Browse Legislation

SCS/SB 1197 - This act establishes the "Alexander Whalen Safe Highways Act", requiring the Department of Transportation to implement wrong-way vehicle detection systems (WWVDSs), as defined in the act. Implementation shall begin no later than March 1, 2027, and shall prioritize certain interchanges, as specified in the act. The Department shall evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of notification systems for other drivers and for emergency responders. The Department shall produce annual reports on the implementation and effectiveness of WWVDSs. This act is similar to SCS/SB 672 (2025) and is similar to HB 1387 (2025). TAYLOR MIDDLETON

SS/SCS/SB 1383 - This act ends the current pilot program for agricultural education in elementary schools and authorizes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to establish an ongoing agricultural education program beginning in the 2027-28 school year. DESE shall develop a process for public elementary schools to participate in such program, and the local school board for each participating school shall fully fund the program and may employ an agricultural education teacher. DESE shall collaborate with Missouri agricultural commodity groups to establish instructional models for the program, as provided in the act. DESE shall evaluate the success and impact of the agricultural education program and report the results of such evaluation on the DESE website. Provisions of state law requiring the State Board of Education to form a work group to develop academic performance standards shall not apply to the provisions of this act. This act is identical to provisions in SS/HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026) and in SS/SCS/HB 2896 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 939 - Under this act, no more than half of the governing body members of the following institutions of higher education shall reside in the county in which the institution's main campus is located: - Harris Stowe State University, Saint Louis City (Section 174.300); - Northwest Missouri State University, Nodaway County (Section 174.332); - Missouri State University, Greene County (Section 174.450); - Missouri Southern State University, Jasper County (Sections 174.450 and 174.453); - University of Central Missouri, Johnson County (Section 174.450); - Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau County (Section 174.453); - Truman State University, Adair County (Section 174.610); - Lincoln University, Cole County (Section 175.020); and - State Technical College of Missouri, Osage County (Section 178.632). The act repeals any other geographical restrictions on the makeup of such governing bodies. This act is similar to provisions in SS/SCS/HB 2896 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 962 - This act provides that a student enrolled in a school that receives state funds shall not be considered absent for the time such student spends attending a scheduled primary, general, or special election with his or her parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to the student. A student may received only one excused absence during each scheduled election. Upon his or her return to school, the student shall be encouraged by school officials to demonstrate his or her attendance at the election by wearing an official sticker, badge, or other item indicating that he or she attended the election. This act is identical to HB 3201 (2026) and SB 344 (2025), and is similar to a provision in HCS/SB 1351 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1051 - This act requires all public schools, school districts, and public institutions of postsecondary education to treat discrimination motivated by antisemitism, as such term is defined in the act, in an identical manner to racially motivated discrimination. Schools and institutions shall include antisemitism-related conduct and penalties in their codes of conduct for students, faculty, and employees, as provided in the act, and shall prohibit behaviors that disrupt normal educational activity or create fear or intimidation. Criticism of Israel comparable to that of other countries shall not be considered antisemitism. The act shall not be construed to infringe on First Amendment rights or conflict with existing discrimination laws. The act further provides that no public school or public institution of postsecondary education shall discriminate because of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status in any program, admission, class, or service, including counseling and financial aid. While specialized programs, such as programs for gifted or disabled students, are allowed, equal access shall otherwise be maintained. To ensure compliance, each educational institution shall report incidents and complaints of antisemitism to the appropriate Title VI coordinator at either the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) or the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD). If an educational institution fails to resolve issues within 30 days after being notified, the coordinator may escalate the matter to federal authorities. An annual report of these activities shall be submitted to the General Assembly by July 1 each year. This act is similar to SS/HB 2061 (2026), HB 2393 (2026), HB 746 (2025), and provisions in HCS/SS/SB 38 (2025) and in HCS/HB 937 (2025). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 932 - Current law allows the Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation to impose taxes or surcharges for different purposes relating to the administration of workers' compensation, with such tax rate being rounded up to the nearest one-half of a percentage point. This act requires the tax or surcharge rates to instead be rounded up to the nearest one-tenth of a percentage point. This act is identical to provisions in HB 2855 (2026). SCOTT SVAGERA

