This bill limits digital instruction to 45 minutes daily for elementary students in kindergarten through grade five and requires at least 70% of assignments to be completed using pen, paper, or handwriting practice. It mandates daily access to printed books, hands-on learning tools (like blocks or science materials) in core subjects, and explicit cursive handwriting instruction starting in grade two, with requirements to read/write legible cursive by grade five. Exemptions apply for students with IEPs or 504 plans, and schools must adopt written technology-use policies, report device usage, and verify compliance with paper-based and cursive requirements. The law takes effect for the 2027-28 school year.
HB 1726 requires all public K-12 school districts in Missouri to implement enhanced safety standards at every school building they own, operate, or lease. It mandates automatic locking for all exterior doors (except designated emergency areas), visual identification systems at main entrances, and shatter-resistant glass on windows near doors and ground-level windows. The bill specifies that main entrance windows must use bullet-resistant glass while other entry points require riot-resistant glass, and all doors must close automatically when opened. These requirements apply to all public school buildings, excluding private schools, home schools, correctional facilities, and higher education campuses.
SCS/SB 909 - This act renames the "Missouri Student Religious Liberties Act" the "Missouri Safeguarding Personal Expression at K-12 Schools (SPEAKS) Act". The act adds political and ideological expression to the current protections for public school students' religious expression. The act additionally prohibits discrimination against student clubs on the basis of their religious, political, or ideological viewpoints or any requirement that the members of the club adhere to the club's sincerely held beliefs, comply with the club's conduct standards, or further the club's mission, as such mission is defined by the club. This act shall not be construed to limit school districts' ability to restrict speech that is not protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; speech that is so offensive that a student is effectively denied equal access to educational opportunities; or conduct that intentionally, materially, and substantially disrupts school operations or the expressive activity of another individual in a campus space exclusively reserved for such activity. Any person or student organization harmed by a violation of this act shall have a private cause of action against the school, as described in the act. Any person or student organization aggrieved by a violation of this act may assert such violation as a defense or counterclaim in any disciplinary action or in any civil or administrative proceeding. The state waives immunity and consents to be sued in federal court for claims arising under this act. This act is identical to a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2682 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON
HB 1846, the "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Screening Act," requires Missouri public and private K-12 schools to implement cardiac screening protocols for student athletes starting in the 2027-28 school year. It mandates annual educational materials about sudden cardiac arrest warning signs for students, parents, and coaches; requires signed acknowledgment forms confirming review of these materials; and establishes specific cardiovascular prescreening during physical exams using nationally recognized guidelines. The prescreening must include personal/family history and physical checks for heart conditions, with positive findings requiring cardiologist referrals. The bill also requires coaches to complete annual cardiac training aligned with CPR/AED protocols and directs health officials to publish annual reports tracking screenings and referrals. This directly affects all student athletes in Missouri schools participating in athletic activities.
SB 1383 requires all elementary schools in the state to implement an agricultural education program that was previously tested as a pilot. This bill directly affects every public elementary school and its students by mandating the inclusion of agricultural education in their curriculum. The key provision is the statewide expansion of the pilot program, moving it from a limited trial to a required statewide standard. The bill does not specify curriculum details or funding mechanisms, only the requirement for implementation.
HB 1767, the "Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act," establishes specific rights for parents and teachers in Missouri public schools. It grants parents the right to access curricula, review school records, receive information about teachers and school data collection, and visit schools during regular hours. Teachers are granted rights including protection from physical abuse or threats, freedom of speech, guaranteed preparation time, and a safe teaching environment. School districts must adopt policies ensuring transparency - such as timely safety incident notifications to parents and clear procedures for parent visits - to support these rights. The bill directly affects parents of K-12 students and school staff in Missouri’s public school districts.
HB 2303 requires Missouri public school districts to implement a personal finance course as a half-unit graduation requirement starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill mandates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to form a work group - including educators, banking representatives, and financial industry experts - to develop course standards. Students must complete this course after ninth grade to earn a high school diploma, with limited exemptions for transfer students or those with approved academic plans. The course content must cover money management, budgeting, and financial tools needed for adulthood. School districts will have until 2027 to adopt these standards, which must be reviewed every seven years.
HB 1792 establishes a two-year pilot program (2027-2029) to integrate media literacy into K-12 public schools across 5-7 diverse districts. The program requires schools to teach students to analyze news, identify misinformation, understand algorithms, practice digital safety, and recognize bias in media - including social media and online content - while connecting these skills to First Amendment rights. The Department of Education will study pilot outcomes and develop statewide guidelines and potential standards by 2030, focusing on practical classroom strategies for critical media evaluation. This bill directly affects public school districts, educators, and students in the participating schools during the pilot period.
HB 2195 requires Missouri public high schools (grades 9-12) to offer a state-approved driver education program as a graduation requirement starting in the 2027-28 school year. The program teaches safe driving knowledge - covering graduated licensing rules, distracted driving risks, proper traffic stop procedures, and current safety data - without requiring students to operate vehicles. Schools may integrate this content into existing courses, and districts must use vetted sample lessons from the state. This directly affects all Missouri public high school students seeking graduation, focusing on practical safety education rather than hands-on driving practice.
HB 1744 establishes a Quality Control Committee for Oversight to define student success metrics and reform Missouri's education system. It abolishes the current Department of Education, transferring its duties to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and requires all schools (including public, private, charter, home, and early childhood programs) to incorporate specific "Key Performance Indicators" (KPIs) into curricula. These KPIs include measurable student behaviors like attendance, respect, initiative, and work ethic, which must be demonstrated by high school graduates before receiving diplomas or equivalency certificates. The committee, composed of state department representatives and legislators, will define standards, monitor compliance, and validate post-graduation outcomes using data like employment and education participation. The bill directly affects every educational entity in Missouri by mandating alignment with these new performance standards.
