HCS/SS/SCS/SB 68 - This act creates, repeals, and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education.
GET THE LEAD OUT OF SCHOOL DRINKING WATER
(Sections 160.077 and 701.200)
The act modifies provisions of the "Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act".
The act provides that a school may filter water to reduce lead levels when the water supply is the source of lead contamination. The act prohibits a school from using flushing practices to reduce lead levels as part of the school's remediation plan.
The act specifies that a filter used to reduce lead levels in a school's drinking water supply shall be installed in accordance with any relevant requirements set forth by the Department of Natural Resources.
The act adds removal of a drinking water outlet from service to the list of steps a school may take if testing shows that the building's plumbing is causing lead contamination.
The act repeals a provision exempting school buildings constructed after January 4, 2014, from the requirement to install, maintain, or replace filters.
Finally, the act repeals provisions relating to testing for lead in school buildings constructed before 1996.
These provisions are substantially similar to SB 581 (2025).
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICIES AND EMPLOYEE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
(Sections 160.261, 160.263, 160.775, 162.065, 162.069, 167.950, 168.331, 170.048, and 170.315)
The act adds certain crimes committed on a school bus to the crimes that a school discipline policy shall require administrators to report. (Section 160.261)
Additionally, beginning in the 2025-26 school year, all training for school employees required under state law or school policy shall be provided to newly hired employees annually for the first three years of employment, while all other employees shall receive such training on a schedule determined by the school district or charter school. Sufficient time shall be provided for employees to complete the required training during work hours. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, all new training required under state law or rules promulgated by DESE shall be provided to school employees for at least three consecutive school years before a school district or charter school shall establish its own schedule for continuing such training or be required to provide sufficient time for the completion of such training during work hours. (Section 168.133)
Provisions of current law regarding school employee training requirements are modified to reflect the requirements established in the act. (Sections 160.261, 160.263, 160.775, 162.065, 162.069, 167.950, 170.048, and 170.315)
These provisions are identical to HCS/HB 332 (2025) and HB 1523 (2025).
CALCULATION OF STUDENT ATTENDANCE
(Section 160.264)
The act provides that a student who has been suspended or expelled from a public school shall be counted as being in attendance for purposes of calculating the school's attendance rate under the Missouri School Improvement Plan and the school's weighted average daily attendance as used in the calculation of state aid.
COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLANS
(Section 160.480)
Currently, school districts are authorized to adopt a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan addressing the use of school resources in the event of a natural disaster or other community emergency.
Under this act, school districts and charter schools shall adopt a "comprehensive emergency operations plan" that addresses school safety, crises, and emergency operations; prevention, preparation, operations, and follow-up; collaboration with local law enforcement, fire protection services, and emergency management; and consideration of supporting mental health needs of all involved in any crisis.
The emergency operations plan shall be shared with local law enforcement, fire protection services, and emergency management.
The act adds charter school governing boards to a provision requiring the review of the use of school resources pursuant to emergency operations plans within 30 days of authorization or as soon as reasonably possible.
The governing board of each school district and charter school shall ensure the completion of a physical security site assessment at each facility annually.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall develop standards for emergency operations plans and ensure compliance with the adoption of these plans annually. DESE shall also develop standards for the annual physical security site assessments using nationally accepted methodology and shall ensure compliance with the completion of these assessments annually.
This provision is identical to a provision in HB 416 (2025).
CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS
(Section 160.482)
For the 2026-27 school year and all subsequent school years, this act requires every public school to develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on a school campus.
Members of each public school's administration shall coordinate with local emergency services providers to integrate the public school's cardiac emergency response plan into the local emergency services providers' protocols. A cardiac emergency response plan shall integrate evidence-based core elements, such as those recommended by the American Heart Association guidelines, Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam's Memory), or another set of nationally recognized, evidence-based standards or core elements.
The act outlines certain guidelines that a cardiac emergency response plan shall integrate, including the establishment of a cardiac emergency response team and the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the school campus. Appropriate AED placement shall be dictated by the cardiac emergency response plan and in accordance with guidelines set by the American Heart Association or nationally recognized guidelines focused on emergency cardiovascular care.
For schools with an athletic department or organized school athletic program, an AED shall be clearly marked and easily accessible in an unlocked location at each athletic venue and event. The AED shall be accessible during the school day and any school-sponsored athletic event or team practice.