SB 1703 - This act establishes the "Student Screen-Time Standards Act" and requires each school district and charter school to adopt a written policy governing screen time and the use of instructional technology for students in kindergarten through grade five. The policy shall be designed to promote students' educational interests, prevent harmful effects of excessive screen time on child development, ensure that technology supports rather than supplants foundational learning, and restore evidence-based practices. The act outlines required components of the policy, including limits on student screen time, restrictions on the use of school-issued devices, and limits on student access to internet-connected instructional technology, including laptops, tablets, software platforms, and other similar devices. The policy shall identify approved digital platforms, establish standards for student use of hands-on physical learning tools and traditional materials, outline procedures by which parents may obtain information regarding their child's screen time and technology use and limit such use, and describe the research and evidence upon which the policy is based. In developing the policy, each school district or charter school shall consider and document research on best practices in literacy instruction, instructional technology, assessment, and the role of handwriting and cursive writing in promoting literacy. Each elementary school shall notify parents and guardians annually of the adopted policy, provide parents available information regarding their child's login time and technology use upon request, and publish the policy on the school's website. Each policy shall be periodically updated and shall incorporate recommendations from a model school board policy to be developed by the "Framework on Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) Council" established in the act. The policy shall be implemented before the end of the 2027–28 school year and shall apply in all subsequent school years. The Literacy Advisory Council established under current law shall provide advice regarding instruction and assessment of cursive writing and reading, and shall develop recommendations for a related model policy on cursive. The Commissioner of Education shall establish a "Framework on Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) Council" composed of the Commissioner as chair, with appointed members representing school boards and charter schools; elementary school principals who have completed state leadership training; teachers with expertise in reading, mathematics, and special education; parental and disability advocacy organizations; faculty from approved teacher preparation programs; a licensed pediatric mental health professional or board-certified behavior analyst; and a medical professional with expertise in child health and development. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide staff and resources for the council. The council shall conduct a comprehensive survey and analysis of screen time and instructional technology use in public schools, and shall provide guidance on best practices and policies, as provided in the act. By July 1, 2027, the council shall submit a report containing the council's recommendations and a model school board policy on screen time and instructional technology use to the State Board of Education, the Governor, and the Joint Committee on Education. The report shall be updated at least every two years. This act is similar to SCS/HCS/HBs 2230 & 2978 (2026) and to provisions in HCS/SB 1351 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SCS/SBs 1653 & 1194 - This act repeals provisions relating to annual report cards for elementary and secondary schools and establishes new accountability measures for all public schools, charter schools, and school districts. In addition to providing information about student performance, the report cards shall be designed to satisfy federal reporting requirements and shall be presented in a standardized, clear, and easily accessible form so that they can be easily understood by parents, taxpayers, school personnel, legislators, and the media. The State Board of Education may assign duties specified in the act to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) or contract with a third party under state law. By September 15 of each year, the State Board of Education shall provide a confidential version of the school accountability report cards to each school district, public school, and charter school. Within 36 hours of the delivery of the embargoed report cards, the report cards shall be published on the DESE website in a clear and easily accessible location, and by September 30 of each year, the report cards shall be published in a clear and easily accessible location on each school or district website. The State Board of Education shall assign each school district, public school, and charter school a letter grade rating of A-F based on a 0-100 scale, where an "A" rating represents excellent student outcomes, a "B" rating represents more than satisfactory outcomes, a "C" rating represents satisfactory outcomes, a "D" rating represents less than satisfactory outcomes, and an "F" rating represents a failure to produce adequate outcomes. A school district, public school, or charter school that does not test at least 95% of its students in the annual summative assessment shall have its rating lowered by one level. DESE shall use a criteria-referenced growth measure, called "growth to proficiency", in addition to the existing normative value-added growth measure. Growth to proficiency shall evaluate for each student with two consecutive years of Missouri Assessment Program performance levels whether that student has made sufficient academic progress to put such student on a trajectory to reach grade-level proficiency within three years or by 10th grade, whichever comes first. The act describes the factors that shall be used in determining a school's or a school district's A-F rating. These factors include students' academic achievement status, academic growth, and, for high schools, the four-year graduation rate and a success ready graduate measure to be calculated by DESE based upon factors including students' achievement of Advanced Placement scores of 3 or higher, International Baccalaureate scores of 4 or higher, dual enrollment course completions with a "C" grade or higher, and career and technical education certificates, as provided in the act. For schools serving students in grades below 9th grade, academic achievement level shall represent 40% of the rating, value-added growth shall represent 30% of the rating, and growth to proficiency shall represent 30% of the rating. For high schools, academic