 (2023), SB 299 (2023), HCS/HB 536 (2023), HCS/HBs 651, 479 & 647 (2023), and SCS/SB 1232 (2022).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

This act is similar to provisions in SB 1002 (2024), SB 1085 (2024), HB 1424 (2024), SB 201 (2023), SB 646 (2022), SB 693 (2022), SCS/SBs 702, 636, 651 & 693 (2022), SB 740 (2022), SB 1203 (2022), and SB 1207 (2022).

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is identical to SS/SB 304 (2023).

CHARTER SCHOOLS (Sections 160.400, 160.422, and 160.425)

Under this act, charter schools may be operated in any school district located in Boone County or St. Charles County.

Procedures relating to changes in a school district's accreditation status that affect charter schools are repealed under this act.

Under this act, St. Louis City shall not adopt, enforce, impose, or administer an ordinance, local policy, or local resolution that prohibits property sold, leased, or transferred by the city from being used for any lawful education purpose by a charter school.

St. Louis City may not impose, enforce, or apply any deed restriction that expressly, or by its operation, prohibits property sold, leased, or transferred by the city from being used for any lawful educational purpose by a charter school.

If St. Louis City offers property of the city for sale, lease, or rent, St. Louis shall not refuse to sell, lease, or rent to a charter school solely because the charter school intends to use the property for an educational purpose.

Any deeds that have been executed and recorded prior to the effective date of this act shall be exempt from this provision.

These provisions are similar to SB 1123 (2024), HB 1764 (2024), a provision in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), SB 650 (2022), HCS/HB 137 (2021), HB 322 (2021), HB 729 (2021), SB 315 (2021), provisions in SCS/SB 55, 25, & 23 (2021), SB 649 (2020), SB 603 (2020), HB 1917 (2020), SS#2/SCS/SB 292 (2019), SCS/HB 485 (2019), and is similar to HCS/HB 581 (2019), SB 51 (2019), SCS/SB 271 (2019), HCS/HB 924 (2019), HCS/SS/SB 218 (2019).

LOCAL CONTROL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND ASSESSMENT OF SCHOOLS (Sections 160.518, 160.522, 161.062, and 163.201)

This act provides for the designation of local control school districts that are exempt from certain assessment, data reporting, and performance reporting requirements. The act also modifies provisions relating to the statewide assessment system, school accountability report cards, the powers and duties of the State Board of Education, and the designation of option districts.

These provisions are identical to SS/SCS/SB 85 (2023).

STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (Section 160.518)

The act repeals provisions of current law that authorize the State Board of Education to develop a statewide assessment system and a standardized assessment instrument based on academic performance standards. Instead, the State Board shall develop an assessment system that satisfies the requirements of federal law, and the State Board shall use the results of the assessments only for the purpose of compliance with federal law and the determination of performance districts in the calculation of state aid. The State Board shall ensure that standardized assessments are administered to the minimum extent necessary to comply with federal law. The State Board shall not use assessment results to classify school districts and charter schools.

The act repeals a provision of current law that the statewide assessment system shall permit the academic performance of students in each school to be tracked only against prior academic performance in the same school.

Under the act, school districts and charter schools shall create local assessments that reflect statewide academic standards. The assessments shall meet certain criteria outlined in the act. Local assessments and assessment systems shall be developed by teachers and school administrators working individually, in grade teams, in discipline teams, and with the community.

The act repeals provisions of law relating to the State Board's authority to suggest criteria for a school to demonstrate that its students learn the knowledge, skills, and competencies measured by the statewide assessment system at exemplary levels. The act further repeals provisions relating to "Outstanding School Waivers" that exempt certain schools from meeting requirements related to the authority of the State Board to classify school districts.

This provision is identical to a provision in SS/SCS/SB 85 (2023).

SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARDS (Section 160.522)

The act repeals provisions of law authorizing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to produce a school accountability report card for each public school district, public school building, and charter school in the state. Under the act, districts and charter schools shall report certain accountability data annually to parents, community members, and the media.

