SS/SCS/SB 68 - This act creates provisions relating to safe school environments.
SCHOOL SAFETY INCIDENT REPORTS
(Section 160.664)
This act requires local educational agencies to report to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) all school safety incidents and credible school safety threats that occur at each attendance center of the local educational agency, including all actual incidents or credible threats of school shootings or other incidents or threats involving a firearm, explosive, knife, or other weapon, as provided in the act. DESE shall establish procedures for local educational agencies to follow when reporting a school safety incident or credible threat. These procedures shall include, but shall not be limited to, criteria to assist local educational agencies in determining what constitutes a school safety incident or credible threat that is required to be reported; a time frame within which such incident or threat shall be reported; and any other information required by DESE.
DESE shall maintain and regularly update a database of all school safety incidents and credible school safety threats that are reported pursuant to the provisions of the act. Any record in the database that contains personally identifiable information of a student shall be a closed record under the Missouri Sunshine Law. Any aggregate data that does not contain any personally identifiable information of a student shall be a public record subject to disclosure under the Missouri Sunshine Law.
This provision is similar to HB 1074 (2025).
STUDENT ELECTRONIC PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE USAGE
(Section 162.207)
Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this act requires school districts and charter schools to adopt a written policy governing students' use of electronic personal communication devices, as such term is defined in the act. The policy shall be designed to promote students' educational interests and provide a safe and effective working environment for school staff.
At a minimum, the policy shall prohibit students from using devices from the beginning until the end of the school day, outline disciplinary actions for policy violations, and provide exceptions for device use in emergencies, as defined in the act, for instructional purposes, or when authorized for health or special educational purposes under federal law, as provided in the act. The policy shall be published on the school district or charter school website, and school employees or volunteers shall be protected from liability when acting in good faith and following the adopted procedures.
This provision shall expire on August 28, 2032.
This provision is similar to SB 640 (2025), HB 306 (2025), HB 854 (2025), and HB 2889 (2024).
OLIVIA SHANNON