Education (K-12 Education)

HB 2390 requires Missouri public schools serving kindergarten through grade 8 to provide specific physical activity time. It mandates elementary students receive 150 minutes per week (30 minutes daily) of moderate physical activity, including a 20-minute daily recess, and adds new requirements for 2027-28: 15 minutes of daily recess/free time plus two 3-minute "brain breaks" (stretching or mindfulness). The bill prohibits withholding recess for discipline (except safety risks), requires safe/supervised environments, and allows school districts flexibility in meeting requirements through physical education or approved activities. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will develop rules for implementation and may offer grants for program support.

HB 2252 creates the "Missouri Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program" to provide direct funding to K-12 teachers for classroom materials. Starting in the 2027-28 school year, the state will distribute funds to school districts based on average daily attendance, then allocate identical amounts to each teacher via debit cards before August 15 each year. Teachers can use these cards to purchase supplementary textbooks, library books, instructional supplies, and educational TV services for students - but not equipment - and must submit receipts to the school for five years. Unspent funds roll over to future years, and the program requires specific debit card labeling and teacher acknowledgment of usage terms.

HB 1776 creates a state matching grant program to help Missouri school districts fund renovation projects. It provides state funds covering 60% of eligible project costs (with districts contributing 40%), targeting essential upgrades like roofing, HVAC, windows, and health/environmental improvements at school facilities. Eligible projects must maintain daily school operations, and funding prioritizes districts affected by disasters, experiencing rapid enrollment growth, or having lower property values per student. School districts apply annually, with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reviewing applications and awarding grants based on established criteria and available appropriations.

HB 2581 mandates specific content for human sexuality education in public schools, directly affecting K-12 students and school districts. The bill requires medically accurate instruction covering abstinence as the preferred choice, STI prevention (including HIV/AIDS and HPV), contraception effectiveness, emotional consequences of teen sex, conflict management skills, legal responsibilities (like statutory rape), online safety, and sexual harassment/violence definitions. Crucially, it mandates for the 2026-27 school year and beyond the use of two specific videos: a high-definition fetal development ultrasound and the "Meet Baby Olivia" video showing human gestation. School boards must provide parental notification about curriculum content and allow opt-outs, while prohibiting abortion-related materials in instruction.

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 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 1846, the "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Screening Act," requires Missouri public and private K-12 schools to implement cardiac screening protocols for student athletes starting in the 2027-28 school year. It mandates annual educational materials about sudden cardiac arrest warning signs for students, parents, and coaches; requires signed acknowledgment forms confirming review of these materials; and establishes specific cardiovascular prescreening during physical exams using nationally recognized guidelines. The prescreening must include personal/family history and physical checks for heart conditions, with positive findings requiring cardiologist referrals. The bill also requires coaches to complete annual cardiac training aligned with CPR/AED protocols and directs health officials to publish annual reports tracking screenings and referrals. This directly affects all student athletes in Missouri schools participating in athletic activities.

SB 1383 requires all elementary schools in the state to implement an agricultural education program that was previously tested as a pilot. This bill directly affects every public elementary school and its students by mandating the inclusion of agricultural education in their curriculum. The key provision is the statewide expansion of the pilot program, moving it from a limited trial to a required statewide standard. The bill does not specify curriculum details or funding mechanisms, only the requirement for implementation.

HB 1767, the "Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act," establishes specific rights for parents and teachers in Missouri public schools. It grants parents the right to access curricula, review school records, receive information about teachers and school data collection, and visit schools during regular hours. Teachers are granted rights including protection from physical abuse or threats, freedom of speech, guaranteed preparation time, and a safe teaching environment. School districts must adopt policies ensuring transparency - such as timely safety incident notifications to parents and clear procedures for parent visits - to support these rights. The bill directly affects parents of K-12 students and school staff in Missouri’s public school districts.