Missouri 104th General Assembly
HB 1744 – OPPOSE: Establishes a quality control committee for oversight and enacts education reforms
Includes home schools and FPE schools in the DESE graduation requirements
Bill Sponsor: Scott Miller
Committee:
Last Action: 01/08/2026 - Read Second Time (H)
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
HB 1907 – WATCH: Establishes the “Child Protection Through Nonprofit Integrity Act”
Background checks for 501C3 and non-profits
Bill Sponsor: Mike Steinmeyer
Committee:
Last Action: 01/08/2026 - Read Second Time (H)
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
HB 2062 – NEUTRAL: Modifies provisions relating to higher education tuition
Higher education and diplomas, includes home school diplomas; seems to validate the homeschool diploma to force it to be accepted. Similar to HB 2487
Bill Sponsor: Wick Thomas
Committee:
Last Action: 01/08/2026 - Read Second Time (H)
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries:
HB 2123 – WATCH: Modifies provisions governing funding for higher education (similar to SB1121)
Homeschoolers included in Higher Education Academic Scholarship Program
Bill Sponsor: John Black
Committee: Rules-Administrative Committee
Last Action: 04/15/2026 – Rules-Administrative Committee Do Pass: 9 Ayes, 1 Noes (H)
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries:
HB 2487 – NEUTRAL: Modifies provisions relating to higher education tuition
Higher education and diplomas, includes home school diplomas; seems to validate the homeschool diploma to force it to be accepted. Similar to HB 2062
Bill Sponsor: Emily Weber
Committee:
Last Action: 01/08/2026 - Read Second Time (H)
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries:
HB 3142 – NEUTRAL: Modifies and establishes provisions relating to summer and day camps
Rules for day/summer camps; Home school and FPE schools are exempt
Bill Sponsor: Cameron Parker
Committee: Emerging Issues
Last Action: 04/21/2026 – Rules-Administrative Committee Executive Session postponed (H)
Bill Summaries:
HCR 31 – NEUTRAL: Establishes a Seal of Civic Recognition for certain graduating high school seniors
Includes home schools
Bill Sponsor: John Martin
Committee: Elementary and Secondary Education Committee
Last Action: 04/23/2026 – Rules Legislative Committee Executive Session Reported Do Pass: 11 Ayes, 0 Noes (H)
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries:
SCR 18 – NEUTRAL: Establishes the "State of Missouri Seal of Civic Recognition" to recognize graduating high school seniors for their academic achievements and contributions to their communities (similar to HCR 31)
Included home schools
Bill Sponsor: Steven Roberts
Committee: Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics
Last Action: 01/29/2026 – Referred to Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
SB1121 – WATCH: Creates the "Missouri Higher Education Funding Policy Prioritization Act" and creates and modifies provisions relating to higher education workforce policy prioritization (similar to HB 2123)
Homeschoolers are eligible for this program; but we have some questions about the language.
Bill Sponsor: Curtis Trent
Committee: Senate Education Committee
Last Action: 02/24/2026 Hearing Completed
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
HB 2447 – OPPOSE: Modifies provisions governing compulsory school attendance
The bill only removes the requirement to put in writing when unenrolling a 5-6 year old child. Nothing else is changed.
Bill Sponsor: Mark Boyko
Committee:
Last Action: 01/08/2026 - Read Second Time (H)
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries:
HB 2720 – OPPOSE: Modifies provisions relating to age for school entry
Removes home school and FPE schools from the list of schools in 167.031; requires public, private, and charter to start at age 5, but allows home schools and FPE to wait til 7 leaving us open to scrutiny and basically setting up a registry; compulsory age should be the same for all.
Bill Sponsor: Melissa Douglas
Committee: Elementary and Secondary Education
Last Action: 02/18/2026 – Referred to the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries:
HB 3123 – OPPOSE: Modifies provisions relating to age for school entry
Changes compulsory age from 7 to 5 for all schools listed in 167.031. Includes home schools and FPE schools.
