MO HB2189

Repeals and reenacts section 620.515 to establish the "Hero at Home" program, which assists spouses of deployed National Guard and Reserve service members and helps returning service members find employment.

Provides eligible families with services including financial assistance for overdue bills, day care cost assistance, transportation help, vocational training, paid internships, subsidized employment, and job placement assistance for up to one year following discharge from deployment.

Requires the Department of Economic Development to operate the program through existing programs or contracts with qualified providers, including community-based nonprofits with experience in job training, veteran services, and national accreditation.

Program eligibility requires the primary income earner to have been called to active duty for more than four months, the family's primary income to be unavailable, significant financial hardship, and no other available resources for assistance.

Establishes an effective date of July 1, 2006, with the department required to have the program operational by August 1, 2006, and mandates a progress report to legislative leadership by January 1, 2011.