Bill > HB2900

This bill modifies provisions governing Missouri empowerment scholarship accounts by expanding the definition of a "qualified school" to include entities that do not discriminate based on religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or national origin, and by broadening the definition of a "qualified student" to include those with a 504 plan for a disability, in addition to those with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), or students from households earning up to 300% of the federal free and reduced-price lunch income standard who meet specific attendance or sibling criteria. The bill also clarifies that qualified schools, other than public schools, are not considered agents of the government by accepting scholarship payments and that such schools will not be deemed eligible if they discriminate based on protected characteristics. Furthermore, it addresses how students using these scholarship accounts impact funding for their former resident public or charter schools, stipulating they will continue to be counted for state and federal aid for a period of five years or until they graduate or re-enroll in a public school, and requires the state to bear the burden of proof in legal challenges to the law's application to qualified schools.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2900&year=2026&code=R