Tracking List: Education Policy

HB1722 - Rep. Richard West (R) - Modifies the election date, terms of office, and term limits for members of school boards

Summary:

Currently, elections for school board members are held on either the general municipal election day or a day specified in the county charter. Such offices are for terms ranging from three years to six years, depending on the district.

This bill requires such elections beginning in 2028 to be held at the November general election and makes school board terms two years, with no member serving more than eight years total.

This bill also requires school board elections to be partisan and that board members of the special school district can serve a four-year term, rather than the current three-year term.

This bill is similar to HB 539 (2025) and HB 2536 (2024).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB1744 - Rep. Scott Miller (R) - Establishes a quality control committee for oversight and enacts education reforms

Summary:

This bill defines "educational entity" to include charter, public, private, home school, FPE school, virtual schools, and early childhood education services and "Key performance indicators" (KPI) as an indicators of success including, but not limited to, such accomplishments for graduates as showing up on time, being respectful and kind, and demonstration of initiative.

The bill defines the mission of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to produce graduates who contribute positively to the economy and their communities and provides that all educational entities in the State share the mission. Entities must demonstrate the state mission in curricula and graduation requirements.

High school graduates must meet all KPIs before receiving a diploma or high school equivalency certificate. The bill outlines duties that DESE has in connection with the implementation of a quality control system, policies and procedures for project implementation, and ensures that each educational entity providing early childhood education demonstrates KPI's into curricula and graduation requirements, among other duties outlined in the bill.

The bill establishes in the Secretary of State's office the "Quality Control Committee for Oversight", comprised of nine members from specified departments, a State Representative appointed by the Speaker of the House, and a State Senator appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate. The terms of members and duties of the committee are outlined in the bill. The committee can establish a working group to assist the committee, comprised of full-time employees.

Duties of the committee in relation to DESE's mission and the KPIs are provided in the bill and include responsibilities such as adjudicating challenges to school board rulings on courses offered and to challenge courses offered or actions taken by educational entities.

The office of the Secretary of State must hold DESE responsible for graduates who fail to meet KPIs during school and up to five years after high school graduation; hold DESE and educational entities accountable for students failing to graduate on schedule, and hold parents accountable for students who cause repeated disruptions. The funding for the committee will be provided by an appropriation of money that was originally allocated for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

This bill is similar to HB 1510 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB1748 - Rep. Scott Miller (R) - Adds provisions including gifted education pupil count for purposes of funding schools through the foundation formula

Summary:

For purposes of school funding, this bill defines "gifted education pupil count", as the number of pupils who qualify as gifted, as gifted children are defined in Section 162.675, RSMo, and who are enrolled and have participated in a State-approved gifted education program provided by the school district by June 1st of the immediately preceding school year.

Beginning on July 1, 2027, State funding for public schools will include in the calculation for weighted average daily attendance and weighted membership, the product of six-tenths multiplied by the number of the district's gifted education pupil count.

This bill is similar to HB 1473 (2025).

Last Action:

01/15/2026

H - Public hearing completed - House-Elementary and Secondary Education

HB1767 - Rep. Ed Lewis (R) - Enacts the Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act

Summary:

This bill establishes the "Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act" which recognizes the profound effect parents and teachers have on the educational success of Missouri's children and the important role that education plays in our preservation of rights and liberties.

The bill also includes the "Parents' Bill of Rights" and the "Educators' Bill of Rights", which outline specific rights for parents of school children including but not limited to: having knowledge of what is being taught; viewing, and upon request, receiving copies of school records; and being informed about the child's safety. Educator rights include, but are not limited to: freedom from student abuse; classroom preparation time during contract hours; and to teach in a safe, secure, and orderly environment.

The bill requires school districts and charter schools in the State to develop policies and procedures to foster and maintain collaboration between parents and teachers and enumerate parental rights and educator rights.

Policies include notification to parents of serious disciplinary incidents and procedures for parental visits during school hours. Additionally, the bill provides that policies and procedures be published on the school website and teachers, school administrators, parents, and students be informed of their rights.

The bill outlines a student code of conduct that will set forth expectations for behavior consistent with ethical responsibility, community standards, and respect for school authority. The code of conduct must include: high expectations of personal responsibility; encouraging students to uphold traditional values such as honesty, diligence, and civility; measures to address and correct disruptive behavior; and clearly prohibit any policy or program that differentiates treatment of students primarily on the basis of race or other immutable characteristics, ensuring that all disciplinary measures are applied equally and fairly to every student.

School counselors and other qualified personnel must offer interventions that emphasize respect for others, problem solving, and perseverance. School boards and charter schools must adopt board policies by the beginning of the 2027-28 school year, as outlined in the bill.

The bill requires that schools must make efforts to facilitate parental engagement through regular communication, opportunities for parents to review the policy handbook, and the provision of resources that support ethical responsibility and community standards at home. Schools also must ensure that teachers and staff are trained to maintain order, encourage compliance, foster civility, and encourage personal responsibility.

This bill is similar to HCS HB 1287 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB1784 - Rep. John Voss (R) - Changes the definition of "qualified student" for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program

Summary:

This bill modifies the definition of a "qualified student" for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship program.

Currently, an elementary or secondary school student who is a resident of the state can qualify if he or she is a member of a household whose total annual income does not exceed an amount equal to 300% of the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced price lunches and he or she: attended a public school for one semester during the previous 12 months, is eligible to begin kindergarten or 1st grade, or is a sibling of a scholarship recipient.

This bill allows an elementary or secondary school student who is a resident of the state to qualify if he or she is a member of a household whose total annual income does not exceed an amount equal to 300% of the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced price lunches, without the additional requirements described above.

This bill is similar to HB 519 (2025) and HB 1801(2026).

Last Action:

01/22/2026

H - Referred to committee - House-Elementary and Secondary Education

HB1801 - Rep. Mark Matthiesen (R) - Changes the definition of "qualified student" for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program

Summary:

This bill modifies the definition of a "qualified student" for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship program.

Currently, an elementary or secondary school student who is a resident of the state can qualify for the program if he or she is a member of a household whose total annual income does not exceed an amount equal to 300% of the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced price lunches and he or she: attended a public school for one semester during the previous 12 months, is eligible to begin kindergarten or 1st grade, or is a sibling of a scholarship recipient.

This bill allows an elementary or secondary school student who is a resident of the state to qualify if he or she is a member of a household whose total annual income does not exceed an amount equal to 300% of the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced price lunches, without the additional requirements described above.

