SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Lawmakers in Jefferson City are working to address a rising concern in child care.
More than 90 of 114 counties in Missouri are considered a child care desert, meaning families don’t have many options when it comes to child care.
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According to childcaredesert.org , 54% of Missourians live in a child care desert, which is more than the national average.
But a bill just passed in the Missouri House would help boost access to those centers.
HB 1488 would create three new tax credits to help with child care.
The Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act would allow taxpayers to donate directly to a child care center to receive a tax credit.
The Employer-Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit Act would give tax credits to businesses that supply child care to two or more employees.
The Child Care Providers Tax Credit Act would help child care centers directly with three or more employees by allowing them to claim tax credits equal to their eligible employer withholding tax.