The bill proposes the repeal of sections 167.020 and 167.151 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri and introduces fourteen new sections focused on the admission of nonresident pupils, including penalty provisions for false information during registration. Key changes include the establishment of definitions for terms such as "behavioral threat assessment," "homeless child," and "personal safety plan." It requires parents or legal guardians to provide proof of residency or a waiver request for pupil registration, allows remote registration for military families, and outlines a process to assess safety risks associated with pupil admissions. The bill also expands criteria for admitting nonresident pupils, allowing children of contractors or regular employees of a school district to attend without tuition under certain conditions. Additionally, the bill establishes the "Public School Open Enrollment Act," which facilitates student transfers from their resident local education agency (LEA) to a nonresident LEA, enhancing educational opportunities. It defines key terms and eligibility criteria for transfers, mandates LEAs to indicate participation in the program, and allows them to limit transfers to five percent of the previous year's enrollment. The bill ensures that nonresident LEAs accept credits and diplomas from resident LEAs, prioritizes siblings in the transfer process, and addresses implications for interscholastic athletics. It also creates the "Parent Public School Choice Fund" to support the open enrollment program and mandates data collection on student transfers, with a focus on compliance and reporting. Importantly, no student can be enrolled under these provisions before July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (5299H.01): 167.020, 167.151, 167.1200, 167.1205, 167.1210, 167.1211, 167.1212, 167.1215, 167.1220, 167.1224, 167.1225, 167.1227, 167.1229, 167.1230