Missouri HB2682: Renames the "Missouri Student Religious Liberties Act" the "Missouri Safeguarding Personal Expression at K-12 Schools (SPEAKS) Act" and creates provisions safeguarding students' political and ideological expression at public schools

What the bill says

From the engrossed text:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION [PERFECTED] HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 2682 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY 6425H.03P JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk To repeal section 160.2500, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to personal expression at public schools. Section A. Section 160.2500, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 160.2500, to read as follows: 160.2500. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Missouri [Student Religious Liberties] Safeguarding Personal Expression at K-12 Schools (SPEAKS) Act". 2. A public school district shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of a religious, political, or ideological viewpoint or religious, political, or ideological expression. A school district shall treat a student's voluntary expression of a religious, political, or ideological viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the district treats a student's voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and shall not discriminate against the student based on a religious, political, or ideological viewpoint expressed by the student on an otherwise permissible subject. 3. Students in public schools may express their religious, political, or ideological beliefs [about religion] in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious, political, or …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Chappell, Darin (R, 137) · primary sponsor
• Brian Seitz (R, 156)
• Burt Whaley (R, 138)
• Durnell, Lisa (R, 154)
• Bob Titus (R, 139)

Latest actions

1. April 30, 2026: SCS Voted Do Pass (S)
2. April 30, 2026: Executive Session Held (S)
3. April 30, 2026: Public Hearing Held (S)
4. April 28, 2026: Public Hearing Scheduled (S) - AMENDED: Thursday, April 30, 2026, 8:45 a.m., Senate Committee Room 2 - 1st Floor
5. March 12, 2026: Second read and referred: Education(S)
6. March 2, 2026: Reported to the Senate and First Read (S)
7. February 26, 2026: Delivered to the Senate
8. February 26, 2026: Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 99 NOES: 47 PRESENT: 0
9. February 26, 2026: Taken Up for Third Reading (H)
10. February 26, 2026: Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 5 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 0

Votes

• Third Read and Passed (H) (February 26, 2026): 99 yea, 47 nay, passed
• Reported Do Pass (H) (February 26, 2026): 5 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Reported Do Pass (H) (February 17, 2026): 8 yea, 2 nay, passed
• HCS Reported Do Pass (H) (January 29, 2026): 6 yea, 3 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2682?

HB2682 is a bill in the Missouri Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Renames the "Missouri Student Religious Liberties Act" the "Missouri Safeguarding Personal Expression at K-12 Schools (SPEAKS) Act" and creates provisions safeguarding students' political and ideological expression at public schools.

What is the status of HB2682?

In committee as of April 30, 2026. Latest action: SCS Voted Do Pass (S) (April 30, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2682?

Chappell, Darin (R, 137), with 4 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2682?

On the Missouri Legislature website: https://house.mo.gov/BillContent.aspx?bill=HB2682&year=2026&code=R