Education

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2448: Authorizes the establishment of charter schools in school districts in Cass County

HB 2448 modifies Missouri law to allow charter schools in school districts located within counties having 150,000-200,000 residents, specifically adding this population range to the existing eligibility criteria. The bill directly affects school districts in counties like Cass County (which falls within this population range), expanding opportunities for charter school establishment beyond current boundaries. Key provisions include repealing prior sections and enacting new rules that permit charter schools in these districts without applying certain restrictions from other subsections. This change enables local school boards or approved sponsors to operate charter schools in qualifying districts, subject to enrollment limits for larger districts. The policy shift aims to provide additional educational options in specific county-sized districts under defined conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes charter schools in eligible counties, expanding educational access and options for K-12 students per bill's explicit purpose.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1198: Requires public schools to provide instruction in human growth and development

SB 1198 is a proposed bill requiring all public schools to provide instruction in human growth and development. It would directly affect students in public K-12 schools by mandating this curriculum be included in their education. The bill's key mechanism is a straightforward requirement for school districts to incorporate this subject into their instructional programs. The bill is currently in early stages (prefiled, awaiting first reading) and does not specify grade levels, content details, or exemptions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates required curriculum inclusion in K-12 schools, directly enhancing educational content per topic description of curriculum policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

Track

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2420: Authorizes the establishment of a charter school in any school district

HB 2420 authorizes charter schools in specific Missouri school districts under defined conditions, directly affecting districts classified as unaccredited, provisionally accredited, or meeting population size criteria. The bill establishes six eligibility scenarios for charter schools, including districts with financial hardship or those in counties with 150,000-200,000 residents, while limiting local school board sponsorship to districts with under 1,550 students or allowing broader sponsorship in certain cases. It permits eligible sponsors like local school boards, colleges, or nonprofits to operate charter schools, and imposes a 35% enrollment cap on charter schools within large districts (over 1,550 students). The law also prohibits sponsors from charging fees for charter applications and outlines transition rules for districts changing accreditation status.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes charter schools in underperforming districts, expanding educational access options per specified criteria like financial hardship or population size.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1662: Requires public schools to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students attending classes in such school

HB 1662 requires all public schools to provide every enrolled student with one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day they attend classes. This applies to all students attending public schools as defined by state law, directly affecting every child in participating schools. The bill mandates daily meal provision without requiring families to qualify for reduced-price programs. It creates a new requirement for school districts to cover the cost of these meals for all students. The legislation is still in early stages, having been prefaced and read for the first time.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates school districts to fund universal school meals, increasing public service spending requirements under state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates universal free school meals for all K-12 students, expanding access without income barriers and directly supporting student nutrition and educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2341: Requires certain public schools to offer breakfast after the bell

HB 2341 requires public and charter schools with 70% or more students eligible for free/reduced-price meals (through the National School Lunch Program) to offer breakfast after the school day begins (not before classes start), starting in the 2026-27 school year. This directly affects high-need schools, including those using the USDA Community Eligibility Option, while allowing schools to choose delivery methods like classroom breakfast or pickup. Schools already serving breakfast to 70%+ eligible students are exempt, and schools falling below the threshold must continue the program for two years before stopping. The state education department must notify schools, provide implementation guidance, collect data on breakfast models, and report annually on the program's effectiveness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires breakfast after bell in high-need schools (70%+ free/reduced meals), expanding meal access for students in underserved schools, directly supporting educational access and student well-being.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

in committee · Missouri · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 1748: Adds provisions including gifted education pupil count for purposes of funding schools through the foundation formula

HB 1748 establishes rules for private scholarship organizations that provide education funding to Missouri students. It requires these organizations to be tax-exempt (501(c)(3)), distribute scholarships in a specific priority order (favoring students with IEPs, military families, low-income status, or unaccredited district enrollment), and spend at least 90% of funds on scholarships while capping administrative costs. The bill mandates reporting test results, parent satisfaction surveys, and graduation data to state education officials, with scholarship amounts limited to 100-175% of the state's education funding target based on student need. This directly affects private scholarship programs, participating students, and Missouri public schools receiving these funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access via targeted private scholarships for low-income/IEP students, mandates 90% fund allocation to scholarships, aligns with school funding formula.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2624: Establishes the "Kinship Infant Care Support Program"

HB 2624 establishes Missouri's "Kinship Infant Care Support Program" to provide financial support to relatives caring for infants under one year old. Eligible caregivers (like grandparents, aunts, uncles, or siblings) receive hourly payments so the infant's parent or parents can work, attend school, or complete job training for at least 20 hours weekly while meeting income limits (≤250% of federal poverty level). The program pays higher hourly rates for families below 150% poverty, requires background checks and initial safety training (including CPR and safe sleep practices), and limits payments to 60 hours weekly per infant (max two infants). Caregivers cannot receive this support if they already get other child care subsidies or foster care payments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables parents to attend school by providing childcare support, directly enhancing educational access for caregivers through income-eligible financial assistance.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables parents to work 20+ hours weekly by providing kinship childcare support, directly facilitating employment access and reducing work barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

Track

in committee · Missouri · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 2172: Provides procedures for making real property available for school purposes to charter schools and school districts

HB 2172 prohibits local governments (like cities or counties) from blocking charter schools from using properties for education by banning ordinances, deed restrictions, or other rules that prevent such use. It requires school districts to offer unused school buildings (not used for academic purposes with no 2-year plan) to charter schools first, with 60-day public notice online listing key details like square footage and contact info. Charter schools have the right to purchase or lease these buildings at fair market value, and if leasing, they cover maintenance, utilities, and taxes during the term. The bill ensures school districts cannot sell or lease such properties to non-charter entities without giving charter schools the initial opportunity.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables charter schools to access unused school buildings, expanding educational access and options without restricting funding or curriculum.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Missouri · House Feb 17, 2026

HJR 148: Proposes a constitutional amendment modifying provisions relating to taxation of real property

HJR 148 proposes a constitutional amendment that would temporarily adjust property tax levies for certain Missouri school districts affected by a federal court order. It allows these districts to set property tax rates lower than the court-ordered 1995 rate until December 31, 2026, with voter approval needed for rates at or above the original court rate. For 2027, it requires school districts to set levies to maintain prior revenue levels adjusted for inflation (using the Consumer Price Index), then reverts to standard constitutional tax rules starting in 2028. This directly affects school districts with historical court-ordered property tax rates. The amendment must be approved by voters before taking effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTemporarily lowers property tax rates for affected school districts until 2026, providing tax relief while maintaining revenue through inflation adjustments post-2026.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill maintains school district revenue levels adjusted for inflation (CPI) to prevent funding cuts, directly protecting educational funding stability for K-12 districts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track

passed · Missouri · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 1628: Modifies provisions relating to the department of higher education and workforce development

HB 1628 modifies Missouri's higher education and workforce development laws by creating a "Ready to Work" endorsement program for high school seniors, allowing schools to certify students meeting specific academic and work-readiness standards by June 2007. It reorganizes the workforce development governance structure, renaming the "Missouri Workforce Investment Board" to the "Workforce Development Board" and aligning its operations with federal WIOA requirements. The bill also requires the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to coordinate state and federal job training resources, including ensuring economically disadvantaged individuals have access to new job opportunities created through state business assistance programs. These changes directly affect high school students, local workforce boards, and state agencies managing job training and employment services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates 'Ready to Work' endorsement program certifying high school seniors' work-readiness, advancing educational pathways and workforce integration in higher education.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates 'Ready to Work' program for student job readiness, reorganizes workforce board per WIOA to strengthen employment pathways.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Workforce Development

Track