SB 998 MO
SCS/SB 998 - This act creates, repeals, and modifies provisions of the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. The act changes the definition of "illegal alien" to "legal resident" as set forth under federal law. The act modifies the definition of "qualified student" by removing the requirement for a qualified student to have attended a public school during the previous 12 months, as well as removing requirements relating to students' kindergarten eligibility and siblings who participate in the program. Such definition is further modified by adding dyslexia and disability diagnoses to requirements concerning individualized education plans. This provision is similar to a provision in SS/HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026). (Section 166.700) The act provides that an organization representing a group of parents of qualified students may intervene on behalf of such parents as a defendant in any action in which any provision of state law, the Missouri Constitution, or a state regulation involving the program is at issue. An organization that intervenes as provided in the act shall have the right to file such pleading necessary on behalf of such parents. (Section 166.719) Finally, except as specifically provided in state law, the act prohibits the creation or enforcement of any rule, regulation, or other requirement that conditions a qualified school's participation in the program on accreditation or compliance with any other requirement. Any rule, regulation, or other requirement that violates this provision is void and shall have no force or effect. (Section 166.720) OLIVIA SHANNON
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Summary
This act modifies the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program by changing the definition of eligible individuals from "illegal alien" to "legal resident" as defined under federal law. The act expands the definition of "qualified student" by removing the requirement that students attend public school for the previous 12 months and removing requirements relating to kindergarten eligibility and sibling participation, while adding dyslexia and disability diagnoses to individualized education plan requirements. The act allows parent organizations representing groups of qualified students to intervene as defendants in legal actions involving the program. The act prohibits the creation or enforcement of any rule, regulation, or requirement that conditions a qualified school's participation in the program on accreditation or other requirements not specifically provided in state law.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill (from the OpenStates abstract — no full text available yet) — neutral, and may be imperfect.
Official abstract
SCS/SB 998 - This act creates, repeals, and modifies provisions of the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. The act changes the definition of "illegal alien" to "legal resident" as set forth under federal law. The act modifies the definition of "qualified student" by removing the requirement for a qualified student to have attended a public school during the previous 12 months, as well as removing requirements relating to students' kindergarten eligibility and siblings who participate in the program. Such definition is further modified by adding dyslexia and disability diagnoses to requirements concerning individualized education plans. This provision is similar to a provision in SS/HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026). (Section 166.700) The act provides that an organization representing a group of parents of qualified students may intervene on behalf of such parents as a defendant in any action in which any provision of state law, the Missouri Constitution, or a state regulation involving the program is at issue. An organization that intervenes as provided in the act shall have the right to file such pleading necessary on behalf of such parents. (Section 166.719) Finally, except as specifically provided in state law, the act prohibits the creation or enforcement of any rule, regulation, or other requirement that conditions a qualified school's participation in the program on accreditation or compliance with any other requirement. Any rule, regulation, or other requirement that violates this provision is void and shall have no force or effect. (Section 166.720) OLIVIA SHANNON
Sponsor (1)
- Hudson, Brad Republican · primary
Action history (8)
- May 15, 2026 Informal Calendar S Bills for Perfection · upper
- Feb 23, 2026 Bill Placed on Informal Calendar · upper
- Feb 12, 2026 Reported from S Education Committee w/SCS · upper
- Jan 29, 2026 SCS Voted Do Pass S Education Committee (4362S.03C) · upper
- Jan 13, 2026 Hearing Conducted S Education Committee · upper
- Jan 8, 2026 Second Read and Referred S Education Committee · upper
- Jan 7, 2026 S First Read · upper
- Dec 1, 2025 Prefiled · upper
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