The act repeals provisions of law relating to the identification of priority schools that fail to meet acceptable standards of student achievement set by the State Board of Education. The act also repeals provisions relating to the identification of attendance centers that are categorized as requiring school improvement strategies.

The act repeals the requirement for school districts and charter schools to provide their school accountability report cards to legislators by December first annually, as well as the requirement for the State Board of Education to approve the inclusion of charter school data in a school district's school accountability report card.

This provision is identical to a provision in SS/SCS/SB 85 (2023).

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Section 161.092)

The act provides that the State Board of Education shall identify a minimum of two national school accreditation agencies from which any district may seek to obtain accreditation. Any district accredited by at least one of these agencies shall be considered to be fully accredited for all legal purposes. A district that is accredited by one of these agencies shall not be subject to the State Board's authority to classify the public schools of the state, establish requirements for the schools of each class, and formulate rules governing the inspection and accreditation of schools.

The act repeals a provision of law enabling an accredited district to propose alternative criteria to become classified as accredited with distinction.

The act specifies that no assessment data shall be used in determining State Board classification.

This provision is identical to a provision in SS/SCS/SB 85 (2023).

OPTION DISTRICTS (163.042)

The act repeals provisions of law authorizing the designation of option districts that may forgo state aid in exchange for waivers from certain requirements related to the authority of the State Board of Education to classify school districts.

This provision is identical to a provision in SS/SCS/SB 85 (2023).

LOCAL CONTROL SCHOOL DISTRICTS (Section 163.201)

Any public school district or public charter school may become designated as a local control school district by certifying to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in writing that it intends to be designated as a local control school district pursuant to the provisions of the act.

A local control school district shall not be required to participate in the Missouri school improvement program; annual performance reviews conducted by the Department; the requirement to develop and report standards of teaching to the Department; or the maintaining of a school improvement plan in any format provided by or approved by the Department. A local control school district shall not be assigned an accreditation classification by the State Board of Education, but shall be considered as accredited for all legal purposes.

A local control school district shall further have the ability to develop and implement a local assessment system. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall not advise or incentivize the adoption of any curriculum resources, software programs, or assessments purchased from commercial vendors. Assessment items shall not be developed from materials provided to the district or teachers by entities that have not been formally reviewed and adopted by the district's board of education. Local control school districts may form a consortium without the approval of the State Board of Education for the purpose of developing, reporting, or purchasing assessments in their district assessment plans.

The act requires a local control school district to store all district data on servers secured according to industry standards. A local control school district may share only aggregated data, and not any personally identifiable information, as defined in the act, with any external parties, including public agencies and private vendors.

A local control school district may continue to receive state funding through the foundation formula. A local control school district may apply for state and federal grants and shall be considered for such grants without prejudice or penalty.

This provision is identical to a provision in SS/SCS/SB 85 (2023).

This act is identical to SS/SB 304 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 905 (2024), the perfected SS/SB 82 (2023), and the perfected HCS/HB 719 (2023).

Under this act, all county and city jails shall be prohibited, except in extraordinary circumstances, from using restrains on a pregnant offender in her third trimester, including during transportation or labor, delivery, and 48 hours post-delivery. Pregnant offenders shall be transported in vehicles equipped with seatbelts. In cases of extraordinary circumstances requiring restraints to be used, the sheriff or jailer shall document in writing within 48 hours of the incident the reasons for the restraints used, as specified in the act.

If restraints are used, they shall be the least restrictive available and the most reasonable under the circumstances. No leg, ankle, or waist restraints or mechanical restraints shall be used and any wrist restraints used shall be placed in front of the offender's body.

Jails shall offer staff training on the provisions of this act and inform offenders of policies and practices developed under this act.

By January 1, 2025, all county and city jails shall develop specific procedures for intake and care of pregnant offenders, including maternal health evaluations, dietary supplements, nutritious meals, substance abuse treatment, HIV treatment, hepatitis C, sleeping arrangements, mental health; sanitary materials; postpartum recovery, and a requirement that a female medical professional be present during examinations.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 905 (2024) and HCS/SS/SB 900 (2024) and substantially similar to provisions in SCS/SB 803 (2018), HB 1002 (2017), and SB 180 (2017).