achievement level shall represent 25% of the rating, value-added growth shall represent 25% of the rating, growth to proficiency shall represent 25% of the rating, the success ready graduate measure shall represent 15% of the rating, and the student four-year graduation rate shall represent 10% percent of the rating. School districts, public schools, and charter schools shall also report, for high schools, the number of graduates who, within six months of graduation, attend postsecondary education or training programs, serve in the military or in national or community service, or are employed in a skilled workforce position as determined by a governmental agency or non-governmental organization with expertise in such positions. DESE shall additionally develop a statewide report card that provides the percentages of students attending schools with each grade rating and student performance on the MAP test relative to student performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The A-F grading scale for schools shall automatically increase to ensure rigor in the calculation such that when success is achieved, the following school year, expectations are raised so performance does not stagnate. Specifically, when 65% percent of schools earn an A or a B, the following school year, the school grading scale shall increase by five percentage points to earn an A, B, C, and D. A special school district or state-operated school in which all of the students enrolled are students with disabilities shall be exempt from state requirements relating to school accountability report cards. This act is similar to HB 2539 (2026) and to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2710 (2026) and in HCS/SB 1351 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1273 - Under this act, cities, counties, and school districts (defined as "political subdivisions") shall not adopt or enforce any ordinance, policy, resolution, deed restriction, property use restriction, or other such restriction that prevents property they sell, lease, or transfer from being used for any lawful educational purpose by a charter school. The act also prohibits any deed restriction or other such restriction that limits property to specific non-educational uses. Any existing restriction that bars property previously used for educational purposes from being used for future educational purposes is void. Any ordinance, policy, regulation, deed, use restriction, or contract made in violation of this act is void from its inception. Additionally, when a school district offers to sell or lease an unused school building or facility that is not being used for academic, extracurricular, administrative, or athletic purposes, and that either has no approved plan for future use or has a plan that has not been carried out within two years, the contract shall include a right of first refusal allowing a public entity to purchase or lease the property first. The term "public entity" includes the state of Missouri and any of its political subdivisions, such as cities, counties, boards, agencies, or authorities. If the school district accepts an offer to sell or lease the unused building or facility to a non-public entity, such district shall post a public notice on its website stating that the property is available. The public notice shall include the property's square footage, the district's contact information, and a statement that the right of first refusal expires 60 days after this notification. If no offer from a non-public entity exists, a public entity may initiate negotiations to buy or lease an unused school building or facility. The school district shall begin good-faith negotiations within 60 days of the public entity's engagement, and negotiations shall last up to 30 days. An independent mediator shall obtain appraisals to determine a fair market sale or lease price. If multiple public entities express interest in the unused building or facility, the school district shall decide which entity shall purchase or lease the property. During negotiations, the school district may choose whether to sell or lease the property, at fair market value or less. A lease shall allow reasonable access and use of shared common areas. If a public entity leases the entire facility and incurs debt to make improvements, the school district shall subordinate its lease interest to that debt. The public entity shall have six months from the date of its written offer to complete the purchase or lease. While leasing, the public entity shall be responsible for all direct expenses, including utilities, insurance, maintenance, property taxes, and repairs. If a public entity later decides to sell a facility it purchased from a school district, such public entity shall first offer the property back to that district, following the same procedures set forth in the act. This act is similar to SCS/HCS/HBs 2404 & 2172 (2026) and to provisions in SB 1496 (2026), HB 2866 (2026), SB 398 (2025), HB 447 (2025), HB 1044 (2025), SB 1006 (2024), SB 1123 (2024), HB 2088 (2024), HB 2178 (2024), SB 304 (2023), SB 650 (2022), HB 2087 (2022), SCS/SB 55, 25, & 23 (2021), SB 315 (2021), HCS/HB 137 (2021), HB 322 (2021), HB 729 (2021), SB 649 (2020), SB 603 (2020), HB 1917 (2020), SB 51 (2019), SCS/SB 271 (2019), SS#2/SCS/SB 292 (2019), SCS/HB 485 (2019), HCS/SS/SB 218 (2019), HCS/HB 581 (2019), and HCS/HB 924 (2019). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1602 - This act specifies that the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri may acquire, manage, lease, purchase, sell, contract for, or otherwise acquire an interest in or participate in the ownership or operation of hospital, medical, or other health care facilities or providers. The Board of Curators and any public or private entities or individuals with which the Board of Curators collaborates for these purposes shall be immunized from liability under all federal and state antitrust laws in the 25 counties specified in the act. This act is similar to SB 1696 (2026) and HCS/HB 3170 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1696 - This act specifies that the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri may acquire, manage, lease, purchase, sell, contract for, or otherwise acquire an interest in or participate in the ownership or operation of hospital, medical, or other health care facilities or providers. The Board of Curators and any public or private entities or individuals with which the Board of Curators collaborates for these purposes shall not be subject to penalties for violating state law prohibiting trade monopolies in the 25 counties specified in the act. This act is similar to SB 1602 (2026) and HCS/HB 3170 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SCS/SB 978 - Beginning in the 2026-27 school year and continuing in subsequent school years, any instruction on human sexuality provided by a school district or charter school shall include a human growth and development discussion. Such discussion shall include a video illustrating the development of vital organs in early fetal development, as well as a video illustrating the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus throughout pregnancy until birth. Additionally, each school district and charter school shall require instruction in human growth and development beginning no later than third grade. Provisions of state law requiring the formation of a work group to develop academic standards shall not apply to this instruction. The instruction shall include certain scientific facts and information listed in the act, including videos illustrating the development of vital organs in early fetal development and every stage of human development inside the uterus throughout pregnancy until birth. The instruction shall teach that at conception, a new human being is formed, and abortion ends the life of an unborn child. The medicinal emphasis on the heartbeat during gestation shall also be covered, along with the ability to hear an unborn child's heartbeat using a fetal heart rate device. Placental development, brain waves, reflex responses, and sensory receptors are also required instructional topics. The instruction shall teach that the predominant abortion method in Missouri is dilation and evacuation, which includes the dismemberment, disarticulation, and exsanguination of an unborn child, causing the unborn child's death. Instruction in human development shall be delivered in an age-appropriate manner. Parents shall be notified of the contents of such instruction and shall be given the opportunity to remove their child from class during such instruction. The Attorney General may bring a civil action for damages, injunctive relief, or both, against any person or entity who violates any provision of this act. This act is similar to HB 1701 (2026), HB 2581 (2026), and HB 2909 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SCS/SB 1207 - 1This act creates and modifies provisions relating to education. SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOL FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Section 162.192) Under this act, each school district and charter school shall maintain a searchable, publicly accessible database on its website setting forth all financial transactions conducted with school district or charter school funds. The financial ledger shall be available without login credentials, registration, or fees, and shall be downloadable and exportable in formats specified in the act. The financial ledger shall record transactions using codes set forth in the Missouri Financial Accounting Manual published by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), as applicable. Certain data fields shall be included in the financial ledger at minimum, such as transaction date, transaction amount, revenue or expenditure designation, fund code, function code, object code, vendor or payee name, and a description or memo field. The homepage of each public or charter school's website shall include a direct link to the financial ledger of the school district or charter school. The link shall make the financial ledger accessible within one click, and shall be functional and mobile-responsive. DESE may provide standardized language or icons that public and charter schools may use for this purpose. A school district's or charter school's financial ledger shall be updated at least monthly. Details of each calendar month's financial transactions shall be posted no later than 45 days after the close of that calendar month. For record keeping purposes, a school district or charter school shall maintain at least five fiscal years of historical data on its financial ledger. Protected personal information may be redacted only to the extent required by applicable law. Vendor names, amounts, and accounting codes shall not be redacted. Payroll data may be presented in aggregated form where disclosure of individual information is restricted. Debt obligations shall be posted in a separate section of the financial ledger, with disclosure of outstanding debt balances, issuance dates, repayment schedules, annual debt service amounts, and debt service as a percentage of total expenditures. DESE may provide or approve standardized templates or platforms school districts and charter schools may use for their financial ledgers. DESE may additionally provide guidance to assist school districts and charter schools with compliance. DESE shall promulgate rules establishing procedures and timelines for school districts and charter schools to certify compliance annually. A school district or charter school that violates any provision of this act may be subject to the withholding of up to 1% of that school year's state aid entitlement for the school district or charter school. DESE shall establish a process for members of the public to file complaints if they believe a school district or charter school has violated any provision of the act. DESE may also establish a public compliance dashboard on DESE's website to enable members of the public to check whether a particular school district or charter school is certified as in compliance. This provision is identical to provisions in SCS/HBs 2120 & 1698 (2026), SCS/HBs 2230 & 2978 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 2748 (2026), and SCS/HB 2872 (2026), and is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 1029 (2026) and in SCS/HCS/HB 2710 (2026). MISSOURI HIGHER EDUCATION LOAN AUTHORITY (Sections 173.365 and 173.445) This act provides that the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) shall protect financial information and trade secrets as required under