Two bills have been signed into law that aim to help more Missouri foster and adoptive kids find permanent homes. One would expand current tax credits for adoption. The other would allow an income tax deduction for foster care expenses. Mountain Grove State Representative Hannah Kelly says her 19-year-old daughter she adopted two years ago inspired her to file the bills.

Kelly adopted her daughter when the child was 17 years old. Her daughter was in the foster care system for a few years after the girl’s biological mother died.