HB 2252 -- TAX CREDIT FOR PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTERS

SPONSOR:  Faith

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Ways and
Means by a vote of 8 to 2.

This bill reauthorizes the provisions regarding the tax credit
for contributions to pregnancy resource centers and extends the
expiration date until August 28, 2022.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Effect on General Revenue Fund of an
income of $0 in FY 2011, an income of $0 in FY 2012, and an
income of $0 to a cost of $2,000,000 in FY 2013.  No impact on
Other State Funds in FY 2011, FY 2012, and FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that every year the Department of
Social Services makes an equal allocation of the credits to all
qualified centers.  Last year $40,000 was allocated to each
center and then transferred between the centers as needed.  Less
than $1 million is issued each year serving about 36,000 clients.
Funds from the credits have allowed for the purchase of
ultrasound equipment and the expansion of urban centers,
services, and ministry.  No medical services are provided, but
the centers provide options counseling, child-rearing advice,
maternity and baby clothes, job training, bible studies, and
referrals for medical care at no cost.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Faith; Campaign Life
Missouri; Terri Hunter and Kellie Sandefur, Thrive St. Louis;
Cindi Boston, Pregnancy Care Center; Joe Dalton, Pregnancy
Resource Center of Rolla; Missouri Catholic Conference; Shaun
Dickerson, Pregnancy Support Center; Missouri Right to Life;
Charity Quinn, Life Network of Central Missouri; Missouri Family
Network; Missouri Baptist Convention, Christian Life Commission;
and Americans United for Life.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the credit is used
to intimidate women with crisis pregnancies who are often
confused and enter a center by mistake.  These centers provide
misleading and often inaccurate information to women about
reproductive health issues, including information on birth
control and abstinence.  Eighty-seven percent of centers provide
false or misinformation regarding the relationship between
abortion and mental illness and breast cancer.  The pregnancy
centers often make promises that are not met.  A woman needs
accurate information so she can make a decision about adoption,
abortion, or to parent the child.

Testifying against the bill was Planned Parenthood Affiliates in
Missouri.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:13 pm