Bill > HB1292

This bill modifies several provisions related to child protection and legal testimony, primarily focusing on expanding protections and evidentiary standards. It increases the tax credit for contributions to child-focused agencies like Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), child advocacy centers, and crisis care centers, raising the potential tax credit from 50% to 70% of contributions and increasing the annual credit cap to $50,000 per taxpayer. The bill raises the age threshold from 14 to 18 for children's statements to be admissible as evidence in criminal proceedings involving offenses like sexual or violent crimes, and broadens the definition of "vulnerable persons" to include individuals with developmental or psychiatric limitations. The legislation also modifies rules around video and audio recordings of children's and vulnerable persons' statements, allowing greater flexibility in their admissibility as court evidence, particularly in cases of sensitive investigations involving potential abuse or assault. Additionally, the bill provides some administrative provisions, such as extending the tax credit program's sunset date and clarifying collaborative practice arrangements for certain medical professionals working in child assessment centers.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1292&year=2025&code=R