Bill > HB1287

This bill enacts the "Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act," which establishes a comprehensive framework for defining and protecting the rights of parents and educators in local educational agencies (LEAs), including school districts, charter schools, and virtual schools. The legislation creates two key components: a Parents' Bill of Rights and an Educators' Bill of Rights. For parents, the bill ensures rights such as receiving information about curriculum, school personnel, and their child's education, the ability to review school records, and protection against schools withholding information. For educators, the bill guarantees rights including protection from physical abuse, freedom of speech, professional respect, preparation time, and the ability to maintain classroom discipline. The bill requires LEAs to develop policies that foster collaboration between parents and teachers, promote transparency, and create a code of student conduct that emphasizes respect, personal responsibility, and fair disciplinary practices. Importantly, the legislation mandates that these policies be implemented by the 2026-27 school year, with a focus on creating safe, orderly learning environments that respect both parental involvement and teacher authority. The bill explicitly prohibits policies that differentiate student treatment based on race and ensures that all disciplinary measures are applied equally. The overall aim is to strengthen the educational partnership between parents, teachers, and schools while maintaining a supportive and accountable learning environment.

Education, Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1287&year=2025&code=R