The bill establishes the "Missouri Small Business Property Crime Prevention Grant Program" within the Department of Economic Development, aimed at providing financial assistance to small businesses for enhancing their safety and security. The program will offer grants to eligible small businesses, defined as independently owned enterprises with fewer than fifty employees, to fund physical security upgrades and repair damages caused by property crimes. Grants will be capped at one thousand dollars per business per fiscal year, with applications required to be submitted at least sixty days before the start of the fiscal year for which funding is sought. Additionally, the bill creates a dedicated fund, the "Missouri Small Business Property Crime Prevention Program Fund," to manage the financial resources allocated for the grants. The fund will consist of appropriated moneys and other contributions, and it will be used solely for the grant program. The program is set to sunset six years after its effective date unless reauthorized, and any unspent funds will revert to the general revenue fund at that time. The bill outlines the application process, eligibility criteria, and reporting requirements for grant recipients, ensuring accountability and effective use of the funds.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (6407H.01): 620.5010, 620.5012, 620.5014, 620.5016, 620.5018, 620.5020, 620.5022, 620.5024, 620.5026