HB 2335 requires Missouri school districts to establish written discipline policies that include corporal punishment procedures (with parental written consent required) and specify how to handle student violence, disabilities, and confidentiality. It mandates annual training for all school employees on these policies, including handling school violence and student education plans. The bill also requires schools to report specific violent crimes and drug offenses to law enforcement and restricts suspended students from being within 1,000 feet of school property unless under adult supervision or meeting specific exceptions. This directly affects school employees, administrators, students (especially those with disabilities or involved in discipline incidents), and school safety protocols.
SB 1270 requires all public and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4 through 12. The bill mandates that schools make these products readily available in restrooms and health offices at no cost to students. It directly affects female students in those grade levels and school districts operating public or charter institutions. The key provision is the obligation on schools to supply these products, aiming to address accessibility needs during menstruation.
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.
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 1792 establishes a two-year pilot program (2027-2029) to integrate media literacy into K-12 public schools across 5-7 diverse districts. The program requires schools to teach students to analyze news, identify misinformation, understand algorithms, practice digital safety, and recognize bias in media - including social media and online content - while connecting these skills to First Amendment rights. The Department of Education will study pilot outcomes and develop statewide guidelines and potential standards by 2030, focusing on practical classroom strategies for critical media evaluation. This bill directly affects public school districts, educators, and students in the participating schools during the pilot period.
HB 1698, known as "Sawyer's Law," requires all public school districts and charter schools to adopt written antibullying policies. The law defines bullying broadly - including cyberbullying, physical actions, and harassment - and mandates that policies prohibit zero-tolerance disciplinary approaches, require staff to report witnessed bullying within two school days, and ensure investigations are completed within 10 school days. Schools must include these policies in student handbooks, train staff annually on reporting and interventions, and provide students with education about bullying prevention and support resources. The law directly affects students, school staff, and parents by establishing clear procedures for reporting, investigating, and responding to bullying incidents while banning retaliation against reporters.
