HB 2744 requires Missouri public schools to implement specific human growth and development instruction, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The curriculum must include medically accurate information on abstinence as the preferred choice, sexually transmitted diseases, contraception (including success rates), emotional consequences of teen pregnancy, consent, sexual harassment, violence, online safety, and fetal development through two mandated videos. Schools must notify parents about the content and allow them to remove students from the instruction. The bill prohibits the use of abortion-related materials in this curriculum.
HB 3077 requires all public school districts to develop and implement a mandatory curriculum on responsible social media use for students, beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The curriculum must cover specific topics including social/emotional effects on teens, mental health impacts, disinformation risks, online safety, cyberbullying identification, and reporting procedures. School districts may use third-party approved materials instead of creating their own, and must also provide families with resources on parental controls, screen time limits, and digital well-being. The bill directly affects K-12 students and school districts across the state by mandating structured education on navigating social media safely.
HB 3142 creates a new program for nonprofit organizations to operate "adult high schools" in specific Missouri counties, targeting adults facing barriers like educational disadvantages or homelessness. These schools must offer high school diplomas, industry certifications, and childcare, with strict location requirements (e.g., one per designated county type) and partnerships with postsecondary institutions. The bill sets academic standards for diplomas (matching traditional rigor without differentiating marks), allows flexible pacing, and requires schools to address student barriers like homelessness or disabilities. It also repeals and replaces existing camp licensing provisions, though the core focus is on the adult education program.
SB 971 updates Missouri's charter school enrollment rules for nonresident students. It allows charter schools to admit nonresident students under specific conditions, such as those transferring from unaccredited districts, participating in urban transfer programs, or residing in residential care facilities. The bill requires charter schools to use non-discriminatory admissions processes (prohibiting bias based on race, income, or disability), while permitting limited preferences for siblings, workplace connections, high-risk students, or those eligible for free lunch. These changes apply directly to Missouri charter schools and students seeking enrollment outside their home school district.
HB 2049 requires Missouri public elementary schools to teach cursive writing, ensuring students can produce readable cursive documents by the end of fifth grade. It mandates that each student pass a teacher-created test demonstrating proficiency in both reading and writing cursive. The law applies directly to all elementary students in Missouri school districts and charter schools, with implementation details left to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
HB 2417, the "Parents' Bill of Rights of 2026," grants parents and guardians specific access rights regarding their minor child's education in public schools and charter schools. It requires schools to provide parents with syllabi, reading lists, and teaching staff information; prohibit nondisclosure agreements for curriculum access; obtain parental consent for diversity, equity, and inclusion activities; and notify parents within 48 hours of specific safety incidents like assaults or weapon incidents. The bill also mandates access to student records, financial information about third-party contracts, and the right to object to classroom materials related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Parents can file complaints with local prosecutors if denied these rights, who may seek court orders to enforce them. This bill directly affects all parents of K-12 students in participating school districts.
SB 855 - Under this act, the State Board of Education shall convene a work group called the "Humanity Education Curriculum Framework Work Group" for purposes of developing a curriculum framework that teachers may use when teaching students in grades 6-12 about the dehumanization of marginalized groups in Missouri. The act defines "dehumanization" as the violation of a person's human rights or bodily autonomy. A "marginalized group" may include persons who have been subjected to dehumanization for reasons that may relate to their national origin, race, or sex. Members of the work group shall include, but shall not be limited to, educators or other experts in the areas of history, human rights, or social science. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall develop the curriculum framework in consultation with the work group. The act outlines the topics that the curriculum framework shall address. Such topics shall include, but shall not be limited to, a study of the dehumanization practices that have occurred in Missouri's history and the interventions that may be available to prevent such dehumanization practices in the future. The curriculum framework shall also include the story of Celia, a victim of chattel slavery and sexual violence who was executed in Missouri in 1855 for defending herself against her owner, Robert Newsom. The act describes certain marginalized groups that shall be included in the curriculum framework and awareness weeks or months with which the curriculum framework may be aligned. DESE shall conduct a pilot program to study the impact and success of the curriculum framework in consultation with the work group in up to 25 school districts or schools within a school district in the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years. All participating schools or districts shall be provided the curriculum framework and offered the opportunity to participate in the "Celia Professional Development Program for Teachers" that shall be developed by the work group and DESE. Such program shall include instructional guidance and examples of curriculum resources that are age appropriate and consistent with the curriculum framework, as described in the act. The program shall also include instructional guidance on class visits to historic sites in Missouri relating to the story of Celia's enslavement, abuse, and execution. All schools or districts that participate in the pilot program shall provide a plan of professional development to such district's or school's teachers and may voluntarily participate in the Celia Professional Development Program for Teachers. Upon the completion of the first year of the pilot program, DESE shall evaluate the success and impact of the pilot program and shall report the results of such evaluation to the General Assembly, as specified in the act. Beginning in the 2029-30 school year and in all subsequent school years, the curriculum framework and Celia Professional Development Program for Teachers shall be made available to all school districts and charter schools in the state. This act is identical to SB 21 (2025) and substantially similar to SB 1446 (2024). OLIVIA SHANNON
SB 1198 is a proposed bill requiring all public schools to provide instruction in human growth and development. It would directly affect students in public K-12 schools by mandating this curriculum be included in their education. The bill's key mechanism is a straightforward requirement for school districts to incorporate this subject into their instructional programs. The bill is currently in early stages (prefiled, awaiting first reading) and does not specify grade levels, content details, or exemptions.
HB 2217 requires public school districts and colleges to submit detailed information about their curricula and textbooks to a state-run online database. School districts must provide syllabi, textbook bibliographic details (title, author, website), and curriculum links every six months, while colleges must report course descriptions and textbook information. The database will be searchable by the public, with protections for copyright compliance (no digital reproduction or infringement required). The law applies starting in the 2026-27 school year for K-12 and 2026-27 academic year for higher education. It directly affects all public schools and colleges in the state by mandating transparency in instructional materials.
HB 2449 creates a tax credit for Missouri residents who pay for eligible educational expenses for their children attending qualifying schools. It directly affects parents or guardians of students enrolled in private, parochial, home, or family-paced schools (excluding public schools). The credit covers tuition, textbooks, curriculum materials, tutoring, technology, and educational therapies, but excludes basic supplies like paper/pens and costs tied to public school activities. The credit amount is limited to 100% of eligible expenses or Missouri’s state funding target for education, whichever is lower, and becomes available starting tax year 2027. Taxpayers must submit itemized expense lists and documentation with their state income tax return.
