Education (Special Education)

HB 1639, the "Missouri Pathways to Access and Success Act," requires Missouri public colleges and professional licensing boards to standardize disability accommodation processes. It allows students to use IEP records, past disability services, or licensed professional evaluations to prove eligibility for college accommodations, and mandates that licensing bodies (like those for doctors or lawyers) accept similar documentation for exam accommodations. The bill strengthens protections by requiring licensing boards to grant accommodations unless they provide clear evidence of fundamental alteration or undue burden, and establishes a 30-day decision timeline with detailed denial explanations. Applicants denied accommodations can appeal to a panel including disability advocates, and licensing bodies must reimburse legal costs for wrongful denials.

HB 2185 modifies eligibility rules for Missouri's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program by updating definitions in the law. It defines a "qualified student" as either a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under federal special education law, or an elementary/secondary student from a household earning ≤300% of the income standard for free/reduced lunch who recently attended public school, is kindergarten-ready, or is a sibling of a current scholarship recipient. The bill directly affects Missouri students seeking these scholarships to attend approved schools, including private schools, charter schools, public schools, or early childhood centers. It does not change scholarship amounts or funding but clarifies who qualifies under the program's current structure. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled and read twice in 2026).

HB 2209 requires all Missouri public and private high schools (excluding trade schools) to offer a civics course covering U.S. and Missouri government, electoral processes, and American history by 9th-12th grade. Students must pass a 100-question exam (similar to the U.S. citizenship test) on civics, U.S. Constitution, and American history to graduate. The bill includes exceptions for transfer students with prior documentation and students with disabilities via IEP recommendations. It also mandates that American history courses include coverage of the racial equality movement's impact on laws and attitudes.

HB 2604 establishes procedures for students to transfer to nonresident school districts in Missouri. It requires proof of residency at registration but creates a waiver process for hardship cases (excluding athletic ability), with exemptions for homeless students, military families, and others under specific circumstances. The bill mandates school districts to share student records within specified timelines during transfers and sets consequences for false residency claims. It directly affects students moving districts, particularly those in vulnerable situations like homelessness or military relocations.