SB 209 – This act creates the "Missouri Tuition Equity Act." This act requires any higher education institution that receives state funding to treat any individual as a Missouri resident for purposes of tuition, fees, and admission who meets the following conditions: the individual resided with his or her parent or guardian, or was emancipated, while attending a public or private high school in Missouri; the individual graduated from a public or private high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Missouri; the individual attended school in Missouri for at least two years as of the date the individual graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma; the individual entered the United States prior to the enactment of this act; in the case of an individual who is not a United States citizen or permanent resident, the individual must provide the higher education institution with an affidavit stating that he or she will file an application to become a permanent resident at the earliest opportunity. In addition, no Missouri higher education institution that receives state funds may deny admittance to a student based solely on his or her immigration status, as described in the act.
Any information collected under this act as part of a student's admission will remain confidential.
This act contains an emergency clause.
This act is identical to HB 873 (2013) and HB 972 (2013) and is similar to SB 801 (2012), SB 114 (2011), SB 783 (2010) and is substantially similar to SB 331 (2009) and similar to SB 1109 (2004).
MICHAEL RUFF