Education & School Law

SS#2 SCS HCS HB 111 – Judicial procedures (See Judicial Administration)

HCS HB 174 – Higher education governing boards  Currently, the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the University of Missouri Board of Curators, and the Missouri State University Board of Governors have nine voting members, with no more than one person appointed from the same Congressional district.  This bill requires at least one voting member, but no more than two, to be appointed from each Congressional district. A member who is in office on the effective date of the bill may complete his or her term. (Signed 5/2/11)

HCS HB 223 & 231 – Higher education financial assistance programs Subject to appropriation, requires the Department of Higher Education to make available a nonrenewable advanced placement incentive grant of $500 to any recipient of financial aid under the A+ Schools or Access Missouri programs if the recipient received a score of three or higher on two advanced placement examinations in mathematics or science while attending a Missouri public high school.

The Nursing Education Incentive Program is established within the Department of Higher Education to address nursing shortages. Subject to appropriation, the Department of Higher Education will award grants to eligible higher education institutions accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association based on criteria to be determined by the board and the Department of Higher Education.  An eligible institution must offer a nursing program that meets the predetermined category and area of need as established by the board and the Department of Higher Education based on data from sources specified in the bill.

(Signed 6/16/11)

HB 229 – Public school retirement system of Kansas City Changes the laws regarding the Public School Retirement System of Kansas City. (Signed 6/16/11) 

SCS HCS HB 300, 334 & 387 – Interscholastic Youth Sports Brain Injury Prevention Act (See Health & Hospital Law)

SCS HCS HB 344 – Agriculture (See Agriculture & Animal Law)

SS SCS HCS HB 555 – Healthcare (See Health & Hospital Law)

HB 795 – Missouri School Read-In Day Designates the second Friday in March as “Missouri School Read-In Day.”  The day is to be appropriately observed with activities that promote an increased awareness of the importance and benefits of reading and that encourage greater emphasis on reading in the school and in the home. (Signed 5/5/11)

HJR 2 – Religious freedom in public places Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment guarantees a citizen’s right to pray and worship in all private and public areas including schools as long as the activities are voluntary and subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to all other types of speech.

A citizen’s right to choose any religion or no religion at all is reaffirmed by prohibiting the state or any of its political subdivisions from establishing an official state religion and from coercing any person to participate in any prayer or other religious activity.

The resolution also reaffirms the right of employees and elected officials of the State of Missouri to pray on government premise and public property and ensures the General Assembly and the governing bodies of political subdivisions the right to have ministers, clergy persons, and other individuals offer prayers or invocations at meetings or sessions of the General Assembly or a governing body.

Students are allowed to express their religious beliefs in assignments free from discrimination and cannot be compelled to participate in assignments or presentations that violate their beliefs.  A public school receiving state funds is required to display the text of the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution in a conspicuous and legible manner.

The provisions of the resolution cannot be construed to expand the rights of prisoners in state or local custody beyond those guaranteed by federal law.

SCS/SB 54 – Protecting children from sexual offenders (See Criminal Law)

CCS SCS SB 81 – Education Changes the laws regarding the nonresident entertainer and professional athletic team member income tax, fine arts education, and school funding.

TAX EXEMPT EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS The nonresident entertainer and professional athletic team member income tax will not apply to any person making a presentation at a seminar, conference, school, convention, or other similar program format that is designed to provide professional or technical education.

FINE ARTS EDUCATION  Beginning in Fiscal Year 2013, the Office of Quality Schools within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may ensure that each regional professional development center provide professional development educational assistance for fine arts for school districts; assistance may include working with districts in staff development and curriculum issues related to fine arts education and integration;collaborating with regional office of professional development personnel and other regional personnel and coordinating services available from other entities involved in fine arts education and integration.

SCHOOL FUNDING Makes changes in provisions relating to when a school district may transfer unrestricted funds from its capital projects fund to its incidental fund.  Any funds originating from a general obligation bond must be considered restricted funds and cannot be transferred to the school’s incidental fund.

A provision regarding an increase in state funding if summer school attendance decreases by 25% as compared to the daily attendance at summer school in the 2005-2006 school year is repealed.

The bill contains an emergency clause for the provisions regarding school funding. (Signed 6/10/11)

HCS SCS SB 163 – Higher education governing boards Currently, the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the University of Missouri Board of Curators, and the Missouri State University Board of Governors have nine voting members, with no more than one person appointed from the same Congressional district.  This bill requires at least one voting member, but no more than two, to be appointed from each Congressional district. A member who is in office on the effective date of the bill may complete his or her term. (Vetoed 7/7/11)

CCS#2 HCS SB 250 – Sexual offenders (See Criminal Law)