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Bill Summary · HB 1612

Overview

House Bill 1612 (2026) from Missouri would require that, starting January 1, 2027, each school district and charter school in the state display the Ten Commandments in every building and classroom under the district’s or school’s jurisdiction. The display must meet minimum design criteria and may be funded with public or donated funds, though boards are not obligated to spend public money.

Main purpose and intent

  • Introduce a standardized display of the Ten Commandments in all public K-12 school facilities.
  • Establish criteria for how the display should appear and be presented to students and staff.
  • Allow public funds to be used for purchasing displays, while granting boards discretion not to spend public money if donations are available or if they choose not to purchase.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definition of the Ten Commandments: The bill specifies the exact text to be used, including the statements from the biblical commandment tradition (e.g., “I am the LORD thy God,” “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” etc.).
  • Effective date and scope: Beginning January 1, 2027, every school district board and charter school governing board must ensure the Ten Commandments are displayed in each building and classroom.
  • Display requirements:
    • The nature of the display is decided by the local school board.
    • Each display must be at least eleven inches by fourteen inches and be a poster or framed document.
    • The Ten Commandments must be the central focus, printed in a large, easily readable font.
  • Funding and installation:
    • Boards may use their own funds or donated funds to purchase displays.
    • Boards may also accept donated displays.
    • There is no mandate that boards spend public funds to purchase displays.
  • Administrative rules:
    • The Missouri State Board of Education may promulgate rules necessary to implement the section.
    • Any such rulemaking is subject to Missouri’s administrative procedures for rules (Chapter 536) and is nonseverable from the bill’s intent; if constitutional provisions relating to legislative oversight of rules are violated, the rulemaking could be invalidated.

Who is affected

  • Public school districts and charter schools in Missouri.
  • School boards and charter school governing boards responsible for installation and maintenance of the displays.
  • Students, teachers, and staff who would encounter the displays in school buildings and classrooms.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced in the 2026 session and referred to Emerging Issues (H) on May 15, 2026.
  • Final effective date for compliance: January 1, 2027.
  • Acknowledges potential rulemaking by the state Board of Education to implement the provisions.

Potential considerations

  • Constitutional questions around separation of church and state and the display of religious content in public schools.
  • Variability in implementation at the local level (type of display, funding decisions, placement within buildings).
  • Administrative burden and need for clear rules to avoid confusion or legal challenges.

This summary provides a neutral, factual outline of HB 1612’s provisions, scope, and potential implications for Missouri schools.

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

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