Provides a state supplement for public schools to hire a school nurse and a mental health professional

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kem Smith and 1 co-sponsor

Missouri HB 2242 would create a state-funded supplement for school districts to hire more school nurses and mental health professionals.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#education #elementaryandsecondary #healthcare #mentalhealth

Bill Summary: HB 2242 (Missouri, 2026)

Purpose and intent

HB 2242 proposes a state-funded supplement to support public schools in hiring essential health staff, specifically school nurses and mental health professionals. The core goal is to strengthen in-school health services and student mental health support by providing additional operating funds to school districts.

Key provisions and changes

Establishment of a state supplement: The bill creates or designates a state supplement intended to be used by public school districts to hire additional personnel.

Targeted positions:

School nurses
Mental health professionals (e.g., counselors, psychologists, social workers, or similar licensed staff, as defined by the bill)

Funding mechanism: The supplement is funded at the state level to assist districts in adding or expanding staffing for health services and mental health support. The exact funding formula, allocation method, and timing are not specified in the summary, but the bill articulates a dedicated state resource for this purpose.

Allocation and administration: The bill would specify how districts apply for and receive the supplement, including any eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and compliance measures to ensure funds are used for the intended health and mental health staffing.

Who/what would be affected

Public school districts in Missouri would be the primary beneficiaries, particularly those seeking to hire or expand:

School nurses
Mental health professionals (such as counselors, psychologists, social workers)

Districts with increased staffing could experience improved on-site health services, better chronic condition management, acute care coverage, and enhanced student mental health supports.

State and local education governance bodies may administer the program, determine allocations, and oversee reporting to ensure compliance with the statutory purpose.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Referral and consideration: The bill was referred to the Emerging Issues (H) committee on May 15, 2026, indicating ongoing consideration of contemporary or evolving topics in education/health policy.

Legislative timeline to note:

First Reading: January 7, 2026
Second Reading: January 8, 2026
Prefiled: December 8, 2025

Sponsors: Co-sponsors Yolanda Young and Kem Smith (in addition to primary sponsors as listed) indicating bipartisan or cross-chamber support could influence debate and potential amendments.

Potential impact (considerations for stakeholders)

Positive outcomes:

Enhanced capacity for on-site health care and mental health intervention in schools
Improved student well-being, which can correlate with better attendance and academic performance

Implementation considerations:

Details on funding levels, matching requirements (if any), and duration of the supplement will determine the scale of impact
Administrative burden on districts to report usage and outcomes
Whether funds replace or add to existing budgets and how districts prioritize nurse vs. mental health staffing

This summary reflects the stated purpose and anticipated structure based on the bill’s title and available action history. Specific dollar amounts, allocation formulas, and implementation rules would be defined in the bill’s statutory text and any accompanying fiscal notes.