MissouriSB432025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Modifies provisions relating to protection of vulnerable persons

Sponsored By: Travis Fitzwater (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

18 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.

New residential care for high-need youth

Social Services must establish services, education, and residential care for youth under 21 with severe behavioral challenges. Youth must be in Children's Division custody, and a department team must find that existing state programs cannot meet their needs. The department can contract with qualified Missouri-based providers or use suitable state-owned facilities. Contracted providers must meet licensing, certification, or accreditation standards and have relevant experience.

Bigger tax credits for child-service donors

For tax years beginning January 1, 2025, Champion for Children credits rise from up to 50% to 70% of verified gifts. Gifts must go to qualified child-serving agencies, and annual credits are capped at $50,000 per taxpayer. The statewide cap rises to $2.5 million for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025. The program is reauthorized August 28, 2025, through December 31, 2031; credits authorized before expiration remain redeemable. If the statewide cap causes a denial, paying or arranging approved payment within 60 days avoids added tax, penalties, and interest.

Diaper-bank donors keep expanded tax credits

The diaper-bank credit continues through December 31, 2031, and now includes qualifying national diaper banks based in Missouri. Those nonprofits must manage supplies, distribute through at least two qualifying groups, and meet certification and 50-state network requirements. Gifts of at least $100 qualify for a 50% credit, capped at $50,000 yearly per taxpayer and $500,000 statewide. Credits authorized before expiration can still be issued or redeemed. If lawmakers renew the program, it ends six years after that renewal takes effect.

Higher tax credits for youth-program donors

Donors to approved Youth Opportunities and Violence Prevention programs get a 70% credit for money gifts, up from 50%. Property gifts receive a 30% credit. Total credits remain capped at $200,000 per taxpayer each tax year. Unused credits can carry forward for five years.

Trafficking offenders fund local victim services

Guilty pleas or findings for listed offenses require restitution to the Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Fund, in addition to fines. Specified trafficking offenses require $10,000 per identified victim; section 567.030 requires $2,500 per victim plus $2,500 per offense county. The supplied text lists section 566.215 without specifying its rate and excludes restitution ordered under section 566.218. Subject to appropriation, money goes to counties where offenses occurred for victim rehabilitation at the applicable $10,000 or $2,500 per-victim rate. Counties also allocate $2,500 toward local trafficking prevention.

State-paid lawyers for teens in court

Beginning January 1, 2028, judges must appoint lawyers for children ages 14–17 in covered cases, subject to necessary funding. The requirement covers specified abuse, neglect, and juvenile proceedings, with listed statutory exclusions. Judges can start earlier through a pilot project. Lawyers represent children through appeals, cannot also represent their parents or guardians, and receive reasonable court-approved fees from state judicial funds. In ongoing cases, an existing court-appointed child advocate generally becomes the child's lawyer at age 14, with specified exceptions.

Missouri ends marriage licenses for minors

Missouri recorders cannot issue a marriage license authorizing anyone under 18 to marry. Parent or guardian consent no longer provides an exception.

Youth providers gain limits on lawsuits

Qualified youth-service providers, employees, and contractors are shielded from damages for covered work done in good faith without gross negligence. This can limit families' ability to recover damages. The shield does not cover child abuse or neglect. It ends if the state creates a fund or entity providing at least $1 million in personal-injury coverage or indemnification. That threshold is adjusted annually beginning January 1 using the specified federal price measure.

Children's lawyers gain stronger case access

Children's appointed lawyers get case information and notice of family support meetings involving alleged abuse or neglect, including later meetings. They can attend, must complete permanency-planning training, and generally receive preference for appointment in later proceedings unless the judge explains otherwise. When the Children's Division holds a child's money, annual transaction statements go to the child, lawyer, and court-appointed child advocate. A child's lawyer can also request continued attendance at the child's original school when a custody placement changes schools. Staying at that school is required whenever possible.

More review of child-abuse hotline reports

Reporters can request referral of an unsubstantiated abuse or neglect report to the Office of Child Advocate. The Children's Division must make that referral when asked. Three or more hotline calls about the same child within 72 hours trigger a review of whether report criteria are met. The Division must also contact callers to gather information about possible harassment.

Parents receive child-welfare visit rights notices

During abuse or neglect investigations, responders must first check child safety through direct observation and communication. When a parent or alleged offender is present, responders must identify themselves and explain their role. They must provide written rights information, including the right to contact a lawyer, with up to five minutes for review. During assessments, parents must receive notice before the child's interview and written rights information. Immediate danger, responder safety, and listed home-visit exceptions limit these safeguards.

State contracts cannot waive negligence claims

Service-provider contracts cannot waive claims for harm caused wholly or partly by Missouri's negligence. Such terms are void and cannot be enforced. Covered harm includes personal injury, emotional harm, property damage, and financial or other losses.

Detained youth get county service coordination

County jail staff handle transportation and contracted services for youth facing adult prosecution who remain in secure juvenile detention. They handle these duties as in other adult criminal cases involving someone in custody. Staff must also name a liaison for each pretrial-certified juvenile in a juvenile detention facility. The liaison helps coordinate visits, case information, and medical and mental health needs.

New support for family legal representation

A new nine-member judicial commission coordinates better legal representation for children and families. The chief justice appoints members, including three attorneys with at least five years representing children and a former Missouri foster youth. Membership also includes a child-advocacy resident without direct professional ties to the legal or child welfare system. The commission recommends training and standards, evaluates pilots, studies funding, and reports recommendations. A new fund accepts state and private money for court circuits' legal representation, but the law sets no funding amount.

More juvenile cases face adult prosecution

A motion to change an existing juvenile case can now trigger a hearing on adult prosecution. For ages 14–17, the motion can allege conduct that would be an adult felony. For ages 12–17, hearings are required for dangerous felonies, weapon-involved felonies, or at least two prior unrelated adult-level felonies. A hearing does not automatically mean adult prosecution. The judge must dismiss the juvenile petition or motion before the case proceeds under adult law.

Victim fund gains money and safeguards

People who plead guilty to or are found guilty of a class E felony must pay $46 to the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. This extends the charge already applied to class C and D felonies. The fund keeps its investment interest instead of sending it to general revenue. Gifts and contributions go into the fund solely for victim compensation. Knowingly making a fraudulent claim or false statement connected to a compensation claim is a class A misdemeanor.

Adult-jail rules change for juvenile cases

On a juvenile officer's motion, courts can place people 18 or older in adult detention until their juvenile case ends. This includes people who turn 18 while detained. A juvenile under 18 facing adult prosecution must return to adult jail after a release violation if previously transferred there by court order. That person stays until the court orders otherwise. When courts extend a certified juvenile's adult-jail stay beyond 180 days, hearings every 30 days must review whether it remains justified.

Hazing penalties rise with rescue protections

Hazing that creates a substantial risk to a student's or prospective, current, or former member's life is a class D felony. Other hazing remains a class A misdemeanor. A person present has a hazing defense if first to call 911 or campus security when immediate medical help appears necessary. The caller must give their name, location, and medical details, stay with the person, and cooperate until responders arrive. Good-faith aid intended to stabilize or improve the victim before responders arrive provides immunity from prosecution under the hazing law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Travis Fitzwater
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 25 • No: 1

House vote • 5/7/2025

Reported Do Pass

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2025