Bill > HB1015

This bill modifies Missouri's school entry and attendance laws by changing the age requirements for school enrollment and compulsory attendance. The bill adjusts the minimum age for enrolling in public school to five years old, while establishing that children in home schools or full-time equivalent (FPE) schools must be at least seven years old. The legislation removes previous language allowing parents to easily opt out of school attendance for children between five and seven years old. The bill maintains existing provisions for excusing children from attendance due to mental or physical incapacitation, employment opportunities for children aged 14 and older, and mental health concerns. It also preserves protections for private, parochial, parish, home, and FPE schools, ensuring they cannot be forced to include curriculum conflicting with their religious doctrines. Additionally, the bill defines the "compulsory attendance age for the district" as 17 years old for metropolitan school districts that adopt a resolution, or 17 years old (or upon completing 16 high school credits) for other districts, with provisions allowing metropolitan school districts to potentially lower the compulsory attendance age to 16 years old through a formal resolution.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1015&year=2025&code=R