HB 2061 — Provides protections against discrimination and antisemitism in public schools and public postsecondary educational institutions

SECOND REGULAR SESSION [TRULY[PERFECTED] AGREED TO AND FINALLY PASSED] SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO.

2061 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY 4529S.04TINTRODUCED 2026BY ANREPRESENTATIVE ACTHRUZA. To amend chapters 160 and 173, RSMo, by adding thereto four new sections relating to prohibiting antisemitic actions that threaten students and staff at educational institutions.

4529H.03P JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk AN ACT To amend chapters 160 and 173, RSMo, by adding thereto four new sections relating to prohibiting antisemitic actions that threaten students and staff at educational institutions.

The general assembly finds that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal rights and opportunities under the law pursuant to article I, section 2 of the Constitution of Missouri and the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

The general assembly condemns discrimination in all forms.

Antisemitism is a form of discrimination.

The purpose of this section and section 160.015 is to address discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and denial of equal access arising from antisemitism in educational institutions, consistent with the constitutional rights of all persons.

2.

(2) "Educational institution", each public school,school charter school, and school district in this state.

EXPLANATION2. — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is intended to be omitted from the law.

Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.

SS HB 2061 2 3.

4.3.

(1) Each educational institution shall adoptintegrate athe policydefinition clearlyof defining antisemitism utilizingin contextthis andsection other relevant factors into such educational institution's student, faculty, and employee codes of conductEXPLANATION and— shallMatter prohibitenclosed suchin conductbold-faced atbrackets or[thus] by such educational institution if such conduct creates an atmosphere or circumstance in which individuals working at, visiting, or attending the educationalabove institutionbill andis thenot educationalenacted institution's services and facilitiesis eitherintended byto physicallybe impedingomitted suchfrom activitythe orlaw. by creating an atmosphere of fear or intimidation.

Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.

HB 2061 2 conduct and shall prohibit such conduct at or by such educational institution if such conduct creates an atmosphere or circumstance in which individuals working at, visiting, or attending the educational institution are impeded from their normal course of work, study, or access to the educational institution and the educational institution's services and facilities either by physically impeding such activity or by creating an atmosphere of fear or intimidation.

5.4.

In(2) determiningNothing ain complaintthis regardingsection possibleshall antisemiticbe speechconstrued relating to criticismdiminish ofor Israel,infringe theupon educationalany institutionright shallprotected considerunder whether the speechFirst isAmendment explicitly related to publicthe policyConstitution orof appliesthe materiallyUnited inconsistentStates standards, expectations, or condemnationthe toConstitution Israelof asMissouri. compared with other nations in comparable circumstances.

Such consideration shall be one factor among the totality of the circumstances and shall not be independently determinative of whether the speech is antisemitic.

This section shall only apply if the conduct relating to the speech is also determined to have created an atmosphere or circumstance in which individuals working at, visiting, or attending the educational institution and the educational institution's services and facilities either by physically impeding such activity or by creating an atmosphere of fear or intimidation.

(2) Nothing in this section shall be applied in ways that diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of Missouri.

SS HB 2061 3 160.015.

HB 2061 3 4.

(1) Nothing in this section shall be appliedconstrued into ways that diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of Missouri.

SS HB 2061 4 (3) The Title VI coordinator shall thoroughly investigate all complaints made under this subsection.

After a reasonable investigation, if the coordinator determines that an educational institution has engaged in, allowed, or failed to sufficiently prohibit antisemitic discrimination or harassmentharassment, in a manner consistent with the educational institution's policy adopted under subsection 3 of section 160.014, the department of elementary and secondary education shall notify, in writing, the educational institution of such determination and that such educational institution is required to address the issues described in such determination within thirty days after receipt of such written notice.

(5) The Title VI coordinator shall compile an annual report on complaints of antisemitic discrimination and harassment as well as other Title VI complaints monitored, reported, and investigated under this section.

HB 2061 4 173.001.

The general assembly finds that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal rights and opportunities under the law pursuant to article I, section 2 of the Constitution of Missouri and the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

The general assembly condemns discrimination in all forms.

Antisemitism is a form of discrimination.

The purpose of this section and section 173.002 is to address discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and denial of equal access arising from antisemitism in educational institutions, consistent with the constitutional rights of all persons.

2.

or SS HB 2061 5 (c) State board for any other technical school.

3.2.

4.3.

(1) Each educational institution shall adoptintegrate athe policydefinition clearlyof defining antisemitism utilizingin contextthis andsection other relevant factors into such educational institution's student, faculty, and employee codes of conduct and shall prohibit such conduct at or by such educational institution if such conduct creates an atmosphere or circumstance in which individuals working at, visiting, or attending the educational institution are impeded from their normal course of work, study, or access to the educational institution and the educational institution's services and facilities either by physically impeding such activity or by creating an atmosphere of fear or intimidation.

5.4.

In(2) determiningNothing ain complaintthis regardingsection possibleshall antisemiticbe speechconstrued relating to criticismdiminish ofor Israel,infringe theupon educationalany institutionright shallprotected considerunder whether the speechFirst isAmendment explicitly related to publicthe policyConstitution orof appliesthe materiallyUnited inconsistentStates standards, expectations, or condemnationthe toConstitution Israelof asMissouri. compared with other nations in comparable circumstances.

Such consideration shall be one factor among the totality of the circumstances and shall not be independently determinative of whether the speech is antisemitic.