Appropriate school personnel shall be certified in first
aid, CPR, and AED use, as provided in the act. The school personnel required to be trained shall be determined by the cardiac emergency response plan and shall include, but shall not be limited to, athletic coaches, school nurses, and athletic trainers.
Public schools shall not be required to purchase or install AEDs unless the General Assembly specifically appropriates money to cover all related costs.
This provision is similar to SCS/SBs 166 & 155 (2025), HB 232 (2025), SCS/SBs 1032 & 1081 (2024), and provisions in HB 416 (2025) and HB 1991 (2024).
STOP THE BLEED ACT
(Section 160.485)
The act establishes the "Stop the Bleed Act" requiring DESE to develop a traumatic blood loss protocol for school personnel to follow in the event of a serious injury. The protocol shall be developed before January 1, 2026 for implementation in each school district and charter school before the end of the 2025-26 school year.
The act outlines the requirements of the protocol, including placing a bleeding control kit in areas where there is likely to be high traffic, such as auditoriums and cafeterias. Certain items shall be included in the bleeding control kit, such as bandages, protective gloves, and tourniquets. A bleeding control kit shall be restocked after each use, as provided in the act.
Each school district and charter school shall designate school personnel in each school building who shall receive annual training in the use of a bleeding control kit. The act describes the topics to be covered in such training, such as the proper application of dressings or bandages.
DESE shall, in collaboration with the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Missouri Department of Public Safety, include requirements in the traumatic blood loss protocol for school personnel to receive annual training in the use of bleeding control kits. The training requirements shall be satisfied by successful completion and certification under the "STOP THE BLEED" course as promulgated by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma or the American Red Cross. The training requirements may allow online instruction.
A bleeding control kit may contain any additional items that are approved by emergency medical services personnel, as provided in the act. Quantities of each item required to be in a bleeding control kit may be determined by each school district.
DESE, each school district, and each charter school shall maintain information about the Stop the Bleed Act on each entity's website. Upon request by a school district or a charter school, DESE may, in collaboration with the Department of Public Safety, direct the school district or charter school to resources that are available to provide bleeding control kits to the school district or charter school.
All costs related to the provision of bleeding control kits, kit restocking, and training of school personnel shall be subject to an appropriation by the General Assembly. A school district or charter school may receive donations of bleeding control kits or funds for the purchase of bleeding control kits that meet the requirements of the act.
This provision shall not be construed to create a cause of action against a school district, charter school, or school personnel. Any school personnel who in good faith use a bleeding control kit as provided in the act shall be immune from all civil liability for any act or omission in the use of a bleeding control kit unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful, wanton, or intentional misconduct.
This provision is identical to HB 266 (2025), HB 1487 (2024), HB 116 (2023), and provisions in HB 416 (2025), HB 844 (2025), HCS/HB 1946 (2024), and HCS/HB 497 (2023), and is substantially similar to HCS/HB 1722 (2022) and a provision in HCS/SS/SB 690 (2022).
GRADE-LEVEL EQUIVALENCE
(Sections 160.518 and 160.522)
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall develop and use a grade-level equivalence metric to assess students' knowledge and performance for grades 3-8. DESE shall define and categorize performance-level descriptors for advanced, proficient, grade level, basic, and below basic achievement, as described in the act, with each level representing varying degrees of mastery over educational content and readiness for the next grade level. The grade-level equivalence for each student shall be determined at the time of the statewide assessment and provided alongside the student's assessment score to both the student and his or her parent. DESE shall also ensure that data related to grade-level equivalence is made publicly accessible on a building, school, district, and statewide level, while ensuring that no data is disclosed in a way that allows for the personal identification of any student, except by the student and the student's parent. DESE may engage a third-party nonprofit entity to assist in developing the grade-level equivalence metric. The grade-level equivalence data shall be included in the annual performance reports DESE is required to compile under current law.
These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 416 (2025) and HCS/HB 712 (2025).
SCHOOL SAFETY COORDINATORS
(Section 160.660)
The act requires school districts to designate a primary and secondary school safety coordinator, rather than one designated safety coordinator. Each school district shall ensure that school safety coordinators complete specific training within one year of being appointed. The training options include certain courses offered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration or the Missouri School Boards' Association's Center for Education Safety.
