Education

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2932: Modifies provisions relating to the treatment of religion by public institutions

HB 2932, as detailed in the provided text, focuses on educational stability for foster care children and preventing high school dropouts. It requires school districts to prioritize a child’s school of origin during foster care placements (if the new location is over 10 miles away), ensures grades aren’t penalized for absences due to foster care transitions or court appearances, and mandates credit acceptance for coursework completed in any public, nonpublic, or nonsectarian school. The bill also allocates state funds for competitive grants to public colleges, universities, and community organizations to provide dropout prevention services - including tutoring, counseling, and family support - to at-risk students, with services required to occur at nonsectarian sites for nonpublic school students. These provisions aim to reduce educational disruptions for vulnerable youth while ensuring equitable access to support programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes school of origin for foster care children, prevents grade penalties for related absences, and ensures credit acceptance - directly advancing educational stability and access for vulnerable students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3123: Modifies provisions relating to age for school entry

HB 3123 lowers the minimum age for school entry in Missouri from 7 to 5 years old. It requires parents or guardians to enroll children aged 5 and older in school and ensure regular attendance, with exceptions for children with documented disabilities, those aged 14+ with legal employment, or children with mental health needs supported by professional documentation. Parents may also withdraw children aged 5-7 from school by submitting a written request. The bill clarifies that private, home, and religious schools are not required to follow state-mandated curricula.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school enrollment at age 5, expanding early education access for K-12 system with limited exceptions, aligning with educational policy goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 1612: Creates the "Success for Homeless and Foster Youth in Higher Education Act" requiring all public institutions of higher education to designate a homeless and foster student liaison within the institution's financial aid office

SB 1612 - This act creates the "Success for Homeless and Foster Youth in Higher Education Act" and requires all public institutions of higher education to designate a homeless and foster student liaison within the institution's financial aid office. The liaison shall assist current and prospective students in applying for federal and state financial aid, as provided in the act. A public institution of higher education may grant resident status to a Missouri resident who is 19 years of age or under at the time of enrollment, regardless of how long the student has resided in the state, if the student is determined to have been homeless at any time during the two years immediately preceding such student's enrollment. A public institution of higher education that offers student housing may develop a plan to provide that homeless and foster students have access to housing resources as needed during and between academic terms. The plan may grant such students first priority for housing placement and provide that they be placed in the institution's housing facility that remains open for occupation during the most days in a calendar year. This act is similar to HCS/HB 2722 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates higher education institutions to appoint liaisons for homeless/foster youth, directly enhancing educational access and support for vulnerable students.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses homelessness through educational support for homeless youth, aligning with housing topic's homelessness indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Homelessness

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signed · Missouri · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2013: Appropriates money for real property leases and related services

HB 2013 is Missouri's fiscal year 2026-2027 appropriations bill, allocating $378,717 to $2.26 million in specific funds to state departments like Education, Revenue, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. It details exact funding sources (e.g., General Revenue, Federal Funds, and dedicated trust funds) for departmental operations, equipment, and programs. The bill includes limited flexibility provisions, allowing up to 25% reallocation between certain sections and 100% flexibility for federal funds within designated categories. It directly affects all Missouri state departments and agencies receiving funding through this bill, covering expenses from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. This is a standard budget bill that authorizes spending, not a policy change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $378K-$2.26M to Missouri Education department for operations and programs, directly funding educational services per appropriations structure.95% confidence

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2929: Establishes provisions when a district that is not maintaining a high school through twelfth grade shall be provided the rate of tuition for the next school year

HB 2929 establishes how districts without high schools (through 12th grade) pay tuition to districts that provide high school education. It requires sending districts to pay the receiving district's actual per-pupil cost of maintaining high school programs - calculated by dividing the district's costs (teachers' wages, maintenance, debt service, etc.) by average daily attendance - without exceeding those specific expenses. The tuition rate must be finalized and provided to the sending district by March 1st each year for the following school year, with disputes resolved by the state board of education. This directly affects students in districts without high schools and the districts that serve them.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates sending districts pay actual per-pupil cost for high school tuition, ensuring receiving districts are fully compensated for educational costs. This strengthens funding stability for high school programs and supports educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2697: Changes the definition of "qualified student" for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program

