HB 3311 establishes standards for Missouri school libraries, requiring districts to adopt policies protecting access to library resources and preventing censorship. It defines key terms like "school librarian" and mandates that libraries promote free expression, support academic standards, and prohibit removal of materials for reasons like political views or author background. The bill creates a specific process for reviewing challenges to library materials, including a committee with diverse members, keeping challenged items available during review, and banning removal for "doctrinal or partisan reasons." It also prohibits retaliation against library staff who follow this review process and prevents repeated challenges to the same material within four years. This law directly affects Missouri public school districts, their library programs, and students' access to information.
HB 3221 prohibits state funding for college degree programs classified as "low-earning outcome" under federal law (Section 84001 of Pub. L. 119-21). It directly affects public colleges and students enrolled in these specific programs by blocking state financial aid, operational funding, grants, and facilities support for them. The bill requires the state higher education board to annually review federal determinations of such programs and enforce the funding ban. It also mandates yearly public reports tracking which programs are excluded, enforcement actions, and fiscal impacts on state budgets. This policy change targets funding allocation, not program availability or student eligibility.
SB 1642 establishes a program for nonprofit organizations to operate adult high schools in Missouri, requiring the Department of Social Services to authorize up to five schools in specific geographic locations based on county population criteria. Organizations must meet detailed requirements, including providing industry certification, partnering with postsecondary institutions, and addressing barriers like homelessness or criminal history for disadvantaged adults. The bill sets academic standards for diplomas equivalent to traditional high school diplomas (without distinguishing marks), allows flexible pacing and limited online instruction, and mandates partnerships to support workforce development. While a minor provision requires maintaining complaint records for summer camps and day camps, the bill's primary focus is on creating adult education programs, not camp licensing.
HB 3222 requires Missouri school districts and charter schools to immediately terminate an employee’s employment if they attempt to resign during an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with a student. The bill mandates that schools disclose substantiated findings of such misconduct to future employers when requested, ensuring transparency about a former employee’s history. It applies directly to school employees accused of sexual misconduct with students during active investigations and to school districts/charter schools handling employment references. The law aims to prevent employees under investigation from avoiding termination through resignation while ensuring future employers receive critical safety information.
SB 1733 - This act establishes "Alyssa's Law" and requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to implement wearable panic alert technology and critical incident response mapping. Beginning with the 2027-28 school year and continuing in all subsequent school years, each LEA shall provide each staff person with a wearable panic alert device. The device shall allow for immediate contact with local emergency response agencies, shall be capable of initiating a campus-wide emergency notification, such as a lockdown, and shall include certain other features specified in the act. Upon activation of an alert, the wearable panic alert system shall provide accurate location information at the room and floor level inside the facility and other areas that are part of the school grounds, such as parking lots and playgrounds. Before the school year begins, all school building personnel shall receive training on the emergency protocols and appropriate use of the panic alert device. Additionally, each LEA shall ensure, before the school year begins, that emergency response mapping is made available by the provider of the wearable panic alert device, at no cost to the LEA, to local first responder agencies. Emergency response maps shall be compatible with security software used by the school, be oriented true north, be overlaid on school floor plans, contain site-specific labeling that matches the structure of school buildings, be capable of managing electronic asset tags, have the ability to provide real time updates to changes to the physical structure of buildings, and have ownership retained by the LEA, as provided in the act. An LEA shall ensure all security data are accessible by a local law enforcement agency and coordinate with a local law enforcement agency to establish appropriate access protocols. Any records relating directly to the physical security or fire safety of the school facility or revealing security or fire safety systems held by a local educational agency are confidential and exempt from public disclosure under the Missouri Sunshine Law. Such records may, however, be disclosed to the owner or leaseholder of the school building; as required in furtherance of the LEA's official duties and responsibilities; to another agency in furtherance of that agency's official duties; or upon a showing of good cause before a court of competent jurisdiction. This act is similar to a provision in HCS/HB 3174 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON
HB 3188, the "Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Act," would have established a pilot program for public schools to integrate media literacy skills into curricula. It required the education department to select 5-7 diverse school districts for a two-year pilot (2027-2029), focusing on teaching students to analyze news, visual media, digital safety, and online misinformation. The program would have developed guidelines covering topics like digital ethics, algorithm awareness, and constitutional free speech rights, with districts reporting outcomes to the state. However, the bill was introduced in February 2026 and withdrawn the same day, so it never became law and no schools participated.
SB 1729 requires Missouri high schools to administer college and career readiness assessments, including a career-focused test leading to a nationally recognized work readiness certificate, before graduation. Students can choose between taking the ACT assessment or a WorkKeys test (which leads to a National Career Readiness Certificate), but cannot take both for the same assessment cycle. Public colleges and universities may accept WorkKeys credentials as credit toward technical degrees. The bill affects all Missouri public high school students and establishes a choice between two assessment pathways for career readiness.
SB 1751 - Elementary and Secondary Education . Governor Senate GR $ 4,849,076,843 $ 5,064,544,779 FEDERAL 1,498,102,242 1,498,102,242 OTHER 2,210,368,475 2,210,368,475 . ______________ ______________ TOTAL $ 8,557,547,560 $ 8,773,015,496 . House Final GR FEDERAL OTHER . ______________ ______________ TOTAL ADAM KOENIGSFELD
HB 3174 requires all public school districts and charter schools to implement a wearable panic alert system for emergency responses. The bill mandates that schools provide each employee with a wearable device to instantly contact emergency services, trigger real-time location tracking (room/floor level), and activate automated visual, audio, and digital alerts throughout the school. Schools must also create detailed digital emergency response maps showing building layouts, emergency equipment locations, and asset tags for devices, sharing these maps with law enforcement at no cost. A dedicated "Panic Alert System Fund" will manage implementation costs, with schools required to train staff annually before each school year begins.
HB 3235 modifies Missouri's education funding structure by replacing prior committee duties with a new scholarship program for public school students. It establishes eligibility criteria prioritizing students with disabilities (via IEPs), those qualifying for free/reduced lunch, military dependents, and others, with specific distribution order rules. Organizations administering scholarships must spend at least 90% of contributions on student accounts, limit administrative costs, and provide annual reports on test scores, graduation rates, and parent satisfaction. The bill also requires participating students to take state assessments and mandates transparency for state agencies tracking program outcomes.
