HB1609 • 2026

Enacts provisions governing flags displayed in public school classrooms

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Billington, Hardy (152)
Last action: 2026-05-15
Official status: 05/15/2026 - Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
Effective date: 2026-08-28

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included information about the Pledge of Allegiance which is related but not directly covered by the bill's flag display rules.

Rules for Flags in Public School Classrooms

This law sets rules about which flags can be shown in classrooms at schools that receive government funding.

What This Bill Does

Requires all public schools to display the American flag during school hours.
Allows public schools to also show the Missouri state flag, POW/MIA flag, and their own school flag in classrooms.
No other flags besides those listed may be displayed in classrooms.

Who It Names or Affects

Public schools that receive government funding

Terms To Know

public school: A school supported by money from the government

Limits and Unknowns

It is unclear how schools will enforce or monitor compliance with these rules.

Bill History

2026-05-15 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate
Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
2026-01-08 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate
Read Second Time (H)
2026-01-07 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate
Read First Time (H)
2025-12-01 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate
Prefiled (H)

Official Summary Text

Enacts provisions governing flags displayed in public school classrooms

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1609
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBL Y
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENT A TIVE BILLINGT ON.
5109H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
T o repeal section 171.021, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to
flags in classrooms.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 171.021, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu
2 thereof, to be known as section 171.021, to read as follows:
171.021. 1. Every school in this state which is supported in whole or in part by public
2 moneys, during the hours while school is in session, shall display in some prominent place
3 either upon the outside of the school building or upon a pole erected in the school yard the
4 flag of the United States of America.
5 2. Every school in this state which is supported in whole or in part by public moneys
6 shall ensure that the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America is recited
7 in at least one scheduled class of every pupil enrolled in that school no less often than once
8 per school day . Flags for display in individual classrooms may be provided by voluntary
9 donation by any person. No student shall be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
10 3. (1) A public school may display any or all of the following flags in such public
11 school's classr ooms:
12 (a) The flag of the United States;
13 (b) The official flag of the state of Missouri;
14 (c) The POW/MIA flag; or
15 (d) The flag of the public school.
EXPLANA TION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law . Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.
16 (2) Except for the flags listed in subdivision (1) of this subsection, no flag shall be
17 displayed in public school classr ooms.
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HB 1609 2