Student Legislative Day 2026

Written By Megan Bearden

On February 23, 2026 we had a wonderful turnout of students and LPCs for our annual legislative day. Over 40 of us gathered at the state capitol to use our collective voice to advocate for the profession and our clients. Check out the information below to see what we advocated about.

You can find your legislators using this site. Use your voice by sending a letter or email to them regarding any of these bills.

*Status of the bills were updated as of 3.2.26

SENATE Priorities

  • SB 1444 (HB 2368)

    • Summary: The act provides that no person or entity that develops or deploys artificial intelligence (AI) shall advertise or represent to the public that the AI is or is able to act as a mental health professional or is capable of providing therapy services.

    • Position: Support 

    • Rationale: This aligns with other bills across the country and protects clients from using AI for therapy support when it is not equipped to.

    • Status: 3/2/2026 - Hearing scheduled with General Laws Committee for 3/4/26

      • Committee Members: Senator Curtis Trent (chair), Senator Kurtis Gregory (vice chair), Senator Bernskoetter, Senator Carter, Senator Coleman, Senator McCreery, Senator Webber

    • Sponsor: Lewis (District 7)

      • https://www.senate.mo.gov/Senators/member/07

    • Bill: https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=19771

  • SB 1541 (HB 1968)

    • Summary: Would deny license application or renewal of, or bring ethical complaints against, those who engage in conversion therapy with minors. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "conversion therapy" means any practices or treatments that seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. The term "conversion therapy" shall not include counseling that provides assistance to a person undergoing gender transition or counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of a person or facilitates a person's coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual-orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, as long as such counseling does not seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity.

    • Position: Support 

    • Rationale: This bill is working to ban conversion therapy for minors. Conversion therapy’s goal is to cause someone to become straight through therapy or counseling. Conversion therapy does not align with our ethics and has been shown to cause harm to clients. Our ethical codes affirm that clients have autonomy in choices about their life. We do not impose our own values and beliefs (A.4.b) on our clients and seek to avoid harm (A.4.a), especially to minors. 

      • The American Counseling Association (ACA) opposes the practice of conversion therapy and advocates for the banning of such practices in the United States. As a leading organization in the field of behavioral health care, the ACA stands against conversion therapy because there is no credible scientific data to support its effectiveness. Furthermore, extensive research has demonstrated that conversion therapy is a harmful and damaging practice for clients, often resulting in psychological trauma and distress.

      • The American Mental Health Counselors Association states “There is virtually no credible evidence that any type of psychotherapy can change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and, in fact, these efforts pose critical health risks to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, including depression, shame, decreased self-esteem, social withdrawal, substance abuse, risky behavior, and suicidality.”

    • Sponsor: Senator McCreery

    • Status: 2/5/2026 - Second read and referred to Family, Seniors, and Health Committee

      • Committee: Senator Carter (chair), Senator Nicola (vice chair), Senator Brattin, Senator Hudson, Senator Lewis, Senator Nurrenbern

    • Senate Bill: https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=627691

  • SB 1085 (HB 2580)

    • Summary: This act prohibits public school staff members from encouraging minor students in their "social transition", defined as engaging in certain activities with the goal of helping a student become perceived as a member of the opposite biological sex. A school staff member shall notify the principal or the principal's designee within 24 hours of a minor student's request that the staff member assist with the student's social transition. The principal shall notify the parents of such student within 72 hours of the initial request for assistance.No staff member of any public school shall engage in any conduct that facilitates the social transition of any minor student, including any counseling that affirms such student's self-identification as a biological sex other than such student's actual biological sex. No staff member of any public school shall initiate a conversation with, or deliver any presentation or lesson to, any minor student regarding gender transition, as such term is defined in current law.

    • Position: Oppose (make mental health/school counselors exempt as following this law could result in an ethical violation or violation of confidentiality)

      • Rationale: This bill would require counselors in schools to notify parents of a student’s desire for social transition at school (preferred pronouns/name) if they differ from the student’s biological sex at birth. Overall, this bill could cause issues connected to our ethical requirements as therapists and could inflict harm on our clients. While we understand the ethical and best-practice guidelines to engage caregivers in the treatment process of minors (see below), we have training to evaluate and navigate how and when we include caregivers in conversations surrounding their student’s gender identity, and preferred pronouns, as sometimes early disclosure or inappropriate disclosure of that information can lead to more harm for the student (our client). 

      • ACA Code of Ethics B.5.b “Counselors inform parents and legal guardians about the role of counselors and the confidential nature of the counseling relationship, consistent with current legal and custodial arrangements. Counselors are sensitive to the cultural diversity of families and respect the inherent rights and responsibilities of parents/guardians regarding the welfare of their children/charges according to law. Counselors work to establish, as appropriate, collaborative relationships with parents/guardians to best serve clients.”

      • Additionally, this bill does not account for parental permission and would continue to prevent anyone working in the school setting from supporting a student’s social transition.

    • Status: 3/2/26 - Hearing held by Elementary and Secondary Education Committee

    • Sponsor: Joe Nicola (Jackson County District 11)

    • Bill: https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=174

  • SB 1308

    • Summary: Allows for executive director of licensure committee to issue licenses rather than the whole committee. Committee would review if there are application concerns. Also allows for the Committee to display the name, address, license number, and license status for each licensee of any license type on the Division of Professional Registration's searchable listing of licensees. Counselors can request redaction of address listing

    • Position: Support with recommendations

      • Rationale: This bill has 2 aspects. First is about the process for licensure approval. We agree with the ED of the licensure committee reviewing and approving applications that meet requirements and only having the board review applications with concerns. This would speed up the licensure process and reduce delays in licensure and ultimately services to our clients. 