This bill is similar to HB 1784 (2026) and HB 519 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB1922 - Rep. Marty Joe Murray (D) - Authorizes income tax deductions for educators and first responders

Summary:

For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, this bill authorizes a tax deduction in the amount of 100% of unreimbursed educator expenses incurred by an eligible educator, not to exceed $500.

"Eligible educator" and "educator expenses" are defined in the bill.

For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, this bill authorizes a tax deduction for income received as salary or compensation for service as a first responder, not to exceed $500.

"First responder" is defined in the bill.

This bill is similar to SB 12 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2126 - Rep. Brad Banderman (R) - Modifies provisions governing school administrator evaluations and contracts

Summary:

This bill defines "building-level administrator" as a school official who supervises or evaluates other licensed staff. The bill provides schools with direction on contracts for building- level administrators, including contract renewal and nonrenewal notice by March 1st in the year the contract would expire. An administrator whose contract is renewed must accept or reject the contract within 15 business days after receiving the contract.

Administrator contracts cannot be nonrenewed without having at least one evaluation and building-level administrators that have been in the district for at least five years must be provided with written cause for a nonrenewal. Cause for nonrenewal includes unsatisfactory performance on an annual evaluation, violation of school policy or state law, or conduct detrimental to the operation of the school.

An administrator with five years of service in the district or any administrator dismissed during an active contract term that receives a nonrenewal has specified due process rights, as outlined in the bill, including the right to a hearing and an appeal.

This bill is similar to HCS HB 1365 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2129 - Rep. Mark Boyko (D) - Modifies provisions governing charter school compliance with educational requirements

Summary:

This bill expands current requirements for charter schools to include additional requirements currently applicable to school districts, specifically:

(1) Student participation in moderate physical activity;

(2) Youth sports brain injury prevention;

(3) Observation of Veterans Day;

(4) Providing access to military recruiters;

(5) Meeting the minimum school term; and

(6) Adopting prevailing wage requirements for school construction projects.

This bill is similar to HB 889 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2130 - Rep. Mark Boyko (D) - Changes the definition of a "qualified school" for purposes of the Missouri empowerment scholarship accounts program

Summary:

This bill modifies the definition of "qualified school" for the purposes of the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program.

The bill requires charter schools, private schools, and public schools to meet certain requirements in order to be considered qualified schools for the program. Under the bill, qualified schools must follow the minimum school term provisions established by law, provide dyslexia assessments, have students participate in moderate physical activity, conduct youth sports brain injury prevention, observe Veterans Day, provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction, display the United States flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, provide access to official recruiting representatives of the military, set an opening school term date as provided by law, and follow prevailing wage requirements for school construction projects.

This bill is similar to HB 812 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2154 - Rep. Josh Hurlbert (R) - Enacts provisions governing adult student access to virtual schools

Summary:

This bill provides adults over 21 years of age without a high school diploma or equivalence certificate with the opportunity to enroll in a state-approved virtual course or full-time virtual program offered by the adult student's resident district or public institution of higher education.

The bill allows the adult student to enroll in the Missouri course access and virtual school program established under Section 161.670, RSMo. Program providers will receive a monthly payment from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in an amount equal to 14% of the state adequacy target for each successfully passed course, provided that the state money is in excess of the constitutionally required minimum public school funding. Districts will not be responsible for reporting adult student's information as required under sections 160.522 or 161.670.

This bill is similar to HCS HB 1516 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Referred to committee - House-Elementary and Secondary Education

HB2158 - Rep. Josh Hurlbert (R) - Modifies provisions of the "Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program" tax credit

Summary:

Currently, a taxpayer who makes a qualifying contribution to an educational assistance organization can carry the tax credit forward to any of the taxpayer's four subsequent tax years.

Beginning January 1, 2027, this bill allows a taxpayer carry the tax credit back to the taxpayer's immediately prior tax year.

This bill is similar to HB 568 (2025).

Last Action:

01/12/2026

H - Referred to committee - House-Elementary and Secondary Education

HB2185 - Rep. Ian Mackey (D) - Modifies provisions governing qualified students who receive Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program grants

Summary:

This bill modifies definitions for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship program to include in the definition of qualified students those students that are enrolled in a early childhood education program and allows for scholarships granted under the program to be expended for early childhood education programs at a qualified school.

This bill is similar to HB 1338 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2197 - Rep. Martin Jacobs (D) - Modifies provisions governing school administrator evaluations and contracts

Summary:

This bill defines a "building-level administrator" as a school official who supervises other licensed staff and may be a principal or an assistant principal. The bill requires that a building-level administrator evaluation be conducted using research-based evaluation tools that align with best practices and the evaluation must be based on multiple rating categories that include student growth and assessment data as a factor in performance ratings.

This bill provides schools with direction on contracts for building-level administrators, including that a renewal and nonrenewal notice must be given to the administrator by February 15th in the year the contract would expire. An administrator whose contract is renewed must accept or reject the contract within 15 business days.

Administrator contracts cannot be nonrenewed without the administrator having at least one evaluation and being provided with written cause. Cause for nonrenewal includes unsatisfactory performance on an annual evaluation, violation of school policy or state law, or conduct detrimental to the operation of the school. An administrator that receives a nonrenewal has rights as specified in the bill, including the right to a hearing and an appeal.

This bill is similar to HB 1365 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2272 - Rep. Ed Lewis (R) - Modifies provisions governing certificates of license to teach

Summary:

Currently, a teacher's certification can be disciplined or non- renewed if charges are filed by a local board of education with the State Board of Education stating that the teacher has annulled their contract without consent.

This bill removes annulment of a contract as a reason for a certification disciplinary action.

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2274 - Rep. Ed Lewis (R) - Adopts the "Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact"

Summary:

HB 2274 -- INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT (Lewis)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education

This bill establishes the "Missouri Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact" to create a collective regulatory framework that has a goal to support teachers and provide a new path for licensure. The bill aims to simplify and accelerates the process for qualified teachers to get licensed and employed when moving across state lines.

The bill provides that a member state must grant an equivalent unencumbered license to an applicant who holds an unencumbered eligible teaching license from another member state, pending a determination of equivalency.

The bill specifies a pathway for active military members and eligible military spouses to receive an equivalent license, even if their current license is not unencumbered.

