Signed by Governor Mike Kehoe

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that amends Missouri law to increase tax credits for child-focused nonprofits, improve child welfare investigations and legal support, ban marriage under age 18, expand legal protections for survivors of abuse, limit the use of restraints on kids in court, and support services for youth, trafficking victims, and crime survivors.

Highlights:

• Amends Missouri law to accomplish the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. A): 

• Increasing tax credits for child-focused nonprofit organizations;

• Improving child welfare investigations and legal support, such as;

• Strengthening criminal provisions and penalties to help combat sexual abuse and trafficking;

• Expanding tax credits to encourage more donations toorganizations that help support children.

• Banning marriage under age 18;

• Expanding legal protections for survivors of abuse;

• Limiting the use of restraints on kids in court; and 

• Supporting services for youth, trafficking victims, and crime survivors.

• Increases and extends the Champion for Children Tax Credit, which helps agencies, like CACNEMO, provide critical services to children and families impacted by abuse (Sec. A).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning August 28, 2026 (Sec. B).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that amends Missouri law to increase tax credits for child-focused nonprofits, improve child welfare investigations and legal support, ban marriage under age 18, expand legal protections for survivors of abuse, limit the use of restraints on kids in court, and support services for youth, trafficking victims, and crime survivors.

Highlights:

• Amends Missouri law to accomplish the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. A): 

• Increasing tax credits for child-focused nonprofit organizations;

• Improving child welfare investigations and legal support, such as;

• Strengthening criminal provisions and penalties to help combat sexual abuse and trafficking;

• Expanding tax credits to encourage more donations toorganizations that help support children.

• Banning marriage under age 18;

• Expanding legal protections for survivors of abuse;

• Limiting the use of restraints on kids in court; and 

• Supporting services for youth, trafficking victims, and crime survivors.

• Increases and extends the Champion for Children Tax Credit, which helps agencies, like CACNEMO, provide critical services to children and families impacted by abuse (Sec. A).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning August 28, 2026 (Sec. B).

Full Bill Text