HB 2720 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Modifies provisions relating to the age for school entry

HB 2720 revises Missouri's school enrollment age requirements. It lowers the minimum age for public, private, parochial, and parish schools from seven to five years old, while maintaining a minimum age of seven for home schools and FPE (Full-Time Equivalent) schools. The bill requires parents to ensure regular school attendance for children aged five to the district's compulsory attendance age, with exceptions for medical conditions, documented mental health concerns, or employment at age 14. It also prohibits state agencies from dictating curriculum for religious schools and clarifies that home school/FPE credits require 100+ hours of instruction.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 6, 2026 Last action Feb 18, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education(H)
lower
Jan 6, 2026
Introduced
Prefiled (H)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Melissa Douglas
Melissa Douglas
DDemocratic
MO
27