A bill prefiled yesterday:

HB 1771
Establishes the Missouri Tuition Equity Act
Sponsor: Morgan, Judy (024)
Proposed Effective Date: Emergency Clause
LR Number: 4731H.01I
Last Action: 12/27/2017 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1771
[….]

The bill text:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1771 [pdf]
99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MORGAN. 4731H.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 174, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to higher education tuition policy, with an emergency clause.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 174, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 174.820, to read as follows:
174.820. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Missouri Tuition Equity Act”.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, for the purposes of tuition, fees, and admission, the governing board of any Missouri higher education institution that receives any state funds whatsoever shall deem an individual a Missouri resident, unless or until the individual establishes a residence outside of Missouri, if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The individual resided with his or her parent or guardian, or was emancipated while attending a public or private high school in this state;
(2) The individual graduated from a public or private high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this state;
(3) The individual attended school in this state for at least two years as of the date the individual graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma;
(4) The individual entered the United States prior to the enactment of this section;
(5) In the case of an individual who is not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, the individual provides the higher education institution with an affidavit stating that the individual will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so.
3. No Missouri higher education institution that receives any state funds whatsoever shall deny admittance to a student based solely on his or her immigration status, provided the student has satisfied the requirements of this section.
4. Any information collected under this section as part of a student’s admission shall remain confidential.
Section B. Because of the importance of providing educational opportunities for Missouri high school graduates, this act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace, and safety, and is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and this act shall be in full force and effect on July 1, 5 2018, or upon its passage and approval, whichever occurs later.

Investment in education by the state is essential for every individual and the future of the state.