The Compact is intended to accomplish the following:

(1) Create a streamlined pathway to licensure mobility;

(2) Support the relocation of eligible military spouses;

(3) Facilitate the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information between states;

(4) Remove barriers to hiring qualified out-of-state teachers and;

(5) Support teacher retention in the profession.

The bill indicates that licensure under the Compact is for the initial granting of a license in a receiving state and requires participating states to maintain an updated list of eligible licenses and career and technical education licenses that the state is willing to consider for equivalency.

The Compact does not prevent states from awarding certificates based on additional criteria, participating in additional agreements, exchanging of names of teachers whose licensure is subject to adverse action, or participating with nonmember states. States may also investigate and discipline teachers if the need arises. The bill also creates the "Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission", a joint public agency composed of one delegate from all member states, to administer the Compact, enforce its rules, and manage the exchange of information. The Commission has the power to establish a code of ethics and create bylaws. Additional authorizations for the Commission are specified in the bill and the Commission must meet at least once annually. The executive committee of the Commission is composed of eight members and the Committee's duties include preparing the budget and monitoring and reporting on the compliance of the member states among other duties as specified in the bill.

The bill requires that meetings of the Commission and the Committee be open to the public except for closed, nonpublic meetings as specified. The bill provides details on the financing of the Commission and provides a qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification provision for specified members of the Commission.

The bill provides the Commission rulemaking authority, however, if a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact within four years of the date of adoption of the rule, the rule will have no further effect in any member state.

The Commission may terminate membership if there is a default on the performance of a state to fulfill it's obligations or responsibilities after the Commission has provided written notice and provided training and specific technical assistance. The Compact will be in effect after 10 states have enacted it into law even if after a review, termination, or withdrawal causes a state to no longer be a member and the total membership is less than 10.

The bill provides for severability if the Compact is determined to be contrary to a state or the U.S. Constitution.

Last Action:

02/26/2026

H - Third Read and Passed - Y-133 N-13

HB2335 - Rep. Ann Kelley (R) - Modifies provisions governing school employee training requirements

Summary:

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education by a vote of 19 to 0.

The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 2335.

Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, this bill modifies the current required training that school employees must receive annually.

The bill requires that newly hired employees receive instruction on a variety of topics annually for the first three years of employment, these topics include: school discipline, seclusion and restraint, bleeding control kits, school bullying, employee- student communications, epilepsy and seizure disorders, mandatory reporting, dyslexia and related disorders, youth suicide awareness and prevention, and active shooter and intruder response training.

All other employees will be provided training and education on these topics as determined by the school district based on the specific needs of the district and each employee instead of annually.

All employees are required to be trained for a minimum of three years for any newly developed trainings required by state law beginning in the 2026-27 school year. Additionally, employees must receive Federal trainings and trainings for specific job requirements as specified.

This bill is similar to HCS HB 332 (2025).

The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this is a top priority for teachers and school staff as the repetitive trainings are unnecessary and take time away from the classroom. The past few years there have been additional requirements and those should also be added to the bill. Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Kelley; Michael Harris, Missouri State Teachers Association; Missouri NEA; and MO Council of School Administrators.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say a way to assess if a teacher knows what content they are successfully trained in would be to have them take an annual quiz over the information and if they do not achieve an 80%, then they would need to retake the training.

Testifying in person on the bill was Mindy Robertson.

Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.

Last Action:

02/26/2026

H - Voted Do Pass - House-Rules-Legislative

HB2417 - Rep. Cathy Jo Loy (R) - Establishes the "Parents' Bill of Rights of 2026"

Summary:

This bill creates the "Parents' Bill of Rights Act of 2026" and prohibits the denial of rights to parents or guardians of minor children.

These rights include but are not limited to the following:

(1) The right to review and make copies of curricula, books and educational materials;

(2) The right to access information about the student's teacher, guest lecturers, and outside presenters and limits attendance of student at assemblies and on field trips relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives without affirmative parental consent;

(3) A right to financial information relating to third-party contracting;

(4) A right to visit during school hours;

(5) The right to access all student records;

(6) The right to be heard at school board meetings or other governance hearings and that meetings regarding curricula and school safety be public; and

(7) The right to be notified of situations affecting the safety of their minor child at school.

The bill authorizes the prosecuting attorney of the county for the school district to bring civil action if a parent files a complaint that a right has been violated.

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2428 - Rep. Ben Keathley (R) - Changes provisions governing charter schools

Summary:

This bill expands where a charter school may be operated to include any school district located within a charter county, currently this includes St. Charles, Jefferson, and St. Louis counties, and any district that includes a municipality with a population greater than 30,000.

The bill also removes limitations on the use of state school aid and local aid funding to include the charter school expansions. Procedures relating to changes in a school district's accreditation status that affect charter schools are repealed under the bill.

As specified in this bill, St. Louis City must 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 must 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.

This bill is similar to HB 1044 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2449 - Rep. Michael Davis (R) - Establishes the "Missouri Parental Choice Tax Credit Act" relating to a tax credit for certain educational expenses

Summary:

This bill establishes the "Missouri Parental Choice Tax Credit Act" and provides a tax credit to parents or guardians of any "qualified student" enrolling in a "qualified school" as defined in the bill.

The amount of the tax credit set forth in the bill is for eligible expenses which are outlined and include the cost of tuition and fees at qualified schools. Such tax credit must not exceed the lesser of the eligible qualified expenses or the state adequacy target for each tax year.

The bill outlines specific provisions for claiming the tax credit along with eligibility restrictions. Taxpayers participating in the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Program are ineligible. Tax credits are refundable but not transferable. The bill details certain duties of the Department of Revenue to maintain the Act.

This bill is similar to SB 1341 (2026); HCS HB 77 (2025); and HB 1911 (2024).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2539 - Rep. Jonathan Patterson (R) - Modifies provisions governing accountability measures for elementary and secondary schools

Summary:

This bill requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to develop an annual accountability report card for public schools. The report card will provide information about school performance and satisfy federal reporting requirements relating to students, staff, finances, and other data.

The SBE may contract with a private entity or charge the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to generate the annual report. An embargoed version of the report must be provided to schools by July 15th and within 36 hours DESE will publish the report on the Department website. Before August 15th schools must publish on the school's website the report.

