Louisiana House Bill HB12

Louisiana 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/9/21
• Refer: 2/9/21
• Refer: 4/12/21
• Report Pass: 4/20/21
• Engrossed: 4/26/21
• Refer: 4/27/21
• Report Pass: 5/10/21
• Enrolled: 5/19/21
• Chaptered: 6/1/21
• Passed: 6/1/21

Caption

Creates an individual income tax checkoff for the Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) organization (EN NO IMPACT GF RV See Note)

Impact

The introduction of this bill represents a notable shift in how individuals can contribute to important social causes directly through their tax filings. By incorporating a checkoff option on state income tax returns, the bill not only aims to increase donations received by the STAR organization but also raises awareness regarding the issues of sexual trauma. This could potentially lead to more robust support services and resources aimed at assisting victims, thereby fulfilling a critical community need.

Summary

House Bill 12 establishes a mechanism for Louisiana taxpayers to donate a portion of their state income tax refunds to the Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) organization. This provision allows individuals entitled to a tax refund to opt to direct all or part of that refund to support efforts related to sexual trauma awareness and response, thus fostering broader community involvement and support. The bill seeks to enhance funding for STAR, a nonprofit focused on providing assistance to sexual trauma survivors.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB 12 appears to be positive, with support for initiatives that enhance funding for nonprofit organizations dealing with sexual trauma. Many legislators and community advocates have expressed approval of the bill for its potential to provide a new funding stream for STAR and for increasing public awareness on an often stigmatized issue. However, potential concerns related to the allocation of tax revenues and the effectiveness of such donation mechanisms may have been discussed among some fiscal conservatives.

Contention

Despite its positive reception, there may be points of contention regarding the need for such a checkoff system, as some might argue that it could complicate the tax process or that state funding should not rely on voluntary donations. Critics might question the effectiveness of this approach in truly addressing the needs of sexual trauma survivors compared to direct state funding through established programs. Furthermore, monitoring and ensuring transparency in how donated funds are utilized by STAR could be areas for scrutiny.