Education

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.

HB 2396 allows retired licensed teachers and non-licensed school staff to return to full-time work without losing retirement benefits, but only in school districts with verified teacher or staff shortages. Retired teachers can teach up to 4 years (max 1% of staff or 5 people), and retired non-licensed staff can work up to 4 years (max 10% of non-licensed staff or 5 people), provided districts first try hiring non-retirees and document a critical shortage. The hiring school district pays the retirement contribution cost, and retirees earn salary matching comparable positions (minus a retirement contribution percentage). This law applies to districts covered by specific retirement systems and requires districts to follow strict hiring steps before employing retirees.

HB 2154 allows Missouri adult students (aged 21+, without a high school diploma or equivalent, needing fewer than 12 credits to graduate) to enroll in state-approved virtual school programs offered by school districts or public colleges. The bill establishes a specific funding mechanism where providers receive 14% of the state adequacy target per completed course, paid monthly from state funds separate from regular school revenue. It also prohibits school districts from reporting adult student enrollment data for certain state reports under sections 160.522 or 161.670. This directly affects adult learners seeking diplomas and the school districts or institutions offering these virtual programs.

HB 1640 prohibits Missouri public institutions of higher education (like community colleges and state universities) from accepting standardized test scores (e.g., ACT, SAT, LSAT) from testing entities that require disabled applicants to undergo recent comprehensive disability testing to receive accommodations. The bill specifically targets entities requiring such testing within two years before the exam date, aligning with federal disability laws (IDEA, Section 504, ADA). It directly affects disabled applicants with lifelong or static disabilities (like dyslexia, ADHD, or autism) who need accommodations for standardized tests. The prohibition applies starting in the 2027-28 academic year and aims to prevent unnecessary retesting for accommodations.

SB 1031 prohibits state departments from using public funds for specific diversity initiatives. It directly affects state agencies and their budgets by banning expenditures on certain programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The bill's key mechanism is a clear spending restriction on designated initiatives, without defining them further in the provided abstract. Currently, the bill has been prefaced and referred to the Government Efficiency Committee for review.

HB 2539 requires all Missouri public school districts, schools, and charter schools to publish standardized annual report cards online by specific deadlines, detailing student performance, finances, and staff data to meet federal requirements. It establishes a new A-F rating system based on student achievement (40% for K-8, 25% for high schools), academic growth metrics, and for high schools, a "Success Ready Graduate" measure tracking college credits, career credentials, or advanced exams. Top-performing schools in the top 5% for performance or growth receive performance-based funding ($100/student) starting after the 2026-27 assessments, with funds used for staff bonuses. The bill directly affects schools, parents, and taxpayers through transparent accountability measures and ties funding to specific, measurable outcomes.