      • The second issue is regarding listing PLPC and LPC information on the website, including address. The amendment to the bill would allow for clinicians to opt out of one’s address being listed.

      • Recommendation: make it an “opt in” vs “opt out”

    • Status: 3/2/26 Second Read and referred to committee Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

      • Committee members: Senator Justin Brown (chair), Senator Burger (vice-chair), Senator Ben Brown, Senator Hough, Senator Lewis, Senator McCreery, Senator Schroer

    • Sponsor: Curtis Trent (District 20)

      • https://www.senate.mo.gov/Senators/member/20

    • Bill: https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=154


HOUSE Priorities

  • HB 2368

    • Summary: Summary: The act provides that no person or entity that develops or deploys artificial intelligence (AI) shall advertise or represent to the public that the AI is or is able to act as a mental health professional or is capable of providing therapy services.

    • Position: Support 

    • Status: 2/19/26 Referred to Health and Mental Health

      • Committee Members: Melanie Stinnett (chair), Kent Haden (VC), Gregg Bush, LaKeySha Bosley, Stephanie Boykin, Carolyn Caton, Bennie Cook, David Dolan, Jo Doll, Dave Griffith, Tony Harbison, George Hruza, Ann Kelley, Becky Laubinger, Pattie Mansur, Tara Peters, Melissa Schmidt, Burt Whaley

    • Sponsor: Tara Peters (district 122)

    • Bill: https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2368&year=2026&code=R

  • HB 1968

    • Summary: Would deny license application or renewal of, or bring ethical complaints against, those who engage in conversion therapy with minors. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "conversion therapy" means any practices or treatments that seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. The term "conversion therapy" shall not include counseling that provides assistance to a person undergoing gender transition or counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of a person or facilitates a person's coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual-orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, as long as such counseling does not seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity.

    • Position: Support 

    • Rationale: This bill is working to ban conversion therapy for minors. Conversion therapy’s goal is to cause someone to become straight through therapy or counseling. Conversion therapy does not align with our ethics and has been shown to cause harm to clients. Our ethical codes affirm that clients have autonomy in choices about their life. We do not impose our own values and beliefs (A.4.b) on our clients and seek to avoid harm (A.4.a), especially to minors. 

      • The American Counseling Association (ACA) opposes the practice of conversion therapy and advocates for the banning of such practices in the United States. As a leading organization in the field of behavioral health care, the ACA stands against conversion therapy because there is no credible scientific data to support its effectiveness. Furthermore, extensive research has demonstrated that conversion therapy is a harmful and damaging practice for clients, often resulting in psychological trauma and distress.

      • The American Mental Health Counselors Association states “There is virtually no credible evidence that any type of psychotherapy can change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and, in fact, these efforts pose critical health risks to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, including depression, shame, decreased self-esteem, social withdrawal, substance abuse, risky behavior, and suicidality.”

    • Sponsor: Jeremy Dean (district 132)

    • Status: Status: 1/8/26 Second Reading

    • Bill: https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1968&year=2026&code=R

  • HB 2580 (SB 1085)

    • Summary: This act prohibits public school staff members from encouraging minor students in their "social transition", defined as engaging in certain activities with the goal of helping a student become perceived as a member of the opposite biological sex. A school staff member shall notify the principal or the principal's designee within 24 hours of a minor student's request that the staff member assist with the student's social transition. The principal shall notify the parents of such student within 72 hours of the initial request for assistance. No staff member of any public school shall engage in any conduct that facilitates the social transition of any minor student, including any counseling that affirms such student's self-identification as a biological sex other than such student's actual biological sex. No staff member of any public school shall initiate a conversation with, or deliver any presentation or lesson to, any minor student regarding gender transition, as such term is defined in current law.

    • Position: Oppose (make mental health/school counselors exempt as following this law could result in an ethical violation or violation of confidentiality)

      • Rationale: This bill would require counselors in schools to notify parents of a student’s desire for social transition at school (preferred pronouns/name) if they differ from the student’s biological sex at birth. Overall, this bill could cause issues connected to our ethical requirements as therapists and could inflict harm on our clients. While we understand the ethical and best-practice guidelines to engage caregivers in the treatment process of minors (see below), we have training to evaluate and navigate how and when we include caregivers in conversations surrounding their student’s gender identity, and preferred pronouns, as sometimes early disclosure or inappropriate disclosure of that information can lead to more harm for the student (our client). 

      • ACA Code of Ethics B.5.b “Counselors inform parents and legal guardians about the role of counselors and the confidential nature of the counseling relationship, consistent with current legal and custodial arrangements. Counselors are sensitive to the cultural diversity of families and respect the inherent rights and responsibilities of parents/guardians regarding the welfare of their children/charges according to law. Counselors work to establish, as appropriate, collaborative relationships with parents/guardians to best serve clients.”

      • Additionally, this bill does not account for parental permission and would continue to prevent anyone working in the school setting from supporting a student’s social transition.

    • Status: 1/8/26 - Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education Committee

    • Sponsor: Jeff Coleman (Jackson County District 032)

    • https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2580&year=2026&code=R

  • HB 2763

    • Summary: Establishes provisions relating to funding of behavioral health services in the state. Creates a dedicated funding mechanism to support statewide mental health and behavioral health crisis services, including the 988 crisis hotline and related response and support systems. The bill imposes a 65-cent monthly charge on both prepaid and postpaid commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) lines in Missouri — similar to a telecommunications fee. Revenue from these charges is dedicated to a newly created “988 Crisis Continuum Fund.” The fund supports services such as:

  • 988 crisis call, text, and chat access (available 24/7),

  • Mobile crisis response services, and

  • Behavioral health crisis centers / open access services

Megan Bearden
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Collaborative Relationship with the Coalition for Mental Health Counselors (CMHC)