Bill > HB3281

This bill, known as the "PROTECT Students Act," establishes new requirements for software used in Missouri schools to ensure student safety and data privacy. It mandates that all software, referred to as "instructional software," must first undergo an independent review to verify its academic effectiveness and have a statewide "digital privacy agreement" in place. This agreement, which cannot be altered by vendors or schools, strictly governs how student data is accessed, used, protected, and disclosed, prohibiting any non-educational uses like advertising or profiling. The bill defines "addictive design feature" to include elements that encourage excessive use, such as infinite scroll or gamified rewards, and prohibits them in educational software. It also restricts software from displaying or recommending inappropriate content, including sexually explicit material or content harmful to minors, and requires parental consent for instruction on human sexuality or related health topics. Vendors must disclose all data collected, third-party recipients, and any AI components, and are prohibited from using student data to train machine-learning models or employ AI that influences student emotions or beliefs. The State Board of Education will maintain a master list of compliant software, and local educational agencies must provide parents with an annual list of approved instructional software, including links to privacy agreements and effectiveness summaries. The Attorney General will have enforcement authority, including the power to issue subpoenas and seek civil penalties for violations, and the State Board of Education will conduct audits to ensure compliance. Existing contracts will have a two-year grace period to comply with these new provisions.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB3281&year=2026&code=R