This provision is identical to provisions in HB 416 (2025) and HCS/HB 1946 (2024).
SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURES
(Section 160.663)
The act requires school districts and charter schools to install anti-intruder door locks on interior doors and bullet-resistant window film on the glass of exterior doors or entryways, subject to appropriation. All new doors installed after August 28, 2025, shall include these security features, and all existing doors shall be equipped with these features by July 1, 2029. School districts and charter schools may receive donations of anti-intruder locks and bullet-resistant window film or accept donations of funds to purchase such items.
Additionally, school districts and charter schools shall develop policies to control building access prior to, or in conjunction with, installing anti-intruder door locks and bullet-resistant window film. Such policies shall control access to individual classrooms and ensure classroom doors with windows have materials that provide concealment during lockdowns while allowing limited visibility for first responders.
This provision is identical to provisions in HB 416 (2025) and HCS/HB 1946 (2024).
SCHOOL SAFETY INCIDENT REPORTS
(Section 160.664)
This act requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to report to DESE all school safety incidents and credible school safety threats that occur at each attendance center of the LEA, 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 require LEAs to report acts of school violence or violent behavior, as such terms are defined in current law, or crimes required to be reported to law enforcement under current law.
DESE shall establish procedures for LEAs to follow when reporting a school safety incident or credible threat. These procedures shall include, but shall not be limited to, criteria to assist LEAs 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. No record in the database shall contain personally identifiable information of a student. A record in the database shall contain only aggregate data by charter school, school district, or attendance center thereof and shall be a public record. DESE shall share data relating to school safety incidents and credible school safety threats with the Department of Public Safety to facilitate additional investigation efforts.
This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HBs 408, 306 & 854 (2025) and similar to HB 1074 (2025).
ANTIBULLYING POLICIES
(Section 160.775)
The act adds charter schools to provisions of law requiring public schools to adopt antibullying policies. An antibullying policy shall include a statement that the school district or charter school shall take into account whether a student's act of school violence or violent behavior, as such terms are defined in current law, was committed in self-defense when determining disciplinary action.
Currently, employees who witness an incident of bullying are required to report the incident within two days. This act lowers the report requirement to one day. Reports of bullying incidents received by school principals shall be reduced to writing within two school days of receiving such reports. An investigation shall be completed within 10 school days from the date of the initiation of the investigation, rather than 10 school days of the written report. The act further requires a written report of the results of the investigation to be prepared. This report shall include, but is not limited to, a description of any interventions, initiatives, techniques, or discipline provided to all individuals involved in the incident.
The policy shall also include a procedure for responding to an investigation that finds an act of bullying occurred. At a minimum, the procedure shall require notification of the parents of the bullied student and the bullying student and, if the bullying constitutes harassment in the second degree under current law, referral to law enforcement agencies or, if the bullying student is under 11 years of age, the Children's Division of the Department of Social Services.
Additionally, the policy shall provide information about training on the appropriate interventions staff may take and the associated liability for action or inaction.
Students committing acts of bullying are added to the educational training and prevention initiatives currently provided to certain school personnel and students who are victims of bullying.
The administration of each school district and charter school shall report all incidents of bullying, school violence, violent behavior, and certain crimes to the school board or governing board on a monthly basis, detailing the discipline imposed on students involved in such incidents. The school board or governing board shall review these reports in a closed meeting and resolve any discrepancies within 30 days, addressing any concerns raised during the review.
Employees or volunteers of a school district or charter school are authorized to intervene in bullying, violence, or criminal incidents to protect students. Employees or volunteers shall be immune from liability if they follow proper procedures or act in good faith, reasonably believing they are justified in their actions.
School districts, charter schools, or employees thereof shall not be civilly liable for disciplining a student for bullying if done in good faith. If the district, charter school, or employee prevails in a legal action, they may recover court costs and attorney's fees.
The act does not grant immunity for the denial of constitutionally protected rights of students and does not limit other immunities available under state or federal law. Incidents of bullying, school violence, or crime may be considered child abuse for reporting purposes. If multiple employees or volunteers are aware of such abuse, a single report may be made by the designated reporter, and failure to report by the designated individual shall be immediately addressed. Further, the act prohibits charter schools from expelling or transferring a student solely based on bullying reports.
