MO SB1496

Expands the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program by increasing the annual tax credit cap from $75 million to $150 million, raising the maximum number of certified educational assistance organizations from 10 to 15, and removing income and disability eligibility restrictions so all Missouri students who are not illegal aliens qualify

Allows charter schools to operate in any school district statewide, removing previous restrictions that limited them to metropolitan, urban, unaccredited, or provisionally accredited districts, and exempts charter schools sponsored by the Missouri Charter Public School Commission from state board of education approval

Creates a universal open enrollment system beginning in the 2027-28 school year allowing any student to transfer to another public school or charter school, with districts required to report available transfer slots monthly and the department maintaining an online portal for families

Prohibits political subdivisions from adopting restrictions that prevent property sold, leased, or transferred by the subdivision from being used by charter schools for educational purposes, and requires school districts selling unused facilities to give public entities a 60-day right of first refusal

Allows school districts to hire administrators without a Missouri administrator certificate if the candidate holds a master's degree and has eight years of executive leadership experience, with a waiver valid for up to six years before permanent certification may be granted