The bill provides that the SBE will assign a rating based on a zero-one-hundred A thru F scale for each public school and district. The criteria of the ratings are specfied in the bill and included factors such as student academic achievement and growth in English, Math, and Science as assessed through the Missouri assessment program. The factors include a value-added growth metric and a "Success Ready Graduate" measure which will be calculated by DESE. The bill also requires that the rating scale increase by 5% in any year that 65% of schools achieve an A or a B.

The bill establishes the "Show Me Success Program" to provide financial awards to public schools with a high student performance and high student academic growth. The program will provide a performance-based award of $100 per student if a school is in the top 5% of schools for performance or academic growth and $50 for each student in schools that are in the top 10% but not in the top 5%. Rewards will begin after the 2026-27 state- mandated annual summative assessment.

The bill requires the SBE to develop an annual accountability report card for DESE Department that will consider the number of Missouri schools rated A thru F with the objective being to increase the percentage of students attending higher rated schools, Missouri student performance on national assessments, and an anonymous survey.

This bill is the same as HB 2710 (2026).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2584 - Rep. Pattie Mansur (D) - Creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education

Summary:

This bill requires that charter schools and private schools that participate in the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program (defined as "private schools") shall be subject to the same procurement processes, wage standards, and contractual obligations as school districts. (Sections 160.405 and 166.706, RSMo).

No more than 10%, rather than 20%, of the full-time instructional staff of a charter school may be uncertified to teach in the public schools of this state. School districts are authorized to employ uncertified instructional personnel, as long as no more than 10% of a school district's full-time teaching positions are filled by uncertified personnel and certain other conditions are satisfied. Private schools shall employ only certified instructional staff, except that up to 10% of a private school's full-time teaching positions may be filled by uncertified personnel (Sections 160.420, 166.706, and 168.011).

Charter schools and private schools, in addition to school districts, shall be eligible for Innovation Waivers exempting them from certain requirements relating to assessments and accreditation. All school districts and charter schools shall be held to the same reporting standards on their Annual Performance Reports (Sections 160.518, 160.522, and 166.706).

The State Board of Education shall classify and accredit charter schools and private schools in the same manner that school districts are classified and accredited. All public schools, private schools, and charter schools shall be classified using the same assessment systems and accountability measures (Sections 161.092 and 166.706).

The governing body of a school district, private school, or charter school shall comply with all Missouri Sunshine Law requirements for public meetings, including providing advance public notice, and shall additionally provide online public access to all meeting minutes (Sections 162.012 and 166.706).

School districts, private schools, and charter schools shall display annual financial reports on their websites, including information about revenues, expenses, contributions, contracts, and personnel salary schedules (Sections 162.015 and 166.706). Any charter school that accepts transferring students under any open enrollment program enacted by the General Assembly, as well as any private school, shall set its opening date each school year no earlier than 14 calendar days prior to the first Monday in September (Sections 171.031 and 166.706).

This bill is similar to SB 1384 (2026).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2604 - Rep. Brad Pollitt (R) - Establishes transfer procedures to nonresident districts for students in public schools

Summary:

DEFINITIONS (Sections 167.1200 to 167.1230)

The bill establishes the "Public School Open Enrollment Act" and defines certain terms such as "nonresident local education agency" (nonresident LEA), "resident local education agency" (resident LEA), and "transferring student", among other definitions.

TRANSFER POLICY AND PARTICIPATION (Section 167.1205)

The bill establishes an opt-in public school open enrollment program with the intent to improve the quality of instructional and educational programs by increase parental involvement, provide access to programs and classes, and offer opportunities to align parental curriculum options to personal beliefs.

The bill specifies that any student beginning kindergarten or any transferring student, as that term is defined in the bill, can attend a public school in a nonresident LEA participating in the program. Schools must declare participation in the open enrollment program by November 1st for the following school year. Participating schools are not required to add teachers, staff, or classrooms to accommodate transfer applicants.

Schools can restrict the number of outgoing transfer students to 5% of the previous school year's enrollment. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) must develop and maintain an online resource to facilitate applications and provide a searchable public database for allowable transfers. DESE or an entity skilled in policy development must develop a model open enrollment transfer policy, as outlined in the bill.

All public schools must adopt the model policy, regardless of participation in the program, but each school board can modify the model policy based on the school's needs.

Students who wish to attend nonresident schools that have an academic or competitive entrance process must furnish proof that they meet the admission requirements. Nonresident LEA's are able to deny transfers to students who, during the most recent school year, have been suspended two or more times or have either been suspended for an act of violence or expelled. The bill establishes a provisional transfer procedure upon approval of the nonresident LEA's superintendent and provides that a student who has been denied such a transfer has the right to meet in-person with the nonresident LEA superintendent. Students that participate in open enrollment in high school can not participate in varsity sports during the first 365 days of enrollment in a nonresident LEA, with exceptions that are outlined in the bill.

APPLYING FOR TRANSFER (Section 167.1210)

Any student who applies for a transfer can only accept one transfer per school year, although the student can return to his or her resident LEA and, if so, complete a full semester before applying for another transfer. Students can complete all remaining school years in their nonresident LEA and any sibling can enroll if the school has the capacity, as provided by the bill. For the purposes of determining federal and state aid the student must be counted as a resident pupil of the nonresident LEA, except for federal calculations of military impact aid. Parents will be responsible for transportation to the nonresident school or to an existing bus stop location in the nonresident LEA.

PARENT PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE FUND (Sections 167.1211 and 167.1212)

The bill creates the "Parent Public School Choice Fund" which is created to be used for the public school open enrollment program and to reimburse for special needs education as outlined in Section 167.1211, RSMo.

NUMBER OF TRANSFER STUDENTS (Section 167.1215)

The bill specifies that annually, before November 1st, each school must set and publish the number of transfer students the school is willing to receive for the following school year. Schools will also develop a policy for online waitlists and notify applicants if they have been waitlisted.

APPLICATION PROCESS (Section 167.1220)

The processes for a transfer application and the details for notifications of acceptance or rejection are specified within the bill. DESE must create an online resource to receive applications, which must be submitted before January 1st. DESE will conduct a lottery of applications by January 15th and provide notice to all applicants regarding the acceptance or rejection of each application. The nonresident LEA's superintendent or a designee thereof must review each application, determine if the application is rejected or accepted, and inform DESE of his or her decision. DESE must be notified of all accepted students and will notify the resident LEA and request the student or the student's parent participate in an anonymous survey related to the reasons for participating in the Open Enrollment Program. DESE will publish an annual report based on the survey results.

