Governor Kehoe Signs Legislation Protecting Missouri's Most Vulnerable Citizens

JEFFERSON CITY - On July 9, 2025 Morning, Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bills (HB) 121 and 737, and Senate Bill (SB) 43 into law, highlighting Missouri's commitment to protecting the state's most vulnerable citizens.

“Today's action on this legislation is about standing up for the most vulnerable Missourians; those who often times cannot advocate for themselves,” said Governor Kehoe. “Protecting these individuals is not just a priority, it's a responsibility we all share, and we appreciate the General Assembly for sending this legislation to my desk. We must provide safety, support, and dignity to those who need it most.”

HB 121, sponsored by Representative Jim Murphy and Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman, establishes the "Safe Place for Newborns Fund" for installing newborn safety incubators.  

• Extends Missouri's Safe Haven law and creates the "Safe Place for Newborns Fund," giving parents in crisis a secure and anonymous option to safely surrender their child.
• Establishes the Zero-Cost Adoption Fund to support families during the adoption process with non-recurring expenses and post-adoption assistance.
• Expands tax credit programs that support maternity homes and diaper banks.

HB 737, sponsored by Representative Melissa Schmidt and Senator Jamie Burger, modifies provisions relating to the protection of children.

• Guarantees federal benefits are securely allocated to individual beneficiaries currently in the foster care system to help establish their future financial stability.
• Strengthens legal options for families by establishing the “Child and Family Legal Representation Coordinating Commission,” to ensure families have uniform, high-quality legal representation.
• Improves child and youth placement processes.

SB 43, sponsored by Senator Travis Fitzwater and Representative Wendy Hausman, modifies provisions relating to protecting vulnerable persons.

• Increases the protections and rights of children and vulnerable persons in legal proceedings.
• Strengthens criminal provisions and penalties to help combat sexual abuse and trafficking in Missouri.
• Expands tax credits to encourage more donations to organizations that help support children and youth.

Governor Kehoe also signed Senator Ben Brown's and Representative Jim Murphy's SB 152, which bans foreign nationals from contributing donations to campaign committees for ballot measures, and Senator Rusty Black's and Representative Cameron Parker's SB 218, which modernizes court operations and enhances judicial efficiency, during an in-office signing ceremony.

For more information on the legislation and additional provisions signed into law, visit house.mo.gov and senate.mo.gov. Photos from the bill signing will be uploaded to Governor Kehoe's Flickr page. Additional bill signings will continue to take place over the next several days. For more information bill signings, view Governor Kehoe's schedule.