Bill Sponsor: Marty Joe Murray
Committee:
Last Action: 01/29/2026 - Read Second Time (H)
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries:
HB2449 – OPPOSE: Establishes the "Missouri Parental Choice Tax Credit Act" relating to a tax credit for certain educational expenses
Refundable Tax credit (page 5, lines 106-108) Cannot support as is. Opens up a homeschool registry and dips into state/government money with the rules being created after the bill is passed. Similar to SB 1163 and SB 1341.
Bill Sponsor: Michael Davis
Committee:
Last Action: 01/08/2026 - Read Second Time (H)
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries:
SB 1091 – NEUTRAL: Authorizes a child tax credit
Child Tax Credits, but not specific to education; just a straight tax credit if you have a child.
Bill Sponsor: Patty Lewis
Committee: Economic and Workforce Development Committee
Last Action: 1/28/2026 - Hearing Cancelled S Economic and Workforce Development Committee
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
SB 1163 – OPPOSE: Authorizes a tax credit for certain educational expenses
Tax credit for certain educational expenses, refundable (page 3, line 69) is not what we can support. Like SB 1341. How will we be required to prove our expenses? Refundable tax credits give you more than just your tax money paid to the state. Opens up a homeschool registry and dips into state/government money with the rules being created after the bill is passed.
Bill Sponsor: Rick Brattin
Committee: Education Committee
Last Action: 01/27/2026 Referred S Education Committee
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
SB 1341 – OPPOSE: Authorizes a tax credit for certain educational expenses
Tax credit for certain educational expenses, refundable is not what we can support. Like SB 1163. Refundable tax credits give you more than just your tax money paid to the state. Opens up a homeschool registry and dips into state/government money with the rules being created after the bill is passed.
Bill Sponsor: Nick Schroer
Committee: Education Committee
Last Action: 01/27/2026 Referred S Education Committee
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
HB 1767 – OPPOSE: Enacts the Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act
“Teachers” are not defined and are used interchangeable to describe a parent as the first “teacher” (page 1, line 15) and public school teachers. Which are they? Could include co-op or learning center homeschool teachers as it is currently written.
Bill Sponsor: Ed Lewis
Committee: Elementary and Secondary Education
Last Action: 03/12/2026 – Executive Session Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 14 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 1
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
HB 2426 – SUPPORT: Establishes provisions relating to parental rights
Similar to SB 948, Parental rights and includes education
Bill Sponsor: Ben Keathley
Committee: Rules-Legislative
Last Action: 04/01/2026 –Executive Session Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 9 NOES: 3 PRESENT: 0
Bill Text with Committee Substitute: Committee
Bill Summaries:
SB 948 – NEUTRAL: Provides that parents shall have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of their children free from government interference
Parental Rights and includes education
Bill Sponsor: Rick Brattin
Committee: Senate Education Committee
Last Action: 04/27/2026 Informal Calendar S Bills for Perfection
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
HJR 114 – SUPPORT: Proposes a constitutional amendment do assert the right of parents to participate in and direct the education of their children free from government interference
Right of parent to direct education of their children, Constitutional Amendment; we think it also means NO records or hours would be needed any longer. And it should include FPE schools too. Similar to SJR 69
Bill Sponsor: Mike Costlow
Committee: Elementary and Secondary Education (H)
Last Action: 01/08/2026 – Referred to Elementary and Secondary Education Committee
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
SJR 69 – SUPPORT: Amends the Constitution to assert the right of parents in and direct the education of their children free from government interference
Similar to HJR 114; Also includes a section on public schools.
Bill Sponsor: Rick Brattin
Committee: Education Committee
Last Action: 01/27/2026 Referred S Education Committee
Bill Text: Introduced
Bill Summaries: Summary
Constitutional Amendment to Article IX, Relating to Public Education (2026-070)
https://www.sos.mo.gov/petitions/2026IPcirculation#2026070
OPPOSE
Submitted by: Spencer Toder (Olivette, MO)
What you will see on the Ballot Text: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
Southeast Missouri State University estimates an unknown fiscal impact. The Attorney General's Office estimates annual increased operating costs of at least $427,516 and unknown costs to the Legal Expense Fund that could exceed $1 million. Other state governmental entities estimate no costs or savings. Local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
Here is the actual Full Initiative Text:
Be it resolved by the people of the state of Missouri that the Constitution be amended: Art. IX, Sec. 1(a) of the Constitution is amended to read as follows: A general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people[,]; education shall be a fundamental right. It shall be the duty of the state and general assembly [shall] to establish and maintain adequate, thorough, and uniform high quality free public schools to provide for the gratuitous instruction of all persons in this state within ages not in excess of twenty-one years as prescribed by law.