SARAH HASKINS

The act provides that scholarship funds may be used to cover up to 100% of the cost of tuition, university-charged fees, and other costs directly associated with teacher preparation, as approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The number of years a student may receive a scholarship is reduced from four to two years. The number of students who may receive a scholarship is increased from 100 to 200 in the 2025-26 academic year, with 20 more students being added in each subsequent year until 2030-31 and all subsequent academic years, when 300 students may receive scholarships.

Scholarship recipients after June 30, 2025, shall sign a statement that they have made a good faith effort to secure all available federal sources of grant funding.

The act a repeals a provision that a student must have attended a Missouri high school in order to be eligible for a scholarship.

To be eligible for a scholarship, recipients shall sign an agreement to student teach at, apply for, interview for, and accept a position, if offered, in a Missouri public school that is a hard-to-staff school or to teach at least one hard-to-staff subject area in a Missouri public school, or both, for two years for every one year the recipient receives a scholarship. The act defines a "hard-to-staff school" as an attendance center where the percentage of certificated positions that were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year exceeds 5% as reported to the Department. A "hard-to-staff subject area" is defined as a content area for which positions were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year.

The scholarships provided in the act shall be available to students who have successfully completed 48 credit hours at an institution of higher education.

The act modifies the interest rate paid by scholarship recipients who do not follow through on their agreement to teach in a hard-to-staff subject or school and must therefore repay their scholarship award as a loan.

An individual who has qualified as an eligible student under the act shall continue to qualify as an eligible student as long as he or she remains employed by the school district in which he or she agreed to teach, regardless of whether his or her employing school no longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff school, the class he or she teaches longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff subject area, or his or her position within the school district changes.

This act is similar to HB 2092 (2024), HB 2335 (2024), and to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this act increases the minimum teacher's salary from $25,000 to $38,000. For teachers with a master's degree and at least ten years of experience, this act increases the minimum salary from $33,000 to $44,000 for the 2025-26 school year and further increases such salary by $1,000 each year until the 2027-28 school year, when the minimum shall be $46,000.

By November 15th of each year, the Commissioner of Education shall present to the Joint Committee on Education information concerning the average Missouri teacher's salary, regional average salaries, and national average salaries. The Joint Committee shall, no later than January 1st of each year, recommend to the House Budget Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee the amount of money that should be appropriated in order to adequately fund public school teachers' salaries.

The act creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund" and "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" for the purpose of increasing minimum teacher's salaries. The General Assembly may appropriate moneys to the Fund, provided that the total amount appropriated shall not exceed the amount necessary to assist each school district in increasing minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. For the 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28 school years, each school district may apply to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for a grant from the Fund, provided that a grant shall not exceed 70% of the amount necessary for a district to increase minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. The remaining 30% of the amount necessary to increase minimum teacher's salaries shall be allocated from the district's local effort funding as provided in current law.

This provision shall expire on December 31, 2028.

This provision is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), in SB 415 (2023), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

The act also repeals a provision of current law that teachers' Career Ladder responsibilities and career efforts shall be required to occur outside of compensated hours.

This provision is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

Designated health care decision-makers may be selected from the following persons listed by priority:

(1) The spouse of the patient;

(2) An adult child of the patient;

(3) A parent of the patient;

(4) An adult sibling of the patient;

(5) A grandparent or adult grandchild;

(6) The niece or nephew or the next nearest relative;

(7) A religious person who is a member of the patient's community;

(8) Any nonrelative with a close personal relationship who is familiar with the patient's values; or

(9) A person unanimously agree upon by those in the priority list.

Priority shall not be given to those listed if abuse or neglect is reported, the person with priority cannot be reached by the physician, or if the probate court finds that the person with priority is making decisions contrary to the patient's instructions. Furthermore, this act does not prevent any person interested in the patient's welfare, a health care provider, or a health care facility from petitioning the probate court for the appointment of a guardian.

