HCS HB 663 & 375 -- UNPLANNED PREGNANCY RESOURCE AND SEXUAL
VIOLENCE CRISIS SERVICE CENTERS

SPONSOR:  Kennedy

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Ways and
Means by a vote of 14 to 0.

This substitute authorizes a tax credit for 50% of contributions
to qualified unplanned pregnancy resource centers and to
qualified sexual violence crisis service centers.

Unplanned pregnancy resource centers are nonresidential
facilities that provide assistance and support to women with
crisis or unplanned pregnancies and do not provide abortions or
referrals for abortion.

Sexual violence crisis service centers are nonprofit
organizations which provide services to sexual violence victims,
their significant others, secondary victims, and the community
relating to rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse.

The tax credits authorized may be taken against income tax,
corporate franchise tax, insurance premium tax, financial
institutions tax, and express company tax liability.  The tax
credit is not refundable, but can be carried forward and claimed
for up to 4 taxable years.

The maximum credit an individual taxpayer can claim is $25,000
per year.  The minimum contribution must exceed $100.
Contributions may be made in cash, stocks, bonds or other
marketable securities, or real property.

The statewide maximum of tax credits that can be taken in any
one year cannot exceed $2 million for each program.  The
substitute provides for the Department of Social Services to
certify the unplanned pregnancy resource centers and the tax
credits and the Department of Public Safety to certify the
sexual violence crisis service centers and the tax credits and
to apportion the credits when the applications for the credits
exceed the statewide cap.

The maximum credit an individual taxpayer can claim is $50,000
per year for each program.  The minimum contribution must exceed
$100.  Contributions may be made in cash, stocks, bonds or other
marketable securities, or real property.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to All State Funds of $86,743
in FY 2002, $48,861 to $4,048,861 in FY 2003, and $50,087 to
$4,050,087 in FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that these programs will enable the
centers to serve more people who truly need the help.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Kennedy and Fraser;
Life Choices of Joplin; Open Arms Pregnancy Crisis Center;
Pregnancy Resources Center of St. Louis; Campaign Life Missouri;
Concerned Women of America; and Missouri Coalition Against
Sexual Assault.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bill Tucker, Assistant Director of Research

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:45 am