Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signs Kaitlyn's Law

Gov. Jay Nixon Thursday signed Kaitlyn's Law, a bill named after Jackson High School student Kaitlyn Thompson. Under House Bill 236, students with disabilities can participate in senior activities, provided they are making progress toward their individualized education plan and have finished four years of high school.

"Kaitlyn's Law will ensure that Missouri students can walk at graduation with their class, while still being able to take advantages of the job-training and transition services they need to move on to the next stage in their lives," Nixon said.

Thompson and her mother, Traci Ritter, worked with Rep. Scott Lipke, R-Jackson, to draft the legislation. Thompson, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, spoke in support of the bill at a House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee hearing earlier this year.