PROCEDURE FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS HAVING BEEN ACCEPTED (Section 167.1224)

The bill includes a procedure for schools when a transferring student has special education needs. Schools can also establish standards for transfer applications and post the information on the school website and in the student handbook. Schools that are served by special school districts must reach an agreement with such special school district regarding finance, staffing, and other items prior to participating in the program.

ALLOWED EXEMPTIONS (Section 167.1225)

This bill specifies that a school can annually declare an exemption for the upcoming school year from the requirements set forth in this bill, provided that the school is subject to a desegregation order or mandate of a Federal court or agency remedying the effects of past racial segregation or subject to a settlement agreement remedying the effects of past racial segregation. The bill requires any student who transfers from a K-eight school enroll before the end of the student's sixth grade year, or the K-eight school must pay tuition as specified under Section 167.131. Additional exemptions are specified for students who qualify for transfers under other listed Sections.

APPEAL PROCEDURE (Section 167.1227)

The bill outlines an appeal procedure for students whose application is rejected and includes the notification process if DESE overturns the determination of the nonresident LEA on appeal.

ANNUAL REPORTING (Section 167.1229)

DESE must collect and report data annually from schools on the number of applications and study the effects of the public school choice program transfers. The report must be submitted annually by December 1st to the Joint Committee on Education, the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Senate Committee on Education, or any successor committees thereof.

DESE must annually make a random selection of 10% of the schools participating in the program and audit each selected transferred that were approved or denied under policies adopted in this bill.

ALTERNATIVE FUNDING (Section 167.1230)

The bill requires that enrollment of students under the program not occur before July 1, 2027. The bill outlines what steps must be taken if the Parent Public School Choice Fund does not have sufficient funding necessary to provide for eligible reimbursements for transportation and special education expenses. Transportation costs must be considered eligible expenses under Section 163.161, and special education students will be provided additional weight in the formula calculation for the nonresident school.

This bill is similar to SCS HCS HB 711 (2025); HCS HB 1989 (2024); and HCS HB 253 (2023).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

HB2776 - Rep. Willard Haley (R) - Modifies provisions governing certificates of license to teach to add full certification for a temporary authorization certificate holder

Summary:

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education by a vote of 12 to 5 with 1 member voting present.

The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 2776.

This bill gives the State Board of Education (SBE) the authority to issue an associate teacher certificate to applicants that complete a background check and have a degree from a state- approved associate of applied science-level teacher preparation program or a program of a substantially similar nature that includes 60 semester hours from an institution of higher education. The teacher preparation program must include a literacy and reading instruction coursework, be accredited by the SBE, and includes a capstone project.

The bill creates a three tier certification process. Tier I and Tier II associate certificate holders may only teach in grades one to six, pay into the public education employee retirement system under Sections 169.600-169.715, RSMo, and have additional criteria that must be met to be granted a full certificate of licensure, including participation in a mentor program, professional development, and an acceptable score on the state- approved teacher evaluation system, as specified.

Tier III certificate holders may seek additional certification for middle school or early childhood, and pay into the public school retirement system under Sections 169.010 to 169.141.

The bill provides that schools may establish separate salary schedules for teachers with associate certificates with the minimum for Tier I and Tier II set at $35,000 and the Tier III teacher at the minimum established under Section 163.172.

The bill specifies provisions for mentors for Tier I associate certificate holders that may receive additional compensation or release time and includes time for observations.

This bill requires that after 10 years, and every two years after that, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will provide to the Joint Committee on Public Education a report on the effectiveness of the associate teacher process and make recommendations for legislative change.

The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that there is a need for additional teachers as there are currently many unqualified individuals that are serving as the teacher of record due to shortages. This language would create an alternative route with additional quality training and educational pedagogy. This bill gives an opportunity at a much lower cost for many that may want to enter into education.

Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Haley; Matt Davis, Eldon School District; Tennille Banner, Green City R-1; Jerrod Wheeler, Knob Noster Public Schools; Brent Bates, State Fair Community College; and Mo Community College Association.

OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that currently there are systems in place and opportunities for students that are interested in working in education while pursuing a degree. Working in school districts while getting an education is very beneficial for both the student and the institution. The shortage of teachers is not because there is a lack of pathways but rather a lack of respect and resources, adding a lower quality opportunity will diminish the quality of educators.

Testifying in person against the bill were Missouri Independent Colleges; University of MO; Barri Tinkler, Missouri State University; Council on Public Higher Education; Joshua Heimsoth; and Dr. Tim Wall.

Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.

Last Action:

02/26/2026

H - Returned to committee of origin - Elementary and Secondary Education - House-Rules-Administrative

HJR114 - Rep. Mike Costlow (R) - Proposes a constitutional amendment to assert the right of parents to participate in and direct the education of their children free from government interference

Summary:

Upon voter approval, this constitutional amendment provides that the government must not deny or infringe upon a parent's fundamental right to participate in and direct the education of his or her child including, but not limited to, the right to home school or otherwise educate a child outside of the public school system free from government regulation, regardless of whether the parent receives financial assistance from the government for purposes of educating a child and the right to access the curricula and lesson plans of the public school and school district in which a child is enrolled.

This bill is similar to SJR 6 and HJR 81 (2025).

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Referred to committee - House-Elementary and Secondary Education

HJR129 - Rep. Brad Pollitt (R) - Proposes a constitutional amendment that Increases the debt limit for school districts

Summary:

Upon voter approval, this constitutional amendment increases the debt limit for school districts from 15% to 20% of the value of the district's taxable tangible property.

This bill is similar to SJR 58 and HJR 100 (2025) .

Last Action:

01/08/2026

H - Read Second Time

SB839 - Sen. Mike Cierpiot (R) - Moves school board elections to the November general election

Summary:

SB 839 - Under current law, elections for school board members are held on either the general municipal election day or such day as is specified in the county charter, with terms of office ranging from three years to six years, depending on the district. This act requires all such elections to be held at the November general election and makes all such terms four years. Additionally, a candidate for school board member shall state his or her party affiliation and certain other information on the declaration of candidacy.

This act has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2028.

This act is similar to SB 485 (2025), HB 539 (2025), HB 2536 (2024), SB 234 (2023), and provisions in SB 740 (2022), HCS/HB 2306 (2022), HB 361 (2019), and HCS/HB 1424 (2018).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/08/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Local Government, Elections, and Pensions

SB867 - Sen. Doug Beck (D) - Requires certain financial information regarding the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program to be posted semi-annually on the Missouri Accountability Portal

Summary:

SB 867 - This act requires certain financial information regarding the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program (MOScholars) to be posted semi-annually on the Missouri Accountability Portal.

