SB 969 - This act modifies provisions relating to public safety. SEXUAL OFFENDERS WITHIN SCHOOL PROPERTIES (Section 566.149) This act provides that any person required to register as a tier III sexual offender who is a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a student shall not be present in any school building, any real property that comprises a school, or any place where a school-related activity is taking place. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 134 (2025). RIGHTS OF VICTIMS OF CRIMES (Section 595.209) This act provides that victims of certain crimes under the age of 19 years old shall have the right to appear by video during any deposition or hearing in lieu of appearing in person. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 134 (2025). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
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 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 3480 modifies Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to clarify eligibility for firefighters seeking free college tuition under the program. It requires firefighters to have at least six years of service, hold a valid fire safety certification, and work full-time in active firefighting duties (excluding volunteers or clerical roles). Eligible firefighters can use the benefit for associate or bachelor's degrees in fields like fire science, emergency management, or related health sciences, covering up to 100% of resident tuition. Dependents of firefighters with ten years of service also qualify for similar tuition coverage under the same terms.
HB 3439 modifies Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to expand eligibility for free college tuition. It now includes volunteer firefighters (previously excluded) among public safety personnel who qualify, alongside police officers, paramedics, and EMTs. To qualify, applicants must have at least six years of service, meet specific licensing requirements, pursue approved fields like fire science or emergency management, and apply for other financial aid first. The program covers up to 100% of resident tuition for up to five years or 120 credit hours, with dependent benefits available for those with ten or more years of service.
HB 3461 modifies Missouri's program providing free public college tuition for public safety personnel. It expands eligibility to include police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, crime laboratory technicians, and telecommunicator first responders who have at least six years of service and hold current licenses/certificates for their roles. To qualify, applicants must pursue specific eligible fields (like criminal justice for police or fire science for firefighters), meet all college admission requirements, not already hold a bachelor's degree, and apply for other federal/state financial aid first. The benefit covers only tuition and mandatory fees (not room, board, or books) and lasts up to five years for eligible individuals or their legal dependents.
HB 3332 modifies Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to provide tuition awards for eligible public safety personnel and their dependents. Public safety personnel with at least six years of service (police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, etc.) may receive up to 100% of resident tuition for degrees in specific fields like criminal justice or fire science, subject to meeting license, employment, and admission requirements. Legal dependents of personnel with ten or more years of service also qualify for tuition awards covering associate or bachelor's degrees. The program requires applicants to first seek other federal and state financial aid before applying for the tuition award, with eligibility lasting up to five years or 120 credit hours.
HB 2911 modifies Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to create a tuition award program for eligible public safety workers. It provides up to 100% of resident tuition for associate or bachelor's degrees in approved fields (e.g., criminal justice for police, fire science for firefighters) to personnel with at least six years of service who hold current licenses/certificates and meet admission requirements. Dependents of personnel with ten years of service qualify for similar awards. Applicants must first apply for all other federal and state financial aid before accessing this tuition award.
