House Committee Hears Childcare Bill for Fourth Consecutive Year

The bill aims to provide tax credits to help increase the state's workforce by making childcare more affordable.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A bill focused on making childcare more affordable through tax credits was heard on Tuesday by the Missouri House Committee of Economic Development. HB 2409, introduced by Rep. Brenda Shields, R-St. Joseph, seeks to make childcare more accessible for employees in Missouri, thereby creating a reliable workforce for businesses as working parents have options for their children while they are at work.

Why it matters

Affordable childcare is a critical issue for many working families in Missouri, and this bill represents an ongoing effort to address the challenge. By providing tax credits, the legislation aims to make childcare more accessible, which could in turn help businesses retain employees and grow the state's workforce.

The details

HB 2409 would provide tax credits to help offset the cost of childcare for employees in Missouri. The bill has been introduced in the state legislature for the fourth consecutive year, indicating the persistent need for solutions to the state's childcare affordability challenges.

  • The House Committee of Economic Development heard the bill on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Rep. Brenda Shields

A Republican state representative from St. Joseph, Missouri who introduced HB 2409.

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What’s next

The House Committee will now consider the bill and decide whether to advance it to the full House for further debate and potential passage.

The takeaway

The repeated introduction of this childcare tax credit bill underscores the ongoing challenge of affordable childcare in Missouri and the state legislature's efforts to find solutions that can support working families and strengthen the state's workforce.