FHE’s Concerns:
Whose “fundamental right” is it to determine the education path for a child? The wording is vague and murky. Some judges may interpret it to mean the CHILD has a fundamental right to an education, and this concept could be leveraged to say that the child gets to decide how he or she is educated.
Unlike many other freedom-oriented states, MO has not passed a law declaring the rights of parents to be fundamental. This makes the proposed amendment even more explosive.
Also, if it passes as an amendment, it would take precedence over any statute we might get enacted declaring parental rights to be fundamental.
Recommended actions if you agree with FHE: Do not sign the petition circulating around. Do not vote for it if it makes it on the ballot. And let your friends know.
Constitutional Amendment to Article IX, Relating to Public Funding for Education (2026-071)
https://www.sos.mo.gov/petitions/2026IPcirculation#2026071
OPPOSE – This would exclude individual home schools, but NOT groups or organizations like co-ops, learning centers, Classical Conversations, or even FHE.
Submitted by: Duane Martin (Houston, MO)
What you will see on the Ballot Text: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
The Attorney General's Office estimates annual increased operating costs of at least $427,516 and unknown costs to the Legal Expense Fund that could exceed $1 million. Other state governmental entities estimate no costs or savings. Local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
Here is the Full Initiative Text:
Be it resolved by the people of the state of Missouri that the Constitution be amended: One new section in Article IX to be known as Section 11 is enacted as follows: Section 11. State and local public school funds may be used only for public schools.
(a) Public funds shall not be used in any way that benefits nonpublic schools unless such benefits are equally available to the general public. No person or organization shall receive public aid, directly or indirectly, for educational services provided by a nonpublic school.
(b) Public funds or public aid may, however, be used to pay private individuals or entities for educational or other services to be provided to individuals with disabilities, as defined by law.
(c) The state or a local government may accept federal funds and distribute them to nonpublic schools if no state or local public funds are used to supplement those federal funds.
(d) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section:
(1) "Public funds" are any funds received or controlled by the state, state agencies, the general assembly, local governments, or any state or local public entity.
(2) "Public aid" includes any form of public financial assistance. benefit, reimbursement. or credit from the state, state agencies, the general assembly, local governments, or any state or local public entity, including but not limited to vouchers, tax credits, education savings accounts. scholarships, or any other form of financial support.
(3) "School" means any institution of learning serving students at any grade level kindergarten through twelfth grade. This definition does not include home schools serving four or fewer children who are not related to one another within the third degree by blood or marriage.
(4) "Nonpublic school" includes any school that provides in person instruction and is not directly controlled by a public school district, a public state university or the state. A public charter school is a nonpublic school unless it was approved by the State Board of Education or a locally elected school board prior to June 30, 2025, or is approved by the voters of the public school district in which the charter school operates and is sponsored by the locally elected school board.
FHE’s Concerns:
It is not a stretch to think that our co-ops who use a library for the meetings or activities would not longer have access since that is government funds used for a nonpublic school entity. And also not a stretch to realize that all the amazing field trips, classes and activites we do all over the state with our children and support groups may no longer be available to us since again, it’s government money for a nonpublic school group.
Recommended actions if you agree with FHE: Do not sign the petition circulating around. Do not vote for it if it makes it on the ballot. And let your friends know.
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FHE appreciates your support of homeschooling and your willingness to stand with us to protect our Missouri homeschool freedoms. Thank you for being part of the team. It takes all of us to work together!!!
Save the date for our next Homeschool Day at the Capitol, March 2, 2027.
(For more bill information visit www.house.mo.gov or www.senate.mo.gov)
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