Monday, June 12, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Legislation Helping Missouri Children
SPRINGFIELD–Gov. Matt Blunt today signed legislation strengthening the state’s commitment to ensure a brighter future for some of Missouri’s most vulnerable children.
“It is our responsibility to provide safe and nurturing environments for abused and neglected children,” Blunt said. “The legislation I signed today ensures residential treatment centers have access to a wide variety of tools as they build partnerships and seek donations to help provide exceptional care and opportunities for children in need.”
Senate Bill 614, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, furthers state assistance for residential care providers such as the Missouri Baptist Home, Boys and Girls Town, Edgewood, the Ozanam House and others. The legislation creates the Residential Treatment Agency Tax Credit Act. The act allows qualified residential providers to apply for tax credits that they can then pass on to private businesses or individuals in exchange for donations. The law limits the credit available to each provider to 40 percent of funding received from the Department of Social Services in the preceding 12 months and allows those who donate to these providers to receive a tax credit for up to 50 percent of their donation.
Blunt has worked to ensure those who care for Missouri’s children have the necessary support to provide safe settings for at-risk children and permanent placement for children who cannot return home. Last year he worked with the General Assembly to increase funding for residential care providers by $4.2 million. This year’s budget includes an additional $6.4 million increase.
Senate Bill 1229, sponsored by Sen. Norma Champion, encourages donations to organizations that care for abused or neglected children. The legislation authorizes an income tax credit for up to 50 percent of donations to any organization that receives funding from the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund, child advocacy center or crisis care center. The credit takes advantage of an unused portion of the Special Needs Adoption Tax Credit after credits have been allocated for adoptions.
###