Bill > HB1012

This bill establishes the "Zero-Cost Adoption Fund Act", creating a dedicated fund in the state treasury to support adoption-related expenses and provide tax incentives for contributions. The bill allows qualified taxpayers (including individuals, firms, corporations, and other entities subject to state income tax) to receive a tax credit equal to 100% of their qualifying contribution to the fund, with the credit limited to 50% of the taxpayer's state tax liability and potentially carried forward for up to four subsequent tax years. The fund will be administered by the Department of Social Services and will prioritize using funds to assist Missouri residents with adoption expenses, including covering nonrecurring adoption costs, providing post-adoption assistance, promoting adoption, recruiting adoptive families, and supporting community-based interventions to prevent children from entering foster care. The program has an initial cap of $25 million in tax credits for the first year, with annual adjustments for inflation, and is designed to sunset after six years unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. Contributions must be cash donations, and the tax credits are non-transferable and non-refundable. The bill aims to reduce financial barriers to adoption and encourage community support for adoptive families.

Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1012&year=2025&code=R