CCS/HCS/SCS/SBs 807 & 577 - This act modifies provisions relating to higher education. STATE PURCHASES: The act states that the application of the laws pertaining to state purchases do not apply to public institutions of higher education. (Section 34.010) This provision is identical to a provision contained in the truly agreed CCS/SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1879 (2018) and SS/SCS/HCS/HB 2140 (2018). A+ SCHOOLS PROGRAM: This act modifies the A+ Schools Program by removing the requirement that the student's attendance at a public high school in the state be the three years immediately prior to graduation. The act also adds that a student shall have graduated from such public high school. (Section 160.545) This provision is identical to a provision contained in the truly agreed SS/HB 1744 (2018), HB 599 (2017), and is similar to SB 650 (2016). ATTACHMENT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS: Under current law, in order for a school district to become attached to a community college district, a petition shall be submitted to the school board of the school district signed either by voters of the district equal in number to 10% of those voting in the last school election at which school board members were elected or by a majority of the voters of the district, at which point an election shall be called. This act provides that a community college district may, by a majority vote of its board of trustees, propose a plan to the voters of the school district to attach the school district to the community college district, levy a tax rate equal to the rate applicable to the community college district at the time of the vote of the board of trustees, and call an election upon the question of such plan. The community college district shall be responsible for the costs associated with the election. (Section 162.441) This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to SCS/SB 990 (2018), a provision in the truly agreed to SS/HB 1744 (2018), and a provision in SCS/HB 1442 (2018). It is also substantially similar to a provision in the truly agreed to SS/SCS/SB 592 (2018) and a provision in the truly agreed to CCS/SS/SCS/HB 1291 (2018). CIVICS ACHIEVEMENT EXAMINATION: The act requires any student attending a public institution of higher education in the state to score at least 70% on the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination as a condition of graduation. The exam shall consist of 50 to 100 questions similar to the questions in the United States citizenship exam. (Section 170.013) This provision is identical to HCS/HB 1528 (2018). DEGREE OFFERINGS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION: This act provides that community colleges may grant baccalaureate degrees if authorized by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. The West Plains Campus of Missouri State University and the State Technical College of Missouri may also offer baccalaureate degrees if authorized by the Coordinating Board. The University of Missouri is the only state college or university authorized to offer doctor of philosophy degrees or first-professional degrees. The Coordinating Board may approve, not approve, or provisionally approve proposed new degree programs offered by state institutions of higher education. The Coordinating Board may authorize a degree program outside of an institution's Coordinating Board-approved mission only when certain requirements are met as described in the act. The governing board of each public institution of higher education in the state have the power and authority to confer degrees in chiropractic, osteopathic medicine, and podiatry only in collaboration with the University of Missouri if the collaborative agreement is approved by the governing board of each institution. In such instance the University of Missouri shall be the degree granting institution. If the University of Missouri declines to collaborate, institutions may seek approval of the program with the Coordinating Board through the Board's review process. The board of regents of each state college and each state teachers college have authority to confer additional degrees when authorized by the Coordinating Board, in circumstances as described in the act. An institution may be authorized to offer nonresearch doctoral degrees in allied health professions independently if collaboration with another institution would not increase the quality of the program. The boards of state colleges and state teachers colleges have the power and authority to confer degrees in engineering only in collaboration with the University of Missouri if the collaborative agreement is approved by the governing board of each institution. In such instance the University of Missouri shall be the degree granting institution. If the University of Missouri declines to collaborate, institutions may seek approval of the program with the Coordinating Board through the Board's review process. No state college or university may seek the land grant designation held by Lincoln University and the University of Missouri or the research designation currently held by the University of Missouri. This act repeals provisions relating to Missouri Southern State University's ability to offer specific programs and degrees in collaboration with the University of Missouri and provisions granting authority to Missouri Southern State University and Missouri Western State University to offer master's level degree programs in accountancy. (Sections 163.191, 172.280, 173.005, 174.160, 174.225, 174.231, 174.251, 174.251, 174.324, 174.500, 178.636) These provisions are substantially similar to provisions contained in the truly agreed SS/SCS/HB 1465 (2018), and similar to SCS/SB 328 (2017) and HB 758 (2017). PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE SURVIVOR GRANT: This act adds several professions, including air ambulance pilots, air ambulance registered professional nurses, air ambulance registered respiratory therapists, uniformed employees of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and specified emergency medical technicians, to the list of professionals whose children and spouses are eligible to receive a public safety officer or employee survivor grant from the Coordinating Board for Higher Education within the Department of Higher Education. (Section 173.260) This provision is identical to a provision contained in HB 2360 (2018). TUITION AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION: The act changes the cap on tuition increases at public institutions of higher education in the state. Currently, tuition increases are capped at the rate of inflation. The act permits institutions to increase their tuition by inflation plus an amount, but not more than 5%, that would produce an increase in net tuition revenue, as defined in the act, no greater than the amount by which state operating support was reduced in the previous fiscal year. (Section 173.1003) This provision is similar to HB 2649 (2018). ACCESS MISSOURI FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: This act allows students enrolled in approved virtual institutions, as defined in the act, to participate in the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program. A virtual institution is required to continuously maintain certain specified requirements to be considered an approved virtual institution. (Sections 173.1101-173.1107) These provisions are identical to SB 682 (2018), SCS/SB 188 (2017), and to provisions contained in the truly agreed CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 603, 576 & 898 (2018). They are also substantially similar to HB 1267 (2018) and similar to HCS/HB 411 (2017) and SCS/HB 1716 (2016). COLLEGE CREDIT DISCLOSURE ACT: The act also establishes the College Credit Disclosure Act, which requires a higher education institution that grants college level credit but is not accredited by a federally recognized regional accreditor to disclose, during the admission application process, that the institution is not accredited. The institution shall provide such disclosure in writing to an enrolling student before the student registers for any class that grants credit, and the student shall sign the disclosure. The act exempts any institution that is affiliated with a religious organization if such institution is accredited by a federally recognized faith-related accreditor. (Section 173.1450) This provision is identical to HB 1811 (2018). MENTAL HEALTH AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, and each year thereafter, each public institution of higher education shall publish a report relating to mental health services provided on college campuses. (Section 173.2530) This provision is similar to HCS/HB 2354 (2018). JAMIE ANDREWS