 Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman
22nd Senatorial District | Capitol Building, Rm. 331-A
Jefferson City, MO 65101 | For Immediate Release:
May 12, 2025 | Contact: Jaret Scharnhorst
573-751-1492 |
Statement from Senator Coleman Regarding Passage of Legislation Protecting Children, Supporting Families Jefferson City, MO — State Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) issued the following statement after the Missouri legislature passed House Bill 121, a comprehensive package aimed at protecting Missouri’s most vulnerable children, promoting maternity care and supporting families: “Passage of House Bill 121 reflects our unwavering commitment to life, families and ensuring every child in Missouri is given a chance to reach their God-given potential. These reforms offer compassionate, practical help to families across our state. Whether it’s a struggling mother, a family hoping to adopt, or an infant in need of a safe haven, Missouri is taking bold action to ensure they are not forgotten.” Key provisions in HB 121 include: - Newborn Safety Incubators: The state will now offer matching funds up to $10,000 to help facilities install newborn safety incubators, providing a secure and anonymous option for parents in crisis to safely surrender their infants.
- Maternity Home Tax Credit Expansion: The existing tax credit for maternity homes has been significantly enhanced - from a 70% to a 100% credit - and the maximum annual amount per donor increased from $50,000 to $100,000. These changes will provide more robust financial support to homes caring for pregnant women in need.
- Diaper Bank Tax Credit Enhancement: To support families with infants, the Diaper Bank Tax Credit has been raised from 50% to 100%, with the annual limit per donor increased from $50,000 to $100,000. The legislation also extends the sunset date to 2031, doubles the cumulative annual credit cap from $500,000 to $1 million, and permits a carryover of unused credits, also up to $1 million. Additionally, new standardized definitions for “diaper bank” have been adopted to streamline eligibility.
- Zero-Cost Adoption Fund Act: This new initiative creates a dedicated fund to offset the high costs of adoption, ensuring more families can open their homes to children in need. A tax credit will be available to individuals who contribute to the fund, encouraging broader community support. To promote fiscal responsibility, the cumulative tax credit cap for the fund’s first year has been adjusted from $25 million to $5 million.
For more information about Sen. Coleman or her legislative actions, please visit her official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Coleman. ### |