This session focused on addressing Missouri's widespread childcare crisis through two significant bills. HB 850 streamlines the licensing process for childcare facilities to help qualified providers expand more efficiently. HB 269 introduces three targeted tax credits aimed at increasing childcare capacity, making care more affordable, and supporting existing providers. Additionally, legislators passed HB 177, which expands MoHealthNet coverage for hearing instruments and cochlear implants to Missourians aged 18-55, addressing an important healthcare gap.
Bills Discussed
HB 850
Surface Score: 8/10
This bill directly addresses a significant statewide childcare shortage with bipartisan support, potentially impacting thousands of families and businesses. It received virtually no opposition during discussion.
Summary:
Modernizes Missouri's Child Care Licensing System by empowering the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to issue and inspect licenses while introducing temporary licenses to help providers expand operations while meeting safety standards.
Noteworthy Points:
Streamlines the licensing process for childcare facilities looking to expand or open new locations
Introduces temporary licenses to speed up capacity expansion while maintaining safety standards
Allows providers to request variances when safety isn't compromised
Addresses concerns about facilities near registered offenders
This bill directly addresses a significant statewide childcare shortage with bipartisan support, potentially impacting thousands of families and businesses. It received virtually no opposition during discussion.
Summary:
Modernizes Missouri's Child Care Licensing System by empowering the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to issue and inspect licenses while introducing temporary licenses to help providers expand operations while meeting safety standards.
Noteworthy Points:
Streamlines the licensing process for childcare facilities looking to expand or open new locations
Introduces temporary licenses to speed up capacity expansion while maintaining safety standards
Allows providers to request variances when safety isn't compromised
Addresses concerns about facilities near registered offenders
This bill directly addresses a significant statewide childcare shortage with bipartisan support, potentially impacting thousands of families and businesses. It received virtually no opposition during discussion.
Summary:
Modernizes Missouri's Child Care Licensing System by empowering the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to issue and inspect licenses while introducing temporary licenses to help providers expand operations while meeting safety standards.
Noteworthy Points:
Streamlines the licensing process for childcare facilities looking to expand or open new locations
Introduces temporary licenses to speed up capacity expansion while maintaining safety standards
Allows providers to request variances when safety isn't compromised
Addresses concerns about facilities near registered offenders
This bill addresses a major economic and social issue with direct impact on families, workforce participation, and the state economy. The extended discussion and broad support indicate its high importance.
Summary:
Creates three tax credits to address Missouri's childcare crisis: a Child Care Contribution Tax Credit for donations to facilities, an Employer Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit, and a Child Care Provider Tax Credit to support existing providers.
Noteworthy Points:
95 out of Missouri's 115 counties are considered 'childcare deserts' with only one slot for every three children
Missouri lost approximately $1.35 billion in economic growth last year due to childcare shortages
All three tax credits are capped at $20 million each with a six-year sunset
Focuses on private industry solutions rather than government-run childcare
Includes provisions for nonprofits through refundable credits
This bill addresses an important healthcare gap with quality of life implications. While it received unanimous support, the discussion was briefer and the population affected more specific than the childcare bills.
Summary:
Modifies MoHealthNet to allow payments for medically necessary hearing instruments and cochlear implants for eligible persons aged 18-55, bridging a gap in current coverage that only includes the blind.
Noteworthy Points:
Expands coverage beyond currently eligible blind individuals to include those aged 18-55
Addresses significant health impacts of untreated hearing loss, including tripled risk of falls and increased risk of dementia
The bill previously passed the House last session but didn't receive a Senate floor hearing
Focuses on improving quality of life, independence, and employment opportunities for those with hearing loss
This bill addresses an important healthcare gap with quality of life implications. While it received unanimous support, the discussion was briefer and the population affected more specific than the childcare bills.
Summary:
Modifies MoHealthNet to allow payments for medically necessary hearing instruments and cochlear implants for eligible persons aged 18-55, bridging a gap in current coverage that only includes the blind.
Noteworthy Points:
Expands coverage beyond currently eligible blind individuals to include those aged 18-55
Addresses significant health impacts of untreated hearing loss, including tripled risk of falls and increased risk of dementia
The bill previously passed the House last session but didn't receive a Senate floor hearing
Focuses on improving quality of life, independence, and employment opportunities for those with hearing loss