Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-27 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 12 / Section 35-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-27
Status: in_force

(a) For the purpose of aiding in the planning, undertaking or carrying out of an urban renewal project located within the area in which it is authorized to act, any public body may, upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine: (1) dedicate, sell, convey or lease any of its interest in any property or grant easements, licenses or other rights or privileges therein to a municipality; (2) incur the entire expense of any public improvements made by such public body in exercising the powers granted in this section; (3) do any and all things necessary to aid or cooperate in the planning or carrying out of an urban renewal plan; (4) lend, grant or contribute funds to a municipality; (5) enter into agreements (which may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary) with a municipality or other public body respecting action to be taken pursuant to any of the powers granted by this article, including the furnishing of funds or other assistance in connection with an urban renewal project; and (6) cause public buildings and public facilities, including parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, educational, water, sewer or drainage facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake to be furnished; furnish, dedicate, close, vacate, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan or replan streets, roads, sidewalks, ways or other places; plan or replan, zone or rezone any part of the public body or make exceptions from building regulations; and cause administrative and other services to be furnished to the municipality. If at any time title to or possession of any urban renewal project is held by any public body or governmental agency, other than the municipality, which is authorized by law to engage in the undertaking, carrying out, or administration of urban renewal projects (including any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America), the provisions of the agreements referred to in this section shall inure to the benefit of and may be enforced by such public body or governmental agency. As used in this subsection, the term “municipality” shall also include an urban renewal agency or a housing authority vested with all of the urban renewal project powers pursuant to the provisions of Section 43-35-31 .

(b) Any sale, conveyance, lease or agreement provided for in this section may be made by a public body without appraisal, public notice, advertisement or public bidding.

(c) For the purpose of aiding in the planning, undertaking or carrying out of an urban renewal project of an urban renewal agency or a housing authority hereunder, a municipality may (in addition to its other powers and upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine) do and perform any or all of the actions or things which, by the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a public body is authorized to do or perform, including the furnishing of financial and other assistance.

(d) For the purposes of this section, or for the purpose of aiding in the planning, undertaking or carrying out of an urban renewal project of a municipality, such municipality may (in addition to any authority to issue bonds pursuant to Section 43-35-21 ) issue and sell its general obligation bonds. Any bonds issued by a municipality pursuant to this section shall be issued in the manner and within the limitations prescribed by the laws of this state for the issuance and authorization of bonds by such municipality for public purposes generally.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-27 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 26 / Section 47-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-27
Status: in_force

The department shall adopt standards and other procedures and guidelines with forms to insure the effective implementation of the provisions of this chapter no later than October 1, 2001.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-19 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 39 / Section 47-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-19
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to abuse, neglect or exploit any vulnerable person.

(2)(a) Any person who willfully commits an act or willfully omits the performance of any duty, which act or omission contributes to, tends to contribute to, or results in neglect, physical pain, injury, mental anguish, unreasonable confinement or deprivation of services which are necessary to maintain the mental or physical health of a vulnerable person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year in the county jail, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any accepted medical procedure performed in the usual scope of practice shall not be a violation of this subsection.

(b) Any person who willfully exploits a vulnerable person, where the value of the exploitation is less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year in the county jail, or by both such fine and imprisonment; where the value of the exploitation is Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) or more, the person who exploits a vulnerable person shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than ten (10) years.

(3) Any person who willfully inflicts physical pain or injury upon a vulnerable person shall be guilty of felonious abuse or battery, or both, of a vulnerable person and, upon conviction thereof, may be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for not more than twenty (20) years.

(4) Any person who willfully inflicts severe mental anguish upon a vulnerable person shall be guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections and shall be fined not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

(5) For any third or subsequent misdemeanor conviction of any person violating any part of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, such person shall be guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections and shall be fined not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

(6) Nothing contained in this section shall prevent proceedings against a person under any statute of this state or municipal ordinance defining any act as a crime or misdemeanor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-111 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 35-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-111
Status: in_force

Any person affected by an order issued by the public officer may apply to the circuit court for an injunction restraining the public officer from carrying out the provisions of the order, and the court, or any judge thereof, may, upon such application, issue an order restraining the public officer pending final disposition of the cause. Hearings shall be had by the court on such applications within twenty (20) days, or as soon thereafter as possible, and shall be given preference over other matters on the court's calendar. The court shall hear and determine the issues raised, and shall enter such final order or decree as law and justice may require. In all such proceedings, the findings of the public officer as to facts, if supported by evidence, shall be conclusive. Costs shall be in the discretion of the court. The remedies herein provided shall be exclusive remedies, and no person affected by an order of the public officer shall be entitled to recover any damages for action taken by the public officer under such order or because of non-compliance therewith.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-907 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 15 / Section 21-907
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-907
Status: in_force

(1) The licensing agency shall have the following powers and duties, in addition to the other duties prescribed by law:

(a) To adopt the licensing standards set forth by the Juvenile Detention and Alternatives Taskforce's 2014 report;

(b) To promulgate future rules and regulations concerning the licensing and regulation of juvenile detention facilities;

(c) To issue, deny, suspend, revoke, restrict, or otherwise take disciplinary action against juvenile detention facilities;

(d) To provide the training required by the rules and regulations promulgated by the licensing agency to all facility administrators and facility staff; and

(e) To have such other powers as may be required to carry out the provisions of Sections 43-21-901 through 43-21-915 .

(2) The licensing agency shall require a criminal records background check and a child abuse registry check for all facility administrators and facility staff of a juvenile detention facility. The Department of Human Services has the authority to disclose to the licensing agency any potential applicant whose name is listed on the Child Abuse Central Registry or has a pending administrative review. That information shall remain confidential.

(3) The licensing agency shall have the authority to exclude individuals or entities for prospective or current employment on the basis of a particular crime or crimes or a substantiated finding of child abuse or neglect.

(4) Information in the possession of the licensing agency concerning the license of a juvenile detention facility may be disclosed to the public, but the information shall not be disclosed in a manner that would identify children detained in the facility. Nothing in this section affects the agency's authority to release findings of investigations into allegations of abuse under either Section 43-21-353(8) or Section 43-21-257 .

(5) The Mississippi Department of Education is responsible for promulgating rules and regulations related to the education of all children housed in a juvenile detention facility. The Mississippi Department of Education must conduct inspections of the facility's educational services at least annually or more often as deemed necessary. After each inspection, the department must provide the licensing agency with its determination of the facility's compliance with the education provisions. The licensing agency shall use the information in its determination of the facility's eligibility for licensure.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-19 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 55-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-19
Status: in_force

The commission shall comply with all requirements of federal law, including but not limited to requirements of coordination with other state agencies or with volunteer service programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 33 / Section 39-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-3
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a uniform policy for the fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced by the acquisition of real property by state and local land acquisition programs which are publicly funded in whole or in part. The policy shall be uniform as to (a) relocation payments, (b) advisory assistance, and (c) assurance of availability of standard housing under state or local land acquisition programs which are publicly funded in whole or in part.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-739 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 33-739
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-739
Status: in_force

The corporation may create and establish one or more reserve funds to be known as “debt service reserve funds” and the corporation may create and establish such other reserve funds as it shall deem advisable and necessary.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-35 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 28 / Section 33-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-35
Status: in_force

In addition to the powers conferred upon an authority by other provisions of this article, an authority is empowered to borrow money or accept contributions, grants or other financial assistance from the federal government for or in aid of any housing project within its area of operation, to take over or lease or manage any housing project or undertaking constructed or owned by the federal government, and to these ends, to comply with such conditions and enter into such mortgages, trust indentures, leases or agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable. It is the purpose and intent of this article to authorize every authority to do any and all things necessary or desirable to secure the financial aid or cooperation of the federal government in the undertaking, construction, maintenance or operation of any housing project by such authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-603 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 17 / Section 21-603
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-603
Status: in_force

(1) At the beginning of each disposition hearing, the judge shall inform the parties of the purpose of the hearing.

(2) All testimony shall be under oath unless waived by all parties and may be in narrative form. The court may consider any evidence that is material and relevant to the disposition of the cause, including hearsay and opinion evidence. At the conclusion of the evidence, the youth court shall give the parties an opportunity to present oral argument.

(3) If the child has been adjudicated a delinquent child, before entering a disposition order, the youth court should consider, among others, the following relevant factors:

(a) The nature of the offense;

(b) The manner in which the offense was committed;

(c) The nature and number of a child's prior adjudicated offenses;

(d) The child's need for care and assistance;

(e) The child's current medical history, including medication and diagnosis;

(f) The child's mental health history, which may include, but not be limited to, the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument version 2 (MAYSI-2);

(g) Copies of the child's cumulative record from the last school of record, including special education records, if applicable;

(h) Recommendation from the school of record based on areas of remediation needed;

(i) Disciplinary records from the school of record; and

(j) Records of disciplinary actions outside of the school setting.

(4) If the child has been adjudicated a child in need of supervision, before entering a disposition order, the youth court should consider, among others, the following relevant factors:

(a) The nature and history of the child's conduct;

(b) The family and home situation; and

(c) The child's need of care and assistance.

(5) If the child has been adjudicated a neglected child or an abused child, before entering a disposition order, the youth court shall consider, among others, the following relevant factors:

(a) The child's physical and mental conditions;

(b) The child's or family's need of assistance;

(c) The manner in which the parent, guardian or custodian participated in, tolerated or condoned the abuse, neglect or abandonment of the child;

(d) The ability of a child's parent, guardian or custodian to provide proper supervision and care of a child; and

(e) Relevant testimony and recommendations, where available, from the foster parent of the child, the grandparents of the child, the guardian ad litem of the child, representatives of any private care agency that has cared for the child, the family protection worker or family protection specialist assigned to the case, and any other relevant testimony pertaining to the case.

(6) After consideration of all the evidence and the relevant factors, the youth court shall enter a disposition order that shall not recite any of the facts or circumstances upon which the disposition is based, nor shall it recite that a child has been found guilty; but it shall recite that a child is found to be a delinquent child, a child in need of supervision, a neglected child or an abused child.

(7) If the youth court orders that the custody or supervision of a child who has been adjudicated abused or neglected be placed with the Department of Child Protection Services or any other person or public or private agency, other than the child's parent, guardian or custodian, the youth court shall find and the disposition order shall recite that:

(a)(i) Reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his own home, but that the circumstances warrant his removal and there is no reasonable alternative to custody; or

(ii) The circumstances are of such an emergency nature that no reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his own home, and that there is no reasonable alternative to custody; and

(b) That the effect of the continuation of the child's residence within his own home would be contrary to the welfare of the child and that the placement of the child in foster care is in the best interests of the child; or

(c) Reasonable efforts to maintain the child within his home shall not be required if the court determines that:

(i) The parent has subjected the child to aggravated circumstances, including, but not limited to, abandonment, torture, chronic abuse and sexual abuse; or

(ii) The parent has been convicted of murder of another child of that parent, voluntary manslaughter of another child of that parent, aided or abetted, attempted, conspired or solicited to commit that murder or voluntary manslaughter, or a felony assault that results in the serious bodily injury to the surviving child or another child of that parent; or

(iii) The parental rights of the parent to a sibling have been terminated involuntarily; and

(iv) That the effect of the continuation of the child's residence within his own home would be contrary to the welfare of the child and that placement of the child in foster care is in the best interests of the child.

Once the reasonable efforts requirement is bypassed, the court shall have a permanency hearing under Section 43-21-613 within thirty (30) days of the finding.

(8) Upon a written motion by a party, the youth court shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law upon which it relies for the disposition order. If the disposition ordered by the youth court includes placing the child in the custody of a training school, an admission packet shall be prepared for the child that contains the following information:

(a) The child's current medical history, including medications and diagnosis;

(b) The child's mental health history;

(c) Copies of the child's cumulative record from the last school of record, including special education records, if reasonably available;

(d) Recommendation from the school of record based on areas of remediation needed;

(e) Disciplinary records from the school of record; and

(f) Records of disciplinary actions outside of the school setting, if reasonably available.

Only individuals who are permitted under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) shall have access to a child's medical records which are contained in an admission packet. The youth court shall provide the admission packet to the training school at or before the child's arrival at the training school. The admittance of any child to a training school shall take place between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on designated admission days.

(9) When a child in the jurisdiction of the Youth Court is committed to the custody of the Mississippi Department of Human Services or the Department of Child Protection Services and is believed to be in need of treatment for a mental or emotional disability or infirmity, the Department of Human Services or the Department of Child Protection Services shall file an affidavit alleging that the child is in need of mental health services with the Youth Court. The Youth Court shall refer the child to the appropriate community mental health center for evaluation pursuant to Section 41-21-67 . If the prescreening evaluation recommends residential care, the Youth Court shall proceed with civil commitment pursuant to Sections 41-21-61 et seq. , 43-21-315 and 43-21-611 , and the Department of Mental Health, once commitment is ordered, shall provide appropriate care, treatment and services for at least as many adolescents as were provided services in fiscal year 2004 in its facilities.

(10) Any screening and assessment examinations ordered by the court may aid in dispositions related to delinquency, but no statements or admissions made during the course thereof may be admitted into evidence against the child on the issue of whether the child committed a delinquent act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-43-1 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 43 / Section 43-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-43-1
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Mississippi Legislature to strengthen legislative oversight over the administration of federal funds provided under Title XX of the Social Security Act of 1935, as amended, originally enacted as Public Law 93-647.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-53-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 37 / Section 53-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-53-9
Status: in_force

The establishment of the Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging shall not impede the intent of the Vulnerable Adults Act of 1986 as provided in Section 43-47-1, et seq.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-105 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 21-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-105
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases, for purposes of this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly otherwise requires:

(a) “ Youth court ” means the Youth Court Division.

(b) “ Judge ” means the judge of the Youth Court Division.

(c) “ Designee ” means any person that the judge appoints to perform a duty which this chapter requires to be done by the judge or his designee. The judge may not appoint a person who is involved in law enforcement or who is an employee of the Mississippi Department of Human Services or the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services to be his designee.

(d) “ Child ” and “ youth ” are synonymous, and each means a person who has not reached his eighteenth birthday. A child who has not reached his eighteenth birthday and is on active duty for a branch of the armed services or is married is not considered a “ child ” or “ youth ” for the purposes of this chapter.

(e) “ Parent ” means the father or mother to whom the child has been born, or the father or mother by whom the child has been legally adopted.

(f) “ Guardian ” means a court-appointed guardian of the person of a child.

(g) “ Custodian ” means any person having the present care or custody of a child whether such person be a parent or otherwise.

(h) “ Legal custodian ” means a court-appointed custodian of the child.

(i) “ Delinquent child ” means a child who has reached his tenth birthday and who has committed a delinquent act.

(j) “ Delinquent act ” is any act, which if committed by an adult, is designated as a crime under state or federal law, or municipal or county ordinance other than offenses punishable by life imprisonment or death. A delinquent act includes escape from lawful detention and violations of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law and violent behavior.

(k) “ Child in need of supervision ” means a child who has reached his seventh birthday and is in need of treatment or rehabilitation because the child:

(i) Is habitually disobedient of reasonable and lawful commands of his parent, guardian or custodian and is ungovernable; or

(ii) While being required to attend school, willfully and habitually violates the rules thereof or willfully and habitually absents himself therefrom; or

(iii) Runs away from home without good cause; or

(iv) Has committed a delinquent act or acts.

