Provides that private schools shall not be civilly liable for establishing single-sex restrooms and changing rooms

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Provides that private schools shall not be civilly liable for establishing single-sex restrooms and changing rooms

The following summaries of this bill are available: Print All Summaries Introduced Print SB 1558 - This act provides that private schools serving students from prekindergarten through 12th grade shall not be civilly liable for designating restrooms and changing areas for the exclusive use of males or females only, based on the biological sex listed on an individual's original birth certificate.

What This Bill Does

• The following summaries of this bill are available: Print All Summaries Introduced Print SB 1558 - This act provides that private schools serving students from prekindergarten through 12th grade shall not be civilly liable for designating restrooms and changing areas for the exclusive use of males or females only, based on the biological sex listed on an individual's original birth certificate.
• Exceptions are allowed for maintenance staff, emergency medical assistance, or parents accompanying children aged eight or younger with school permission.
• Additionally, political subdivisions are prohibited from passing rules that would prevent private schools from establishing single-sex facilities.
• Any political subdivision that violates this act shall cover the private school’s legal costs in any resulting lawsuit.

Limits and Unknowns

• This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Official Summary Text

The following summaries of this bill are available:

Print All Summaries

Introduced

Print

SB 1558 - This act provides that private schools serving students from prekindergarten through 12th grade shall not be civilly liable for designating restrooms and changing areas for the exclusive use of males or females only, based on the biological sex listed on an individual's original birth certificate. Exceptions are allowed for maintenance staff, emergency medical assistance, or parents accompanying children aged eight or younger with school permission.

Additionally, political subdivisions are prohibited from passing rules that would prevent private schools from establishing single-sex facilities. Any political subdivision that violates this act shall cover the private school’s legal costs in any resulting lawsuit.

The act contains an emergency clause.

This act is identical to HCS/HB 1197 (2025) and to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2335 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 2682 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 2748 (2026), SCS/HCS/HBs 2913 & 3228, HCS/SS/SB 38 (2025), and in HCS/SS/SB 160 (2025), and is similar to HCS/HB 1893 (2026).
OLIVIA SHANNON

Current Bill Text

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 1558
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR HENDERSON.
6741S.01I KRISTINA MARTIN, Secretary
AN ACT
To amend chapter 160, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to private school
immunity from civil liability for certain actions, with an emergency clause.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 160, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto 1
one new section, to be known as section 160.231, to read as 2
follows:3
160.231. 1. As used in this section, the following 1
terms mean: 2
(1) "Multiple-occupancy restroom or changing area", an 3
area in a private school building designed or designated to 4
be used by more than one individual at a time and where 5
individuals may be in various stages of undress in the 6
presence of other individuals. The term includes, but is 7
not limited to, a school restroom, locker room, changing 8
room, or shower room; 9
(2) "Sex", the physical condition of being male or 10
female based on genetics and physiology as identified on the 11
individual's original birth certificate. 12
2. A private school that serves students in 13
prekindergarten to grade twelve may establish, to ensure 14
privacy and safety, one or more multiple-occupancy restrooms 15
or changing areas designated as follows: 16
(1) For the exclusive use of the male sex; or 17
SB 1558 2
(2) For the exclusive use of the female sex. 18
3. The provisions of this section shall not apply to 19
individuals entering a multiple-occupancy restroom or 20
changing area designated for use by the opposite sex when 21
entering: 22
(1) For custodial, maintenance, or inspection purposes; 23
(2) To render emergency medical assistance; or 24
(3) As a parent or guardian accompanying their child, 25
who is eight years of age or younger, with the permission of 26
the school. 27
4. (1) No political subdivision shall adopt any 28
ordinance, rule, or regulation prohibiting a private school 29
from establishing one or more multiple-occupancy restrooms 30
or changing areas as provided in this section. 31
(2) If a political subdivision adopts an ordinance, 32
rule, or regulation in violation of subdivision (1) of this 33
subsection, such political subdivision shall pay the 34
attorney's fees and costs incurred by a private school in 35
such private school's legal defense against such ordinance, 36
rule, or regulation. 37
Section B. Because immediate action is necessary to 1
protect private schools from liability and allow preparation 2
for the 2026-27 school year, section A of this act is deemed 3
necessary for the immediate preservation of the public 4
health, welfare, peace, and safety, and is hereby declared 5
to be an emergency act within the meaning of the 6
constitution, and section A of this act shall be in full 7
force and effect upon its passage and approval. 8
✓