federal and state law. MOHELA may also close certain records related to student loan servicing, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary. Such records may include details about contract performance, payments, and business communications related to loan servicing operations. However, this provision shall not apply to records requested by Missouri governmental entities. A provision of current law authorizing MOHELA to sue and be sued shall not be construed to waive any legal defense of MOHELA, including all forms of sovereign immunity. (Section 173.365) Additionally, current law requires MOHELA to file an annual financial report with the Director of the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Under this act, such report shall also be filed with the Joint Committee on Education. These provisions are similar to SCS/SB 476 (2025). (Section 173.445) WORKFORCE DIPLOMA PROGRAM (Section 173.831) The act repeals the August 28, 2028, sunset on the Workforce Diploma Program. This provision is identical to SA#4 to SS/HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026) and to provisions in SS/SCS/HB 2896 (2026) and in HCS/SS/SB 1196 (2026), and is similar to provisions in SCS/SB 1370 (2026) and HCS/HB 3239 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SCS/SB 1370 - This act modifies the "Workforce Diploma Program" and establishes provisions regarding adult eligibility for virtual school courses and programs. Under this act, an adult student may enroll in any state-approved virtual course or full-time virtual program offered by a school district or a public institution of higher education. Adult students are also eligible to enroll in the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program. An "adult student" is defined as a Missouri resident over 21 years of age who has not yet earned a high school diploma but is within 12 academic credits or 2 school years of achieving such a diploma. An adult virtual program shall be entitled to a monthly allocation of state aid for adult students in an amount equal to 14% of the state adequacy target per completed course. However, an adult virtual program shall not be entitled to a school district's ordinary school revenue, including local effort revenue, and any state aid allocated to an adult virtual program shall not count toward the constitutional minimum amount of state aid required for the establishment of free public schools in this state. The total amount of funding provided for an adult student enrolled in a virtual program shall not exceed the state adequacy target. No school district with an adult student enrolled in an adult virtual program shall be required to report such adult student's information for purposes of annual performance reports or as required for full-time, school-age virtual students under current law. (Section 161.672) The act modifies the "Workforce Diploma Program" by repealing current requirements relating to funding, the qualification process for program providers, and program performance standards, as well as repealing the "Workforce Diploma Program Fund" and the sunset on such program. Rather than being subject to these repealed provisions, a program provider through the Workforce Diploma Program shall be authorized under the act's provisions regarding adult eligibility for virtual school courses and programs. (Section 173.831) This act is substantially similar to HCS/HB 3239 (2026), and is similar to SA#4 to SS/HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026), HCS/HB 1516 (2025), and to provisions in SCS/SB 1207 (2026), HCS/SS/SB 1196 (2026), and in SS/SCS/HB 2896 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1496 - This act creates, repeals, and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. This act is similar to HB 2866 (2026). MISSOURI EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS PROGRAM (Sections 135.712, 135.713, 135.715, 135.716, 160.410, 160.415, 166.700, and 166.720) The act authorizes the General Assembly to fund student scholarships through the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program by appropriating funds to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts fund. Such scholarships shall be awarded in an order and in amounts established in current law and shall be governed through parent agreements with educational assistance organizations as provided in current law. No provision of law relating to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program shall be construed to limit the appropriation authority of the General Assembly. (Sections 135.712 and 135.716) The cumulative amount of tax credits that may be allocated in any one calendar year is doubled, increasing from $75 million to $150 million. (Section 135.713) There shall be a maximum of 15 educational assistance organizations, rather than 10, in any school year. No more than 11 of such organizations, rather than 7, shall have their principal place of business in Greene County, Jackson County, St. Charles County, St. Louis County, or the City of St. Louis. (Section 135.715) Where capacity is available, a charter school shall enroll all students who transfer under the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. A charter school may receive tuition payments from such students. (Sections 160.410 and 160.415) The definition of "qualified student" is modified by repealing provisions requiring students to have an individualized education plan developed under federal law or to be a member of a household with a total annual income that does not exceed 300% of the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced price lunches. (Section 166.700) The act repeals a provision allowing school districts and charter schools to continue including students in the calculation of the district's or school's weighted average daily attendance for up to five years after the student receives an empowerment scholarship and leaves the school district or charter school. (Section 166.720) CHARTER SCHOOLS (Sections 160.400, 160.405, 160.410, and 160.415) Under this act, charter schools may be operated in any school district in the state. The act repeals provisions limiting charter schools to certain school districts and provisions relating to the accreditation status of school districts in which a charter school may operate. (Section 