(l) “ Neglected child ” means a child:

(i) Whose parent, guardian or custodian or any person responsible for his care or support, neglects or refuses, when able so to do, to provide for him proper and necessary care or support, or education as required by law, or medical, surgical, or other care necessary for his well-being; however, a parent who withholds medical treatment from any child who in good faith is under treatment by spiritual means alone through prayer in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination by a duly accredited practitioner thereof shall not, for that reason alone, be considered to be neglectful under any provision of this chapter; or

(ii) Who is otherwise without proper care, custody, supervision or support; or

(iii) Who, for any reason, lacks the special care made necessary for him by reason of his mental condition, whether the mental condition is having mental illness or having an intellectual disability; or

(iv) Who is not provided by the child's parent, guardian or custodian, with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of the child, excluding such failure caused primarily by financial inability unless relief services have been offered and refused and the child is in imminent risk of harm.

(m) “ Abused child ” means a child whose parent, guardian or custodian or any person responsible for his care or support, whether legally obligated to do so or not, has caused or allowed to be caused, upon the child, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, commercial sexual exploitation, emotional abuse, mental injury, nonaccidental physical injury or other maltreatment. However, physical discipline, including spanking, performed on a child by a parent, guardian or custodian in a reasonable manner shall not be deemed abuse under this section. “ Abused child ” also means a child who is or has been trafficked within the meaning of the Mississippi Human Trafficking Act by any person, without regard to the relationship of the person to the child.

(n) “ Sexual abuse ” means obscene or pornographic photographing, filming or depiction of children for commercial purposes, or the rape, molestation, incest, prostitution or other such forms of sexual exploitation of children under circumstances which indicate that the child's health or welfare is harmed or threatened.

(o) “A child in need of special care ” means a child with any mental or physical illness that cannot be treated with the dispositional alternatives ordinarily available to the youth court.

(p) A “ dependent child ” means any child who is not a child in need of supervision, a delinquent child, an abused child or a neglected child, and which child has been voluntarily placed in the custody of the Department of Child Protection Services by his parent, guardian or custodian.

(q) “ Custody ” means the physical possession of the child by any person.

(r) “ Legal custody ” means the legal status created by a court order which gives the legal custodian the responsibilities of physical possession of the child and the duty to provide him with food, shelter, education and reasonable medical care, all subject to residual rights and responsibilities of the parent or guardian of the person.

(s) “ Detention ” means the care of children in physically restrictive facilities.

(t) “ Shelter ” means care of children in physically nonrestrictive facilities.

(u) “ Records involving children ” means any of the following from which the child can be identified:

(i) All youth court records as defined in Section 43-21-251 ;

(ii) All forensic interviews conducted by a child advocacy center in abuse and neglect investigations;

(iii) All law enforcement records as defined in Section 43-21-255 ;

(iv) All agency records as defined in Section 43-21-257 ; and

(v) All other documents maintained by any representative of the state, county, municipality or other public agency insofar as they relate to the apprehension, custody, adjudication or disposition of a child who is the subject of a youth court cause.

(v) “ Any person responsible for care or support ” means the person who is providing for the child at a given time. This term shall include, but is not limited to, stepparents, foster parents, relatives, nonlicensed babysitters or other similar persons responsible for a child and staff of residential care facilities and group homes that are licensed by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Child Protection Services.

(w) The singular includes the plural, the plural the singular and the masculine the feminine when consistent with the intent of this chapter.

(x) “ Out-of-home ” setting means the temporary supervision or care of children by the staff of licensed day care centers, the staff of public, private and state schools, the staff of juvenile detention facilities, the staff of unlicensed residential care facilities and group homes and the staff of, or individuals representing, churches, civic or social organizations.

(y) “ Durable legal custody ” means the legal status created by a court order which gives the durable legal custodian the responsibilities of physical possession of the child and the duty to provide him with care, nurture, welfare, food, shelter, education and reasonable medical care. All these duties as enumerated are subject to the residual rights and responsibilities of the natural parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child or children.

(z) “ Status offense ” means conduct subject to adjudication by the youth court that would not be a crime if committed by an adult.

(aa) “ Financially able ” means a parent or child who is ineligible for a court-appointed attorney.

(bb) “ Assessment ” means an individualized examination of a child to determine the child's psychosocial needs and problems, including the type and extent of any mental health, substance abuse or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders and recommendations for treatment. The term includes, but is not limited to, a drug and alcohol, psychological or psychiatric evaluation, records review, clinical interview or the administration of a formal test and instrument.

(cc) “ Screening ” means a process, with or without the administration of a formal instrument, that is designed to identify a child who is at increased risk of having mental health, substance abuse or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders that warrant immediate attention, intervention or more comprehensive assessment.

(dd) “ Durable legal relative guardianship ” means the legal status created by a youth court order that conveys the physical and legal custody of a child or children by durable legal guardianship to a relative or fictive kin who is licensed as a foster or resource parent.

(ee) “ Relative ” means a person related to the child by affinity or consanguinity within the third degree.

(ff) “ Fictive kin ” means a person not related to the child legally or biologically but who is considered a relative due to a significant, familial-like and ongoing relationship with the child and family.

(gg) “ Reasonable efforts ” means the exercise of reasonable care and due diligence by the Department of Human Services, the Department of Child Protection Services, or any other appropriate entity or person to use services appropriate to the child's background, accessible, and available to meet the individualized needs of the child and child's family to prevent removal and reunify the family as soon as safely possible consistent with the best interests of the child. Reasonable efforts must be made in collaboration with the family and must address the individualized needs of the family that brought the child to the attention of the Department of Child Protection Services and must not consist of required services that are not related to the family's needs.

(hh) “ Commercial sexual exploitation ” means any sexual act or crime of a sexual nature, which is committed against a child for financial or economic gain, to obtain a thing of value for quid pro quo exchange of property or for any other purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-1 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 11 / Section 26-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-1
Status: repealed

(1) There is created a Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

(2) The Chief Administrative Officer of the Department of Child Protection Services shall be the Commissioner of Child Protection Services who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The commissioner shall possess the following qualifications:

(a) A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and ten (10) years' experience in management, public administration, finance or accounting; or

(b) A master's or doctoral degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and five (5) years' experience in management, public administration, finance, law or accounting.

(3) The Department of Child Protection Services shall provide the services authorized by law to every individual determined to be eligible therefor, and in carrying out the purposes of the department, the commissioner is authorized:

(a) To formulate the policy of the department regarding child welfare services within the jurisdiction of the department;

(b) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the department under any and all statutes within the department's jurisdiction;

(c) To apply for, receive and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, devises, bequests or funds from any other source;

(d) To enter into and execute contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the programs of the department; and

(e) To discharge such other duties, responsibilities, and powers as are necessary to implement the programs of the department.

(4) The commissioner shall establish the organizational structure of the Department of Child Protection Services, which shall include the creation of any units necessary to implement the duties assigned to the department and consistent with specific requirements of law.

(5) The commissioner shall appoint heads of offices, bureaus, and divisions, as defined in Section 7-17-11 , who shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner. The salary and compensation of such office, bureau and division heads shall be subject to the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the State Personnel Board. The commissioner shall have the authority to organize offices as deemed appropriate to carry out the responsibilities of the department.

(6) The Department of Child Protection Services shall be responsible for the development, execution, and provision of services in the following areas:

(a) Protective services for children;

(b) Foster care;

(c) Adoption services;

(d) Special services;

(e) Interstate compact;

(f) Licensure;

(g) Prevention services; and

(h) Such other services as may be designated. Services enumerated under Section 43-15-13 et seq. , for the foster care program shall be provided by qualified staff with appropriate case loads.

(7) The Department of Child Protection Services shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To provide basic services and assistance statewide to needy and disadvantaged individuals and families;

(b) To promote integration of the many services and programs within its jurisdiction at the client level thus improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery and providing easier access to clients;

(c) To employ personnel and expend funds appropriated to the department to carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned to the department by law;

(d) To fingerprint and conduct a background investigation on every employee, contractor, subcontractor and volunteer:

(i) Who has direct access to clients of the department who are children or vulnerable adults;

(ii) Who is in a position of fiduciary responsibility;

(iii) Who is in a position with access to Federal Tax Information (FTI); or

(iv) Who is otherwise required by federal law or regulations to undergo a background investigation.

Every such employee, contractor, subcontractor and volunteer shall provide a valid current social security number and/or driver's license number, which shall be furnished to conduct the background investigation for determination as to good moral character and to ensure that no person placed in any position referenced in this paragraph (d) has a felony conviction that would prevent employment or access to Federal Tax Information according to department policy. If no disqualifying record is identified at the state level, the fingerprints shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a fingerprint-based national criminal history record check. The department shall be the recipient of the results of any background investigation and/or criminal history record check performed in accordance with this paragraph;

(e) To establish and maintain programs not inconsistent with the terms of this chapter and the rules, regulations and policies of the Department of Child Protection Services, and publish the rules and regulations of the department pertaining to such programs;

(f) To provide all other child welfare programs and services previously provided by the Department of Human Services or a division thereof; and

(g) Make such reports in such form and containing such information as the federal government may, from time to time, require, and comply with such provisions as the federal government may, from time to time, find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports.

(8) The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services shall submit a copy of the federal Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR) to the Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Chair of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor by December 1 of each year.

(9)(a) The Commissioner of Child Protection Services shall hire a Coordinator of Services for Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation within the Department of Child Protection Services whose duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(i) To form specialized human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation assessment teams to respond on an as-needed basis to act as an emergency, separate and specialized response and assessment team to rapidly respond to the needs of children who are victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation;

(ii) To identify victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation;

(iii) To monitor, record and distribute federal human trafficking funds received by the Department of Child Protection Services;

(iv) To employ staff to investigate allegations of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation; and

(v) To develop and coordinate services within the Department of Child Protection Services and with outside service providers for victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

(b) The Commissioner of Child Protection Services shall develop standard operating procedures for the investigation, custody and services provided to alleged victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

(c) The Commissioner shall require two (2) hours of training regarding the subject of identifying, assessing, and providing comprehensive services to a child who has experienced or is alleged to have experienced commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking. The training must be incorporated into the pre-service training requirements of all Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services family specialists, adoption specialists, licensure specialists, direct supervisors of family protection specialists, direct supervisors of adoption specialists, and direct supervisors of licensure specialists.

(10) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2028.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-211 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 14 / Section 35-211
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-211
Status: in_force

Bonds issued under the provisions of this article shall be payable, both principal and interest, solely out of such (i) special taxes levied pursuant to subsection (1) of Section 43-35-202 , (ii) parking facility tax increment financing revenues as provided in subsection (2) of Section 43-35-202 , (iii) payments to be made to any redevelopment authority or urban renewal agency or municipality authorized pursuant to subsections (1) , (2) or (3) of Section 43-35-202 , or (iv) net revenues to accrue from the operation of the parking facilities and related structures for which such bonds were issued or any combination thereof, as shall be specified in the resolution authorizing issuance of such bonds, and the full faith and credit of the issuing authority shall not be pledged therefor, and such fact shall be recited on the face of each bond. “Revenues” as used herein with respect to parking facilities shall mean all charges, rentals, tolls, rents, gifts, grants, contributions, and all other funds accruing from the operation, lease, or sale of parking facilities and related structures; “net revenues” as used herein, shall mean the revenues remaining after payment of costs and expenses of operation and maintenance of the parking facilities and related structures. The commissioners of an urban renewal agency or redevelopment authority may, in their discretion, make payments to the municipality and county within which such parking facilities are located, in lieu of taxes, and such payments may be deducted in determining net revenues to the extent permitted in the resolution under which such bonds are issued.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-11 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 16 / Section 55-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-11
Status: in_force

The commission shall have staff necessary for the commission to perform its functions. The commission staff shall include an executive director. The executive director shall report directly to the commission for the purpose of giving and making recommendations on programs and laws related to volunteerism and community service.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-5 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 53 / Section 59-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-5
Status: in_force

The commission shall have the powers and authority necessary to carry out the duties imposed upon it by this chapter, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) To conduct research and to study issues affecting the status of women in Mississippi;

(b) To advise and consult with the executive and legislative branches on policies affecting the status of women in Mississippi;

(c) To publish periodic reports documenting the legal, economic, social and political status, and other concerns of women in Mississippi;

(d) To assess programs and practices in all state agencies as those programs and practices affect women;

(e) To maintain an office and to acquire on a contractual or other basis any legal, technical and research expertise and support services as the commission may require for the discharge of its duties;

(f) To hold hearings, meetings, conferences and workshops, to make and sign any agreements, and to do or perform any acts that may be necessary, desirable or proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

(g) To appoint advisers or advisory committees if the commission determines that the experience or expertise of the advisors or advisory committees is needed for projects of the commission;

(h) To apply for and accept funds, grants, gifts and services from the state or federal government or any of their agencies, or any other public or private source, for the purpose of defraying clerical, administrative and other costs as may be necessary in carrying out the commission's duties under this chapter;

(i) To establish nonprofit entities for the purpose of defraying costs incurred in the performance of the commission's duties; and

(j) To utilize voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, agencies and organizations as may be offered and needed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-17 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 12 / Section 20-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-17
Status: in_force

Information in the possession of the licensing agency concerning the license of individual child care facilities may be disclosed to the public, except such information shall not be disclosed in such manner as to identify children or families of children cared for at a child care facility. Nothing in this section shall affect the agency's authority to release findings of investigations into allegations of abuse pursuant to either Section 43-21-353(8) or Section 43-21-257 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-29 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-29
Status: in_force

Academic and vocational training at all institutions under the department of youth services shall meet standards prescribed by the state department of education based upon standards required for public schools. The department may prescribe such additional requirements as it may from time to time deem necessary. The state superintendent of education will administer the standards related to the high school and elementary school programs. Reports from the state department of education evaluating the educational program at all juvenile correctional institutions and indicating whether or not the program meets the standards as prescribed shall be made directly to the director of the division of juvenile correctional institutions at regularly scheduled meetings. Such state department of education supervisory personnel as deemed appropriate shall be utilized for evaluating the programs and for reporting to the director of said division.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-215 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 35-215
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-215
Status: in_force

In the discretion of the issuing authority, all bonds may be further secured by a trust agreement between the issuing authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having powers of a trust company within or without the state. Any such trust agreement or any resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as are reasonable and proper and not in violation of law. The trust agreement may contain provisions for the issuance of additional bonds under the procedures established by this article for any of the purposes authorized by this law which shall be secured by the revenues pledged thereunder for such bonds to the extent provided therein.

The trust agreement may include provisions to the effect that, if there is any default in the payment of principal or interest on any of said bonds, any court of competent jurisdiction may appoint a receiver to administer the properties and facilities of the authority described in the trust agreement on behalf of the municipality or urban renewal agency or redevelopment authority, including authority to sell or make contracts for the sale of any services, facilities or commodities of the authority or to renew such contracts, subject to the approval of the court appointing the said receiver; and with power to provide for the payment of such bonds outstanding, or the payment of operating expenses, and to apply the income and revenues to the payment of the said bonds and interest thereon in accordance with the resolution of the authority authorizing the issuance of such bonds and the said trust agreement. The fee for the services of any corporate trustee shall not exceed the normal charges for acting as paying agent, plus any additional amount or amounts allowed by the court as the reasonable value of services rendered by the corporate trustee.

