Education

HB 2115 requires all elementary schools in the district to teach cursive writing, ensuring students can produce legible cursive documents by the end of fifth grade. It mandates that each student pass a teacher-created test demonstrating proficiency in both reading and writing cursive. The bill directly affects elementary students and schools, setting a specific academic benchmark for cursive skills. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may create rules to implement these requirements, subject to standard regulatory processes.

HB 2242 provides state funding to help public school districts hire licensed school nurses and mental health professionals. School districts can apply for a state supplement covering up to the full salary (including experience) for one nurse or mental health professional per school, with preference given to schools with the greatest need - based on factors like student health ratios, free/reduced lunch eligibility, and Title I funding. Districts may also use the funds to reimburse telehealth services for remote access to these professionals, subject to parental consent. The bill creates dedicated state funds for these supplements, ensuring unspent money doesn’t revert to general revenue and must be used solely for this purpose.

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.

HB 2625 requires Missouri school districts to levy a minimum local property tax ("operating levy") of at least $1.25 per $100 of assessed property value to receive full state education funding. Districts failing to meet this threshold will receive state aid capped at their 2005-06 funding level per student, unless they qualify for exceptions (e.g., districts near nuclear plants or large power facilities). The bill links state aid eligibility directly to this local tax requirement, with rates increasing to $1.50 after 2026. It applies to all public school districts in Missouri, excluding specific utility-adjacent districts that may use a higher $2.75 levy limit. The law aims to ensure districts contribute locally before receiving full state funding.

SB 1290 - This act establishes the "Missouri Healthy Schools Act" and prohibits public schools from serving, selling, or allowing a third party to sell ultraprocessed food, as such term is defined in the act, on campus during the school day. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall post on its website a standardized form public schools may use to certify compliance with the provisions of the act, along with a list of each public school that has provided such certification of compliance to the Department. This act is identical to HB 2887 (2026) and SB 802 (2025). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1121 - This act creates the "Missouri Higher Education Funding Policy Prioritization Act" and creates and modifies provisions relating to higher education workforce policy prioritization. The act modifies the Bright Flight Scholarship Program by modifying the scholarship amounts and by awarding additional scholarships to students who receive Bright Flight awards and are enrolled in eligible programs of study under the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Program. For the 2027-28 academic year and all subsequent academic years, subject to appropriation, an eligible student under Bright Flight shall be offered academic scholarships in an amount equal to the actual in-state tuition charged for the first four semesters the student is enrolled at the approved institution. This provision shall also apply to a Bright Flight recipient in academic years prior to 2027-28 who has completed the first two semesters under the current iteration of the program, for such student's third and fourth semesters. Additionally, a Bright Flight renewal student who is enrolled in an eligible program of study under Fast Track may renew Bright Flight scholarships for up to six semesters in an amount equal to the actual in-state tuition charged. (Section 173.250) The "Missouri Higher Education Funding Policy Prioritization Act" is established to require the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) to develop a funding model for public institutions of higher education. The act sets forth criteria for the funding model, which shall be aligned to meet the professional and workforce needs for the state; shall provide sustainable resources for institutions; and shall be based on the 2023 performance funding study commissioned by DHEWD. The model shall include a process for allocating core appropriations to four-year institutions, community colleges, and State Technical College of Missouri, and shall use a cost-based approach, along with a performance component, as described in the act. The model shall also establish a plan for testing and implementation. After the plan has been reviewed and consented to by two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, as well as two senators appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the plan shall be approved by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly before August 31, 2026. DHEWD shall evaluate the effectiveness of the funding model test and submit a report to the Governor, the Speaker, and the President Pro Tempore before October 15, 2026. The funding model shall be presented to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education for final approval before November 1, 2026. However, the funding model shall not become effective unless approved by the General Assembly by concurrent resolution. For the 2028-29 fiscal year and all subsequent fiscal years, appropriations to four-year institutions, community colleges, and State Technical College of Missouri shall be in accordance with the funding model approved by the General Assembly. (Section 173.1541) This provision is similar to HB 1569 (2025), HB 2905 (2024), and to a provision in HCS/HB 2123 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

HB 1726 requires all public K-12 school districts in Missouri to implement enhanced safety standards at every school building they own, operate, or lease. It mandates automatic locking for all exterior doors (except designated emergency areas), visual identification systems at main entrances, and shatter-resistant glass on windows near doors and ground-level windows. The bill specifies that main entrance windows must use bullet-resistant glass while other entry points require riot-resistant glass, and all doors must close automatically when opened. These requirements apply to all public school buildings, excluding private schools, home schools, correctional facilities, and higher education campuses.

HB 2112 creates Missouri's "Teachers Matter Grant Program," providing financial incentives for teachers to engage in voluntary extra duties beyond their regular contracts. Qualified teachers (with valid licenses, satisfactory evaluations, and no existing salary supplements) earn up to $4,000 total through two $2,000 payments: the first after 40+ hours of self-directed work (like coaching, mentoring, or test prep) between December and January, and the second after another 40 hours between May and June. School districts match state funds for district grants ($1,000 each), but teachers must document their extra hours via written agreements and logs. The program expires after six years unless renewed by the legislature.

SCS/SB 909 - This act renames the "Missouri Student Religious Liberties Act" the "Missouri Safeguarding Personal Expression at K-12 Schools (SPEAKS) Act". The act adds political and ideological expression to the current protections for public school students' religious expression. The act additionally prohibits discrimination against student clubs on the basis of their religious, political, or ideological viewpoints or any requirement that the members of the club adhere to the club's sincerely held beliefs, comply with the club's conduct standards, or further the club's mission, as such mission is defined by the club. This act shall not be construed to limit school districts' ability to restrict speech that is not protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; speech that is so offensive that a student is effectively denied equal access to educational opportunities; or conduct that intentionally, materially, and substantially disrupts school operations or the expressive activity of another individual in a campus space exclusively reserved for such activity. Any person or student organization harmed by a violation of this act shall have a private cause of action against the school, as described in the act. Any person or student organization aggrieved by a violation of this act may assert such violation as a defense or counterclaim in any disciplinary action or in any civil or administrative proceeding. The state waives immunity and consents to be sued in federal court for claims arising under this act. This act is identical to a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2682 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

HB 2271 prohibits commercial services from preparing, selling, or completing academic work (like papers, exams, or assignments) for students to submit as their own for academic credit. It directly affects students who might use such services and educational institutions (sponsors) that grant degrees, certifications, or grades. The law bans services that create or distribute "work products" for credit, including advertising or selling pre-written essays or exam answers, with exceptions for tutoring permitted by the institution. Violations can be enforced by the Missouri Attorney General or local prosecutors.