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
HB 2722 establishes a dedicated liaison position within Missouri's Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to support homeless students pursuing postsecondary education. The bill creates a dedicated fund to finance this role and requires the liaison to develop databases tracking homeless students' graduation and retention rates, connect students to campus resources like housing and food banks, and collaborate with high schools and colleges. It directly affects homeless students in Missouri colleges by creating a centralized point of contact to address barriers like housing instability and access to support services. The liaison must be nonpartisan, independent of other homeless service providers, and focus exclusively on this role to improve educational outcomes for this population.
HB 2771 extends federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections to Missouri National Guard members and eligible Missouri employees called to active state duty by their state's governor or adjutant general. It applies to Missouri National Guard members or Missouri-based employees serving in another state's National Guard for more than 30 consecutive days. The bill guarantees these individuals the same reemployment rights and civil protections (like mortgage/rent relief) under federal SCRA law, and authorizes the attorney general to enforce these rights or pursue legal action against violating employers. This ensures state-activated service members face no employment or financial penalties upon returning to civilian life.
HB 2856 caps rental application fees at $15 per prospective tenant and requires landlords to use these fees only to cover actual processing costs. Landlords must refund any unused portion of the fee within 20 days and provide a receipt (electronic or paper) upon payment. This bill directly affects prospective renters applying for housing by limiting upfront costs and ensuring transparency. It does not apply to security deposits or rent paid before tenancy begins.
HB 1791 establishes specific deadlines for local governments to process building permit applications based on permit type and project size. For example, residential permits under 7,500 sq. ft. (Level 1) must be approved within 30 business days, while larger projects (Level 2-4) have 60-day deadlines. If local governments miss these deadlines, they must reduce the permit fee by 10% per business day, with exceptions for applicant-caused delays or written extensions. The bill also requires local governments to notify applicants within 5 days if more information is needed, or the application is automatically accepted. This directly affects homeowners, contractors, and local governments handling construction permits.
SB 1044 would create a tax credit for organizations that provide direct services to homeless individuals, such as shelter, meals, or case management. This credit would allow eligible nonprofits or service providers to reduce their state tax liability based on qualifying expenses. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee after being referred in January 2026. The abstract does not specify credit amounts, eligibility details, or program funding sources.
HB 1796 repeals existing Missouri property rights laws and replaces them with new provisions focused on building codes and homeowner access to permits. It prohibits local governments (counties, municipalities, fire districts) from requiring one- or two-family homes, condos, or townhouses to meet specific "green" or energy efficiency standards beyond the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) or International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The bill also creates the "Building Permit Reform Act," exempting owner-occupants of single-family homes from needing licenses or certifications to perform their own renovations, with a potential $5,000 fee if the property is sold within one year. Violating these restrictions makes the local ordinance null and void.
SB 1111 would increase the homestead exemption, which protects primary residences from property tax increases. The bill's official abstract does not specify the exact amount of the increase, the income thresholds, or which homeowners would be directly affected. As the bill is only in early stages (prefiled and awaiting committee review), no concrete mechanisms or key provisions are described in the available information. Without additional details from the full text or committee documents, a specific summary of policy changes cannot be provided.
HB 2200 increases the homestead exemption value from $15,000 to $50,000, protecting primary residences from being seized by creditors. It directly affects homeowners who use their property as a primary residence, ensuring the first $50,000 in value of their home remains shielded from debt collection. The bill clarifies that multiple owners of a single homestead cannot collectively claim more than the $50,000 exemption, and maintains restrictions preventing either spouse from unilaterally selling or mortgaging the homestead without joint action. Existing rules requiring joint consent for property transactions remain unchanged.
SB 1218 prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in key areas like employment, housing, and public accommodations. It directly affects LGBTQ+ individuals who might face unfair treatment in these settings. The bill would require businesses, landlords, and service providers to refrain from making decisions based on these protected characteristics. Currently, the bill has been prefilled and is awaiting its first reading in the legislature.
