Bill > HB746

This bill provides comprehensive protections against discrimination and antisemitism in Missouri's public schools and public postsecondary educational institutions by establishing clear guidelines and enforcement mechanisms. The bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and requires educational institutions to integrate this definition into their codes of conduct, treating antisemitic harassment or discrimination with the same seriousness as racial discrimination. It mandates that schools and colleges prohibit discriminatory conduct based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status, ensuring equal access to classes, services, programs, and opportunities for all students and employees. The bill creates a Title VI coordinator in both the state board of education and the coordinating board for higher education to monitor and investigate antisemitic discrimination, with the power to require institutions to address issues within 30 days and potentially report unresolved cases to federal authorities. Additionally, the bill encourages institutions to provide antisemitism awareness training and integrate Jewish American heritage curricula, while explicitly protecting First Amendment rights and clarifying that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of other countries is not considered antisemitic. The bill aims to create a more inclusive and equitable educational environment by establishing clear anti-discrimination standards and accountability measures.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB746&year=2025&code=R