CAMPUS HOUSING AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION (Section 173.1590)

Under this act, after July 1, 2020, public institutions of higher education are prohibited from requiring students, other than first-time freshmen, to live in campus housing. First-time freshmen may be required to live in campus housing during the first year of a student's attendance.

The provisions of this section are identical to HB 435 (2019).

DUAL CREDIT AND STEM STUDIES ENHANCEMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACT (Section 173.2505)

This act changes the name of the "Dual Credit Scholarship Act" to the "Dual Credit and STEM Studies Enhancement Scholarship Act".

A student shall be eligible to receive a STEM studies enhancement scholarship so long as he or she is enrolled in a STEM studies enhancement program and meets other criteria set forth in the act.

A STEM studies enhancement program shall mean an undergraduate certificate program offered by an accredited Missouri higher education institution to high school students, that emphasizes applied, advanced skills in any field related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

Students meeting the criteria to receive a dual credit scholarship shall receive up to 50% of the tuition cost paid by the student to enroll in a dual-credit course, except that no student shall receive more than $500 annually for all dual credit courses taken by such student.

Students meeting the criteria set forth in the act for a STEM studies enhancement scholarship shall be reimbursed for up to the average tuition cost for a community college course in the state for each course offered as part of a STEM studies enhancement program in which the student paid to enroll.

This act removes the prohibition on any student receiving more than $500 annually for all dual credit courses taken by the student.

Moneys appropriated to the "Dual Credit Scholarship Fund" shall be for the purpose of providing financial assistance under this section to high school students enrolling in dual credit courses and to high school students enrolling in STEM studies enhancement programs.

The provisions of this section are identical to HCS/HB 1093 (2019).

CAMPUS PROTECTION OFFICERS (Section 173.2551)

This act permits the governing board of any public or private institution of higher education within the state to designate one or more full-time faculty or staff members as campus protection officers.

Any full-time faculty or staff member who seeks to be designated as a campus protection officer shall request such designation in writing from the administrator responsible for public safety at the institution, and shall submit a certificate of completion from a campus protection officer training program approved by the Director of the Department of Public Safety. Any person designated as a campus protection officer shall be authorized to carry concealed firearms or a self-defense spray device on the campus. Any campus protection officer who wishes to carry a concealed firearm shall submit proof that he or she has a valid concealed carry endorsement or permit.

Any institution of higher education that designates a faculty or staff member as a campus protection officer shall, within 30 days, notify the Director of the Department of Public Safety of the designation, along with certain information set forth in the act.

An institution of higher education may revoke the designation of a campus protection officer for any reason.

The provisions of this section are identical to HCS/HB 1942 (2018).

CONCEALED CARRY IN SCHOOLS (Section 571.107 and 571.109)

This act modifies the areas in which an individual may carry a concealed firearm.

Current law provides that no concealed carry permit, valid concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, or concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state shall authorize any person to carry concealed firearms at any higher education institution without the consent of the governing body of the higher education institution. This act repeals this provision.

Under this act, public institutions of higher education shall be allowed to construct policies regarding concealed carry permits or endorsements. Such policies shall not prohibit or have the effect of generally prohibiting the carrying, chambering, or active operation or storage of a concealed firearm on the campus of such institution.

Institutions are further prohibited from imposing any contractual requirement or condition of employment upon any employee, faculty member, or student that generally prohibits or has the effect of generally prohibiting the lawful possession or carry of firearms by such persons, nor shall such institution impose any taxes, fees, or other monetary charges as a condition for the lawful possession or carry of firearms.

The provisions of these sections are similar to SB 121 (2019) and HB 258 (2019).

JOSIE BUTLER