HB 429 -- Tax Credit for Workplace Violence Safety and Education
Programs

Sponsor:  Chappelle-Nadal

This bill authorizes a tax credit to offset the employer's costs
for participation in workplace violence safety and education
programs.  Effective January 1, 2006, employers are eligible to
receive a tax credit in an amount equal to 40% of the costs paid
or incurred during the tax year for program participation.  Any
amount of the tax credit exceeding the taxpayer's liability for
the year cannot be carried forward or back to other tax years.
Employer costs for implemented workplace violence safety and
education programs must be certified by the Department of Labor
and Industrial Relations in order to qualify for a tax credit.
Eligible costs, subject to certification by the department,
include additional safety equipment and personnel, personnel
training, employee education, and implementation of employee
leave and transfer policies for domestic violence related
purposes.

The bill also establishes the Workplace Domestic Violence Safety
and Education Program Act.  The Department of Labor and
Industrial Relations in consultation with the Department of
Health and Senior Services, State Highway Patrol, Missouri
Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and other interested
entities will develop the program.  The program will provide
businesses with the best practices, policies, and procedures
available to promote domestic violence awareness in the
workplace, assist affected employees, and create a safe
workplace.

An employer is prohibited from:

(1)  Transmitting an employee's or customer's full name on a
public address system; and

(2)  Providing unauthorized persons with an employee's work
schedule or other personal information.

Any person or entity in violation is guilty of a class B
misdemeanor and is civilly liable for any resulting damages.

An employee or customer that reports a violation or suspected
violation is not to be retaliated against by the owner or
management of the business provided there is reasonable cause to
believe a violation has occurred.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:19 pm