This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HBs 408, 306 & 854 (2025) and similar to HB 351 (2025), HB 655 (2025), and HCS/HBs 1715 & 2630 (2024).
MISSOURI EDUCATORS AND PARENTAL EMPOWERMENT AND RIGHTS ACT
(Sections 160.1052 to 160.1055)
The act establishes the "Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act" to foster and maintain collaboration between parents and teachers.
The "Parents' Bill of Rights" provides that parents shall have the right to receive information about their minor child’s education, including curricula, upon request; the right to review curricula without a nondisclosure agreement; the right to know who is teaching their child, including guest lecturers and outside presenters; the right to receive information about individuals and organizations receiving contracts and funding in the LEA, excluding personally identifiable student information; the right to visit the school during school hours following reasonable regulations; the right to access school records, including medical records, in accordance with state and federal law; the right to be informed about the collection and transmission of their child’s data to entities outside the LEA; the right to an LEA governing board that is transparent, open, and accountable; the right to be informed of situations affecting their child’s safety in school; the right to authorize their child’s participation in field trips; and the right to ensure their child is not coerced by an LEA employee into withholding information from the parent, except in cases where such withholding is necessary to prevent abuse or neglect. (Section 160.1053)
The act establishes the "Educators' Bill of Rights" outlining the rights of teachers to foster and maintain collaboration with parents. These rights include the right to be free from physical abuse by a student, with such abuse potentially leading to the student's suspension or expulsion; the right to be free from physical abuse by a parent and to be protected from threats of harm, with consequences including the prohibition of the perpetrator’s presence on school property and legal action; the right to be evaluated for competency by an administrator and to request a peer mentor for observation and coaching; the right to exercise freedom of speech, religion, and expression as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution; the right to be treated with civility and respect as a professional; the right to regularly scheduled preparation time during contract hours; the right to be covered by official immunity and LEA insurance for work-related duties; the right to implement a discipline plan in the classroom and provide professional input on student discipline; the right to be recognized as a professional with all associated rights, responsibilities, and privileges; the right to teach in a safe and secure environment, with the ability to report concerns regarding safety and security; the right to intervene for the protection of students in incidents of school violence, with legal defenses available for such interventions; and for beginning teachers, the right to receive leadership and support through beginning teacher assistance programs as mandated by state law. (Section 160.1054)
LEAs are required to develop policies and procedures that help parents and teachers exercise their rights under the Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act. Each LEA’s governing board shall affirm its commitment to accountability and transparency by adopting policies that recognize and support parents' rights to guide their child's education, encourage communication between parents and the LEA, and collaborate with parents to clearly communicate ways to exercise their rights. Additionally, each LEA shall notify parents in a timely manner if their child is involved in a safety incident in which a school employee is charged with a crime. The LEA shall also provide prompt notification to parents of any serious disciplinary incidents involving their child and offer a meeting or conference to discuss the behavior and outline corrective steps.
Each LEA shall adopt reasonable procedures for parents to follow when visiting their minor child during school hours and during emergencies, such as lockdowns or lockouts, and when the LEA is required to prohibit an individual from interacting with a minor child due to legal restrictions.
Teachers, school administrators, parents, and students shall be fully informed of the rights conferred upon parents and teachers, with each LEA providing a physical or electronic copy to each parent, teacher, and student at the beginning of each school year. Each LEA shall post these rights on its website or provide a printed copy if no website exists.
Each LEA shall adopt, enforce, publicly post, and annually review a code of student conduct that promotes safe, respectful, and orderly learning environments, reinforces teacher authority in maintaining classroom discipline, and enhances parental involvement in student behavioral issues. The code of conduct shall be adopted for the 2026-27 school year and subsequent years, and DESE may offer guidance and technical assistance to LEAs to ensure compliance. The code of conduct shall reinforce respect for teachers, administrators, and staff, emphasize personal responsibility, include measures to address and correct disruptive behavior promptly, outline graduated consequences for misconduct, require parental notification and involvement in significant disciplinary actions, and prohibit discriminatory policies based on race.
