Bill > HB1301

This bill modifies several provisions related to child protection across multiple areas of Missouri state law. The bill expands the Champion for Children tax credit program, allowing taxpayers to claim up to 70% of contributions to qualified child-focused agencies (CASA, child advocacy centers, and crisis care centers) beginning in 2025, with a maximum annual tax credit of $50,000. The bill increases the annual cap on total tax credits from $1.5 million to $2.5 million and extends the program's sunset date to 2031. Additionally, the bill makes significant changes to legal procedures involving children, including expanding the age from 14 to 18 for admissibility of child statements in criminal proceedings related to certain offenses, and allowing visual and audio recordings of child statements to be used as evidence under specific conditions. The bill also establishes a SAFE CARE network to provide specialized training and support for medical professionals conducting forensic evaluations of child abuse victims, and modifies fee collection requirements to waive certain fees for homeless children and youth. These changes aim to enhance child protection, improve legal proceedings involving children, and provide additional support for child-focused organizations.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1301&year=2025&code=R