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Bill Summary · HB 2911

Overview

Missouri House Bill 2911 (2026) expands the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to include jail or detention center personnel, juvenile officers, and probation officers as eligible “public safety personnel” for tuition-related benefits. The measure creates a tuition reimbursement/award program to support education for public safety personnel and their legal dependents, with detailed eligibility criteria, funding provisions, and prioritization rules if funds are limited.

Purpose and intent

  • To attract and retain public safety personnel by offering tuition awards that cover up to 100% of resident tuition costs, subject to appropriation.
  • To extend education funding to additional public safety roles (jail/detention center personnel, juvenile officers, and probation officers) and to their dependents, enhancing career advancement opportunities within Missouri’s public safety system.

Key provisions and changes

  • Redefined group: Adds jail or detention center personnel, juvenile officers, and probation officers to the definition of “public safety personnel” for eligibility purposes.
  • Tuition awards for personnel:
    • Eligible personnel must have at least six years of service.
    • May receive up to 100% of resident tuition charges at an institution of higher education (IHE) after accounting for federal/state aid.
    • Must hold an applicable license/certificate (EMS, peace officer, firefighter, or other required certification) and have verification of current full-time employment as public safety personnel.
    • Must meet admission requirements, not hold a prior baccalaureate degree, pursue eligible degree programs, and comply with institution attendance requirements.
    • Awards available for up to five years (or until 120 credit hours are earned), whichever comes first.
  • Tuition awards for legal dependents:
    • Eligible dependents of personnel with at least ten years of service may receive up to 100% of resident tuition for an associate or baccalaureate degree, under similar conditions and with an agreement with the department.
    • Dependents follow the same annual application and eligibility verification process as personnel.
    • Awards also capped at five years or 120 credit hours.
  • Eligible degree subjects:
    • Police/jail/detention personnel and probation officers: subjects include forensic science, political science, psychology, criminology, etc.
    • Fire/safety personnel (including EMTs/paramedics): subjects include biology, chemistry, fire science, homeland security, emergency management, etc.
    • Telecommunicator first responders: eligible subjects align with the above.
  • Funding mechanism:
    • Creation of the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Fund in the state treasury to support tuition awards.
    • Funds are dedicated and may be carried forward; investment earnings accrue to the fund.
    • Awards are contingent on appropriations; if funds are insufficient, awards are prioritized.
  • Priority and allocation:
    • If funds are limited, awards prioritize personnel (higher priority) and then dependents, with tie-breakers by county crime rate and years of service.
  • Administrative processes:
    • Annual application deadline of December 15; March 1 notification of eligibility/admissibility.
    • Department must promulgate implementing rules, with standards for verification and reimbursement.
    • Open-seat constraint: tuition awards cannot force institutions to create additional seats beyond capacity.
  • Line-of-duty death provision:
    • If an eligible public safety member dies in the line of duty after applying, their dependent remains eligible, with a simplified verification alternative.

Who is affected

  • Public safety personnel in Missouri (now including jail/detention center personnel, juvenile officers, and probation officers) eligible for tuition awards.
  • Legal dependents of eligible personnel, who may also receive tuition awards.
  • Higher education institutions in Missouri that participate in the program (receiving funded students and managing admissions/verification).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Funding and rules depend on annual appropriations and regulatory rules adopted by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
  • Applications due December 15 each year; March 1 notices issued.
  • Effective operation contingent on rules promulgated under Missouri’s rulemaking process and compliance with general revenue and appropriation timelines.

Summary

HB 2911 broadens access to tuition-based education incentives for a broader set of public safety personnel and their dependents, reinforcing Missouri’s commitment to recruiting and retaining qualified public safety professionals while tying aid to service, licensure, and educational goals.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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