Each LEA may, with its governing board's approval, incorporate evidence-based training for teachers and counselors on strategies to guide students toward personal resilience, such as encouraging responsibility, self-management, conflict resolution, and appropriate responses to authority. The strategies shall not focus on race, gender, or similar classifications but shall emphasize universal community standards. LEAs shall ensure that teachers and staff are trained to maintain order, encourage compliance, foster civility, and promote personal responsibility. LEAs shall also facilitate parental engagement through regular communication, opportunities for parents to review the policy handbook, and resources that support ethical responsibility and community standards at home.
Each LEA's governing board shall adopt the required policies and procedures for the 2026-27 school year and all subsequent years. No LEA shall establish policies that prevent a parent or teacher from exercising the rights listed in the act or any other provision of law. Additionally, no provision of this act shall supersede any federal or state law or regulation; nor shall any provision of the act supersede any LEA's order, ordinance, or policy relating to student discipline. (Section 160.1055)
These provisions are identical to HCS/HB 1287 (2025) and provisions in HCS/HBs 408, 306 & 854 (2025).
ADULT HIGH SCHOOLS
(Sections 160.2700, 160.2705, and 160.2710)
The act lowers the minimum age of a student who may enroll in an adult high school from 21 years of age to 18 years of age.
To be eligible to operate an adult high school, an organization shall demonstrate success in providing job placement services to adults 18 years of age or older, instead of 21 years of age or older, in addition to satisfying certain other conditions set forth in current law.
Additionally, a student transferring from a local education agency to an adult high school shall be considered a transfer student and not a dropout student from the local education agency.
These provisions are identical to HCS/HB 32 (2025) and provisions in HCS/HB 607 (2025) and are similar to SB 426 (2025).
VIRTUAL ASSESSMENTS
(Section 161.670)
This act provides that any virtual school or program that is part of the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program may administer any statewide assessment virtually, except for college readiness or workforce readiness assessments provided by a national college and career readiness assessment provider. The act outlines requirements for such virtual assessments, including the monitoring of students via a camera and the maintaining of a student-to-proctor ratio of 10-1 or lower.
This provision is identical to provisions in HCS/HB 220 (2025) and HCS/HB 607 (2025) and is similar to SB 266 (2025) and SB 1049 (2024).
SCHOOL BUS DRIVER TRAINING
(Section 162.065)
The act provides that each school district shall provide at least four hours, rather than eight hours, of annual training to each school bus driver employed by the school district or under contract with the school district.
ELECTRONIC PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES
(Section 162.207)
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, each school district and charter school shall adopt a written policy regarding students' possession or use of electronic personal communication devices. Such a policy shall be designed to promote students' educational interests and ensure a safe, effective working environment for staff and volunteers. The act defines an "electronic personal communications device" as a portal device that is used to initiate, receive, store, or view communication, information, images, or data electronically.
At a minimum, the policy shall prohibit students from using or displaying these devices during instructional time and meal times, define instructional time, outline disciplinary procedures for violations, and include exceptions for students who need devices due to specific educational or health needs, such as individualized education plans or 504 plans under federal law. The policy may prohibit students from using devices during breaks from instructional time, such as time between classes and on field trips. Exceptions may allow device use in emergencies or for authorized educational purposes. The policy shall be published on the school district's or charter school's website, and school employees or volunteers shall be immune from liability if they act in good faith and follow the policy's disciplinary procedures.
This provision shall expire on August 28, 2032.
This provision is similar to SB 640 (2025), HB 2889 (2024), and provisions in HCS/HBs 408, 306 & 854 (2025) and HB 416 (2025).
SMALL SCHOOLS GRANT
(Section 163.044)
Nonresident students who enroll in a school district through the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program shall not be included in such school district's total pupil count for purposes of determining the district's eligibility for the Small Schools Grant under current law.
This provision is identical to provisions in HCS/HB 220 (2025) and HCS/HB 607 (2025).
STATE AID FOR SCHOOLS
(Section 163.045)
A school district shall not be deemed ineligible to receive certain state aid moneys on the basis that such school district was in session for fewer than 169 days in a school term because of exceptional or emergency circumstances or a reduction of the required number of school days authorized by the Commissioner of Education under current law.
This provision is identical to HCS/HB 368 (2025) and a provision in HCS/HB 607 (2025) and is similar to SB 364 (2025).
