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Committee advances combined adoption-credit bills after brief public support
Summary
The Committee on Children and Families heard brief testimony supporting House Bill 1376 (and companion HB 1012) to expand adoption credits and ensure priority for foster-care adoptions; the committee adopted a substitute combining the measures and voted them due pass.
The House Committee on Children and Families advanced legislation to expand adoption assistance after brief testimony and unanimous committee votes.
Representative Amanda Schmidt (Representative Schmidt) presented House Bill 1376 and explained an amendment that “simply changes language on page 4 subsection 5, lines 22 to 24,” to specify that program monies may be used for public or private adoptions while giving priority to adoptions of children from foster care. “Anytime we can make not only the adoption process smoother and more cost efficient, but also put supports in place so that that adoption is successful,” Schmidt said.
Committee members asked about residency and in-state spending. A committee member asked whether the credit could be used for adoptions outside Missouri; Schmidt said applicants must be Missouri residents but may adopt out of state. Representative Prouty asked the sponsors to consider restricting the funding so taxpayer dollars remain in Missouri.
Two witnesses testified in support. A representative of Campaign Life/Right to Life (name not specified on the record) said the organization “goes on record in support of House Bill 1376” and thanked the sponsors. Kurt Wick, representing the Missouri Catholic Conference, said the organization supports the bill as consistent with a “consistent life ethic” and favors supports for families after birth.
Later in the meeting the committee adopted a House Committee substitute that combined House Bill 1012 and House Bill 1376. By roll call the combined substitute was approved 16–0; the committee report was recorded as “do pass.”
The bills as amended would allow program monies to be used for public and private adoptions while directing priority to foster-care placements; the committee discussion noted a sunset provision on page 3 in the sponsor’s draft that members suggested could be reconsidered.
The committee’s action advances the bills to the next stage of the legislative process; the committee did not set out final appropriation details during the session.
Votes at the committee meeting recorded the combined substitute for House Bills 1012 and 1376 as approved 16–0.