The powers herein granted may be exercised whether or not a trust agreement is entered into and, if no trust agreement is entered into, such provisions as are above authorized may be set out in the resolution authorizing the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-1 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 18 / Section 39-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the “Relocation Assistance Law.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-105 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 17 / Section 19-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-105
Status: in_force

The court may not consider incarceration as intentional or voluntary unemployment or underemployment when establishing or modifying a child-support order.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-13-116 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 12 / Section 13-116
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-13-116
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be the duty of the Division of Medicaid to fully implement and carry out the administrative functions of determining the eligibility of those persons who qualify for medical assistance under Section 43-13-115 .

(2) In determining Medicaid eligibility, the Division of Medicaid is authorized to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of securing the transfer of eligibility information from the Social Security Administration on those individuals receiving supplemental security income benefits under the federal Social Security Act and any other information necessary in determining Medicaid eligibility. The Division of Medicaid is further empowered to enter into contractual arrangements with its fiscal agent or with the State Department of Human Services in securing electronic data processing support as may be necessary.

(3) Administrative hearings shall be available to any applicant who requests it because his or her claim of eligibility for services is denied or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness or by any recipient who requests it because he or she believes the agency has erroneously taken action to deny, reduce, or terminate benefits. The agency need not grant a hearing if the sole issue is a federal or state law requiring an automatic change adversely affecting some or all recipients. Eligibility determinations that are made by other agencies and certified to the Division of Medicaid pursuant to Section 43-13-115 are not subject to the administrative hearing procedures of the Division of Medicaid but are subject to the administrative hearing procedures of the agency that determined eligibility.

(a) A request may be made either for a local regional office hearing or a state office hearing when the local regional office has made the initial decision that the claimant seeks to appeal or when the regional office has not acted with reasonable promptness in making a decision on a claim for eligibility or services. The only exception to requesting a local hearing is when the issue under appeal involves either (i) a disability or blindness denial, or termination, or (ii) a level of care denial or termination for a disabled child living at home. An appeal involving disability, blindness or level of care must be handled as a state level hearing. The decision from the local hearing may be appealed to the state office for a state hearing. A decision to deny, reduce or terminate benefits that is initially made at the state office may be appealed by requesting a state hearing.

(b) A request for a hearing, either state or local, must be made in writing by the claimant or claimant's legal representative. “ Legal representative ” includes the claimant's authorized representative, an attorney retained by the claimant or claimant's family to represent the claimant, a paralegal representative with a legal aid services, a parent of a minor child if the claimant is a child, a legal guardian or conservator or an individual with power of attorney for the claimant. The claimant may also be represented by anyone that he or she so designates but must give the designation to the Medicaid regional office or state office in writing, if the person is not the legal representative, legal guardian, or authorized representative.

(c) The claimant may make a request for a hearing in person at the regional office but an oral request must be put into written form. Regional office staff will determine from the claimant if a local or state hearing is requested and assist the claimant in completing and signing the appropriate form. Regional office staff may forward a state hearing request to the appropriate division in the state office or the claimant may mail the form to the address listed on the form. The claimant may make a written request for a hearing by letter. A simple statement requesting a hearing that is signed by the claimant or legal representative is sufficient; however, if possible, the claimant should state the reason for the request. The letter may be mailed to the regional office or it may be mailed to the state office. If the letter does not specify the type of hearing desired, local or state, Medicaid staff will attempt to contact the claimant to determine the level of hearing desired. If contact cannot be made within three (3) days of receipt of the request, the request will be assumed to be for a local hearing and scheduled accordingly. A hearing will not be scheduled until either a letter or the appropriate form is received by the regional or state office.

(d) When both members of a couple wish to appeal an action or inaction by the agency that affects both applications or cases similarly and arose from the same issue, one or both may file the request for hearing, both may present evidence at the hearing, and the agency's decision will be applicable to both. If both file a request for hearing, two (2) hearings will be registered but they will be conducted on the same day and in the same place, either consecutively or jointly, as the couple wishes. If they so desire, only one of the couple need attend the hearing.

(e) The procedure for administrative hearings shall be as follows:

(i) The claimant has thirty (30) days from the date the agency mails the appropriate notice to the claimant of its decision regarding eligibility, services, or benefits to request either a state or local hearing. This time period may be extended if the claimant can show good cause for not filing within thirty (30) days. Good cause includes, but may not be limited to, illness, failure to receive the notice, being out of state, or some other reasonable explanation. If good cause can be shown, a late request may be accepted provided the facts in the case remain the same. If a claimant's circumstances have changed or if good cause for filing a request beyond thirty (30) days is not shown, a hearing request will not be accepted. If the claimant wishes to have eligibility reconsidered, he or she may reapply.

(ii) If a claimant or representative requests a hearing in writing during the advance notice period before benefits are reduced or terminated, benefits must be continued or reinstated to the benefit level in effect before the effective date of the adverse action. Benefits will continue at the original level until the final hearing decision is rendered. Any hearing requested after the advance notice period will not be accepted as a timely request in order for continuation of benefits to apply.

(iii) Upon receipt of a written request for a hearing, the request will be acknowledged in writing within twenty (20) days and a hearing scheduled. The claimant or representative will be given at least five (5) days' advance notice of the hearing date. The local and/or state level hearings will be held by telephone unless, at the hearing officer's discretion, it is determined that an in-person hearing is necessary. If a local hearing is requested, the regional office will notify the claimant or representative in writing of the time of the local hearing. If a state hearing is requested, the state office will notify the claimant or representative in writing of the time of the state hearing. If an in-person hearing is necessary, local hearings will be held at the regional office and state hearings will be held at the state office unless other arrangements are necessitated by the claimant's inability to travel.

(iv) All persons attending a hearing will attend for the purpose of giving information on behalf of the claimant or rendering the claimant assistance in some other way, or for the purpose of representing the Division of Medicaid.

(v) A state or local hearing request may be withdrawn at any time before the scheduled hearing, or after the hearing is held but before a decision is rendered. The withdrawal must be in writing and signed by the claimant or representative. A hearing request will be considered abandoned if the claimant or representative fails to appear at a scheduled hearing without good cause. If no one appears for a hearing, the appropriate office will notify the claimant in writing that the hearing is dismissed unless good cause is shown for not attending. The proposed agency action will be taken on the case following failure to appear for a hearing if the action has not already been effected.

(vi) The claimant or his representative has the following rights in connection with a local or state hearing:

(A) The right to examine at a reasonable time before the date of the hearing and during the hearing the content of the claimant's case record;

(B) The right to have legal representation at the hearing and to bring witnesses;

(C) The right to produce documentary evidence and establish all facts and circumstances concerning eligibility, services, or benefits;

(D) The right to present an argument without undue interference;

(E) The right to question or refute any testimony or evidence including an opportunity to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses.

(vii) When a request for a local hearing is received by the regional office or if the regional office is notified by the state office that a local hearing has been requested, the Medicaid specialist supervisor in the regional office will review the case record, reexamine the action taken on the case, and determine if policy and procedures have been followed. If any adjustments or corrections should be made, the Medicaid specialist supervisor will ensure that corrective action is taken. If the request for hearing was timely made such that continuation of benefits applies, the Medicaid specialist supervisor will ensure that benefits continue at the level before the proposed adverse action that is the subject of the appeal. The Medicaid specialist supervisor will also ensure that all needed information, verification, and evidence is in the case record for the hearing.

(viii) When a state hearing is requested that appeals the action or inaction of a regional office, the regional office will prepare copies of the case record and forward it to the appropriate division in the state office no later than five (5) days after receipt of the request for a state hearing. The original case record will remain in the regional office. Either the original case record in the regional office or the copy forwarded to the state office will be available for inspection by the claimant or claimant's representative a reasonable time before the date of the hearing.

(ix) The Medicaid specialist supervisor will serve as the hearing officer for a local hearing unless the Medicaid specialist supervisor actually participated in the eligibility, benefits, or services decision under appeal, in which case the Medicaid specialist supervisor must appoint a Medicaid specialist in the regional office who did not actually participate in the decision under appeal to serve as hearing officer. The local hearing will be an informal proceeding in which the claimant or representative may present new or additional information, may question the action taken on the client's case, and will hear an explanation from agency staff as to the regulations and requirements that were applied to claimant's case in making the decision.

(x) After the hearing, the hearing officer will prepare a written summary of the hearing procedure and file it with the case record. The hearing officer will consider the facts presented at the local hearing in reaching a decision. The claimant will be notified of the local hearing decision on the appropriate form that will state clearly the reason for the decision, the policy that governs the decision, the claimant's right to appeal the decision to the state office, and, if the original adverse action is upheld, the new effective date of the reduction or termination of benefits or services if continuation of benefits applied during the hearing process. The new effective date of the reduction or termination of benefits or services must be at the end of the fifteen-day advance notice period from the mailing date of the notice of hearing decision. The notice to claimant will be made part of the case record.

(xi) The claimant has the right to appeal a local hearing decision by requesting a state hearing in writing within fifteen (15) days of the mailing date of the notice of local hearing decision. The state hearing request should be made to the regional office. If benefits have been continued pending the local hearing process, then benefits will continue throughout the fifteen-day advance notice period for an adverse local hearing decision. If a state hearing is timely requested within the fifteen-day period, then benefits will continue pending the state hearing process. State hearings requested after the fifteen-day local hearing advance notice period will not be accepted unless the initial thirty-day period for filing a hearing request has not expired because the local hearing was held early, in which case a state hearing request will be accepted as timely within the number of days remaining of the unexpired initial thirty-day period in addition to the fifteen-day time period. Continuation of benefits during the state hearing process, however, will only apply if the state hearing request is received within the fifteen-day advance notice period.

(xii) When a request for a state hearing is received in the regional office, the request will be made part of the case record and the regional office will prepare the case record and forward it to the appropriate division in the state office within five (5) days of receipt of the state hearing request. A request for a state hearing received in the state office will be forwarded to the regional office for inclusion in the case record and the regional office will prepare the case record and forward it to the appropriate division in the state office within five (5) days of receipt of the state hearing request.

(xiii) Upon receipt of the hearing record, an impartial hearing officer will be assigned to hear the case either by the Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid or his or her designee. Hearing officers will be individuals with appropriate expertise employed by the division and who have not been involved in any way with the action or decision on appeal in the case. The hearing officer will review the case record and if the review shows that an error was made in the action of the agency or in the interpretation of policy, or that a change of policy has been made, the hearing officer will discuss these matters with the appropriate agency personnel and request that an appropriate adjustment be made. Appropriate agency personnel will discuss the matter with the claimant and if the claimant is agreeable to the adjustment of the claim, then agency personnel will request in writing dismissal of the hearing and the reason therefor, to be placed in the case record. If the hearing is to go forward, it shall be scheduled by the hearing officer in the manner set forth in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph (e).

(xiv) In conducting the hearing, the state hearing officer will inform those present of the following:

(A) That the hearing will be recorded on tape and that a transcript of the proceedings will be typed for the record;

(B) The action taken by the agency which prompted the appeal;

(C) An explanation of the claimant's rights during the hearing as outlined in subparagraph (vi) of this paragraph (e);

(D) That the purpose of the hearing is for the claimant to express dissatisfaction and present additional information or evidence;

(E) That the case record is available for review by the claimant or representative during the hearing;

(F) That the final hearing decision will be rendered by the Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid on the basis of facts presented at the hearing and the case record and that the claimant will be notified by letter of the final decision.

(xv) During the hearing, the claimant and/or representative will be allowed an opportunity to make a full statement concerning the appeal and will be assisted, if necessary, in disclosing all information on which the claim is based. All persons representing the claimant and those representing the Division of Medicaid will have the opportunity to state all facts pertinent to the appeal. The hearing officer may recess or continue the hearing for a reasonable time should additional information or facts be required or if some change in the claimant's circumstances occurs during the hearing process which impacts the appeal. When all information has been presented, the hearing officer will close the hearing and stop the recorder.

(xvi) Immediately following the hearing the hearing tape will be transcribed and a copy of the transcription forwarded to the regional office for filing in the case record. As soon as possible, the hearing officer shall review the evidence and record of the proceedings, testimony, exhibits, and other supporting documents, prepare a written summary of the facts as the hearing officer finds them, and prepare a written recommendation of action to be taken by the agency, citing appropriate policy and regulations that govern the recommendation. The decision cannot be based on any material, oral or written, not available to the claimant before or during the hearing. The hearing officer's recommendation will become part of the case record which will be submitted to the Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid for further review and decision.

(xvii) The Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid, upon review of the recommendation, proceedings and the record, may sustain the recommendation of the hearing officer, reject the same, or remand the matter to the hearing officer to take additional testimony and evidence, in which case, the hearing officer thereafter shall submit to the executive director a new recommendation. The executive director shall prepare a written decision summarizing the facts and identifying policies and regulations that support the decision, which shall be mailed to the claimant and the representative, with a copy to the regional office if appropriate, as soon as possible after submission of a recommendation by the hearing officer. The decision notice will specify any action to be taken by the agency, specify any revised eligibility dates or, if continuation of benefits applies, will notify the claimant of the new effective date of reduction or termination of benefits or services, which will be fifteen (15) days from the mailing date of the notice of decision. The decision rendered by the Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid is final and binding. The claimant is entitled to seek judicial review in a court of proper jurisdiction.

(xviii) The Division of Medicaid must take final administrative action on a hearing, whether state or local, within ninety (90) days from the date of the initial request for a hearing.

(xix) A group hearing may be held for a number of claimants under the following circumstances:

(A) The Division of Medicaid may consolidate the cases and conduct a single group hearing when the only issue involved is one (1) of a single law or agency policy;

(B) The claimants may request a group hearing when there is one (1) issue of agency policy common to all of them.

In all group hearings, whether initiated by the Division of Medicaid or by the claimants, the policies governing fair hearings must be followed. Each claimant in a group hearing must be permitted to present his or her own case and be represented by his or her own representative, or to withdraw from the group hearing and have his or her appeal heard individually. As in individual hearings, the hearing will be conducted only on the issue being appealed, and each claimant will be expected to keep individual testimony within a reasonable time frame as a matter of consideration to the other claimants involved.

(xx) Any specific matter necessitating an administrative hearing not otherwise provided under this article or agency policy shall be afforded under the hearing procedures as outlined above. If the specific time frames of such a unique matter relating to requesting, granting, and concluding of the hearing is contrary to the time frames as set out in the hearing procedures above, the specific time frames will govern over the time frames as set out within these procedures.

(4) The Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid, with the approval of the Governor, shall be authorized to employ eligibility, technical, clerical and supportive staff as may be required in carrying out and fully implementing the determination of Medicaid eligibility, including conducting quality control reviews and the investigation of the improper receipt of medical assistance. Staffing needs will be set forth in the annual appropriation act for the division. Additional office space as needed in performing eligibility, quality control and investigative functions shall be obtained by the division.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-257 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 19 / Section 21-257
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-257
Status: in_force

(1) Unless otherwise provided in this section, any record involving children, including valid and invalid complaints, and the contents thereof maintained by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Child Protection Services, or any other state agency, shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed except as provided in Section 43-21-261 .

(2) The Office of Youth Services shall maintain a state central registry containing the number and disposition of all cases together with such other useful information regarding those cases as may be requested and is obtainable from the records of the youth court. The Office of Youth Services shall annually publish a statistical record of the number and disposition of all cases, but the names or identity of any children shall not be disclosed in the reports or records. The Office of Youth Services shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to carry out this subsection. The central registry files and the contents thereof shall be confidential and shall not be open to public inspection. Any person who discloses or encourages the disclosure of any record involving children from the central registry shall be subject to the penalty in Section 43-21-267 . The youth court shall furnish, upon forms provided by the Office of Youth Services, the necessary information, and these completed forms shall be forwarded to the Office of Youth Services. The Department of Human Services and its employees are exempt from any civil liability as a result of any action taken pursuant to the compilation or release of information on the central registry under this section and any other applicable section of this code, unless determined that an employee has willfully and maliciously violated the rules and administrative procedures of the department pertaining to the central registry or any section of this code. If an employee is determined to have willfully and maliciously performed such a violation, said employee shall not be exempt from civil liability in this regard.

(3) The Department of Child Protection Services shall maintain a state central registry on neglect and abuse cases containing (a) the name, address and age of each child, (b) the nature of the harm reported, (c) the name and address of the person responsible for the care of the child, and (d) the name and address of the substantiated perpetrator of the harm reported. “Substantiated perpetrator” shall be defined as an individual who has committed an act(s) of sexual abuse or physical abuse that would otherwise be deemed as a felony or any child neglect that would be deemed as a threat to life. A name is to be added to the registry only based upon a criminal conviction or an adjudication by a youth court judge or court of competent jurisdiction, ordering that the name of the perpetrator be listed on the central registry. The central registry shall be confidential and shall not be open to public inspection. Any person who discloses or encourages the disclosure of any record involving children from the central registry without following the rules and administrative procedures of the department shall be subject to the penalty in Section 43-21-267 . The Department of Child Protection Services and its employees are exempt from any civil liability as a result of any action taken pursuant to the compilation or release of information on the central registry under this section and any other applicable section of this code, unless determined that an employee has willfully and maliciously violated the rules and administrative procedures of the department pertaining to the central registry or any section of this code. If an employee is determined to have willfully and maliciously performed such a violation, said employee shall not be exempt from civil liability in this regard.

(4) The Mississippi State Department of Health may release the findings of investigations into allegations of abuse within licensed day care centers made under the provisions of Section 43-21-353(8) to any parent of a child who is enrolled in the day care center at the time of the alleged abuse or at the time the request for information is made. The findings of any such investigation may also be released to parents who are considering placing children in the day care center. No information concerning those investigations may contain the names or identifying information of individual children.

The Department of Health shall not be held civilly liable for the release of information on any findings, recommendations or actions taken pursuant to investigations of abuse that have been conducted under Section 43-21-353(8) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-305 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 21-305
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-305
Status: in_force

A law enforcement officer may stop any child abroad in a public place whom the officer has probable cause to believe is within the jurisdiction of the youth court and may question the child as to his name, address and explanation of his actions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-729 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-729
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-729
Status: in_force

(1) The corporation may from time to time issue its negotiable bonds and notes in such principal amounts as, in the opinion of the corporation, shall be necessary to provide sufficient funds for achieving the corporate purposes thereof, including operating expenses and reserves, the payment of interest on bonds and notes of the corporation, establishment of reserves to secure such bonds and notes, and all other expenditures of the corporation incident to and necessary or convenient to carry out its corporate purposes and powers. Provided, except as otherwise authorized herein, bonds and notes may be issued annually under this article in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Three Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($350,000,000.00), excluding bonds and notes issued to refund outstanding bonds and notes, bonds and notes in which the corporation acts as a conduit issuer and bonds and notes issued for purposes related to Hurricane Katrina. Such annual period shall be the same as the fiscal year of the state, commencing with the annual period of July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010.

(2) The provisions of Sections 75-71-1 through 75-71-57, Mississippi Code of 1972 (the “Mississippi Securities Act”), shall not apply to bonds and notes issued under the authority of this article, and no application for a formal exemption from the provisions of such act shall be required with respect to such bonds and notes.

(3) Except as may otherwise be expressly provided by the corporation, all bonds and notes issued by the corporation shall be general obligations of the corporation, secured by the full faith and credit of the corporation and payable out of any monies, assets or revenues of the corporation, subject only to any agreement with the bondholders or noteholders pledging any particular monies, assets or revenues.

The corporation may issue bonds or notes to which the principal and interest are payable:

(a) Exclusively from the revenues of the corporation resulting from the use of the proceeds of such bonds or notes; or

(b) Exclusively from any particular revenues of the corporation, whether or not resulting from the use of the proceeds of such bonds or notes.

(4) Any bonds or notes issued by the corporation may be additionally secured:

(a) By private insurance, by a direct pay or standby letter of credit, or by any other credit enhancement facility procured by the corporation for the payment of any such bonds;

(b) By a pledge of any grant, subsidy or contribution from the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or from the state or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or from any person, firm or corporation; or

(c) By the pledge of any securities, funds or reserves (or earnings thereon) available to the corporation.

(5) Bonds and notes issued by the corporation shall be authorized by a resolution or resolutions of the corporation adopted as provided for by this article; provided, that any such resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds or notes may delegate to an officer or officers of the corporation the power to issue such bonds or notes from time to time and to fix the details of any such issues of bonds or notes by an appropriate certification of such authorized officer.

(6) Except as specifically provided in this article, no notice, consent or approval by any governmental body or public officer shall be required as a prerequisite to the issuance, sale or delivery of any bonds or notes of the corporation pursuant to the provisions of this article. However, all bonds or notes issued pursuant to this article may be validated, except as otherwise provided in this section, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 31-13-1 through 31-13-11, Mississippi Code of 1972 , in the same manner as provided therein for bonds issued by a municipality. Any such validation proceedings shall be held in the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi. Notice thereof shall be given by publication in any newspaper published in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and of general circulation throughout the state.

(7) It is hereby determined that the corporation is the sole entity in the state authorized to issue bonds or notes for the purposes of financing low and moderate income rental or residential housing as set forth in this article. In addition, the corporation shall have the power to issue mortgage credit certificates, as provided by Section 25 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 , as amended, and to comply with all of the terms and conditions set forth in Section 25 , as the same may be amended from time to time.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-37-1 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 26 / Section 37-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-37-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the “Real Property Acquisition Policies Law.”

The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to the acquisition of real property under the laws of this state for use in any project or program in which public funds are used.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-11-21 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 11-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-11-21
Status: in_force

The licensing agency shall prepare and publish an annual report of its activities and operations under this chapter. A reasonable number of copies of such publications shall be available in the office of the licensing agency to be furnished free to persons requesting them.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-605 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 12 / Section 21-605
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-605
Status: in_force

(1) In delinquency cases, the disposition order may include any of the following alternatives:

(a) Release the child without further action;

(b) Place the child in the custody of the parents, a relative or other persons subject to any conditions and limitations, including restitution, as the youth court may prescribe;

(c) Place the child on probation subject to any reasonable and appropriate conditions and limitations, including restitution, as the youth court may prescribe;

(d) Order terms of treatment calculated to assist the child and the child's parents or guardian which are within the ability of the parent or guardian to perform and which are not in conflict with a provider's determination of medical necessity;

(e) Order terms of supervision which may include participation in a constructive program of service or education or civil fines not in excess of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or restitution not in excess of actual damages caused by the child to be paid out of his own assets or by performance of services acceptable to the victims and approved by the youth court and reasonably capable of performance within one (1) year;

(f) Suspend the child's driver's license by taking and keeping it in custody of the court for not more than one (1) year;

(g) Give legal custody of the child to any of the following:

(i) The Department of Human Services for appropriate placement; or

(ii) Any public or private organization, preferably community-based, able to assume the education, care and maintenance of the child, which has been found suitable by the court; or

(iii) The Division of Youth Services for placement in the least restrictive environment, except that no child under the age of twelve (12) years shall be committed to the state training school. Only a child who has been adjudicated delinquent for a felony may be committed to the training school. In the event a child is committed to the Oakley Youth Development Center by the court, the child shall be deemed to be committed to the custody of the Department of Human Services which may place the child in the Oakley Youth Development Center or another appropriate facility.

The training school may retain custody of the child until the child's twentieth birthday but for no longer. When the child is committed to the training school, the child shall remain in the legal custody of the training school until the child has made sufficient progress in treatment and rehabilitation and it is in the best interest of the child to release the child. However, the superintendent of the state training school, in consultation with the treatment team, may parole a child at any time he or she may deem it in the best interest and welfare of such child. Ten (10) business days before the parole, the training school shall notify the committing court of the pending release. This notice may be made in less than ten (10) days if Oakley Youth Development Center needs to manage population limitations. The youth court may then arrange subsequent placement after a reconvened disposition hearing, except that the youth court may not recommit the child to the training school or any other secure facility without an adjudication of a new offense or probation or parole violation. The Department of Human Services shall ensure that staffs create transition planning for youth leaving the facilities. Plans shall include providing the youth and his or her parents or guardian with copies of the youth's training school education and health records, information regarding the youth's home community, referrals to mental and counseling services when appropriate, and providing assistance in making initial appointments with community service providers. Before assigning the custody of any child to any private institution or agency, the youth court through its designee shall first inspect the physical facilities to determine that they provide a reasonable standard of health and safety for the child. No child shall be placed in the custody of the state training school for a status offense or for contempt of or revocation of a status offense adjudication unless the child is contemporaneously adjudicated for having committed an act of delinquency that is not a status offense. A disposition order rendered under this subparagraph shall meet the following requirements:

1. The disposition is the least restrictive alternative appropriate to the best interest of the child and the community;

2. The disposition allows the child to be in reasonable proximity to the family home community of each child given the dispositional alternatives available and the best interest of the child and the state; and

3. The disposition order provides that the court has considered the medical, educational, vocational, social and psychological guidance, training, social education, counseling, substance abuse treatment and other rehabilitative services required by that child as determined by the court;

(h) Recommend to the child and the child's parents or guardian that the child attend and participate in the Youth Challenge Program under the Mississippi National Guard, as created in Section 43-27-203 , subject to the selection of the child for the program by the National Guard; however, the child must volunteer to participate in the program. The youth court shall not order any child to apply for or attend the program;

(i) Adjudicate the juvenile to the Statewide Juvenile Work Program if the program is established in the court's jurisdiction. The juvenile and his or her parents or guardians must sign a waiver of liability in order to participate in the work program. The judge will coordinate with the youth services counselors as to placing participants in the work program as follows:

(i) The severity of the crime, whether or not the juvenile is a repeat offender or is a felony offender will be taken into consideration by the judge when adjudicating a juvenile to the work program. The juveniles adjudicated to the work program will be supervised by police officers or reserve officers. The term of service will be from twenty-four (24) to one hundred twenty (120) hours of community service. A juvenile will work the hours to which he or she was adjudicated on the weekends during school and weekdays during the summer. Parents are responsible for a juvenile reporting for work. Noncompliance with an order to perform community service will result in a heavier adjudication. A juvenile may be adjudicated to the community service program only two (2) times;

(ii) The judge shall assess an additional fine on the juvenile which will be used to pay the costs of implementation of the program and to pay for supervision by police officers and reserve officers. The amount of the fine will be based on the number of hours to which the juvenile has been adjudicated;

(j) Order the child to participate in a youth court work program as provided in Section 43-21-627 ;

(k) Order terms of house arrest under the intensive supervision program as created in Sections 47-5-1001 through 47-5-1015 . The Department of Human Services shall take bids for the placement of juveniles in the intensive supervision program. The Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules regarding the supervision of juveniles placed in the intensive supervision program. For each county there shall be seventy-five (75) slots created in the intensive supervision program for juveniles. Any youth ordered into the intensive home-based supervision program shall receive comprehensive strength-based needs assessments and individualized treatment plans. Based on the assessment, an individualized treatment plan shall be developed that defines the supervision and programming that is needed by a youth. The treatment plan shall be developed by a multidisciplinary team that includes the family of the youth whenever possible. The juvenile shall pay Ten Dollars ($10.00) to offset the cost of administering the alcohol and drug test. The juvenile must attend school, alternative school or be in the process of working toward a High School Equivalency Diploma certificate;

(l)(i) Order the child into a juvenile detention center operated by the county or into a juvenile detention center operated by any county with which the county in which the court is located has entered into a contract for the purpose of housing delinquents, except that a child under the age of twelve (12) years cannot be held in secure detention as a disposition. The time period for detention cannot exceed ninety (90) days, and any detention exceeding forty-five (45) days shall be administratively reviewed by the youth court no later than forty-five (45) days after the entry of the order. At that time the youth court counselor shall review the status of the youth in detention and shall report any concerns to the court. The youth court judge may order that the number of days specified in the detention order be served either throughout the week or on weekends only. No first-time nonviolent youth offender shall be committed to a detention center for a period in excess of ninety (90) days until all other options provided for in this section have been considered and the court makes a specific finding of fact by a preponderance of the evidence by assessing what is in the best rehabilitative interest of the child and the public safety of communities and that there is no reasonable alternative to a nonsecure setting and therefore commitment to a detention center is appropriate.

(ii) If a child is committed to a detention center for ninety (90) days, the disposition order shall meet the following requirements:

1. The disposition order is the least restrictive alternative appropriate to the best interest of the child and the community;

2. The disposition order allows the child to be in reasonable proximity to the family home community of each child given the dispositional alternatives available and the best interest of the child and the state; and

3. The disposition order provides that the court has considered the medical, educational, vocational, social and psychological guidance, training, social education, counseling, substance abuse treatment and other rehabilitative services required by that child as determined by the court;

(m) The judge may consider house arrest in an intensive supervision program as a reasonable prospect of rehabilitation within the juvenile justice system. The Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules regarding the supervision of juveniles placed in the intensive supervision program;

(n) Referral to A-team provided system of care services; or

(o) Place the child on electronic monitoring subject to any conditions and limitations as the youth court may prescribe.

(2) If a disposition order requires that a child miss school due to other placement, the youth court shall notify a child's school while maintaining the confidentiality of the youth court process. If a disposition order requires placement of a child in a juvenile detention facility, the facility shall comply with the educational services and notification requirements of Section 43-21-321 .

(3) In addition to any of the disposition alternatives authorized under subsection (1) of this section, the disposition order in any case in which the child is adjudicated delinquent for an offense under Section 63-11-30 shall include an order denying the driver's license and driving privileges of the child as required under Section 63-11-30(9) .

(4) If the youth court places a child in a state-supported training school, the court may order the parents or guardians of the child and other persons living in the child's household to receive counseling and parenting classes for rehabilitative purposes while the child is in the legal custody of the training school. A youth court entering an order under this subsection (4) shall utilize appropriate services offered either at no cost or for a fee calculated on a sliding scale according to income unless the person ordered to participate elects to receive other counseling and classes acceptable to the court at the person's sole expense.

(5) Fines levied under this chapter shall be paid into the general fund of the county but, in those counties wherein the youth court is a branch of the municipal government, it shall be paid into the municipal treasury.

(6) Any institution or agency to which a child has been committed shall give to the youth court any information concerning the child as the youth court may at any time require.

(7) The youth court shall not place a child in another school district who has been expelled from a school district for the commission of a violent act. For the purpose of this subsection, “ violent act ” means any action which results in death or physical harm to another or an attempt to cause death or physical harm to another.

(8) The youth court may require drug testing as part of a disposition order. If a child tests positive, the court may require treatment, counseling and random testing, as it deems appropriate. The costs of such tests shall be paid by the parent, guardian or custodian of the child unless the court specifically finds that the parent, guardian or custodian is unable to pay.

(9) The Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services, shall operate and maintain services for youth adjudicated delinquent at the Oakley Youth Development Center. The program shall be designed for children committed to the training schools by the youth courts. The purpose of the program is to promote good citizenship, self-reliance, leadership and respect for constituted authority, teamwork, cognitive abilities and appreciation of our national heritage. The program must use evidenced-based practices and gender-specific programming and must develop an individualized and specific treatment plan for each youth. The Division of Youth Services shall issue credit towards academic promotions and high school completion. The Division of Youth Services may award credits to each student who meets the requirements for a general education development certification. The Division of Youth Services must also provide to each special education eligible youth the services required by that youth's individualized education plan.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 35 / Section 35-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-3
Status: in_force

The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this article, shall have the following meanings, unless a different meaning is clearly indicated by the context:

(a) “Agency” or “urban renewal agency” shall mean a public agency created by Section 43-35-33 .

(b) “Municipality” shall mean any incorporated city or town or county in the state.

(c) “Public body” shall mean the state or any municipality, township, village, board, commission, authority, district, or any other subdivision or public body of the state.

(d) “Local governing body” shall mean the council or other legislative body charged with governing the municipality.

(e) “Mayor” shall mean the mayor of a municipality or other officer or body having the duties customarily imposed upon the executive head of a municipality.

(f) “Clerk” shall mean the clerk or other official of the municipality who is the custodian of the official records of such municipality.

(g) “Federal government” shall include the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States of America.

(h) “Slum area” shall mean an area in which there is a predominance of buildings or improvements, whether residential or nonresidential, which by reason of dilapidation, deterioration, age or obsolescence, inadequate provision for ventilation, light, air, sanitation, or open spaces, high density of population and overcrowding, or the existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire and other causes, or any combination of such factors is conducive to ill health, transmission of disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency, or crime, and is detrimental to the public health, safety, morals or welfare.

(i) “Blighted area” shall mean an area which by reason of the presence of a substantial number of slum, deteriorated or deteriorating structures, predominance of defective or inadequate street layout, faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility or usefulness, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, deterioration of site or other improvements, diversity of ownership, tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair value of the land, defective or unusual conditions of title, or the existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire and other causes, or any combination of such factors, substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of a municipality, retards the provision of housing accommodations or constitutes an economic or social liability and is a menace to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare in its present condition and use. If such blighted area consists of open land the conditions contained in the proviso in subsection (d) of Section 43-35-13 shall apply. Any disaster area referred to in subsection (g) of Section 43-35-13 shall constitute a “blighted area.”

(j) “Urban renewal project” may include undertakings and activities of a municipality in an urban renewal area for the elimination and for the prevention of the development or spread of slums and blight, and may involve slum clearance and redevelopment in an urban renewal area, or rehabilitation or conservation in an urban renewal area, or any combination or part thereof in accordance with an urban renewal plan.

Such undertakings and activities may include:

(1) acquisition of a slum area or a blighted area or portion thereof;

(2) demolition and removal of buildings and improvements;

(3) installation, construction, or reconstruction of streets, utilities, parks, playgrounds, and other improvements necessary for carrying out in the urban renewal area the urban renewal objectives of this article in accordance with the urban renewal plan;

(4) disposition of any property acquired in the urban renewal area (including sale, initial leasing or retention by the municipality itself) at its fair value for uses in accordance with the urban renewal plan;

(5) carrying out plans for a program of voluntary or compulsory repair and rehabilitation of buildings or other improvements in accordance with the urban renewal plan; and

(6) acquisition of any other real property in the urban renewal area where necessary to eliminate unhealthful, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, lessen density, eliminate obsolete or other uses detrimental to the public welfare, or otherwise to remove or prevent the spread of blight or deterioration, or to provide land for needed public facilities.

(k) “Urban renewal area” means a slum area or a blighted area or a combination thereof which the local governing body designates as appropriate for an urban renewal project.

(l) “Urban renewal plan” means a plan, as it exists from time to time, for an urban renewal project, which plan (1) shall conform to the general plan for the municipality as a whole except as provided in subsection (g) of Section 43-35-13 ; and (2) shall be sufficiently complete to indicate such land acquisition, demolition and removal of structures, redevelopment, improvements, and rehabilitation as may be proposed to be carried out in the urban renewal area, zoning and planning changes, if any, land uses, maximum densities, building requirements, and the plan's relationship to definite local objectives respecting appropriate land uses, improved traffic, public transportation, public utilities, recreational and community facilities, and other public improvements.

(m) “Real property” shall include all lands, including improvements and fixtures thereon, and property of any nature appurtenant thereto, or used in connection therewith, and every estate, interest, right and use, legal or equitable, therein, including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage or otherwise.

(n) “Bonds” shall mean any bonds (including refunding bonds), notes, interim certificates, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other obligations.

(o) “Obligee” shall include any bondholder, agents or trustees for any bondholders, or lessor demising to the municipality property used in connection with an urban renewal project, or any assignee or assignees of such lessor's interest or any part thereof, and the federal government when it is a party to any contract with the municipality.

(p) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock association, or body politic; and shall include any trustee, receiver, assignee, or other person acting in a similar representative capacity.

(q) “Area of operation” shall mean the area within the corporate limits of the municipality and the area within five (5) miles of such limits, except that it shall not include any area which lies within the territorial boundaries of another incorporated city or town unless a resolution shall have been adopted by the governing body of such other city or town declaring a need therefor.

(r) “Housing authority” shall mean a housing authority created by and established pursuant to Sections 43-33-1 through 43-33-53, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(s) “Board” or “commission” shall mean a board, commission, department, division, office, body or other unit of the municipality.

(t) “Public officer” shall mean any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the municipality relating to health, fire, building regulations, or to other activities concerning dwellings in the municipality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-5 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 37 / Section 55-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-5
Status: in_force

(1) Members of the Commission for Volunteer Service shall be appointed by the Governor. The commission shall consist of no fewer than fifteen (15) and no more than twenty-five (25) members.

(2) The commission members shall include as voting members, except as otherwise indicated, at least one (1) of each of the following:

(a) An individual with expertise in the educational, training, and developmental needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth.

(b) An individual with experience in promoting service and volunteerism among older adults.

(c) A representative of a community-based agency.

(d) The superintendent of the State Department of Education, or his or her designee.

(e) A representative of local government.

(f) A representative of local labor organizations.

(g) A representative of business.

(h) An individual between the ages of sixteen (16) and twenty-five (25) who is a participant or supervisor in a program as defined in Section 101 of Title I, 42 USCS 12511.

(i) A representative of a national service program described in Section 122(a) of Title I, 42 USCS 12572 .

(j) The employee of the corporation designated under Section 195 of Title I, 42 USCS 12651f , as the representative of the corporation in this state, as a nonvoting member.

(3) In addition to the members described in subsection (2), the commission may include as voting members any of the following:

(a) Local educators.

(b) Experts in the delivery of human, educational, environmental, or public safety services to communities and persons.

(c) Representative of Native American tribes.

(d) Out-of-school youth or other at-risk youth.

(e) Representatives of entities that receive assistance under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Public Law 93-113, 87 Stat. 394.

(f) A member of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

(4) Not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting commission members shall be officers or employees of this state. The Governor may appoint additional officers or employees of state agencies operating community service, youth service, education, social service, senior service, and job training programs, as nonvoting, ex officio members of the commission.

(5) The Governor shall ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that the commission membership is diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, age, gender, and disability characteristics.

(6) Except as provided in this subsection, members of the commission shall serve for staggered three-year terms expiring on October 1. The members constituting the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service under Executive Order No. 1994-742 on March 28, 1996 shall serve on the commission for the remainder of the terms for which they were appointed. Of the additional members, the Governor shall appoint one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the initial members for a term of one (1) year; one-third (1/3) for a term of two (2) years; and one-third ( 1 / 3 ) for a term of three (3) years. Following expiration of these initial terms, all appointments shall be for three-year renewable terms. Members of the commission may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

(7) A vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments, and any member so appointed shall serve during the remainder of the term for which the vacancy occurred. The vacancy shall not affect the power of the remaining commission members to execute the duties of the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-53-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 11 / Section 53-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-53-9
Status: in_force

The establishment of the Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging shall not impede the intent of the Vulnerable Adults Act of 1986 as provided in Section 43-47-1, et seq.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 14 / Section 20-8
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8
Status: repealed

(1) The licensing agency shall have powers and duties as set forth below, in addition to other duties prescribed under this chapter:

(a) Promulgate rules and regulations concerning the licensing and regulation of child care facilities as defined in Section 43-20-5 ;

(b) Have the authority to issue, deny, suspend, revoke, restrict or otherwise take disciplinary action against licensees as provided for in this chapter;

(c) Set and collect fees and penalties as provided for in this chapter; any increase in the fees charged by the licensing agency under this paragraph shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65 ; and

(d) Have such other powers as may be required to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(2) Child care facilities shall assure that parents have welcome access to the child care facility at all times and shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 520, Laws of 2006.

(3) Each child care facility shall develop and maintain a current list of contact persons for each child provided care by that facility. An agreement may be made between the child care facility and the child's parent, guardian or contact person at the time of registration to inform the parent, guardian or contact person if the child does not arrive at the facility within a reasonable time.

(4) Child care facilities shall require that, for any current or prospective caregiver, all criminal records, background and sex offender registry checks and current child abuse registry checks are obtained. In order to determine the applicant's suitability for employment, the applicant shall be fingerprinted. If no disqualifying record is identified at the state level, the fingerprints shall be forwarded by the Department of Public Safety to the FBI for a national criminal history record check.

(5) The licensing agency shall require to be performed a criminal records background check and a child abuse registry check for all operators of a child care facility and any person living in a residence used for child care. The Department of Human Services shall have the authority to disclose to the State Department of Health any potential applicant whose name is listed on the Child Abuse Central Registry or has a pending administrative review. That information shall remain confidential by all parties. In order to determine the applicant's suitability for employment, the applicant shall be fingerprinted. If no disqualifying record is identified at the state level, the fingerprints shall be forwarded by the Department of Public Safety to the FBI for a national criminal history record check.

(6) The licensing agency shall have the authority to exclude a particular crime or crimes or a substantiated finding of child abuse and/or neglect as disqualifying individuals or entities for prospective or current employment or licensure.

(7) The licensing agency and its agents, officers, employees, attorneys and representatives shall not be held civilly liable for any findings, recommendations or actions taken under this section.

(8) All fees incurred in compliance with this section shall be borne by the child care facility. The licensing agency is authorized to charge a fee that includes the amount required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the national criminal history record check in compliance with the Child Protection Act of 1993, as amended, and any necessary costs incurred by the licensing agency for the handling and administration of the criminal history background checks.

(9) From and after January 1, 2008, the State Board of Health shall develop regulations to ensure that all children enrolled or enrolling in a state licensed child care center receive age-appropriate immunization against invasive pneumococcal disease as recommended by the Advisory Committee on immunization practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The State Board of Health shall include, within its regulations, protocols for children under the age of twenty-four (24) months to catch up on missed doses. If the State Board of Health has adopted regulations before January 1, 2008, that would otherwise meet the requirements of this subsection, then this subsection shall stand repealed on January 1, 2008.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-17-5 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 14 / Section 17-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-17-5
Status: in_force

(1) The amount of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits which may be granted for any dependent child and a needy caretaker relative shall be determined by the county department with due regard to the resources and necessary expenditures of the family and the conditions existing in each case, and in accordance with the rules and regulations made by the Department of Human Services which shall not be less than the Standard of Need in effect for 1988, and shall be sufficient when added to all other income (except that any income specified in the federal Social Security Act, as amended, may be disregarded) and support available to the child to provide such child with a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health. The first family member in the dependent child's budget may receive an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per month; the second family member in the dependent child's budget may receive an amount not to exceed Thirty-six Dollars ($36.00) per month; and each additional family member in the dependent child's budget an amount not to exceed Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) per month. The maximum for any individual family member in the dependent child's budget may be exceeded for foster or medical care or in cases of children with an intellectual disability or a physical disability. TANF benefits granted shall be specifically limited only (a) to children existing or conceived at the time the caretaker relative initially applies and qualifies for such assistance, unless this limitation is specifically waived by the department, or (b) to a child born following a twelve-consecutive-month period of discontinued benefits by the caretaker relative.

(2) TANF benefits in Mississippi shall be provided to the recipient family by an online electronic benefits transfer system.

(3) The Department of Human Services shall deny TANF benefits to the following categories of individuals, except for individuals and families specifically exempt or excluded for good cause as allowed by federal statute or regulation:

(a) Families without a minor child residing with the custodial parent or other adult caretaker relative of the child;

(b) Families which include an adult who has received TANF assistance for sixty (60) months after the commencement of the Mississippi TANF program, whether or not such period of time is consecutive;

(c) Families not assigning to the state any rights a family member may have, on behalf of the family member or of any other person for whom the family member has applied for or is receiving such assistance, to support from any other person, as required by law;

(d) Families who fail to cooperate in establishing paternity or obtaining child support, as required by law;

(e) Any individual who has not attained eighteen (18) years of age, is not married to the head of household, has a minor child at least twelve (12) weeks of age in his or her care, and has not successfully completed a high school education or its equivalent, if such individual does not participate in educational activities directed toward the attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent, or an alternative educational or training program approved by the department;

(f) Any individual who has not attained eighteen (18) years of age, is not married, has a minor child in his or her care, and does not reside in a place or residence maintained by a parent, legal guardian or other adult relative or the individual as such parent's, guardian's or adult relative's own home;

(g) Any minor child who has been, or is expected by a parent or other caretaker relative of the child to be, absent from the home for a period of more than thirty (30) days;

(h) Any individual who is a parent or other caretaker relative of a minor child who fails to notify the department of the absence of the minor child from the home for the thirty-day period specified in paragraph (g), by the end of the five-day period that begins with the date that it becomes clear to the individual that the minor child will be absent for the thirty-day period;

(i) Any individual who fails to comply with the provisions of the Employability Development Plan signed by the individual which prescribe those activities designed to help the individual become and remain employed, or to participate satisfactorily in the assigned work activity, as authorized under subsection (6)(c) and (d), or who does not engage in applicant job search activities within the thirty-day period for TANF application approval after receiving the advice and consultation of eligibility workers and/or caseworkers of the department providing a detailed description of available job search venues in the individual's county of residence or the surrounding counties;

(j) A parent or caretaker relative who has not engaged in an allowable work activity once the department determines the parent or caretaker relative is ready to engage in work, or once the parent or caretaker relative has received TANF assistance under the program for twenty-four (24) months, whether or not consecutive, whichever is earlier;

(k) Any individual who is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the jurisdiction from which the individual flees, for a crime, or an attempt to commit a crime, which is a felony under the laws of the place from which the individual flees, or who is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under federal or state law;

(l) Aliens who are not qualified under federal law;

(m) For a period of ten (10) years following conviction, individuals convicted in federal or state court of having made a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to the individual's place of residence in order to receive TANF, food stamps or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) assistance under Title XVI or Title XIX simultaneously from two (2) or more states;

(n) Individuals who are recipients of federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) assistance; and

(o) Individuals who are eighteen (18) years of age or older who are not in compliance with the drug testing and substance use disorder treatment requirements of Section 43-17-6 .

(4)(a) Any person who is otherwise eligible for TANF benefits, including custodial and noncustodial parents, shall be required to attend school and meet the monthly attendance requirement as provided in this subsection if all of the following apply:

(i) The person is under age twenty (20);

(ii) The person has not graduated from a public or private high school or obtained a High School Equivalency Diploma equivalent;

(iii) The person is physically able to attend school and is not excused from attending school; and

(iv) If the person is a parent or caretaker relative with whom a dependent child is living, child care is available for the child.

The monthly attendance requirement under this subsection shall be attendance at the school in which the person is enrolled for each day during a month that the school conducts classes in which the person is enrolled, with not more than two (2) absences during the month for reasons other than the reasons listed in paragraph (e)(iv) of this subsection. Persons who fail to meet participation requirements in this subsection shall be subject to sanctions as provided in paragraph (f) of this subsection.

(b) As used in this subsection, “ school ” means any one (1) of the following:

(i) A school as defined in Section 37-13-91(2) ;

(ii) A vocational, technical and adult education program; or

(iii) A course of study meeting the standards established by the State Department of Education for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation.

(c) If any compulsory-school-age child, as defined in Section 37-13-91(2) , to which TANF eligibility requirements apply is not in compliance with the compulsory school attendance requirements of Section 37-13-91(6) , the superintendent of schools of the school district in which the child is enrolled or eligible to attend shall notify the county department of human services of the child's noncompliance. The Department of Human Services shall review school attendance information as provided under this paragraph at all initial eligibility determinations and upon subsequent report of unsatisfactory attendance.

(d) The signature of a person on an application for TANF benefits constitutes permission for the release of school attendance records for that person or for any child residing with that person. The department shall request information from the child's school district about the child's attendance in the school district's most recently completed semester of attendance. If information about the child's previous school attendance is not available or cannot be verified, the department shall require the child to meet the monthly attendance requirement for one (1) semester or until the information is obtained. The department shall use the attendance information provided by a school district to verify attendance for a child. The department shall review with the parent or caretaker relative a child's claim that he or she has a good cause for not attending school.

A school district shall provide information to the department about the attendance of a child who is enrolled in a public school in the district within five (5) working days of the receipt of a written request for that information from the department. The school district shall define how many hours of attendance count as a full day and shall provide that information, upon request, to the department. In reporting attendance, the school district may add partial days' absence together to constitute a full day's absence.

If a school district fails to provide to the department the information about the school attendance of any child within fifteen (15) working days after a written request, the department shall notify the Department of Audit within three (3) working days of the school district's failure to comply with that requirement. The Department of Audit shall begin audit proceedings within five (5) working days of notification by the Department of Human Services to determine the school district's compliance with the requirements of this subsection (4). If the Department of Audit finds that the school district is not in compliance with the requirements of this subsection, the school district shall be penalized as follows: The Department of Audit shall notify the State Department of Education of the school district's noncompliance, and the Department of Education shall reduce the calculation of the school district's net enrollment that is used to determine the allocation of total funding formula funds by the number of children for which the district has failed to provide to the Department of Human Services the required information about the school attendance of those children. The reduction in the calculation of the school district's net enrollment under this paragraph shall be effective for a period of one (1) year.

(e) A child who is required to attend school to meet the requirements under this subsection shall comply except when there is good cause, which shall be demonstrated by any of the following circumstances:

(i) The minor parent is the caretaker of a child less than twelve (12) weeks old; or

(ii) The department determines that child care services are necessary for the minor parent to attend school and there is no child care available; or

(iii) The child is prohibited by the school district from attending school and an expulsion is pending. This exemption no longer applies once the teenager has been expelled; however, a teenager who has been expelled and is making satisfactory progress towards obtaining a High School Equivalency Diploma equivalent shall be eligible for TANF benefits; or

(iv) The child failed to attend school for one or more of the following reasons:

1. Illness, injury or incapacity of the child or the minor parent's child;

2. Court-required appearances or temporary incarceration;

3. Medical or dental appointments for the child or minor parent's child;

4. Death of a close relative;

5. Observance of a religious holiday;

6. Family emergency;

7. Breakdown in transportation;

8. Suspension; or

9. Any other circumstance beyond the control of the child, as defined in regulations of the department.

(f) Upon determination that a child has failed without good cause to attend school as required, the department shall provide written notice to the parent or caretaker relative (whoever is the primary recipient of the TANF benefits) that specifies:

(i) That the family will be sanctioned in the next possible payment month because the child who is required to attend school has failed to meet the attendance requirement of this subsection;

(ii) The beginning date of the sanction, and the child to whom the sanction applies;

(iii) The right of the child's parents or caretaker relative (whoever is the primary recipient of the TANF benefits) to request a fair hearing under this subsection.

The child's parent or caretaker relative (whoever is the primary recipient of the TANF benefits) may request a fair hearing on the department's determination that the child has not been attending school. If the child's parents or caretaker relative does not request a fair hearing under this subsection, or if, after a fair hearing has been held, the hearing officer finds that the child without good cause has failed to meet the monthly attendance requirement, the department shall discontinue or deny TANF benefits to the child thirteen (13) years old, or older, in the next possible payment month. The department shall discontinue or deny twenty-five percent (25%) of the family grant when a child six (6) through twelve (12) years of age without good cause has failed to meet the monthly attendance requirement. Both the child and family sanction may apply when children in both age groups fail to meet the attendance requirement without good cause. A sanction applied under this subsection shall be effective for one (1) month for each month that the child failed to meet the monthly attendance requirement. In the case of a dropout, the sanction shall remain in force until the parent or caretaker relative provides written proof from the school district that the child has reenrolled and met the monthly attendance requirement for one (1) calendar month. Any month in which school is in session for at least ten (10) days during the month may be used to meet the attendance requirement under this subsection. This includes attendance at summer school. The sanction shall be removed the next possible payment month.

(5) All parents or caretaker relatives shall have their dependent children receive vaccinations and booster vaccinations against those diseases specified by the State Health Officer under Section 41-23-37 in accordance with the vaccination and booster vaccination schedule prescribed by the State Health Officer for children of that age, in order for the parents or caretaker relatives to be eligible or remain eligible to receive TANF benefits. Proof of having received such vaccinations and booster vaccinations shall be given by presenting the certificates of vaccination issued by any health care provider licensed to administer vaccinations, and submitted on forms specified by the State Board of Health. If the parents without good cause do not have their dependent children receive the vaccinations and booster vaccinations as required by this subsection and they fail to comply after thirty (30) days' notice, the department shall sanction the family's TANF benefits by twenty-five percent (25%) for the next payment month and each subsequent payment month until the requirements of this subsection are met.

(6)(a) If the parent or caretaker relative applying for TANF assistance is work eligible, as determined by the Department of Human Services, the person shall be required to engage in an allowable work activity once the department determines the parent or caretaker relative is determined work eligible, or once the parent or caretaker relative has received TANF assistance under the program for twenty-four (24) months, whether or not consecutive, whichever is earlier. No TANF benefits shall be given to any person to whom this section applies who fails without good cause to comply with the Employability Development Plan prepared by the department for the person, or who has refused to accept a referral or offer of employment, training or education in which he or she is able to engage, subject to the penalties prescribed in paragraph (e) of this subsection. A person shall be deemed to have refused to accept a referral or offer of employment, training or education if he or she:

(i) Willfully fails to report for an interview with respect to employment when requested to do so by the department; or

(ii) Willfully fails to report to the department the result of a referral to employment; or

(iii) Willfully fails to report for allowable work activities as prescribed in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection.

(b) The Department of Human Services shall operate a statewide work program for TANF recipients to provide work activities and supportive services to enable families to become self-sufficient and improve their competitive position in the workforce in accordance with the requirements of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 ( Public Law 104-193 ), as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 ( Public Law 109-171 ), as amended. Within sixty (60) days after the initial application for TANF benefits, the TANF recipient must participate in a job search skills training workshop or a job readiness program, which shall include resume writing, job search skills, employability skills and, if available at no charge, the General Aptitude Test Battery or its equivalent. All adults who are not specifically exempt shall be referred by the department for allowable work activities. An adult may be exempt from the mandatory work activity requirement for the following reasons:

(i) Incapacity;

(ii) Temporary illness or injury, verified by physician's certificate;

(iii) Is in the third trimester of pregnancy, and there are complications verified by the certificate of a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or any other licensed health care professional practicing under a protocol with a licensed physician;

(iv) Caretaker of a child under twelve (12) months, for not more than twelve (12) months of the sixty-month maximum benefit period;

(v) Caretaker of an ill or incapacitated person, as verified by physician's certificate;

(vi) Age, if over sixty (60) or under eighteen (18) years of age;

(vii) Receiving treatment for substance abuse, if the person is in compliance with the substance abuse treatment plan;

(viii) In a two-parent family, the caretaker of a severely disabled child, as verified by a physician's certificate; or

(ix) History of having been a victim of domestic violence, which has been reported as required by state law and is substantiated by police reports or court records, and being at risk of further domestic violence, shall be exempt for a period as deemed necessary by the department but not to exceed a total of twelve (12) months, which need not be consecutive, in the sixty-month maximum benefit period. For the purposes of this subparagraph (ix), “ domestic violence ” means that an individual has been subjected to:

1. Physical acts that resulted in, or threatened to result in, physical injury to the individual;

2. Sexual abuse;

3. Sexual activity involving a dependent child;

4. Being forced as the caretaker relative of a dependent child to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts or activities;

5. Threats of, or attempts at, physical or sexual abuse;

6. Mental abuse; or

7. Neglect or deprivation of medical care.

(c) For all families, all adults who are not specifically exempt shall be required to participate in work activities for at least the minimum average number of hours per week specified by federal law or regulation, not fewer than twenty (20) hours per week (thirty-five (35) hours per week for two-parent families) of which are attributable to the following allowable work activities:

(i) Unsubsidized employment;

(ii) Subsidized private employment;

(iii) Subsidized public employment;

(iv) Work experience (including work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing), if sufficient private employment is not available;

(v) On-the-job training;

(vi) Job search and job readiness assistance consistent with federal TANF regulations;

(vii) Community service programs;

(viii) Vocational educational training (not to exceed twelve (12) months with respect to any individual);

(ix) The provision of child care services to an individual who is participating in a community service program;

(x) Satisfactory attendance at high school or in a course of study leading to a high school equivalency certificate, for heads of household under age twenty (20) who have not completed high school or received such certificate;

(xi) Education directly related to employment, for heads of household under age twenty (20) who have not completed high school or received such equivalency certificate.

(d) The following are allowable work activities which may be attributable to hours in excess of the minimum specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection:

(i) Job skills training directly related to employment;

(ii) Education directly related to employment for individuals who have not completed high school or received a high school equivalency certificate;

(iii) Satisfactory attendance at high school or in a course of study leading to a high school equivalency, for individuals who have not completed high school or received such equivalency certificate;

(iv) Job search and job readiness assistance consistent with federal TANF regulations.

(e) If any adult or caretaker relative refuses to participate in allowable work activity as required under this subsection (6), the following full family TANF benefit penalty will apply, subject to due process to include notification, conciliation and a hearing if requested by the recipient:

(i) For the first violation, the department shall terminate the TANF assistance otherwise payable to the family for a two-month period or until the person has complied with the required work activity, whichever is longer;

(ii) For the second violation, the department shall terminate the TANF assistance otherwise payable to the family for a six-month period or until the person has complied with the required work activity, whichever is longer;

(iii) For the third violation, the department shall terminate the TANF assistance otherwise payable to the family for a twelve-month period or until the person has complied with the required work activity, whichever is longer;

(iv) For the fourth violation, the person shall be permanently disqualified.

For a two-parent family, unless prohibited by state or federal law, Medicaid assistance shall be terminated only for the person whose failure to participate in allowable work activity caused the family's TANF assistance to be sanctioned under this paragraph (e), unless an individual is pregnant, but shall not be terminated for any other person in the family who is meeting that person's applicable work requirement or who is not required to work. Minor children shall continue to be eligible for Medicaid benefits regardless of the disqualification of their parent or caretaker relative for TANF assistance under this subsection (6), unless prohibited by state or federal law.

(f) Any person enrolled in a two-year or four-year college program who meets the eligibility requirements to receive TANF benefits, and who is meeting the applicable work requirements and all other applicable requirements of the TANF program, shall continue to be eligible for TANF benefits while enrolled in the college program for as long as the person meets the requirements of the TANF program, unless prohibited by federal law.

(g) No adult in a work activity required under this subsection (6) shall be employed or assigned (i) when any other individual is on layoff from the same or any substantially equivalent job within six (6) months before the date of the TANF recipient's employment or assignment; or (ii) if the employer has terminated the employment of any regular employee or otherwise caused an involuntary reduction of its workforce in order to fill the vacancy so created with an adult receiving TANF assistance. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security, established under Section 71-5-101 , shall appoint one or more impartial hearing officers to hear and decide claims by employees of violations of this paragraph (g). The hearing officer shall hear all the evidence with respect to any claim made hereunder and such additional evidence as he may require and shall make a determination and the reason therefor. The claimant shall be promptly notified of the decision of the hearing officer and the reason therefor. Within ten (10) days after the decision of the hearing officer has become final, any party aggrieved thereby may secure judicial review thereof by commencing an action, in the circuit court of the county in which the claimant resides, against the department for the review of such decision, in which action any other party to the proceeding before the hearing officer shall be made a defendant. Any such appeal shall be on the record which shall be certified to the court by the department in the manner provided in Section 71-5-531 , and the jurisdiction of the court shall be confined to questions of law which shall render its decision as provided in that section.

(7) The Department of Human Services may provide child care for eligible participants who require such care so that they may accept employment or remain employed. The department may also provide child care for those participating in the TANF program when it is determined that they are satisfactorily involved in education, training or other allowable work activities. The department may contract with Head Start agencies to provide child care services to TANF recipients. The department may also arrange for child care by use of contract or vouchers, provide vouchers in advance to a caretaker relative, reimburse a child care provider, or use any other arrangement deemed appropriate by the department, and may establish different reimbursement rates for child care services depending on the category of the facility or home. Any center-based or group home child care facility under this subsection shall be licensed by the State Department of Health pursuant to law. When child care is being provided in the child's own home, in the home of a relative of the child, or in any other unlicensed setting, the provision of such child care may be monitored on a random basis by the Department of Human Services or the State Department of Health. Transitional child care assistance may be continued if it is necessary for parents to maintain employment once support has ended, unless prohibited under state or federal law. Transitional child care assistance may be provided for up to twenty-four (24) months after the last month during which the family was eligible for TANF assistance, if federal funds are available for such child care assistance.

(8) The Department of Human Services may provide transportation or provide reasonable reimbursement for transportation expenses that are necessary for individuals to be able to participate in allowable work activity under the TANF program.

(9) Medicaid assistance shall be provided to a family of TANF program participants for up to twenty-four (24) consecutive calendar months following the month in which the participating family would be ineligible for TANF benefits because of increased income, expiration of earned income disregards, or increased hours of employment of the caretaker relative; however, Medicaid assistance for more than twelve (12) months may be provided only if a federal waiver is obtained to provide such assistance for more than twelve (12) months and federal and state funds are available to provide such assistance.

(10) The department shall require applicants for and recipients of public assistance from the department to sign a personal responsibility contract that will require the applicant or recipient to acknowledge his or her responsibilities to the state.

(11) The department shall enter into an agreement with the State Personnel Board and other state agencies that will allow those TANF participants who qualify for vacant jobs within state agencies to be placed in state jobs. State agencies participating in the TANF work program shall receive any and all benefits received by employers in the private sector for hiring TANF recipients. This subsection (11) shall be effective only if the state obtains any necessary federal waiver or approval and if federal funds are available therefor. Not later than September 1, 2021, the department shall prepare a report, which shall be provided to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Public Health Committees and to any other member of the Legislature upon request, on the history, status, outcomes and effectiveness of the agreements required under this subsection.

(12) Any unspent TANF funds remaining from the prior fiscal year may be expended for any TANF allowable activities.

(13) The Mississippi Department of Human Services shall provide TANF applicants information and referral to programs that provide information about birth control, prenatal health care, abstinence education, marriage education, family preservation and fatherhood. Not later than September 1, 2021, the department shall prepare a report, which shall be provided to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Public Health Committees and to any other member of the Legislature upon request, on the history, status, outcomes and effectiveness of the information and referral requirements under this subsection.

(14) No new TANF program requirement or restriction affecting a person's eligibility for TANF assistance, or allowable work activity, which is not mandated by federal law or regulation may be implemented by the Department of Human Services after July 1, 2004, unless such is specifically authorized by an amendment to this section by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-787 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 11 / Section 33-787
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-787
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 43-33-767 through 43-33-797 shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-251 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 15 / Section 21-251
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-251
Status: in_force

(1) The court records of the youth court shall include:

(a) A general docket in which the clerk of the youth court shall enter the names of the parties in each cause, the date of filing the petition, any other pleadings, all other papers in the cause, issuance and return of process, and a reference by the minute book and page to all orders made therein. The general docket shall be duly indexed in the alphabetical order of the names of the parties.

(b) All the papers and pleadings filed in a cause. The papers in every cause shall be marked with the style and number of the cause and the date when filed. All the papers filed in a cause shall be kept in the same file, and all the files shall be kept in numerical order.

(c) All social records of a youth court, which shall include all intake records, social summaries, medical examinations, mental health examinations, transfer studies and all other information obtained and prepared in the discharge of official duty for the youth court.

(i) A “ social summary ” is an investigation of the personal and family history and the environment of a child who is the subject of a youth court cause. The social summary should describe all reasonable appropriate alternative dispositions. The social summary should contain a specific plan for the care and assistance to the child with a detailed explanation showing the necessity for the proposed plan of disposition.

(ii) A “ medical examination ” is an examination by a physician of a child who is the subject of a youth court cause or of his parent. The youth court may order a medical examination at any time after the intake unit has received a written complaint. Whenever possible, a medical examination shall be conducted on an outpatient basis. A medical examination of a parent of the child who is the subject of the cause shall not be ordered unless the physical or mental ability of the parent to care for the child is a relevant issue in the particular cause and the parent to be examined consents to the examination.

(iii) A “ mental health examination ” is an examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist of a child who is the subject of a youth court cause or of his parent. The youth court may order a mental health examination at any time after the intake unit has received a written complaint. Whenever possible, a mental health examination shall be conducted on an outpatient basis. A mental health examination of a parent of the child who is the subject of a cause shall not be ordered unless the physical or mental ability of the parent to care for the child is a relevant issue in the particular cause and the parent to be examined consents to the examination.

(iv) A “ transfer study ” is a social summary which addresses the factors set forth in Section 43-21-157(5) . A transfer study shall not be admissible evidence nor shall it be considered by the court at any adjudicatory hearing. It shall be admissible evidence at a transfer or disposition hearing.

(d) A minute book in which the clerk shall record all the orders of the youth court.

(e) Proceedings of the youth court and evidence.

(f) All information obtained by the youth court from the Administrative Office of Courts pursuant to a request under Section 43-21-261(15) .

(2) The records of the youth court and the contents thereof shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed except as provided in Section 43-21-261 .

(3) The court records of the youth court may be kept on computer in the manner provided for storing circuit court records and dockets as provided in Section 9-7-171 . The Administrative Office of Courts shall recommend to the youth courts a uniform format to maintain the records of such courts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-27 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 11 / Section 39-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-27
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as creating in any condemnation proceedings brought under the power of eminent domain any element of value or damages not in existence immediately prior to July 1, 1972, but such payments shall be considered only as additives to due compensation otherwise provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 12 / Section 33-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-3
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared (a) that the providing of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons of low income are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent and private property acquired and are governmental functions of state concern and (b) that it is in the public interest that work on projects for such purposes be commenced as soon as possible in order to relieve unemployment which now constitutes an emergency; and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions hereinafter enacted, is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-61-7 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 31 / Section 61-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-61-7
Status: in_force

Subject to appropriation for the program, the department may provide assistance to persons determined to be eligible for services authorized by this chapter. The assistance provided by the department may include:

(a) Assisting seniors and qualified indigents in accessing manufacturers' pharmaceutical assistance program applications; and

(b) Assisting seniors and qualified indigents in applying for manufacturers' pharmaceutical assistance programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-11 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-11
Status: in_force

(1) The board of supervisors of any county and/or the mayor and board of commissioners of any city and/or the mayor and board of aldermen of any municipality in this state are authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to expend out of any monies in their respective treasuries, to be drawn by warrant thereon, a sum or sums of money not exceeding a total of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) annually per One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) of the assessed valuation of the real and personal property thereof for the purpose of providing for the care, support and maintenance of homeless or destitute children of any county or municipality of this state who are supported, cared for, maintained and placed for adoption by any children's home society which operates over and serves the entire State of Mississippi, and which is approved and licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

(2) The authority granted in this section is supplemental of and in addition to all existing authority for the expenditure of funds by such boards of supervisors and municipal governing authorities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 20 / Section 59-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-9
Status: in_force

There is established an interagency council comprised of representatives of state agencies, including, but not limited to, the State Department of Health, State Department of Mental Health, Department of Human Services, State Department of Education, Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Development Authority, Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, Mississippi Community College Board, Attorney General's Office, Secretary of State's Office and Mississippi Department of Corrections. Each of these agencies shall report to the commission annually through its representative, addressing the current health, employment, educational and overall status of women and the agency's actions to improve women's status. The commission, in its discretion, may call a meeting of the full council; however, full council meetings may not be called more frequently than once during a fiscal year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-29-17 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 16 / Section 29-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-29-17
Status: in_force

The county department shall at once report to the State Department its decision upon each application. If an application is not acted upon by the county department within thirty (30) days after the filing of the application, or is denied or revoked, the applicant may appeal to the State Department in the manner and form prescribed by rules and regulations. The State Department shall upon receipt of such an appeal give the applicant an opportunity for a fair hearing. The State Department may also, upon its own motion, review any decision of a county department and may consider any application upon which a decision has not been made by the county department within a reasonable time.

The State Department may make such additional investigations as it may deem necessary and shall make such decision as to the granting of assistance and the amount of assistance to be granted the applicant as in its opinion is justified and in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. All decisions of the State Department shall be binding upon the county department involved and shall be complied with by such county department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-115 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-115
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of each county included in a regional housing authority shall appoint one (1) person as a commissioner of such authority, and each such commissioner to be first appointed by the board of supervisors of a county may be appointed at or after the time of the adoption of the resolution declaring the need for such regional housing authority or declaring the need for the inclusion of such county in the area of operation of such regional housing authority. When the area of operation of a regional housing authority is increased to include an additional county or counties as provided above, the board of supervisors of each such county shall thereupon appoint one (1) additional person as a commissioner of the regional housing authority. The board of supervisors of each county shall appoint the successor of the commissioner appointed by it. A certificate of the appointment of any such commissioner shall be filed with the clerk of the county, and such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of such commissioner. If any county is excluded from the area of operation of a regional housing authority, the office of the commissioner of such regional housing authority appointed by the board of supervisors of such county shall be thereupon abolished.

If the area of operation of a regional housing authority consists at any time of an even number of counties, the commissioners of the regional housing authority appointed by the boards of supervisors of such counties shall appoint one (1) additional commissioner whose term of office shall be as herein provided for a commissioner of a regional housing authority except that such term shall end at any earlier time that the area of operation of the regional housing authority shall be changed to consist of an odd number of counties. The commissioners of such authority appointed by the boards of supervisors of such counties shall likewise appoint each person to succeed such additional commissioner; the term of office of such person begins during the terms of office of the commissioner appointing him. A certificate of the appointment of any such additional commissioner of such regional housing authority shall be filed with the other records of the regional housing authority and shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of such additional commissioner.

At least one (1) commissioner of a regional housing authority must be a person who is directly assisted by the authority if required under applicable federal law.

The commissioners of a regional housing authority shall be appointed for terms of five (5) years except that all vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms. Each commissioner shall hold office until his successor has been appointed and has qualified, except as otherwise provided herein.

The commissioners shall constitute the regional housing authority, and the powers of such authority shall be vested in such commissioners in office from time to time.

The commissioners of a regional housing authority shall elect a chairman from among the commissioners and shall have power to select or employ such other officers and employees as the regional housing authority may require. A majority of the commissioners of a regional housing authority shall constitute a quorum of such authority for the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and for all other purposes. In the event that a directly assisted commissioner ceases to be directly assisted by the authority for which he/she serves as commissioner, said person shall then become disqualified to serve that authority as a directly assisted commissioner and shall be replaced as commissioner by a person who is directly assisted by the authority if federal law then requires that authority to have a directly assisted commissioner.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-135 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-135
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-135
Status: in_force

The powers conferred by this article shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-7-63 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-7-63
Status: in_force

The duties of the community ombudsman shall be:

(a) The investigation of complaints filed by residents, sponsors, organizations or long-term care facilities on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities relating to the health, safety, welfare and rights of a resident and to ensure that residents have regular and timely access to the services of the State Ombudsman Program without inappropriate disclosure of resident-identifying information.

(b) The pursuit of efforts to resolve complaints informally and represent residents before governmental agencies.

(c) The reviewing of the development and implementation of federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies relating to long-term care and, if appropriate, to comment on those laws, regulations and policies.

(d) The training of volunteers:

(i) Training of volunteers shall be approved by the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman as appropriate to the level of responsibility of the volunteer, and shall be carried out in accordance with the training manual developed by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman;

(ii) Volunteers who have met the training and designation requirements appropriate to their level of responsibility shall be given identification cards which shall be presented to employees of a long-term care facility upon request;

(iii) No volunteer shall perform any of the duties enumerated by Sections 43-7-51 through 43-7-79 prior to completion of the training and designation program, except as a supervised portion of that training program.

(e) The providing of public forums, scheduling of public hearings, sponsoring of conferences and workshops, and conducting other meetings to gather, disseminate and discuss information relative to the needs and problems of the residents in long-term care facilities as requested by resident and family councils.

(f) The encouragement and assistance in the development and operation of referral services which can provide current, valid and reliable information on long-term care facilities and alternatives to institutionalization for persons in need of these services.

(g) The submission of reports as required by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman.

(h) The development of an ongoing program of publicity concerning the purposes and mode of operation of the long-term care facilities ombudsman program through contact with the media and civic organizations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-233 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 15 / Section 27-233
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-233
Status: in_force

Sections 43-27-207 through 43-27-233 shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers granted, but Sections 43-27-207 through 43-27-233 shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-771 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 33-771
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-771
Status: in_force

The bonds authorized by Sections 43-33-767 through 43-33-797 shall be signed by the Chairman of the State Bond Commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the State Bond Commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the Secretary of the State Bond Commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-67 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 18 / Section 33-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-67
Status: in_force

The powers conferred by Sections 43-33-61 and 43-33-63 shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-46 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-46
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-46
Status: in_force

(1) Each employer paying wages, salary or commission and doing business in Mississippi shall report to the Directory of New Hires within the Mississippi Department of Human Services:

(a) The hiring of any person who resides or works in this state to whom the employer anticipates paying wages, salary or commission; and

(b) The hiring or return to work of any employee who was laid off, furloughed, separated, granted leave without pay or was terminated from employment.

(2) Employers shall report, by mailing or by other means authorized by the Department of Human Services, a copy of the employee's W-4 form or its equivalent that will result in timely reporting. Each employer shall submit reports within fifteen (15) days of the hiring, rehiring or return to work of the employee. The report shall contain:

(a) The employee's name, address, social security number and the date of birth;

(b) The employer's name, address, and federal and state withholding tax identification numbers; and

(c) The date upon which the employee began or resumed employment, or is scheduled to begin or otherwise resume employment.

(3) The department shall retain the information, which shall be forwarded to the federal registry of new hires.

(4) The Department of Human Services may operate the program, may enter into a mutual agreement with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security or the Department of Revenue, or both, for the operation of the Directory of New Hires Program, or the Department of Human Services may contract for that service, in which case the department shall maintain administrative control of the program.

(5) In cases in which an employer fails to report information, as required by this section, an administratively levied civil penalty in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) shall apply if the failure is the result of a conspiracy between the employer and employee to not supply the required report or to supply a false or incomplete report. The penalty shall otherwise not exceed Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00). Appeal shall be as provided in Section 43-19-58 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-17 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 35 / Section 47-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-17
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any finding by the court of lack of capacity of the vulnerable person to consent, the vulnerable person or the individual, organization or agency designated to be responsible for the vulnerable person, if any, or the State Department of Public Welfare or the county welfare department, shall have the right to bring a motion in the cause for review of any order pursuant to this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-559 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 15 / Section 21-559
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-559
Status: in_force

(1) In arriving at its adjudicatory decision, the youth court shall consider only evidence which has been formally admitted at the adjudicatory hearing. All testimony shall be under oath and may be in narrative form. In proceedings to determine whether a child is a delinquent child or a child in need of supervision, the youth court shall admit any evidence that would be admissible in a criminal proceeding. In proceedings to determine whether a child is a neglected child or an abused child, the youth court shall admit any evidence that would be admissible in a civil proceeding.

(2) An out-of-court admission by the child, even if otherwise admissible, shall be insufficient to support an adjudication that the child is a delinquent child unless the admission is corroborated, in whole or in part, by other competent evidence.

(3) Members of the youth court staff may appear as witnesses except that no member of the youth court staff may testify as to an admission or confession made to him.

(4)(a) No statements, admissions or confessions made by or incriminatory information obtained from a child in the course of a screening or assessment that is undertaken in conjunction with any proceedings under this chapter, including, but not limited to, that which is court-ordered, shall be admitted into evidence against the child on the issue of whether the child committed a delinquent act under this chapter or on the issue of guilt in any criminal proceedings.

(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection are in addition to and do not override any existing statutory and constitutional prohibition on the admission into evidence in delinquency and criminal proceedings of information obtained during screening, assessment or treatment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-753 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 14 / Section 21-753
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-753
Status: in_force

The youth court of any county in the state may establish a teen court program for the diversion of certain offenders who have waived all right of confidentiality and privilege against self-incrimination. The youth court of Rankin County may extend its teen court program within the city limits of Pearl. The offenders eligible to participate shall be those offenders who in the discretion of the youth court are suitable and compulsory-school-age children who have come into the jurisdiction of the youth court as a result of not attending school. The teen court shall be a preventive program for juveniles comprised of youth who are not less than thirteen (13) nor more than seventeen (17) years of age, which students shall serve as prosecutor, defense counsel, bailiff, court clerk and jurors. The program is to administer the “sentencing” or disposition phase of the proceedings against offenders who elect to participate, shall be under the guidance of the local youth court, and shall be approved by the local youth court. The youth court judge, or his designee who is a licensed attorney, shall preside. The teen court is authorized to require eligible offenders who choose to go to teen court in lieu of youth court to perform up to one hundred twelve (112) hours of community service, require offenders to make a personal apology to a victim, require offenders to submit a research paper on any relevant subject, attend counseling and make restitution or any other disposition authorized by the youth court. The youth court shall establish rules and regulations, including sentencing guidelines, for the operation of a teen court. The teen court is authorized to accept monies from any available public or private source, including public or private donations, grants, gifts and appropriated funds for funding expenses of operating the court.

Teen court may be held at whatever location the youth court selects at whatever time or times. Eligible offenders shall be only those children who agree to participate in the teen court and to abide by the teen court's rulings, whose parents or legal guardian shall also so agree, and who are otherwise qualified to participate.

The youth court judge may require an offender who elects to participate in the teen court to pay a fee not to exceed Five Dollars ($5.00); any such fees shall be used in administering this article, and the fee shall not be refunded, regardless of whether the child successfully completes the teen court program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-65 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 20 / Section 33-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-65
Status: in_force

Sections 43-33-61 and 43-33-63 may be referred to as the “Second Supplemental Housing Authorities Law.” The Housing Authorities Law, the Supplemental Housing Authorities Law and the Second Supplemental Housing Authorities Law may be referred to as the “Housing Authorities Law.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-1 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 20-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be cited as the “Mississippi Child Care Licensing Law.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-853 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 18 / Section 21-853
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-853
Status: in_force

(1) For the purpose of providing an independent, efficient and thorough representation for children who enter the court system as a result of dependency, abuse or neglect, there may be established a court-appointed special advocate program by the judge of the youth court or, if none, the senior chancellor in the county in which the program is established.

(2) A local CASA program must be governed by a local board of directors. For new CASA programs, the initial board must be appointed by the judge of the youth court or, if none, the senior chancellor. Thereafter, members must be selected by the existing board members. Each board must include at least seven (7) members. Each board member must have a demonstrated interest in child welfare issues and commitment to the purpose and role of the court-appointed special advocate volunteers. Employees of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services are not eligible to serve as officers on the board. As far as practicable, members must be representative of the racial and ethnic composition of the area served by the CASA program. The following are the powers and duties of the board:

(a) Determine major personnel, organization, fiscal, and program policies including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Measures to be taken to safeguard the CASA program's information relating to children, their families and the CASA volunteers;

(ii) The procedures for the recruitment, screening, training and supervision of CASA volunteers; and

(iii) The procedure for and circumstances warranting dismissal of a CASA volunteer from the CASA program;

(b) Determine overall plans and priorities for the CASA program, including provisions for evaluating progress against performance;

(c) Approve the program budget;

(d) Enforce compliance with all conditions of all grants contracts;

(e) Determine rules and procedures for the governing board;

(f) Select the officers and the executive committee, if any, of the governing board;

(g) Meet at least four (4) times each year;

(h) Submit an annual report to the association in the uniform manner required, which must include, but need not be limited to, the following information:

(i) Number of CASA volunteers in the program;

(ii) Number of program staff;

(iii) Number of children served;

(iv) Number of volunteers receiving initial training;

(v) Number of and topics for in-service training;

(vi) The type of source of the funds received and the amount received from each type of source during the previous fiscal year;

(vii) The expenditures during the previous year; and

(viii) Other information as deemed appropriate.

(3) Local CASA programs shall comply with the National CASA Association and Mississippi CASA Association Standards for Programs. Local programs shall ensure that CASA volunteers are supervised adequately by providing at least one (1) supervisory staff person for every thirty (30) CASA volunteers who have been appointed by the court and assigned by the program director. Each local CASA program must be managed by a qualified director whose service may be voluntary or who may be paid a salary. The program director's duties include:

(a) Administration of the CASA program, as directed by the local and state boards;

(b) Recruitment, screening, training and supervision of CASA volunteers and other program staff;

(c) Facilitation of the performance of the court-appointed special advocates' duties; and

(d) Ensuring that the security measures established by the local and state boards for safeguarding the information relating to children, their families and the CASA volunteers are maintained.

(4) As far as practicable, CASA volunteers must be representative of the socioeconomic, racial and ethnic composition of the area served.

(5) CASA volunteers may be removed by the court for nonparticipation or other cause or by the program director pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.

(6) Employees of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services may not become volunteers or employees of the court appointed special advocate program.

(7) All written court-appointed special advocate reports submitted pursuant to Section 43-21-863 must become part of the court records of the child.

(8) Each CASA volunteer, program director and other program staff must take an oath, administered by a judge of the court, to keep confidential all information related to the appointed case except in conferring with or reports to the court, parties to the case, the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, others designated by the court, and as provided by law.

(9) CASA volunteers must be appointed by the presiding judge to represent the best interest of the child, subject to judicial discretion, and only after confirmation from the program director that the CASA volunteer has been screened properly and trained.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-61-5 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 33 / Section 61-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-61-5
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that many low income seniors and other indigents are unaware of bona fide assistance programs that are voluntarily offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers to the elderly and underprivileged. It is the intent of the Legislature to take steps necessary to make it more widely known that such assistance is available and to make it easier for people to apply for that assistance.

(2) The Mississippi Seniors and Indigents Rx Program is established in the Department of Human Services to help seniors and qualified indigents in accessing pharmaceutical manufacturers' discount cards and pharmaceutical assistance programs and to provide seniors and qualified indigents with applications for those programs. The department shall coordinate the operation of the program with the Division of Medicaid, the Department of Mental Health, the State Department of Health and the State Department of Rehabilitation Services to insure that the services available under the program are maximized and that paperwork and inconvenience to the seniors and qualified indigents are minimized. The department may develop, maintain and make available an Internet-based application form to the general public and to each of those state agencies so that seniors and qualified indigents may get applications for pharmaceutical assistance programs at the local offices of any of those state agencies. The department may coordinate with pharmaceutical manufacturers to obtain program applications at no cost to the state.

(3) The Office of Aging and Adult Services of the Department of Human Services shall play a primary role in administering the program to seniors in the same way that the office assists in administering programs of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-61-11 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 14 / Section 61-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-61-11
Status: in_force

The department shall prepare and submit an annual report on the program to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the Chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee. Those reports shall include the number of clients served, the number of prescriptions filled and refilled, and the value of the drugs provided.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-105 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-105
Status: in_force

The area of operation of a housing authority created for a county shall include all of the county for which it is created and the area of operation of a regional housing authority shall include (except as otherwise provided elsewhere in this article) all of the counties for which such regional housing authority is created and established. A county or regional housing authority shall not undertake any housing project or projects within the boundaries of any city unless a resolution shall have been adopted by the governing body of such city (and also by any housing authority which shall have been theretofore established and authorized to exercise its powers in such city) declaring that there is a need for the county or regional housing authority to exercise its powers within such city.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-34 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 16 / Section 19-34
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-34
Status: in_force

(1) In lieu of legal proceedings instituted to obtain a modification for an order for support, a written stipulated agreement for modification executed by the responsible parent when acknowledged before a clerk of the court having jurisdiction over those matters or a notary public and filed with and approved by the judge of that court shall have the same force and effect, retroactively and prospectively, in accordance with the terms of the agreement as an order for modification of support entered by the court, and shall be enforceable and subject to later modification in the same manner as is provided by law for orders of the court in those cases.

(2) With respect to a child support order in cases initiated or enforced by the Department of Human Services under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, in which the department has determined that a modification is appropriate, the department shall send a motion and notice of intent to modify the order, together with the proposed modification of the order under this section to the last known mailing address of the defendant. The notice shall specify the date and time certain of the hearing and shall be sent by certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested; notice shall be deemed complete as of the date of delivery as evidenced by the return receipt. The required notice may also be delivered by personal service in accordance with Rule 4 of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure insofar as it may be applied to service of an administrative order or notice. The defendant may accept the proposed modification by signing and returning it to the department before the date of hearing for presentation to the court for approval. If the defendant does not sign and return the proposed modification, the court shall on the date and time previously set for hearing review the proposal and make a determination as to whether it should be approved, in whole or in part.

(3) Every three (3) years, the Department of Human Services shall notify both parents of their right to request a review, and upon the request of either parent, or if there is an assignment under Section 43-19-35 , the department, after a review and determination of appropriateness, or either parent may seek an adjustment to a support order being enforced under Section 43-19-31 in accordance with the guidelines established under Section 43-19-101 , if the amount of the child support award under the order differs from the amount that would be awarded in accordance with the guidelines, taking into account the best interests of the child involved. If a recipient of Title IV-D services receives TANF, the Department of Human Services shall conduct a review every three (3) years and, after a determination of appropriateness, shall seek an adjustment to a support order according to the guidelines under Section 43-19-101 . No proof of a material change in circumstances is necessary in the three-year review for adjustment under this subsection (3). A preexisting arrearage in support payments shall not serve as a bar to the department's review and adjustment procedure. Proof of a material change in circumstances is necessary for modification outside the three-year cycle.

(4) Any order for the support of minor children, whether entered through the judicial system or through an expedited process, shall not be subject to a retroactive modification except from the date that notice of such petition to modify has been given, either directly or through the appropriate agent, to the obligee or to the obligor where the obligee is the petitioner.

(5) If a downward modification is determined to be warranted under the guidelines contained in subsection (3), the noncustodial parent's arrearage, if any, shall not be a basis for contesting the downward modification in any later legal proceedings.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-354 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 20 / Section 21-354
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-354
Status: in_force

The statewide incoming wide area telephone service established pursuant to Section 43-21-353 shall be maintained by the Department of Child Protection Services, or its successor, on a twenty-four-hour seven (7) days a week basis.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-137 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 30 / Section 33-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-137
Status: in_force

In so far as the provisions of this article are inconsistent with the provisions of any other law, the provisions of this article shall be controlling.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-3
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared (a) that the providing of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons of low income are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent and private property acquired and are governmental functions of state concern and (b) that it is in the public interest that work on projects for such purposes be commenced as soon as possible in order to relieve unemployment which now constitutes an emergency; and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions hereinafter enacted, is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-9-29 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 9-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-9-29
Status: in_force

On the death of any recipient, double the total amount of assistance paid to such recipient under this chapter shall be allowed as a claim against the estate of such person if it is found that such recipient has obtained funds by false representation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-23 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 47-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-23
Status: in_force

The department and the court are authorized to seek the cooperation of all public agencies, departments, societies, organizations or agencies having for their object the protection or aid of vulnerable persons. These agencies, departments, societies and organizations shall provide any such assistance as is necessary.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-13 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 43 / Section 55-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-13
Status: in_force

The commission shall do all of the following:

(a) Promote increased coordination, visibility, and support for volunteers of all ages, especially youth and senior citizens, and community service in meeting the unmet needs of communities.

(b) Ensure that its funding decisions meet all federal and state requirements.

(c) Recommend innovative, creative, statewide service programs to increase volunteer participation in all age groups and community-based problem solving among diverse participants.

(d) Develop and implement a centralized system for obtaining information and technical support concerning volunteerism and community service recruitment, projects, training methods, materials, and activities throughout this state. The commission shall provide the information and support upon request.

(e) Promote interagency collaboration to maximize resources and develop a model of such collaboration on the state level.

(f) Provide public recognition and support of volunteer efforts that address community needs by individuals, by private sector organizations and businesses, and partnerships between the public and private sectors.

(g) Stimulate increased community awareness of the effects of volunteer services in this state.

(h) Utilize local, state and federal resources to initiate, strengthen, and expand quality service programs.

(i) Serve as this state's representative to national and state organizations that support the commission's mission.

(j) Prepare for this state a national three-year service plan that is developed through an open and public process that provides maximum participation and input from national service programs in this state and other interested members of the public. The plan shall be updated annually and contain information that the commission considers appropriate or the corporation requires. The plan shall ensure outreach to diverse community-based agencies that serve under-represented populations, by either using established state networks and registries or establishing these networks and registries.

(k) Prepare this state's financial assistance applications under Section 117B of Title I, 42 USCS 12543 , and Section 130 of Title I, 42 USCS 12582 .

(l) Assist in the preparation of the Department of Education's application for assistance under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Public Law 93-113, 87 Stat. 394.

(m) Prepare this state's application under Section 130 of Title I, 42 USCS 12582 , for the approval of service positions that include the national service educational award described in Division D of Title I, 42 USCS 12601 to 12604 .

(n) Make recommendations to the corporation with respect to priorities for programs receiving assistance under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Public Law 93-113, 87 Stat. 394.

(o) Make technical assistance available to enable applicants for assistance under Section 121 of Title I, 42 USCS 12571 , to plan and implement service programs and to apply for assistance under the national service laws, using information and materials available through a clearing house established under Section 198A of Title I, 42 USCS 12653a , if appropriate.

(p) Assist participants in national service programs that receive assistance under Section 121 of Title I, 42 USCS 12571 , in attaining health care and child care under Section 140 of Title I, 42 USCS 12594 .

(q) Develop a state system for the recruitment and placement of participants in programs that receive assistance under the national service laws.

(r) Disseminate information about national service programs that receive assistance under the national service positions.

(s) Use assistance provided under Section 121 of Title I, 42 USCS 12571 , to administer this state's grant program in support of national service programs including the selection, oversight, and evaluation of grant recipients.

(t) Develop projects, training methods, curriculum materials, and other materials and activities related to national service programs that receive assistance directly from the corporation or from the state using assistance provided under Section 121 of Title I, for use by such programs upon request.

(u) Establish policies and procedures for the use of federal funds received under Title I of the national service laws.

(v) Coordinate its functions, including recruitment, public awareness, and training activities, with any division of the Corporation for National and Community Service.