MINIMUM TEACHER'S SALARY
(Section 163.172)
This act repeals the requirement for a teacher's master's degree to be in an academic teaching field directly related to the teacher's assignment in order for such teacher to qualify for the minimum salary for teachers with a master's degree and at least 10 years of teaching experience.
This provision is identical to provisions in HCS/HB 607 (2025) and HCS/HB 712 (2025).
BEHAVIORAL THREAT ASSESSMENTS AND PERSONAL SAFETY PLANS
(Sections 167.020 and 167.022)
The act adds behavioral threat assessments and personal safety plans, as defined in the act, to the records to be requested by school officials when enrolling a pupil.
These provisions are similar to provisions in HB 416 (2025) and HCS/HB 1946 (2024).
JUVENILE COURT
(Section 167.115)
Currently, a school district shall be notified if a petition is filed against a student in juvenile court with specific allegations. Under this act, a school district shall also be notified if a charge or indictment is filed against a student. The act adds the local prosecutor to the list of individuals required to notify the school district. Notice shall be given within 24 hours following the filing of the charge, indictment, or petition, and a summary of facts shall be provided to the superintendent of the school district no later than two business days, rather than five days, following the case disposition.
Additionally, the act authorizes school districts to request an injunction to exclude students from educational services if there is a substantial likelihood of danger to the safety of other students or employees in the school district. The information reported to the school district may be used to provide an alternative environment for the student's educational services.
This provision is identical to provisions in HB 416 (2025) and HCS/HB 1946 (2024).
AGREEMENTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT
(Section 167.117)
The act authorizes school districts and charter schools to enter into written agreements with law enforcement on reporting procedures for certain criminal offenses specified in the act. These procedures may authorize the reporting of offenses committed by students under 11 years of age to the Children's Division within the Department of Social Services, rather than law enforcement.
This provision is identical to a provision in HB 416 (2025).
CHILDREN OF SCHOOL CONTRACTORS
(Section 167.151)
Under this act, the child of a contractor or regular employee of a school district may attend school in such school district even if the child is not a resident of the school district. The nonresident district shall provide the child with the same access to education as other pupils entitled to free instruction and without requiring tuition fees. The child shall be considered a resident of the nonresident district for the purpose of average daily attendance. If the child wishes to attend a magnet or academically selective school within the nonresident district, the parent must provide proof that the child meets the admission requirements. The nonresident district may require contractors or regular employees to provide documentation showing they meet the necessary qualifications and may also require a contractor or regular employee to work a minimum number of days, not exceeding 60, for the child to be eligible to attend school in the nonresident district. Neither the resident nor nonresident district shall be responsible for providing transportation services. If the parent ceases to be a contractor or regular employee of the school district, the child may continue attending school in the nonresident district for the remainder of the school year.
This provision is identical to HCS/HB 1238 (2025) and a provision in HCS/HB 607 (2025).
SUSPENDED STUDENTS
(Section 167.164)
The act provides that no school district shall be required to provide a teacher to a suspended student as long as the student is provided an opportunity to attend an alternative school, utilize alternative services or virtual options, or make up missed work upon returning to school.
ZERO-TOLERANCE DISCIPLINARY POLICIES
(Section 167.167)
This act requires school districts to prohibit, in name and practice, any zero-tolerance disciplinary policy that results in an automatic consequence against a pupil without the discretion to modify such disciplinary consequence on a case-by-case basis.
This provision is identical to HB 454 (2025) and provisions in HCS/HB 607 (2025) and HCS/HB 712 (2025).
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION
(Section 167.624)
Currently, school districts are authorized to develop and implement a program to train students and employees on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other lifesaving methods. This act requires school districts and charter schools to provide such training for all school district and charter school employees.
This provision is identical to provisions in HB 416 (2025) and HCS/HB 1946 (2024).
TEACHER CERTIFICATION
(Section 168.021)
The act provides that the alternative online teacher preparation program developed and maintained by DESE under current law may, instead of "shall", be accepted by private schools and private school accrediting agencies.
Additionally, the act adds Teachers of Tomorrow to the list of certificating entities from which the State Board of Education shall accept a teacher's credentials for purposes of granting a license to teach in the public schools of this state, provided that the individual also meets certain other conditions outlined in current law.
This provision is similar to HCS/HB 1153 (2025), SB 639 (2025), and a provision in HCS/HB 607 (2025).
