HB 2499 establishes specific rights and requirements for students renting purpose-built off-campus housing designed for college attendees in Missouri. It mandates that landlords provide habitable living spaces with functioning utilities (water, electricity, heat), timely repairs, proper notice for entry/sales, and lease modifications for academic changes (like transferring schools, withdrawals, or family emergencies). The bill requires leases to clearly outline academic services (like reliable internet), essential services (laundry, security), fees, and dispute resolution processes. Landlords must also provide a free, standardized flyer explaining these lease terms to renters, created in coordination with the Department of Higher Education. This directly affects student renters and landlords of purpose-built student housing properties.
HB 2078 requires Missouri school districts to adjust how they allocate funds for administrative staff and teachers. Starting in the 2027-28 school year, at least 88% of total compensation (salaries, wages, and benefits) must go to classroom teachers, increasing by 1% annually until reaching 95% by 2028-29 and beyond. The bill defines "teacher" as certified classroom educators and excludes non-classroom roles like coaches or advisors from this calculation. This directly affects all Missouri public school districts in their budgeting for staff compensation.
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 2442 modifies Missouri's education assessment rules by replacing outdated provisions with new requirements for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The bill directly affects public schools, charter schools, and school districts by prohibiting the use of test results to classify school districts (Section 160.518, subsection 13) and banning assessments focused solely on rote memorization. Its key mechanism creates an "Outstanding Schools Waiver" program: schools meeting performance criteria for three consecutive years can apply for exemptions from certain testing requirements and state regulations under Section 160.518, subsection 4. The changes aim to align assessments with federal standards while emphasizing critical thinking skills over memorization, with waivers limited to qualifying schools within a district.
HB 1627 creates a new "Career and Technical Education Advisory Council" within Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The council, composed of 16 appointed members (including business representatives, educators, student organization advisors, community college reps, and legislative appointees), will develop a statewide strategic plan for career and technical education programs. It must identify service gaps, recommend legislative improvements, oversee student organization funds, and provide annual reports to education officials. The bill also requires the council to post meeting materials and decisions online 48 hours after meetings, ensuring public transparency in its work. This bill directly affects Missouri's career and technical education programs, students, educators, and businesses involved in workforce development.
HB 2317 requires Missouri public school districts to implement educational programs and activities during February that honor Black Americans' historical struggles and triumphs. Specifically, each public school must dedicate at least one class period in February to these activities, as determined by school boards and administrators. The bill directly affects all public schools within Missouri school districts by mandating a structured, annual observance. It focuses on educational content rather than ceremonial actions, with no specific curriculum requirements specified.
HB 2157 requires Missouri public school districts to create policies allowing students to be excused during school hours for religious instruction courses provided by independent organizations. The policy must ensure parental written consent is obtained, the sponsoring entity handles transportation and liability, and no school funds (beyond minimal administrative costs) are used. School districts must award academic credit for these courses based on secular criteria like class hours, syllabus, and instructor qualifications - without considering religious content. The excused time counts toward school attendance for state funding purposes, and students are responsible for missed schoolwork. This directly affects students, parents, and school districts by establishing clear rules for religious instruction outside regular school hours.
HB 2192 protects and promotes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Missouri's public institutions, including schools, universities, and government agencies. The bill explicitly prohibits state laws, policies, or executive orders from defunding, restricting, or penalizing these efforts, covering DEI offices, inclusive curriculum training, and voluntary employee engagement programs. It requires the Missouri Commission on Human Rights to investigate complaints about violations and recommend remedies to restore affected DEI programs. The bill aims to ensure public institutions can maintain these initiatives without state interference.