Specifically, the Portal shall include the following information:

(1) The full name of each parent of a student who receives a scholarship from each educational assistance organization;

(2) The total amount of money awarded to each parent's student; and

(3) The total amount of money remitted from each scholarship account to each qualified school.

Educational assistance organizations shall supply the required information to the State Treasurer no later than July 1 and January 1 of each year. The State Treasurer shall have 48 hours to deliver such information to the Office of Administration.

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/08/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education

SB892 - Sen. Jill Carter (R) - Requires the State Board of Education to cause its annual report to be published on the website of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary:

SB 892 - This act requires the State Board of Education to cause its annual report to be published on the website of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), in addition to printing 60 copies for DESE and the State Library.

This act is similar to SB 589 (2023) and SB 1208 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

02/17/2026

S - Hearing Conducted - Senate-Education

SB906 - Sen. David Gregory (R) - Creates, modifies, and repeals provisions relating to student transfers to nonresident districts

Summary:

SB 906 - Current law authorizes students who reside in an unaccredited school district to transfer to an accredited school district in the same or an adjoining county under certain conditions. This act repeals and modifies provisions limiting these transfers to students in unaccredited school districts. Under the act, any student may transfer to another public school, including transfers from a student's district of residence, or "sending district", to a public school in a nonresident district, or "receiving district", beginning in the 2027-28 school year and in all subsequent school years.

The school board of each school district shall determine the district's capacity to accept student transfers in each grade level and in each school in the district. Each school board shall provide this information to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) beginning on July 15, 2027, and by the first day of each month thereafter. DESE shall publish and update the capacity of each district's grade levels and schools on its website. (Section 167.895)

Parents of students who wish to transfer shall notify DESE by August 1, 2027, and by the first day of each month thereafter, and DESE shall assign students to a receiving district or charter school as provided in the act. A receiving district shall accept all students who apply and are assigned to the district, so long as there is capacity for each student. School board policies shall not discriminate against any transfer student on the basis of his or her residential address, academic performance, athletic ability, disability, race, ethnicity, sex, or free and reduced price lunch status. (Sections 167.895 and 167.898)

The act repeals provisions that require sending districts to make tuition payments to receiving districts. Instead, for purposes of calculating state and federal aid, each transfer student shall be counted as a resident of the receiving district in which the student is enrolled. Tuition shall not be charged to any student or to his or her parent or legal guardian. (Sections 160.415, 162.081, 167.132, 167.151, and 167.895)

DESE shall designate at least one receiving district or charter school to which each sending district shall provide transportation. A sending district shall be required to provide transportation only to the school district or charter school designated by DESE. (Section 167.241)

If the receiving district is part of a special school district, the sending district shall contract with the special school district for the entirety of the costs to provide special education and related services, excluding transportation. The special school district may contract with a sending district for transportation, or the sending district may provide transportation on its own. (Section 167.895)

The act outlines school districts' responsibilities for the provision of special education and related services to students with disabilities. A special school district shall continue to provide special education and related services, excluding transportation, to students with disabilities who transfer to another school within the special school district. If the sending district is a metropolitan school district, it shall remain responsible for providing special education and related services, including transportation, to students with disabilities who transfer to a receiving district. A special school district in an adjoining county to a metropolitan school district may contract with the metropolitan school district for the reimbursement of special education and related services provided by the special school district for transfer students. A receiving district that is not part of a special school district shall not be responsible for providing transportation to transfer students, regardless of whether transportation is identified as a related service within a student's individualized education program. A sending district may contract with a receiving district that is not part of a special school district for transportation of students with disabilities. A seven-director or urban school district may contract with a receiving district that is not part of a special school district in the same or an adjoining county for the reimbursement of special education and related services provided by the receiving district. (Section 167.895)

This act is identical to SB 971 (2026) and similar to SCS/SBs 215 & 70 (2025).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

02/10/2026

S - Superseded by SB 971

SB923 - Sen. Stephen Webber (D) - Repeals provisions authorizing the establishment of charter schools in Boone County

Summary:

SB 923 - This act repeals provisions authorizing the establishment of charter schools in Boone County.

This act is identical to SB 88 (2025) and HB 298 (2025).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/08/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education

SB948 - Sen. Rick Brattin (R) - Provides that parents shall have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of their children free from government interference

Summary:

SS/SB 948 - This act provides that a parent has a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of such parent's child free from government interference. A governmental authority shall not restrict parental rights unless such authority demonstrates that the restriction is essential to further a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling interest. This provision applies to all state and local laws, resolutions, and ordinances and to the implementation of such laws, resolutions, and ordinances. (Section 1.390)

The act outlines certain parental rights that are exclusively reserved to a parent without obstruction by or interference from this state, any political subdivision of the state, any governmental entity, or any other institution. Under the act, parents shall have the right to:

(1) Direct the education of the child;

(2) Access and review all written and electronic educational records of the child;

(3) Direct the child's upbringing;

(4) Direct the child's moral or religious training;

(5) Consent in writing to all physical and mental health care decisions for the child;

(6) Access and review all health and medical records of the child;

(7) Consent in writing before a biometric scan of the child is made, shared, or stored;

(8) Consent in writing before any record of the child's blood or DNA is created, stored, or shared, unless authorized pursuant to a court order;

(9) Consent in writing before any governmental authority makes a video or voice recording of the child, unless, without abrogating rights secured under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, such recording is made as part of an event or circumstance described in the act;

(10) Be notified promptly if a governmental authority suspects that abuse, neglect, or a criminal offense has been committed against the child, unless such notification is reasonably believed to be likely to endanger the life or physical safety of the child;

(11) Opt the child out of any personal analysis, evaluation, survey, or data collection by a school district except what is necessary and essential for establishing a student's educational record for a student of the school district;

(12) Excuse a child from school attendance for religious purposes;

(13) Participate in parent-teacher organizations and other school organizations that are sanctioned by the board of education of a school district;

(14) Receive, upon first contact with a representative of the Department of Social Services, an accurate written itemization containing all details of allegations of child abuse or neglect of the child, excluding only the name of the person who made the allegations; and

(15) View a publicly available, easily accessible accounting of all financial transactions conducted with school district funds without being required to submit a formal request or otherwise make direct contact with the school district to access such information.

