The Missouri Legislature reopened on Wednesday, January 3. The MACRAO Governmental Relations Committee wanted to share with you a summary of some of the House and Sentate bills that were prefiled that may be of interest to the MACRAO membership, which are listed below. Additionally, there are a couple of AACRAO Transcript article links included that covers items that appear to be potential Department of Education areas of interest for the upcoming year.
House Bills
HB 1432 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1432&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Willard Haley (R)
Synopsis: This bill creates an alternative teaching certification process. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year the state board may authorize teaching certification to anyone with a bachelor’s degree or higher. This teaching certification will be limited to the holder’s major area of study.
Status: Prefiled
HB 1445 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1445&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Jamie Johnson (D)
Synopsis: This bill adds the general election day that occurs in November of even numbered years to the list of public holidays in Missouri. Additionally, the Coordinating Board of Higher Education must require that all colleges and universities be closed on the general election day, unless such college or university serves as a polling place.
Status: Prefiled
HB 1497 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1497&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Dave Griffith (R)
Synopsis: This bill repeals provision restrictions related to the authority to confer research doctorates and first-professional degrees, and degrees in podiatry and chiropractic and osteopathic medicine.
Status: Prefiled
HB 1518 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1518&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Brad Hudson (R)
Synopsis: Prohibits public institutions of higher learning from discriminating against a religious student association or denying a religious student association any benefit available to any other student association.
Status: Prefiled
HB 1578 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1578&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Maggie Nurrenbern (D)
Synopsis: Requires in-state public educational institutions to grant undergraduate course credit for students who score 4 or higher on international baccalaureate examinations. The bill does not contain language that distinguishes between SL and HL exams.
Status: Prefiled
HB 1712 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1712&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Adam Schnelting (R)
Synopsis: Allows Missouri National Guard member educational assistance grants to be available for tuition at out-of-state educational institutions.
Status: Prefiled
HB 1737 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1737&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Doug Richey (R)
Synopsis: Provides protections against ideological discrimination in postsecondary education. Beginning in July 2026, institution’s office of general counsel would be required to annually submit a written report describing all violations of the policy and the disciplinary action taken against the employee.
Status: Prefiled
HB 1832 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1832&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Aaron McMullen (R)
Synopsis: Clarifies that military personnel are eligible for in-state tuition for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Status: Prefiled
HB 1898 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1898&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Raychel Proudie (D)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions relating to the health professional student loan repayment program to expand to include psychologists, counselors, clinical social workers, and therapists.
Status: Prefiled
HB 1997 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1997&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Doug Mann (D)
Synopsis: Requires all public institutions of higher education to have opioid overdose rescue kits available for public use on campus. Would be required to post them near fire extinguishers in all educational buildings, dormitories, student unions, sporting venues, fraternity/sorority hourses, campus health centers, and other locations as necessary. Campuses would be required to maintain a location list and replace used/expired kits as necessary and would require all locations to be inspected during the first month of each semester. Institutions would be required to report usage to the department of health and senior services. Freshman student orientation programs would be required to cover opioid overdose rescue kit training as part of orientation.
Status: Prefiled
HB 2051 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2051&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Kemp Strickler (D)
Synopsis: Requires in-state public educational institutions to grant undergraduate course credit for students who score 4 or higher on international baccalaureate examinations. The bill does not contain language that distinguishes between SL and HL exams.
Status: Prefiled
HB 2081 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2081&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Donnie Brown (R)
Synopsis: Establishes tax credits for those who earn certain engineering degrees.
Status: Prefiled
HB 2198 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2198&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Brad Hudson (R)
Synopsis: Provides protections against ideological discrimination in postsecondary education. Would require each institution’s general counsel to file an annual report describing all violations of policy by an institution employee and the disciplinary action taken against that employee.
Status: Prefiled
Senate Bills
SB 749 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=37)
Sponsor: Lincoln Hough (R)
Synopsis: This bill repeals provision restrictions related to the authority to confer research doctorates and first-professional degrees, and degrees in podiatry and chiropractic and osteopathic medicine.
Status: Prefiled
SB 1065 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=348)
Sponsor: Jill Carter (R)
Synopsis: This bill establishes the Career-Tech Certificate Program Fund to reimburse certain students’ tuition, books, and fees to certain postsecondary training programs and programs of study.
Status: Prefiled
SB 1075 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=268)
Sponsor: Andrew Koenig( R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions of the Higher Education Core Curriculum Transfer Act. Would require the transition of Core 42 to a 60 credit hour program that must be in place by June 30, 2025 for the 2025-2026 academic year. Would require all 60 credits to receive academic credit towards their specific degree program with the additional credits generally intended to be entry-level major requirements.
Status: Prefiled
SB 1125 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=430)
Sponsor: Ben Brown R)
Synopsis: Prohibits public institutions of postsecondary education from requiring the submission of diversity, equity, and inclusion statements. Employees found to violate the action, upon first violation, would be placed on unpaid leave for the next academic year and be ineligible for employment at any other institution in the state during such unpaid leave. Upon a second violation, the employee shall be terminated and shall be ineligible for employment at any institution in the state for at least 5 years.
Status: Prefiled
SB 1170 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=346)
Sponsor: Jill Carter (R)
Synopsis: Creates provisions relating to free speech policies in Higher Education and establishes the College Student Free Speech and Association Act.
Status: Prefiled
AACRAO Transcript Articles
U.S. Department of Education Releases Regulatory Agenda
The department indicated it may propose regulatory changes to FERPA in 2024.
The Administration Announces That It Will Look To Update Accreditation Rules
The U.S. Department of Education will attempt to update the regulations for accreditation agencies, state authorization, and the definition of distance education.
MACRAO Governmental Relations Committee
