For the past three legislative sessions, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry has worked to address Missouri’s ongoing child care shortage through an innovative tax credit proposal designed to strengthen the workforce and support employers. The legislation would expand the capacity of child care providers while helping businesses offer child care benefits that improve employee recruitment and retention.
Although the proposal has earned widespread bipartisan support, a small group of lawmakers has blocked its passage in recent years. Despite these setbacks, the Missouri Chamber remains committed to advancing the legislation because child care is not just a working parents’ issue — it is a critical economic issue.
HB 2409, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph), takes a market-driven approach to expanding child care access across the state. This week, Shields presented the proposal to the House Economic Development Committee, emphasizing its focus on private investment and local solutions.
HB 2409 includes three targeted tax credits aimed at tackling Missouri’s child care shortage:
“It’s innovative because businesses, government and parents all participate in the cost of care, making it affordable for families, stable for child care providers and creating a reliable workforce for businesses,” Shields said.
Missouri Chamber President and CEO Kara Corches noted the significant economic toll the child care crisis continues to take on the state.
“We know that Missouri’s economy loses out on more than $1.35 billion annually because of our child care crisis,” Corches said. “This bill is a comprehensive approach to address that crisis and drive new capital into our child care infrastructure.”
For more information contact Missouri Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Jared Hankinson at jhankinson@mochamber.com or call (573) 634-3511.
