By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – A bill that would create state tax breaks for parents of special needs students was approved Wednesday night by a committee of the Missouri House.
The bill is sponsored by State Representative Dwight Scharnhorst, R-Manchester, and would use tax credits to fund scholarships for disabled students to attend any school, public or private, parents feel best suits their needs.
"It is critically important that the child receives the appropriate education," Scharnhorst said. "It is equally as important that the family of the child receives training that continues his or her education when not in a learning environment."
If passed, the new law would be called Bryce's Law, named for Scharnhorst's grandson who died last year from complications related to autism and epilepsy.
A few dozen parents and teachers testified Wednesday both for and against the proposal at two hearings. The first, before the Senate Committee on Pensions, Veterans' Affairs and General Laws, and the second before the House Special Committee on Student Achievement.
Mary Armstrong, who is president of the St. Louis chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, testified against the legislation.
"I am opposed to any tax credit that would divert funding from public education," Armstrong said. "We would lose the amount that you would give to the parents that would be in St. Louis Public Schools per student, and the amount that it would cost to take those students out of this school district."
The House committee passed the special needs tax credit bill by a five to one vote. It now goes to the full House for debate.