Except for law enforcement personnel, a governmental authority shall not encourage or coerce a child to withhold information from the child's parent; nor shall a governmental authority withhold from a child's parent information that is relevant to the physical, emotional, or mental health of the child.

A parent who believes his or her rights have been violated under this act may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding, regardless of whether the government is a party to the proceeding, and obtain appropriate relief against the government, including declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs. (Section 1.391)

Additionally, each school district shall maintain an easily accessible online record of all money the district receives and spends. Each public school within a school district shall prominently link to the district's financial ledger on the school's own website. (Section 162.192)

This provision is identical to SB 1029 (2026).

The act additionally repeals provisions authorizing minors to consent to medical treatment or procedures involving venereal disease and drug or substance abuse. (Section 431.061)

This act is similar to HB 2426 (2026).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

02/02/2026

S - Placed on Informal Calendar

SB998 - Sen. Brad Hudson (R) - Creates, repeals, and modifies provisions relating to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program

Summary:

SCS/SB 998 - This act creates, repeals, and modifies provisions of the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program.

The act changes the definition of "illegal alien" to "legal resident" as set forth under federal law. The act modifies the definition of "qualified student" by removing the requirement for a qualified student to have attended a public school during the previous 12 months, as well as removing requirements relating to students' kindergarten eligibility and siblings who participate in the program. Such definition is further modified by adding dyslexia and disability diagnoses to requirements concerning individualized education plans.

The act provides that an organization representing a group of parents of qualified students may intervene on behalf of such parents as a defendant in any action in which any provision of state law, the Missouri Constitution, or a state regulation involving the program is at issue. An organization that intervenes as provided in the act shall have the right to file such pleading necessary on behalf of such parents.

Finally, except as specifically provided in state law, the act prohibits the creation or enforcement of any rule, regulation, or other requirement that conditions a qualified school's participation in the program on accreditation or compliance with any other requirement. Any rule, regulation, or other requirement that violates this provision is void and shall have no force or effect.

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

02/23/2026

S - Placed on Informal Calendar

SB1028 - Sen. Rick Brattin (R) - Establishes provisions regarding elementary and secondary education

Summary:

SB 1028 - This act establishes provisions relating to education and creates the "Sunlight in Learning Act" requiring certain information to be to be posted on public school websites, as well as the "Parents' Bill of Rights Act of 2026" outlining the rights of parents of public school students.

DIVISIVE CONCEPTS (Section 160.2550)

Under this act, school districts are prohibited from teaching about The 1619 Project initiative of The New York Times 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. School 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 identical to a provision in SB 115 (2025), is substantially similar to SB 694 (2022) and provisions in SB 770 (2024) and SB 42 (2023), and is similar to SB 172 (2023), SB 638 (2022), SB 676 (2022), SB 734 (2022), SB 1184 (2022), and a provision in SB 918 (2024).

SUNLIGHT IN LEARNING (Section 161.856)

This act establishes the "Sunlight in Learning Act", which requires certain training, instructional, and curricular materials to be posted on a public school's or charter school's 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 school website. A listing of available resources in the library shall be included on the website.

The information required to be posted on the school 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 listings 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 or circuit attorney, or resident of a school district may initiate a suit against the school district, public school, 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 identical to a provision in SB 115 (2025), is substantially similar to SB 1225 (2022) and provisions in SB 770 (2024) and SB 42 (2023), 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 2026." Under this act, no school district shall deny to the parent or guardian of a minor child certain rights. Such rights include 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 or other funding through the school; 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. 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 identical to a provision in SB 115 (2025) and is similar to provisions in SB 770 (2024), SB 776 (2022), and 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, 2027, 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, 2028, 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 shall have fifty percent of its state aid 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 provisions in SB 115 (2025), SB 770 (2024), and SB 42 (2023), is substantially similar to HB 2461 (2022) and a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2022), and is similar to HB 2735 (2022).

This act is substantially similar to SB 115 (2025) and similar to SB 770 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/15/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education

SB1071 - Sen. David Gregory (R) - Modifies provisions relating to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program

Summary:

SB 1071 - This act modifies provisions of the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program.

The act modifies the definition of "qualified student" under the Program to include any resident of this state who is not an illegal alien and who is eligible to enroll in a public school or to receive early childhood special education services. The act repeals requirements relating to students' individualized education plans or household income.

The act specifies that scholarship funds may be used to purchase technological devices such as calculators and personal computers, but not devices used primarily for noneducational purposes, such as televisions and telephones. Additionally, scholarship funds may be used to purchase a commuter pass for a qualified student, rather than covering only mileage costs to and from a qualified school.

Provisions relating to agreements with educational assistance organizations shall not be construed to require a qualified student (a) to withdraw from a public school before applying for a scholarship account if the student withdraws from the school before receiving any moneys in his or her scholarship account, or (b) to prevent a qualified student from applying for a scholarship account to be funded beginning in the following school year.

Finally, the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program shall not be construed to expand the regulatory authority of the state, its officers, or any school district, with respect to the imposition of any additional requirements or restrictions on qualified schools, beyond those necessary to enforce the requirements of the Program.

This act is identical to SB 675 (2025).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/15/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education

SB1090 - Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern (D) - Requires charter schools to obtain a certificate of need issued by the State Board of Education in order to be eligible to operate

Summary:

SB 1090 - Under this act, no charter school established on or after August 28, 2026, shall be eligible to operate in Missouri without the State Board of Education's issuance of a certificate of need for such charter school as provided in the act. A certificate of need shall be required only for proposed charter schools that are not established as of August 28, 2026, and shall not be required for charter renewals or transfers of sponsorship. The act shall not be construed to exempt charter schools from state laws governing charter contracts or any other applicable state or federal law or regulation.

The certificate of need application shall be a written certification, including supporting documentation, submitted by the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the city or county in which the proposed charter school would be operated, affirming that certain conditions apply to the school district in which the charter school would be operated. The certificate of need application shall affirm that consumer demand for alternative educational options exceeds supply, and that the school district has sufficient economies of scale, as such term is defined in the act, to enable the charter school to succeed without detrimentally impacting the school district's ability to provide a free public education. The certificate of need application shall also affirm that the charter school is likely to alleviate economic and racial inequities; improve students' academic achievement; reduce student-teacher ratios; improve efficiencies in education service delivery; reduce the number of schooling disruptions faced by children and families; and address other family priorities specified in the act.