TEACHER EXTERNSHIPS
(Section 168.025)
The act repeals the August 28, 2024, expiration of the teacher externship program.
This provision is identical to HB 1945 (2024) and provisions in HCS/HB 267 (2025) and HCS/HB 607 (2025).
SUBSTITUTE TEACHING IN RETIREMENT
(Section 168.036)
Currently, the limitations for members of the Public School Retirement System and the Public Education Employee Retirement Systems (PSRS/PEERS) to work as a substitute teacher after retirement are waived until June 30, 2025. This act waives such limitations until June 30, 2030.
This provision is identical to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 10 (2025), SB 705 (2025), SB 708 (2025), HCS/HB 267 (2025), HCS/HB 607 (2025), HCS/HB 712 (2025), HB 965 (2025), HB 1039 (2025), and HCS/HB 1153 (2025).
MODELS OF READING INSTRUCTION
(Section 170.014)
Phonics instruction for decoding and encoding words shall be the primary instructional strategy for teaching word reading in school districts and charter schools. An instructional strategy based on a three-cueing system, as such term is defined in the act, may not be used for instruction in word reading. Visual information may be used in reading instruction to improve background and add context, but shall not be used to teach word reading.
This provision is identical to HCS/HB 941 (2025) and a provision in HCS/HB 607 (2025) and is similar to SB 556 (2025) and a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 1569 (2024).
ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING
(Section 170.315)
The act modifies the Active Shooter and Intruder Response Training for Schools Program (ASIRT).
For the 2026-27 school year and all subsequent school years, each school district and charter school shall annually train employees on how to respond to students who provide information about a threatening situation, how to address situations involving a potentially dangerous or armed intruder or active shooter, how to identify potential threats or safety hazards, and protocols for emergencies listed in the act.
All school personnel may, rather than "shall", participate in a simulated active shooter and intruder response drill. School safety drills required under current law may be led by school safety professionals, in addition to law enforcement professionals. Each drill shall, rather than "may", include an explanation of its purpose and a safety briefing. The act repeals the requirement that each participant in a safety drill shall know and understand how to respond in the event of an actual emergency on school property or at a school event. The act further repeals a provision that drills may allow school personnel to respond to a simulated emergency based on their previous training or attempt new methods of response if previous methods were unsuccessful.
The act provides that public schools shall "actively" foster an environment in which students feel comfortable sharing information regarding potentially threatening or dangerous situations with responsible adults. As part of these efforts, each public school shall annually provide age-appropriate information and training on the Highway Patrol's Courage2ReportMO (C2R) reporting mechanism or its successor reporting mechanism.
For the 2026-27 school year and all subsequent school years, each school district and charter school shall hold an age-appropriate active shooter exercise in which students, teachers, and other school employees practice the procedures for safety and protection.
This provision is similar to provisions in HB 416 (2025) and HCS/HB 1946 (2024).
TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION SCHOLARSHIPS
(Section 173.232)
The act adds "educational costs" related to teacher preparation to the costs covered by the Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program.
If the number of scholarships or maximum amount awarded does not exceed limits established in current law, the act requires DESE to use any remaining funds to award additional scholarships to students who are in the final semester of a state-approved baccalaureate-level teacher preparation program and are student teaching. DESE shall determine the amount of each scholarship awarded under this provision based on equal distribution of remaining funds among all eligible students. No amount granted shall exceed the amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident at the University of Missouri-Columbia for attendance for one semester.
The act provides that DESE "shall", rather than "may", sell to the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority loans of scholarship funds that were awarded to scholarship recipients who failed to teach in a hard-to-staff school or hard-to-staff subject area as required under the Program. The act repeals a provision that a school district that hires such an individual as a teacher shall repay 25% of the 1/8 portion of such teacher's scholarship that is not subject to repayment as a loan.
This provision is identical to HB 792 (2025) and provisions in HCS/HB 607 (2025) and HCS/HB 712 (2025).
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BIDDING
(Section 177.086)
Currently, any school district authorizing the construction of facilities which may exceed an expenditure of $50,000 shall publicly advertise for bids on the contract. The act exempts from this provision school districts that utilize a cooperative procurement process, state procurement services, or other purchasing processes authorized by state or federal law.
This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HB 607 (2025).
OLIVIA SHANNON