JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Chad Supports More Transportation Funding for K-12 Schools with a Vote for HB 21
April 15, 2021
General Assembly Gives Final Approval to Legislation to Enhance Support for Foster and Adoptive Parents (HB 429 and HB 430)
Legislation is now on its way to the governor that would provide additional financial assistance to Missouri families who provide a stable home to children in need. The House this week gave final approval to two bills that received strong support in the Senate before coming back to the House to receive overwhelming bipartisan approval.
The House gave final approval to HB 429 by a vote of 127-8. It would authorize an income tax deduction for Missouri taxpayers for the expenses related to providing care as a foster parent. The bill would authorize a deduction of up to $5,000 for married couples or single parents, provided that individuals who are married but file separately can only claim up to $2,500 each. The Senate added other provisions to HB 429 including the expansion of the adoption tax credit, the Birth Match Program, and additional improvements to the state’s adoption regulations and proceedings.
HB 430 was approved by the House by a vote of 142-0. It would expand the state’s existing $10,000 tax credit to any child adopted by Missouri taxpayers on or after January 1, 2022. Currently the credit applies only to adoptions of special needs children. The bill also increases the annual limit on the amount of tax credits that can be authorized from $2 million to $6 million. The Senate also added provisions to expand the tax credits for contributions to domestic violence shelters and maternity homes.
House Approves Funding Bill to Support Vulnerable Missourians (HB 21)
The House has sent a funding bill to the Senate that would provide resources to help Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens. The legislation appropriates more than $342 million in funding to support seniors in nursing homes, provide care for the developmentally disabled, expand mental health programs, add public defenders to the criminal justice system, and boost K-12 school transportation funding.
HB 21 makes fiscally responsible use of the funds saved by rejecting the expansion of Medicaid. The House Budget Chairman said in the bill, “A lot of very good things are happening for a lot of people in the state of Missouri who cannot help themselves. This is the prioritization of the people who are most needy in our state that we help through the state budget.”
For Fiscal Year 2022, House Bill 21 would:
· Provide skilled nursing homes with $88.2 million in new reimbursement, approximately $10.00 a day for each bed
· Provide public K-12 schools an additional $15.5 million for formula transportation funding
· Provide Home and Community Based Services (in-home care), including Consumer Directed Services (CDS), with an additional $19,711,680 in state and federal funds (bringing the total increase in the House version of the FY22 budget to $166,378,997)
· Provide $2 million in funding for a workforce diploma program (adult high schools) to help adults earn a diploma, plus another $1.8 million in new funds for existing adult high schools
· Provide an additional $588,000 for the recruitment of families to participate in the foster care system (Missouri has more than 13,500 kids in the system)
· Provide $2.9 million to establish a pilot program with pediatric hospitals to train family members to become certified home health aides (that will lead to savings for in-home care)
Gov. Mike Parson also ordered the dome of the Missouri State Capitol to be illuminated purple in honor of the day. In March, Parson also showed his support for military children by issuing a proclamation that recognizes April as the Month of the Military Child.
He said, “Proclaiming April as the Month of the Military Child pays tribute to military children across our state for their commitment and sacrifice as they support the military service member in their family. When parents serve our country, their kids serve, too.”
Bills Sent to the Senate
HB 991 exempts federal economic impact payments from state income tax. Supporters say the bill will reduce the tax burden for taxpayers by waving the tax on direct economic stimulus payments from the federal government that certain individuals received last year. Supporters said that this is not the first time that such a wavier has happened as a result of direct payments from the federal government.
HB 911 designates the portion of Interstate 64 from Winghaven Boulevard to Prospect Road within the city of Lake St. Louis in St. Charles County as the “US Navy SEAL Scotty Wirtz Memorial Highway”.
HCR 29 will ensure that Harris-Stowe State University can successfully discharge a statewide mission in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for underrepresented and under-resourced students. Supporters say Harris-Stowe University has a growing population and that their efforts in STEM are drawing students in.
HB 589 changes the laws regarding the confiscation of animals. Supporters say the bill requires a speedy disposition hearing to determine if an owner is liable for animal abuse or neglect and will save money. Often animal owners forfeit their rights to the animals because they cannot pay the bond or the costs associated with the legal challenge. It also specifies that a court must order a person found guilty of the offense of sex with an animal to submit to and pay for a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a licensed mental health professional prior to the person’s sentencing. The bill also establishes that a person commits the offense of animal neglect if the person has a hoarding disorder causing the accumulation of custody or ownership of animals.
HB 177 modifies the law to allow records or meetings of governmental bodies that include descriptions of discussion about security procedures, including evacuation and lock down procedures, to remain confidential and closed to the public.
HB 27 requires posting notice, under the Sunshine Law, of meeting times, dates, places, and agendas as well as minutes of open meetings on a public governmental body’s website and social media if the governmental body manages a website and/or social media page. The social media notice requirement can be satisfied by posting a link to the webpage containing the notice. Supporters say the bill pushes current procedures into the digital age and allows for more convenient notice to the public.
Bills Sent to the Governor
SB 189 creates a “Negro Leagues Baseball Museum” special license plate. Upon making a $10 contribution to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a vehicle owner may apply for the plates. Applicants shall also pay a $15 fee in addition to regular registration fees, but no additional fee shall be charged for the personalization of the plates. Supporters say the bill will help provide small donations to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which is instrumental to Missouri and baseball history. The license plate will create more awareness about this time in history, even attracting visitors to Missouri.
Working on your behalf,
Representative Chad Perkins
Proudly Serving the 40th House District
Lincoln, Monroe, Pike, & Ralls Counties
Missouri House of Representatives
573-751-4028