The State Board of Education shall review each charter school certificate of need application and either approve or disapprove each application within 120 calendar days of receipt. If the Board determines that the information provided in the application is factual and based on sound data and reasoning, the Board shall approve the application. If the Board determines that the information provided in the application is not factual and based on sound data and reasoning, the Board shall disapprove the application and provide to the applicant written documentation of the reasons why the application was not approved.

This act is substantially similar to SB 177 (2025) and HB 1056 (2025).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/15/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education

SB1163 - Sen. Rick Brattin (R) - Authorizes a tax credit for certain educational expenses

Summary:

SB 1163 - For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, this act authorizes a taxpayer to claim a tax credit in an amount equal to one hundred percent of qualified expenses incurred during the tax year for educating a qualified student in a nonpublic school, as such term is defined in the act, provided that no tax credit shall exceed the state adequacy target. Tax credits authorized by the act shall not be transferred, sold, or assigned, but are refundable. A tax credit shall not be issued for any qualified expenses paid for using a Missouri Empowerment Scholarship account.

To be eligible for a tax credit, a taxpayer shall have enrolled a qualified student in a nonpublic 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, 2032, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.

This act is identical to SCS/SBs 195 & 53 (2025) and SB 867 (2024), and to a provision in HCS/HB 1935 (2024), and is substantially similar to HCS/HB 77 (2025), SB 729 (2024), HB 1911 (2024), and HB 2366 (2024).

JOSH NORBERG

Last Action:

01/27/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education

SB1314 - Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R) - Authorizes parents to choose the school that their children attend

Summary:

SB 1314 - Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, each parent or guardian of a child shall be afforded the opportunity at the time of school enrollment to direct that state aid for educating the child that would be used to educate the child at a school within the school district of residence shall be remitted to a qualified school, as defined in the act, of the parent or guardian's choice, if the parent or guardian chooses a school outside of the district of residence. A parent or guardian may also choose to enroll their student at a different school within the school district of residence.

The State Treasurer shall create and provide to each school district a form for use by the parent or guardian at the time of enrollment to indicate the parent or guardian's choice as to the school their student will attend for that school year. The school district shall transmit the form to the State Treasurer. The school district shall also notify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Upon receipt of the form, the State Treasurer shall remit state aid that would have been remitted to the school district of residence to the school chosen by the parent or guardian if such school is outside of the school district of residence. If the student enrolls in a school outside of the school district of residence, the student shall not be counted in the resident school district's weighted average daily attendance as a resident student.

The state aid remitted to the school of choice shall be the lesser of the state adequacy target for the student or the amount of tuition at the qualified school.

This act contains an emergency clause.

This act is identical to SB 572 (2025) and substantially similar to SCS/SB 81 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/27/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education

SB1341 - Sen. Nick Schroer (R) - Authorizes a tax credit for certain educational expenses

Summary:

SB 1341 - For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, this act authorizes a taxpayer to claim a tax credit in an amount equal to one hundred percent of qualified expenses incurred during the tax year for educating a qualified student in a nonpublic school, as such term is defined in the act, provided that no tax credit shall exceed the state adequacy target. Tax credits authorized by the act shall not be transferred, sold, or assigned, but are refundable. A tax credit shall not be issued for any qualified expenses paid for using a Missouri Empowerment Scholarship account.

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, 2032, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.

JOSH NORBERG

Last Action:

01/27/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education

SB1384 - Sen. Barbara Washington (D) - Creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education

Summary:

SB 1384 - Under this act, charter schools and private schools that participate in the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program (defined as "private schools") shall be subject to the same procurement processes, wage standards, and contractual obligations as school districts. (Sections 160.405 and 166.706)

No more than 10%, rather than 20%, of the full-time instructional staff of a charter school may be uncertified to teach in the public schools of this state. School districts are authorized to employ uncertified instructional personnel, as long as no more than 10% of a school district's full-time teaching positions are filled by uncertified personnel and certain other conditions are satisfied. Private schools shall employ only certified instructional staff, except that up to 10% of a private school's full-time teaching positions may be filled by uncertified personnel. (Sections 160.420, 166.706, and 168.011)

Charter schools and private schools, in addition to school districts, shall be eligible for Innovation Waivers exempting them from certain requirements relating to assessments and accreditation. All school districts and charter schools shall be held to the same reporting standards on their Annual Performance Reports. (Sections 160.518, 160.522, and 166.706)

The State Board of Education shall classify and accredit charter schools and private schools in the same manner that school districts are classified and accredited. All public schools, private schools, and charter schools shall be classified using the same assessment systems and accountability measures. (Sections 161.092 and 166.706)

The governing body of a school district, private school, or charter school shall comply with all Missouri Sunshine Law requirements for public meetings, including providing advance public notice, and shall additionally provide online public access to all meeting minutes. (Sections 162.012 and 166.706)

School districts, private schools, and charter schools shall display annual financial reports on their websites, including information about revenues, expenses, contributions, contracts, and personnel salary schedules. (Sections 162.015 and 166.706)

Any charter school that accepts transferring students under any open enrollment program enacted by the General Assembly, as well as any private school, shall set its opening date each school year no earlier than 14 calendar days prior to the first Monday in September. (Sections 171.031 and 166.706)

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/27/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education

SJR69 - Sen. Rick Brattin (R) - Amends the Constitution to assert the right of parents to participate in and direct the education of their children free from government interference

Summary:

SJR 69 - This proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, provides that the government shall not deny or infringe upon a parent's fundamental right to participate in and direct the education of his or her child, including, but not limited to, the right to home school or otherwise educate a child outside of the public school system free from government regulation, regardless of whether the parent receives financial assistance from the government for purposes of educating a child; the right to access the curricula and lesson plans of the public school and school district in which a child is enrolled; the right to educate a child in a public school that does not teach students or train teachers on critical race theory or diversity-equity-inclusion; and the right to educate a child in a public school that is not required to conform its curriculum to statewide learning standards, as provided in the amendment.

This proposed constitutional amendment is substantially similar to SJR 6 (2025).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/27/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education

SJR92 - Sen. Mike Henderson (R) - Increases the debt limit for school districts

Summary:

SJR 92 - This proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, increases the debt limit for school districts from 15% to 20% of the value of the district's taxable tangible property.

This proposed constitutional amendment is identical to SJR 58 (2025) and HJR 100 (2025).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/27/2026

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Education