Additionally, this act provides that a designated health care decision-maker shall make reasonable efforts to obtain information regarding the patient's health preferences and make decisions in the patient's best interests. Additionally, a designated health care decision-maker may only authorize the withdrawal or withholding of nutrition or hydration supplied through either natural or artificial means in certain situations as specified in the act.

Once a health care decision-maker or physician believes that the patient is no longer incapacitated then the patient shall be reexamined. If the patient's physician determines that the patient is no longer incapacitated, then the physician shall certify the decision and the basis therefor in the patient's medical record and shall notify the patient, the designated health care decision-maker, and the person who initiated the redetermination of capacity. Rights of the designated health care decision-maker shall cease upon the physician's certification that the patient is no longer incapacitated.

This act further provides that no health care provider or health care facility that makes reasonable efforts to locate and communicate with potential designated health care decision-makers shall be held liable for the effort to identify and communicate with a potential designated health care decision-maker.

Additionally, a health care provider or health care facility may decline to comply with the decision of a health care decision-maker if the decision is contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of the provider or facility. If a health care provider declines to comply with a health care decision of the designated health care decision-maker, no health care provider or health care facility shall impede the transfer of the patient to another provider or facility willing to comply with the health care decision.

Nothing in this act shall be construed as condoning, authorizing, or approving euthanasia or mercy killing, or as permitting any affirmative or deliberate act to end a person's life.

This act is substantially similar to HCS/HB 2502 (2016) and is similar to HCS/HB 144 (2017), the perfected HCS/HB 381 (2017), SB 493 (2017), and SB 493 (2016).

KATIE O'BRIEN

This act shall not be construed to authorize a child to be absent from school in violation of the requirements of state law or regulations or policies of the State Board of Education, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or a local school board. Additionally, nothing in this act shall be construed to preclude the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations from issuing a work certificate as evidence of age upon the request of a child who represents to be under 18 years of age or an employer who wishes to employ a child who represents to be under 18 years of age.

Additional new provisions are created, substantially replicating current law, regulating the manner in which a child may be employed in the entertainment industry, as that term is defined in the act.

This act is identical to SCS/SB 175 (2023), substantially similar to HCS/HB 1795 (2024) and HB 2271 (2024), and similar to SCS/SB 809 (2022).

SCOTT SVAGERA

CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN TAX CREDIT

Current law authorizes a tax credit for contributions made to CASAs, child advocacy centers, and crisis care centers, as such terms are defined in the act, with such tax credit equal to fifty percent of the contribution. For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, this act increases the tax credit to seventy percent of the contribution.

Additionally, the current maximum amount of tax credits that may be authorized for contributions made to qualified agencies shall not exceed $1.5 million. For all fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2024, this act provides that the amount of tax credits that may be authorized by the act in a fiscal year shall not be limited.

This act changes the sunset date from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2030, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. (Section 135.341)

This provision is identical to SB 1174 (2024), HB 2101 (2024), SB 662 (2023), and HB 1343 (2023), and is substantially similar to HB 1973 (2024) and HB 2629 (2024), and to a provision in HCS/SS#2/SB 862 (2024) and HCS/HB 1935 (2024).

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING RECRUITMENT ACT

This act establishes the "Missouri Advanced Manufacturing Recruitment Act".

For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, this act authorizes a tax credit for qualified manufacturing capital investments made in this state by qualified manufacturing companies, as defined in the act. The tax credit shall not exceed twenty percent of such investment, and shall not exceed the least amount necessary to obtain the qualified manufacturing company's commitment to initiate the project. A qualified manufacturing capital investment is defined as an expenditure on property that is depreciable pursuant to federal law. To be eligible for the tax credit, a qualified manufacturing company shall make a qualified manufacturing capital investment of at least $1 billion and create at least 500 new jobs.

Tax credits authorized pursuant to this act shall be refundable and may be transferred, sold, or assigned. The total amount of tax credits authorized pursuant to this act in any given calendar year shall not exceed $200 million.

