JEFFERSON CITY — Legislation that garnered unanimous approval in the Missouri Senate pertaining to citizens who provide care for individuals with developmental disabilities and those in the foster care system received the governor’s signature today (6-25).

House Bill 1172 changes the laws regarding the Residential Treatment Agency Tax Credit Program.  Currently, a residential treatment agency is prohibited from applying for this particular tax credit for an amount more than 40 percent of the payments made by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to the agency in the preceding 12 months for eligible donations made by taxpayers.  The legislation allows an agency to apply for the credit for an amount that does not exceed the total payments in the preceding 12 months.  This provision also extends the expiration date of the tax credit program from Aug. 28, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2015.

The legislation also establishes the Developmental Disability Care Provider Tax Credit Program, which authorizes a tax credit to a taxpayer for 50 percent of an eligible donation to a qualified developmental disability care provider that is used solely to provide direct services to residents of the state with development disabilities.  The tax credit is nonrefundable, but transferable, and may be carried forward for four years.  This particular provision regarding the Developmental Disability Care Provider Tax Credit Program expires Dec. 31, 2016.

Another measure receiving the governor’s signature, House Bill 1576, allows certain state-licensed foster parents to purchase health insurance from the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan at the premium rate established for state employees.  In order to qualify, the foster parent must not have access to other health insurance coverage through an employer or spouse’s employer.  In addition, the foster parent must provide documentation of eligibility for state health insurance prior to the purchase of any state health insurance under the plan.

Finally, House Bill 1577, the last of the three measures signed by the governor today, requires schools to implement specified criteria regarding the enrollment and educational success of foster care children, among other provisions. 

If a foster care student transfers before or during the school year, the receiving school must:

• Initially honor placement of the student in educational courses and programs based on the student’s previous enrollment or educational assessments from the sending school.
• Provide comparable services to a foster care student with disabilities based on his or her current Individualized Education Program.
• Make reasonable accommodations and modifications to address the needs of incoming foster care students with disabilities to provide equal access to education.

In addition, the receiving school district may conduct subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate student placement.  The legislation also allows schools to waive the prerequisites or other preconditions for placement in a course or program and must waive a specific course required for graduation if similar course work has been satisfactorily completed at another school.

All three measures will take effect Aug. 28, along with a majority of the legislation delivered by the General Assembly to the governor this year.

To see a complete list of the bills delivered to the governor, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the “Truly Agreed Bills” link under the “Legislation” tab.  To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or email: newsroom@senate.mo.gov.