Missouri HB2404 removes barriers that keep public buildings from being used for community education programs so every child can access a great school.
Across Missouri, school buildings and publicly-owned properties sit vacant — unused and deteriorating. At the same time, community education programs struggle to find affordable, suitable facilities. Local policies can block these buildings from being repurposed for education, even when they're the perfect fit.
House Bill 2404 prohibits political subdivisions from adopting policies that prevent transferred public property from being used for lawful education purposes. It's a straightforward fix: if a building can serve students, it should be allowed to.
HB2404 prohibits political subdivisions from adopting policies that prevent property transferred by political subdivisions from being used for lawful education purposes by a charter school. In plain terms: it stops local governments from blocking community education programs from using vacant public buildings.
HB2404 specifically addresses charter schools' use of transferred public property. It's part of a broader principle that public buildings should serve community education purposes rather than sitting vacant. Charter schools in Missouri are publicly funded, free to attend, and open to all students.
HB2404 has been perfected in the Missouri House of Representatives as of March 2026. It still needs to pass the full House, then move to the Senate for consideration.
When suitable public buildings sit empty while community education programs struggle to find affordable facilities, students lose out. HB2404 removes bureaucratic barriers so these buildings can serve their highest purpose — educating Missouri's children.
Open Missouri Schools is an independent advocacy effort supported by families, educators, and community leaders who believe every child deserves access to a great public school.
Now that you know the facts — add your name and help open Missouri's public buildings to the communities that need them.