HB 2697 modifies the definition of "qualified student" for Missouri's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. It excludes students who are "illegal aliens" and adds two eligibility pathways: (1) students with an IEP under federal special education law, or (2) students from households earning ≤300% of the free/reduced lunch income threshold who attended public school recently or meet specific grade-level/sibling criteria. The bill directly affects students seeking scholarship funds to attend participating private, charter, or virtual schools. It does not create new funding but changes who qualifies for existing scholarship accounts under Section 166.700.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access for students with IEPs and low-income families, enhancing educational access under the Empowerment Scholarship Program.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationExcludes 'illegal aliens' from scholarship eligibility, restricting immigrant access to state education services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3122: Requires charter schools to obtain a certificate of need issued by the State board of education in order to be eligible to operate

HB 3122 requires new charter schools (not established by August 28, 2026) to obtain a "certificate of need" from the State Board of Education before operating. This affects proposed charter schools seeking approval, mandating they prove local demand for alternatives, demonstrate no harm to existing public schools, and show potential to improve academic outcomes, reduce inequities, and address family needs like safety and transportation. The State Board must review applications within 120 days, approving only if supporting data is factual and reasonable. Renewals or sponsor transfers of existing schools are exempt from this requirement. The bill does not change existing legal obligations under other education laws.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires charter schools to prove they improve outcomes, reduce inequities, and address family needs like safety, aligning with educational advancement goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SJR 112: Modifies provisions relating to the Blind Pension Fund

SJR 112 is a constitutional amendment proposal that changes how Missouri funds the Blind Pension Fund. It requires the state legislature to appropriate annually at least the same amount as the 2026-27 fiscal year for blind pensions, instead of the current tax-based funding. Any leftover funds after pension payments must first support the Commission for the Blind, with any remaining balance transferred to public school funds. This amendment directly affects the Blind Pension Fund, the Commission for the Blind, and public school funding, establishing a new minimum annual appropriation requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual appropriations for Blind Pension Fund at fixed level, directs leftover funds to Commission for the Blind and public schools, protecting essential program funding and public service allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationTransfers leftover Blind Pension Fund balances to public school funds, directly increasing education funding per bill's summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Pensions Property Tax School Funding

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passed · Missouri · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 3113: Establishes provisions relating to drug overdose prevention and investigation of drug-related deaths

HB 3113 requires public buildings to store naloxone (an overdose reversal medication) in first aid kits and near defibrillators, and to inform occupants of its location and emergency procedures. It designates April as "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month" and mandates school districts to establish drug-free advisory committees with community input, implement grade 6-12 fentanyl education, and develop prevention programs for students. The bill also directs law enforcement to investigate all drug-related deaths as homicide crime scenes, regardless of criminal charges, and to collaborate with schools on drug trafficking prevention in school zones. These provisions directly affect public buildings, school districts, and law enforcement agencies across Missouri.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates fentanyl education for grades 6-12 and prevention programs, enhancing student curriculum on drug safety within K-12 education framework.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires naloxone access in public buildings, mandates fentanyl education, and establishes drug prevention programs - directly advancing overdose prevention and public health initiatives within healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2704: Establishes procedures for school districts to test for gifted students

HB 2704 requires school districts to establish state-approved gifted education programs if 3% or more of students are identified as gifted. It mandates universal screenings for all students before third grade using valid methods and multiple evidence areas (like creativity, problem-solving, and teacher referrals), while prohibiting identification based solely on advanced course enrollment. Districts with over 350 students must have teachers certified in gifted education, while smaller districts require annual professional development for those teachers. The bill also sets standards for program approval, requires parental notification about screening, and outlines appeal processes for denied referrals. These changes apply starting the 2024-25 school year for program requirements and 2026-27 for screenings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates universal screenings for gifted identification, requires certified teachers, prohibits sole reliance on advanced courses, and establishes state-approved programs to expand access to gifted education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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