160.400) The proposed charter of a charter school sponsored and approved by the Missouri Charter Public School Commission shall not require the approval of the State Board of Education. (Section 160.405) The act repeals provisions restricting certain state aid payments only to those charter schools in certain school districts. (Section 160.415) Where capacity is available, a charter school shall enroll all students who transfer under the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program or who enroll under provisions of the act authorizing student transfers among school districts and charter schools. A charter school may receive tuition payments from such students. (Sections 160.410 and 160.415) SCHOOL PROPERTY (Sections 160.422 and 162.092) Under this act, cities, counties, and school districts (defined as "political subdivisions") shall not adopt or enforce any ordinance, policy, or resolution that prevents property they sell, lease, or transfer from being used by a charter school for any lawful educational purpose. The act also prohibits any deed restriction, property use restriction, or other such restriction that limits property to specific uses that exclude use by a charter public school for any lawful educational purpose. Any existing restriction that bars property previously used for educational purposes from being used for future educational purposes by a charter school is void. Any ordinance, policy, regulation, deed, use restriction, or contract made in violation of this act is void from its inception. (Section 160.422) Additionally, when a school district offers to sell or lease an unused school building or facility that is not being used for academic, extracurricular, administrative, or athletic purposes, and that either has no approved plan for future use or has a plan that has not been carried out within two years, the contract shall include a right of first refusal allowing a public entity to purchase or lease the property first. The term "public entity" includes the state of Missouri and any of its political subdivisions, such as cities, counties, boards, agencies, or authorities. If the school district accepts an offer to sell or lease the unused building or facility to a non-public entity, such district shall post a public notice on its website stating that the property is available. The public notice shall include the property's square footage, the district's contact information, and a statement that the right of first refusal expires 60 days after this notification. If multiple public entities express interest in the unused building or facility, the school district shall decide which entity shall purchase or lease the property. During negotiations, the school district may choose whether to sell or lease the property, at fair market value or less. A lease shall allow reasonable access and use of shared common areas. If a public entity leases the entire facility and incurs debt to make improvements, the school district shall subordinate its lease interest to that debt. The public entity shall have six months from the date of its written offer to complete the purchase or lease. While leasing, the public entity shall be responsible for all direct expenses, including utilities, insurance, maintenance, property taxes, and repairs. If a public entity later decides to sell a facility it purchased from a school district, such public entity shall first offer the property back to that district, following the same procedures set forth in the act. (Section 162.092) These provisions are similar to SB 1273 (2026), SCS/HCS/HBs 2404 & 2172 (2026), and to provisions in SB 398 (2025), HB 447 (2025), HB 1044 (2025), SB 1006 (2024), SB 1123 (2024), HB 2088 (2024), HB 2178 (2024), SB 304 (2023), SB 650 (2022), HB 2087 (2022), SCS/SB 55, 25, & 23 (2021), SB 315 (2021), HCS/HB 137 (2021), HB 322 (2021), HB 729 (2021), SB 649 (2020), SB 603 (2020), HB 1917 (2020), SB 51 (2019), SCS/SB 271 (2019), SS#2/SCS/SB 292 (2019), SCS/HB 485 (2019), HCS/SS/SB 218 (2019), HCS/HB 581 (2019), and HCS/HB 924 (2019). STUDENT TRANSFERS (Sections 160.410, 160.415, 167.241, 167.895, and 167.898) Current law authorizes students who reside in an unaccredited school district to transfer to an accredited school district in the same or an adjoining county under certain conditions. This act repeals and modifies provisions limiting these transfers to students in unaccredited school districts. Under the act, any student may transfer to another public school or charter school, including transfers from a student's district of residence ("sending district") to a public school in a nonresident district ("receiving district"), beginning in the 2027-28 school year and in all subsequent school years. Each school board shall adopt a policy to determine its transfer capacity for each grade level and school no later than October 27, 2026. The policy shall be publicly posted on the school district's website. By July 15, 2027, and by the first of each month thereafter, each school district shall report to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) the number of available enrollment slots by grade level and school and the school district's average per pupil expenditure. This information shall also be published in a prominent and publicly accessible place on the school district's website. DESE shall publish and update each school district's transfer capacity on an online portal accessible via the DESE website. The portal shall be updated at least monthly and shall include a search function for users to identify schools with capacity to accept transfer students near their home address. Parents of students who wish to transfer shall notify DESE by August 1, 2027, and by the first day of each month thereafter, and DESE shall assign students to a receiving district or charter school as provided in the act. A receiving district shall accept all students who apply and are assigned to the district, so long as there is capacity for each student. School board policies shall not discriminate against any transfer student on the basis of such student's residential address, academic performance, athletic ability, disability, race, ethnicity, sex, or free and reduced price lunch status. If a request for transfer is denied, an appeal may be taken to the State Board of Education by sending the appeal by certified mail to the superintendent of the receiving school district and to the State Board of Education. Any appeal not heard by the State Board of Education within 60 calendar days shall be deemed granted with immediate effect. DESE shall develop forms for filing appeals, and the State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to establish the appeals process. The act repeals provisions requiring sending districts to make tuition payments to receiving districts. Instead, for purposes of calculating state and federal aid, each transfer student shall be counted as a resident of the receiving district in which the student is enrolled. Tuition shall not be charged to any student or to his or her parent or legal guardian. If the receiving district is part of a special school district, the sending district shall contract with the special school district for the entirety of the costs to provide special education and related services, excluding transportation. The special school district may contract with a sending district for transportation, or the sending district may provide transportation on its own. The act outlines school districts' responsibilities for the provision of special education and related services to students with disabilities. A special school district shall continue to provide special education and related services, excluding transportation, to students with disabilities who transfer to another school within the special school district. If the sending district is a metropolitan school district, it shall remain responsible for providing special education and related services, including transportation, to students with disabilities who transfer to a receiving district. A special school district in an adjoining county to a metropolitan school district may contract with the metropolitan school district for the reimbursement of special education and related services provided by the special school district for transfer students. A receiving district that is not part of a special school district shall not be responsible for providing transportation to transfer students, regardless of whether transportation is identified as a related service within a student's individualized education program. A sending district may contract with a receiving district that is not part of a special school district for transportation of students with disabilities. A seven-director or urban school district may contract with a receiving district that is not part of a special school district in the same or an adjoining county for the reimbursement of special education and related services provided by the receiving district. (Sections 167.895 and 167.898) Where capacity is available, a charter school shall enroll all students who transfer under these provisions. A charter school may receive tuition payments from such students. (Sections 160.410 and 160.415) DESE shall designate at least one receiving district or charter school to which each sending district shall provide transportation. A sending district shall be required to provide transportation only to the school district or charter school designated by DESE. (Section 167.241) These provisions are similar to SCS/SBs 215 & 70 (2025). ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION (Section 168.189) Under this act, a school district may consider, but may not require, any criteria greater than that which is necessary to obtain a Missouri initial administrator certificate under rules promulgated by the State Board of Education. A school district may employ such an individual if the individual holds a master's degree or its equivalent and has at least eight years of experience in an executive role with responsibilities described in the act, and if a waiver specific to the applicant has been granted to the school district for this purpose. Such a waiver shall be valid for no longer than three years and eligible for renewal once. Upon conclusion of the maximum six year waiver period, the State Board of Education may grant the applicant a permanent certificate to serve as an administrator in any school district in the state. This act is similar to HB 2866 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1600 - Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, this act requires school districts to conduct universal screenings of all students at least once before 3rd grade for the purpose of identifying gifted students. These screenings shall use valid, reliable, and current testing methods; provide a body of evidence from at least two distinct areas such as general mental ability, academic achievement, creativity, reasoning, problem solving, or various forms of referral; and be reviewed by personnel trained in gifted education or assessment. A child's failure to satisfy the gifted criteria of a single assessment shall not preclude further evaluation or consideration. Additionally, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, each school district shall adopt a board-approved policy that establishes procedures for universal screening of students for gifted program selection and that notifies parents of the screening process annually. A school district's criteria for identifying gifted students shall be guided by recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Education of Gifted and Talented Children established in current law. This act is identical to SB 1628 (2026) and HCS/HB 1757 (2026), and is similar to HB 2704 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1404 - This act requires school districts and charter schools to notify parents of enrolled students if the school district or charter school uses, has used in the past 12 months, or in the future intends to use a tutoring program or service that is at least 50% owned by entities outside the United States. The notification shall disclose the majority owner of the tutoring program or service and indicate whether such owner is designated as a foreign adversary of the United States under federal regulations as of the first day of the school year in which the notice is sent to parents. This act is identical to SB 796 (2025) and similar to HB 2875 (2026) and HCS/HB 1446 (2025). OLIVIA SHANNON

SS/SCS/SB 991 - This act modifies the registration of interior designers from the Division of Professional Registration with advice and recommendations by the Interior Design Council to the licensing of interior designers from the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, Professional Landscape Architects, and Licensed Interior Designers ("Board"). The Board shall increase from fifteen members to seventeen members with the two new members being licensed interior designers. The Interior Design Council and the Interior Design Council Fund shall be abolished upon the appointment by the Governor and confirmation by the Senate of the licensed interior designer members of the Board. The rules of the Interior Design Council shall be deemed adopted by the Board until revised, amended, or repealed, of which such action shall be taken on or before January 1, 2027. The funds in the Interior Design Council Fund shall be transferred to the State Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, Professional Landscape Architects, and Licensed Interior Designers Fund. Additionally, this act defines the practice of licensed interior design and provides that a licensed interior designer shall undertake to perform licensed interior design services only when he or she is qualified by education, training, and experience in the specific technical areas involved. Furthermore, licensed interior designers shall be in responsible charge of interior design technical submissions that can affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public within their scope of practice. Licensed interior designers shall not take responsible charge over interior technical submissions prepared by another person unless the licensed interior designer actually exercises personal supervision and direct control over such interior technical submissions. This act modifies the educational and training requirements for licensed interior designers by repealing the qualification of at least three years of an interior design curriculum from an accredited institution with three years of experience. Additionally, an applicant shall be exempt from providing substantial evidence of certain educational and training qualifications if his or her curriculum or transcript has been approved by the Board. Nothing in this act shall be construed as precluding an architect from performing any of the services within the practice of licensed interior design. Current law provides that a renewal or reinstatement application for registration as an interior designer shall be accompanied by proof of completion of continuing education in the fields of either interior design or architecture. This act repeals such provision and provides that the Board shall establish the continuing education requirements for interior designers which shall be substantially equivalent to the continuing education requirements for architects. Finally, this act includes licensed interior designers in the definition of "design professional" for immunity from civil liability for participation in a peer review process. This act contains a delayed effective date for the repeal of the Interior Design Council and the Interior Design Fund, which shall become effective upon notification to the Revisor of the appointment of the interior designer members of the Board by the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation. This act is identical to provisions in the perfected SS/SB 895 (2026), HCS/SS/SB 1083 (2026), in the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS#2/SB 1233 (2026), HCS/HB 2353 (2026), and is similar to provisions in SB 287 (2025), HB 566 (2025), SB 1325 (2024), and HB 2158 (2024). KATIE O'BRIEN

SB 1558 - This act provides that private schools serving students from prekindergarten through 12th grade shall not be civilly liable for designating restrooms and changing areas for the exclusive use of males or females only, based on the biological sex listed on an individual's original birth certificate. Exceptions are allowed for maintenance staff, emergency medical assistance, or parents accompanying children aged eight or younger with school permission. Additionally, political subdivisions are prohibited from passing rules that would prevent private schools from establishing single-sex facilities. Any political subdivision that violates this act shall cover the private school’s legal costs in any resulting lawsuit. The act contains an emergency clause. This act is identical to HCS/HB 1197 (2025) and to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2335 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 2682 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 2748 (2026), SCS/HCS/HBs 2913 & 3228, HCS/SS/SB 38 (2025), and in HCS/SS/SB 160 (2025), and is similar to HCS/HB 1893 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SCS/SB 998 - This act creates, repeals, and modifies provisions of the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. The act changes the definition of "illegal alien" to "legal resident" as set forth under federal law. The act modifies the definition of "qualified student" by removing the requirement for a qualified student to have attended a public school during the previous 12 months, as well as removing requirements relating to students' kindergarten eligibility and siblings who participate in the program. Such definition is further modified by adding dyslexia and disability diagnoses to requirements concerning individualized education plans. This provision is similar to a provision in SS/HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026). (Section 166.700) The act provides that an organization representing a group of parents of qualified students may intervene on behalf of such parents as a defendant in any action in which any provision of state law, the Missouri Constitution, or a state regulation involving the program is at issue. An organization that intervenes as provided in the act shall have the right to file such pleading necessary on behalf of such parents. (Section 166.719) Finally, except as specifically provided in state law, the act prohibits the creation or enforcement of any rule, regulation, or other requirement that conditions a qualified school's participation in the program on accreditation or compliance with any other requirement. Any rule, regulation, or other requirement that violates this provision is void and shall have no force or effect. (Section 166.720) OLIVIA SHANNON