Qualified manufacturing companies that are awarded tax credits pursuant to the act shall receive such tax credits in four separate equal installments, with each installment awarded for each quarter of the total qualified manufacturing capital investment made.

Qualified manufacturing companies shall apply to the Department of Economic Development to receive tax credits. Upon approval of a notice of intent, the qualified manufacturing company and the Department shall enter into an agreement specifying the number of new jobs, payroll, and new qualified manufacturing capital investment for each year during the project period; clawback provisions, as described in the act; and any other provisions required by the Department.

In evaluating an application for tax credits, the Department shall consider the significance of the qualified manufacturing company's need for tax credits; the amount of projected economic impact to the state; the size and quality of the proposed project; the financial stability and creditworthiness of the qualified manufacturing company; the level of economic distress in the area; and the competitiveness of alternative locations for the project.

Upon entering into an agreement with the Department, a qualified manufacturing company shall have three years to make twenty-five percent of the qualified manufacturing capital investment. If such investment is not made, the agreement shall be void.

The Department shall verify with applicable state agencies that a qualified manufacturing company does not owe any delinquent income, sales, or use tax or interest or penalties on such taxes, or any delinquent fees or assessments levied by any other state agency. Tax credits issued to a qualified manufacturing company shall offset any such delinquencies and penalties, as described in the act.

The Department shall submit quarterly reports to the General Assembly detailing tax credits approved pursuant to the act.

This act shall sunset on December 31, 2030, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. (Section 620.040)

JOSH NORBERG

This act is identical to HB 2105 (2024) and to provisions in HCS/SB 155 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

A company or political subdivision that enters into a contract with or is issued or awarded a grant, a tax credit, bonding authority, training resources, or access to government programs or other financial benefits from the state and thereafter makes reimbursements to an employee for the purpose of having an abortion shall immediately have any such contract terminated and shall return any funds received from the state in full.

The Attorney General is permitted to enforce this act by filing an action in circuit court. The court may award injunctive relief and order the repayment of funds if it finds in favor of the state.

This act only applies to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2025.

This act is identical to SB 594 (2023).

SCOTT SVAGERA

This act also modifies the definition of "weighted average daily attendance" as used in the public school funding formula by multiplying .25 by the higher of the current law definition of free and reduced price lunch pupil count that exceeds the free and reduced price lunch threshold or the Census Bureau poverty pupil count, as defined in the act.

This act is identical to SB 17 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is identical to SB 246 (2023), SB 661 (2022), and SB 166 (2021) and is similar to a provision in HCS/SCS/SB 982 (2022).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Current law states that a special administrative board for a school district shall have no fewer than 5 members. Under this act, such board shall have 7 members, 4 of whom shall be residents of the district. Each member of the board shall serve for 3 years, and the qualifications of the members are listed in the act.

The special administrative board shall meet at least once per month and each member shall receive a salary of $500 a month.

Within 15 days after the vote to appoint a member to the special administrative board, if a member of the Missouri House of Representatives whose district touches the school district, in whole or in part, submits a request to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the appointment shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

The members of the district's elected school board shall be ex-officio non-voting members of the special administrative board. The act repeals a provision allowing the State Board of Education to appoint members of the district's elected board to the special administrative board.

Upon failure of the school district to be classified as provisionally or fully accredited for at least two successive academic years, the State Board of Education shall require the special administrative board to establish a specific plan and timeline for achieving accreditation and require the special administrative board to appoint a new superintendent of the school district every 3 years.

A special administrative board may be extended for no more than 3 years after its expiration date by the State Board of Education. Governance of the school district shall be returned to the elected school board upon the expiration of the authority of the special administrative board.

The act repeals a provision of law that allows the State Board of Education to appoint additional members to any special administrative board and set final terms of office for members of such board. Finally, no later than 6 full school years following appointment of the special administrative board, any district operating under the governance of a special administrative board shall return to local governance.

This act is identical to SB 272 (2023), SB 951 (2022), and HB 1774 (2022), and is similar to HB 1646 (2024) and HB 63 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON