Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-35 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 145-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-35
Status: in_force

Such general obligation bonds may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 . Any resolution providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds under the provisions of Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the State Bond Commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular, special or adjourned meeting of the State Bond Commission by a majority of its members.

The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 may, in the discretion of the State Bond Commission, be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided now or hereafter by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The necessary papers for such validation proceedings shall be transmitted to the State Bond Commission, and the required notice shall be published in a newspaper published in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-609 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-609
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-609
Status: in_force

All bonds issued by an educational building corporation shall be lawful investments for trusts, insurance companies, savings companies, banks and other financial institutions organized under the laws of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 140-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-3
Status: in_force

(1) There is created the Mississippi School of the Arts, which shall be a residential school for eleventh and twelfth grade high school students located on the campus of Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi. The purpose of the school shall be to provide a more challenging educational experience for artistically talented and gifted students of the state to develop their full potential, including the teaching of humanities, creative writing, literature, theater, music, dance and visual arts, and the school's curriculum and admissions policies shall reflect that purpose.

(2) The 2001-2002 school year shall be the first year that the school shall admit students for enrollment, which shall be limited to students in the eleventh grade during the school's first year. Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, the school shall enroll students in the eleventh and twelfth grades.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 115-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-29
Status: in_force

The state building commission shall construct the buildings and all other related facilities for said medical school and teaching hospital. When such buildings shall have been constructed and made ready for occupancy, the lands so selected by the state building commission for the use of said medical school and teaching hospital, together with the buildings and other improvements erected thereon, shall be conveyed by the state building commission to the University of Mississippi, and title to said property shall be vested in the University of Mississippi. Said medical school and teaching hospital shall be operated as departments of the University of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 123-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-5
Status: in_force

No person shall be eligible to admission to the Delta State College, who shall not have completed the studies of course prescribed by law for the common or public schools of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-437 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-437
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-437
Status: in_force

After the budget shall have been prepared as is provided for in Section 37-29-415 , the board of trustees of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District shall certify the same in writing to the boards of supervisors of the several counties and shall certify to the said boards of supervisors the number of mills of ad valorem taxation required to make provisions for the revenue required in said budget. It shall thereupon become the duty of the board of supervisors of each of the four counties to levy the taxes in the number of mills specified by the board of trustees. The tax levy for maintenance and operation of the district shall not exceed four mills nor shall the levy for capital outlay, including purchase of lands, construction and equipment of buildings and structures, making of major repairs, and for the retirement of bonds, exceed three mills.

Promptly upon having certified the requirements of the district to the several boards of supervisors the board of trustees of the district shall cause publication of notice to be made in each county in a newspaper published or having general circulation therein giving notice of the filing of the request for the levy aforesaid. Said notice shall be published at least one time and within ten days after the certification of the request for such levy to the boards of supervisors. The said notice shall provide that the said levy requested will be made in each county unless a petition signed by twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of the district shall be filed with the secretary of the board of trustees of the said district within thirty (30) days from the date of the first publication protesting against the said levy and demanding an election thereon. In the event of the filing of such a petition, it shall be the duty of the secretary forthwith to call a special meeting of the board of trustees of the district setting forth the fact of the filing of such petition in the notice of the call and the said board shall promptly meet and consider the said petition. If it shall find that the same does in fact protest against the said levies and is in fact signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of the said district, it shall then so certify to the boards of supervisors of the several counties. As early as possible but not later than fifteen (15) days after the receipt of such notice, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors of each county to enter an order directing the election commissioners of the county to proceed to hold an election in all of the voting precincts of said county to determine whether or not the levy shall be made as requested by the board of trustees of the district.

The said election shall be held within thirty (30) days from the date of the said order of the board of supervisors requesting that the same be called and notice thereof shall be published once a week for three (3) weeks during the period between the order directing the election commissioners to hold the same and the actual date thereof.

The election shall be held in accordance with the laws governing general elections as nearly as is practicable and the election commissioners of each county shall, promptly after the holding of said election, certify to the secretary of the board of trustees of the district the result thereof in each county, certifying also the number of qualified electors in each county on the date of the holding of said election. The board of trustees of the district shall promptly meet and consider the several certificates of the election commissioners and shall determine the result of said election in the district. If it shall be determined that a majority of the qualified electors of the district have voted against the levy requested, the same shall not be made but the board of supervisors in each county shall continue in effect the levy made for the preceding fiscal year. If it be determined that a majority of the qualified electors has not voted against said levy, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors of each county to make the levy as requested. In any event, the levy for full faith and credit bonds outstanding as obligations of the county before May 10, 1962, for capital outlays and improvements for Perkinston Junior College and/or bonds subsequently issued shall be continued in effect in accordance with the obligations undertaken in the issuance of said bonds. All of such bond levies, however, as are reasonably required to meet the annual maturities and interest on outstanding bonds shall be considered a part of the three mill maximum above provided for capital outlays, buildings, purchase of land and other similar items hereinbefore mentioned.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 103-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-27
Status: in_force

The responsibility for registering under his proper residence status is placed upon the student. In addition to any administrative action which may be taken by the governing authorities of the state-supported institutions of higher learning or junior colleges concerned, any student who wilfully presents false evidence as to his residence status shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof may be fined not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-211 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 31-211
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-211
Status: in_force

The Legislature shall appropriate to the State Board of Education those state funds to be expended by the board through the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-1
Status: in_force

(1) The creation, establishment, maintenance and operation of community colleges is authorized. Community colleges may admit students if they have earned one (1) unit less than the number of units required for high school graduation established by State Board of Education policy or have earned a High School Equivalency Diploma in courses correlated to those of senior colleges or professional schools. Subject to the provisions of Section 75-76-34 , they shall offer, without limitation, education and training preparatory for occupations such as agriculture, industry of all kinds, business, homemaking and for other occupations on the semiprofessional and vocational-technical level. They may offer courses and services to students regardless of their previous educational attainment or further academic plans.

(2) The boards of trustees of the community college districts are authorized to establish an early admission program under which applicants having a minimum ACT composite score of twenty-six (26) or the equivalent SAT score may be admitted as full-time college students if the principal or guidance counselor of the student recommends in writing that it is in the best educational interest of the student. Such recommendation shall also state that the student's age will not keep him from being a successful full-time college student. Students admitted in the early admission program shall not be counted for total funding formula purposes in the net enrollment of the school district in which they reside, and transportation required by a student to participate in the early admission program shall be the responsibility of the parents or legal guardians of the student. Grades and college credits earned by students admitted to the early admission program shall be recorded on the college transcript at the community college where the student attends classes, and may be released to another institution or used for college graduation requirements only after the student has successfully completed one (1) full semester of course work.

(3) The community colleges shall provide, through courses or other acceptable educational measures, the general education necessary to individuals and groups which will tend to make them capable of living satisfactory lives consistent with the ideals of a democratic society.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 104-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-23
Status: in_force

The Authority may sell the revenue bonds in such a manner and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par, plus accrued interest to date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. Notice of the sale of any revenue bonds shall be published at least one (1) time not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published in Jackson, Mississippi, and having general circulation within the State of Mississippi, and in one or more other newspapers or financial journals as may be directed by the Authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-121 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-121
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-121
Status: in_force

Any junior college district, supported in whole or in part by tax levies of one or more counties, may borrow not exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00), for the purpose of receiving, transporting, erecting on the ground of said institution, and equipping and furnishing any prefabricated houses, or other materials, or appliances, fixtures, machines, furnishings or equipment, obtained by grant or otherwise from the United States of America or any department or agency thereof, or from any other source, where the same may be acquired for the use of the institution, any student personnel, or faculty members.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 31-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-1
Status: in_force

The State of Mississippi hereby accepts all the provisions and benefits of an act passed by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America, in congress assembled, entitled: “An act to provide for the promotion of vocational education; to provide for co-operation with the state in the promotion of such education in agriculture, trades and industries, home economics and distributive education; to provide for co-operation with the states in the preparation of teachers of vocational subjects, and to appropriate money and regulate its expenditure,” approved February 23, nineteen hundred seventeen, and known as the “Smith-Hughes Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-13
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever the Governor declares a state of emergency in a school district in response to a certification by the State Board of Education and the Commission on School Accreditation made under Section 37-17-6(12)(b) , or when the State Board of Education places a school district into a District of Transformation for academic or financial reasons under Section 37-17-6 (12)(b) , the State Board of Education, in addition to any actions taken under Section 37-17-6 , shall abolish the school district and assume control and administration of the schools formerly constituting the district, and appoint an interim superintendent to carry out this purpose under the direction of the State Board of Education. In such case, the State Board of Education shall have all powers which were held by the previously existing school board, and the previously existing superintendent of schools or county superintendent of education, including, but not limited to, those enumerated in Section 37-7-301 , and the authority to request tax levies from the appropriate governing authorities for the support of the schools and to receive and expend the tax funds as provided by Section 37-57-1 et seq. and Section 37-57-105 et seq.

(2) When a school district is abolished under this section, loans from the School District Emergency Assistance Fund may be made by the State Board of Education for the use and benefit of the schools formerly constituting the district in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 37-17-6(15) for such loans to the district. The abolition of a school district under this section shall not impair or release the property of that school district from liability for the payment of the loan indebtedness, and it shall be the duty of the appropriate governing authorities to levy taxes on the property of the district so abolished from year to year according to the terms of the indebtedness until same shall be fully paid.

(3) After a local school board is abolished by the State Board of Education, at such time the State Board of Education determines that the impairments are being substantially corrected and the responsibility of the district transformation in such district upon the conclusion of the final scholastic year in which a district has maintained a “C” accountability rating for three (3) consecutive years, the State Board of Education may appoint a new five-member board for the administration of the school district and shall notify the local county board of supervisors and/or municipal governing authority of such appointment, spreading the names of the new school board members on its minutes. The new local school board members shall be residents of the school district. The new local school board members appointed by the State Board of Education may serve in an advisory capacity to the interim superintendent for its first year of service and thereafter shall have full responsibility to administer the school district. Thirty (30) days prior to the end of the first year of office as an advisory board, each member shall draw lots to determine when the members shall rotate off the board as follows: one (1) member shall serve a one-year term of office; one (1) member shall serve a two-year term of office; one (1) member shall serve a three-year term of office; one (1) member shall serve a four-year term of office; and one (1) member shall serve a five-year term of office. At that time, the State Board of Education shall notify the appropriate board of supervisors or municipal governing authority of this action and request them to provide for the election or appointment of school board members at the end of the terms of office in the manner provided by law, in order for the local residents of the school district to select a new school board on a phased-in basis. In such situations, the Governor will set the date of any necessary special election which shall be conducted by the county election commission. During the new school board's first two (2) years administering the school district, the interim superintendent shall continue to serve alongside the school board. The State Board of Education shall request the new school board to provide for the appointment of a superintendent to govern the reconstituted or reorganized school district one (1) year after the new school board's first year of administering the school district. The new superintendent shall serve as deputy to the interim superintendent while the interim superintendent is assigned to the district. A board member or superintendent in office at the time the Governor declares a state of emergency in a school district, or when the State Board of Education places a school district into a District of Transformation due to academic or financial reasons, shall not be eligible to serve in the office of school board member or superintendent for the school district reconstituted or reorganized following the district transformation period.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 131-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-5
Status: in_force

When any educable children of any school district are attending a demonstration or practice school under a contract, as authorized by Section 37-131-3 , who would otherwise be entitled to transportation at public expense under any applicable statute, such children shall remain entitled to such transportation and shall be reported for the allotment of transportation funds by the county or municipal separate school district in which they reside and, when so reported, transportation funds shall be allotted to the county or municipal separate school district therefor just as though such pupil were attending a regular school of the county or municipal separate school district, and transportation therefor shall be furnished by the county board of education or board of trustees of the municipal separate school district, as the case may be, as is otherwise provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 104-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-9
Status: in_force

The purpose of the Authority shall be to assist private institutions of higher learning in the financing and refinancing of educational facility projects, and for this purpose the Authority is authorized and empowered:

(a) To adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its affairs and business;

(b) To adopt an official seal and alter the same at its pleasure;

(c) To maintain an office at such place or places as it may designate;

(d) To sue and be sued in its own name;

(e) To borrow money for any of the purposes of this chapter, and to issue revenue bonds therefor, and to provide for the rights of the holders of such bonds, all as hereinafter more particularly provided;

(f) To enter into bond loan agreements with participating private institutions of higher learning;

(g) To receive and accept loans, grants, aid or contributions from any source of either money, property, labor or other things of value to be held, used and applied only for the purposes for which such loans, grants, aid and contributions are made, provided that the purposes of such loans, grants, aid and contributions are not in conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter;

(h) To charge to and apportion among participating private institutions of higher learning its administrative costs and expenses incurred in the exercise of the powers and duties conferred by this chapter;

(i) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and

(j) To physically inspect the educational facilities which are financed or refinanced under the provisions of this chapter, in order to determine whether the participating private institutions of higher learning, or any of their voluntary grantees, are using the educational facilities, or any parts thereof, for sectarian instruction or as places of religious worship or in connection with any parts of the programs of schools or departments of divinity of any religious denominations or sects.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-81
Status: in_force

The district, in the discretion of the board of trustees, may charge fees and tuitions in accordance with Section 37-103-25 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 23-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-13
Status: in_force

(1) The school board of any school district is hereby authorized to comply with the provisions of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C.A. Sections 12101 - 12213 (West Supp. 1991) ) by making reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant or employee, unless the school board can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the school. The school board of any such school district determining that such accommodation is required and reasonable may, by resolution spread upon its minutes, apply to the State Department of Education for funds to defray the cost of providing qualified reader machines or persons, as determined by the school board to be in the best interest of the individual teacher, for visually-impaired classroom teachers in compliance with said federal law.

(2) The State Department of Education, within the availability of funds appropriated for such purpose, may expend funds for the purpose of defraying the expenses of school districts in providing qualified reader machines or persons, as determined by the school board to be in the best interest of the individual teacher, for visually-impaired classroom teachers under the said Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, with the approval of the State Board of Education. The department shall, by regulation, prescribe a method and necessary forms for the purpose of school districts' applications for funds as authorized herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 57-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-1
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The boards of supervisors of the counties shall levy and collect all taxes for and on behalf of all school districts which were within the county school system or designated as special municipal separate school districts prior to July 1, 1986. Such taxes shall be collected by the county tax collector at the same time and in the same manner as county taxes are collected by him, and the same penalties for delinquency shall be applicable.

The governing authorities of the municipalities shall levy and collect all taxes for and on behalf of all school districts which were designated as municipal separate school districts prior to July 1, 1986. Such taxes shall be collected by the municipal tax collector at the same time and in the same manner as municipal taxes are collected by him, and the same penalties for delinquency shall be applicable.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 19-9-171 , the county or municipal tax collector, as the case may be, shall pay such tax collections, except for taxes collected for the payment of the principal of and interest on school bonds or notes and except for taxes collected to defray collection costs, into the school depository and report to the school board of the appropriate school district at the same time and in the same manner as the tax collector makes his payments and reports of other taxes collected by him.

However, the State Board of Education shall determine the appropriate levying authority for any school district created or reorganized after July 1, 1987.

(b) For the purposes of this chapter and any other laws pertaining to taxes levied or bonds or notes issued for and on behalf of school districts, the term “ levying authority ” means the board of supervisors of the county or the governing authorities of the municipality, whichever levies taxes for and on behalf of the particular school district as provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection.

(2) The levying authority for the school district shall, at the same time and in the same manner as other taxes are levied by the levying authority, levy a tax of not less than twenty-eight (28) mills for the then current fiscal year or a millage rate equivalent to twenty-seven percent (27%) of the total funding formula under Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 , whichever is a lesser amount, as certified to the school district by the State Department of Education, upon all of the taxable property of the school district. However, in no case shall the minimum local ad valorem tax effort for any school district be equal to an amount that would require a millage rate exceeding fifty-five (55) mills in that school district. However, if a levying authority is levying in excess of fifty-five (55) mills on July 1, 1997, the levying authority may levy an additional amount not exceeding three (3) mills in the aggregate for the period beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 2003, subject to the limitation on increased receipts from ad valorem taxes prescribed in Sections 37-57-105 and 37-57-107 . Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any school district that is levying more than fifty-five (55) mills pursuant to Sections 37-57-1 and 37-57-105 to decrease its millage rate to fifty-five (55) mills or less. In making such levy, the levying authority shall levy an additional amount sufficient to cover anticipated delinquencies and costs of collection so that the net amount of money to be produced by such levy shall be equal to the amount which the school district is required to contribute as its minimum local ad valorem tax effort. The tax so levied shall be collected by the tax collector at the same time and in the same manner as other ad valorem taxes are collected by him. The amount of taxes so collected as a result of such levy shall be paid into the district maintenance fund of the school district by the tax collector at the same time and in the same manner as reports and payments of other ad valorem taxes are made by the tax collector, except that the amount collected to defray costs of collection may be paid into the county general fund. The levying authority shall have the power and authority to direct and cause warrants to be issued against such fund for the purpose of refunding any amount of taxes erroneously or illegally paid into such fund where such refund has been approved in the manner provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-71-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 71-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-71-3
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “ Alternative learning course ” or “ alternative course, program or opportunity ” means a sequence of instruction over a period of time that meets reasonably equivalent requirements or competencies of a subject or subjects included in the career and technical education curriculum included in the College and Career Readiness Standards, which results in the granting of a credit leading to high school graduation.

(b) “ Apprenticeship ” means:

(i) A program that meets the federal guidelines set out in 29 CFR Part 29 , including Industry Programs; or

(ii) An apprenticeship program that already exists or created by a Mississippi statute, rule or licensing authority.

(c) “ Board ” means the State Board of Education.

(d) “ Department ” means the State Department of Education.

(e) “ Licensing ” means any required training, education, or fee to work in a specific profession.

(f) “ Licensing authority ” means an agency, examining board, credentialing board, or other office with the authority to impose occupational fees or licensing requirements on any profession.

(g) “ Sponsoring organization ” means any business, industry, whether public or private, nonprofit organization, for-profit organization or other appropriate entities that partner with a local school district or multiple districts to provide alternative learning courses through apprenticeships, internships or pre-apprenticeships, subject to guidelines prescribed by the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-79 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 113-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-79
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine is authorized to accept gifts, donations, bequests, trusts, grants, endowments, transfers of money or securities, repayments and any other monies from any source whatsoever to be used for the purposes of administering the Dr. Elton Mac Huddleston Rural Veterinarians Scholarship Program.

(2) The dean shall prepare and submit an annual report to the Legislature not later than December 1 of each year, which shall include, but not be limited to, information about who received scholarships under the program and how much each person received, and the amount of any funds received under subsection (1) of this section and how those funds were used for the purpose of the program.

(3) The appropriation request of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the program shall be reduced if a saturation point is achieved and the shortage of veterinary services in rural Mississippi is adequately addressed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 37-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-21
Status: in_force

When, as a result of any audits performed under the terms of this chapter, the State Auditor has reason to believe that any false or erroneous report or violation of law presents ample evidence therefor, he shall report the same to the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall thereupon institute suit in the name of the State of Mississippi and prosecute to a conclusion such actions as may be necessary to make recovery from any and all persons civilly liable. The Attorney General shall also refer the matter to the proper district attorney for the institution of any appropriate criminal proceedings. Any funds recovered by such suits shall be paid into the appropriate school district fund in accordance with the loss such fund or funds may have sustained.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-163 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 33-163
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-163
Status: in_force

The Office of Disability Determination Services established by Section 37-33-153 shall be administered by a director appointed by the Executive Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services. The director shall devote his full time to the proper administration of the office. In carrying out his duties under this chapter, the director:

(a) Shall enter into agreements on behalf of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services and the State of Mississippi with the federal Social Security Administration or its successor in order to implement the provisions of the federal Social Security Act relating to the determination of disabilities under Title II and Title XVI, and shall enter into contracts necessary to provide such disability determination functions as allowed under applicable federal regulation;

(b) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, make regulations governing Mississippi applications for disability benefits under Title II and Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act, and make such other regulations as are found necessary to implement the functions of the office prescribed under this chapter;

(c) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, establish appropriate subordinate administrative units within the office;

(d) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, be responsible for appointing supervisors, assistants, physicians, and other employees or entering into purchase of service contracts, as are necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the office, subject to the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the State Personnel Board as created under Section 25-9-101 et seq. ;

(e) Shall prepare and submit to the board through the executive director annual reports of activities and expenditures, and estimates of the amounts to be made available to the office from all sources; and

(f) Shall, with the approval of the executive director and the board, take such other action as he deems necessary or appropriate to implement the functions of the office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-285 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-285
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-285
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Section 37-101-291 , the following terms shall have the following meanings unless context shall prescribe otherwise:

(1) “ State health institution ” or “ state health institutions ” means all facilities operated within the Department of Mental Health, mental health/intellectual disability facilities under the administration of a regional commission as established under Section 41-19-31 , that are certified by the Department of Mental Health, University of Mississippi Hospital, the State Board of Health, health care facilities operated by the Department of Corrections, and any other public health care facility.

(2) “ Health care professions ” means nurses, nurse practitioners, speech pathologists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and any other critical need profession determined by the sponsoring state health institution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-147-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 147-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-147-15
Status: in_force

(1) With the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, any university may form, pursuant to the provisions of the Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation Act or the Mississippi Business Corporation Act, one or more research corporations, separate and apart from the state and the university, to promote, develop and administer enterprises arising from research or technological innovations in order to take advantage of opportunities of scientific, educational and economic development.

(2) Each such corporation shall be governed by, and all of the functions, powers and duties of it shall be exercised by, a board of directors appointed by the president of the university. Members of the board of directors may include the president of the university, officers and employees of the university, and other persons selected by the president of the university. Officers and employees of the university may have ownership or financial interests in such corporations.

(3) The board of directors of each such corporation shall adopt bylaws, in accordance with the provisions of the Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation Act or the Mississippi Business Corporation Act, as appropriate, governing the conduct of the corporation in the performance of its duties under its charter and this act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-185 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-185
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-185
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall review the proposed character education programs of the individual school districts to ascertain if the programs comply with the criteria set forth in Section 37-13-181 . Review of the programs shall not exceed a time period of sixty (60) days. If a review extends beyond this time period, the proposal will be deemed in compliance with the law.

If the proposed character education program is rejected, the State Board of Education shall set forth in writing the specific areas of objection. These objections must be based on and limited to the following criteria: the definition of the character traits chosen by the school district for implementation shall reflect and be in keeping with both the spirit and letter of our founding documents; no instruction shall promote or encourage participation in any conduct that would violate existing state or federal law; and no student shall be assessed or evaluated as to whether or not the student evidences a specific character trait in his or her own life.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 59-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-1
Status: in_force

The word “bonds” as used in this article shall be deemed to mean and include bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 28-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-21
Status: in_force

(1) The authorizer shall grant an initial charter to each qualified applicant for a term of five (5) operating years. The term of the charter shall commence on the charter school's first day of operation. An approved charter school may delay its opening for one (1) school year in order to plan and prepare for the school's opening. If the school requires an opening delay of more than one (1) school year, the school must request an extension from the authorizer. The authorizer may grant or deny the extension depending on the particular school's circumstances.

(2)(a) The authorizer and the governing board of the approved charter school shall execute a charter contract that clearly sets forth the academic and operational performance expectations and measures by which the charter school will be judged and the administrative relationship between the authorizer and charter school, including each party's rights and duties. The performance expectations and measures set forth in the charter contract must include, but need not be limited to, applicable federal and state accountability requirements. The performance provisions may be refined or amended by mutual agreement after the charter school is operating and has collected baseline achievement data for its enrolled students.

(b) The charter contract must be signed by the chairman of the authorizer board and the president of the charter school's governing board.

(c) A charter school may not commence operations without a charter contract executed in accordance with this section and approved in an open meeting of the authorizer board.

(3) The authorizer may establish reasonable preopening requirements or conditions to monitor the start-up progress of a newly approved charter school and to ensure that the school is prepared to open smoothly on the date agreed and that the school meets all building, health, safety, insurance and other legal requirements before the school's opening.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 119-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-7
Status: in_force

The University of Southern Mississippi (herein sometimes referred to as the “university”) is authorized and empowered to require the state building commission to issue bonds in an amount not exceeding the sum of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000.00), bearing interest at a rate not exceeding six per cent per annum, for the purpose of and to be expended in extending, adding to and improving the athletic stadium on its campus; to impose student athletic fees; to impose charges, in addition to and distinguished from the established price of admission, upon persons, other than students, for the privilege of attending events held in such stadium, which such charges shall be exempt from any amusement tax now levied and collected in the State of Mississippi, and to immediately commence, prior to the issuance and sale of the bonds herein authorized and to continue, the collection of such charges; and to apply to the satisfaction and retirement, as and when due, of the principal of and interest on such bonds, said athletic fees and said charges, and also, rental income from the dormitory facilities now in the stadium, and income, not otherwise appropriated or allocated, from any other sources. Such bonds shall be authorized by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning in the manner now provided by Sections 37-101-91 through 37-101-103 , and all of the provisions of said sections (except as herein otherwise provided and as are not in conflict with the provisions hereof) shall be applicable to the authorization and issuance of such bonds. Reference in Sections 37-101-95 , 37-101-101 , to “dormitories, dwellings or apartments” shall be understood to apply also to all other projects authorized to be financed under the provisions of Section 37-101-99 .

Upon request of the university, acting through its president and financial secretary, authorization having been first obtained from the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning, the state building commission shall issue and sell bonds of the university at not less than par and accrued interest in the manner provided by Section 21-27-45, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the sale of bonds of municipalities issued thereunder and upon terms and at interest rates, not to exceed the maximum therein authorized, to be fixed by the state building commission. The state building commission is hereby authorized to supervise the contracting for, and the erection of, all buildings erected, extended, added to, or improved under the provisions of this section. The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized and empowered to specify the nature of such extensions, additions, improvements or new construction, and shall approve the plans and specifications therefor prior to the letting of any new contract for any such work. All contracts let under the supervision of the state building commission shall be let as provided by law for other contracts let by said commission.

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning, in the resolution authorizing such bonds, may provide for the imposition of such student athletic fees, such charges for the privilege of attending events held in such stadium (as hereinabove distinguished from the price of admission), such rental charges for use of the dormitories facilities now in the stadium and for application to the retirement of such bonds of such other sources of income, not otherwise appropriated or allocated, as it may consider desirable. Said board may provide for the collection and the allocation of such fees and charges. Such fees and charges or other income shall always be in such amounts as will assure the prompt payment of principal of and interest on such bonds and the carrying out of all of the covenants and agreements contained in such resolution authorizing such bonds.

All bonds so issued shall constitute negotiable instruments within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code of Mississippi.

Any bonds authorized under authority of this section may be validated in the chancery court of first judicial district, Hinds County in the manner and with the force and effect now or hereafter provided by general law for the validation of municipal bonds.

This section, without reference to any other statute or law of Mississippi other than the portions of Sections 37-101-91 through 37-101-103 , not in conflict herewith, and Section 31-19-25 , shall constitute full authority for the extension, adding to and improvement of the aforesaid stadium and the authorization and issuance of bonds hereunder and no other provisions of the statutes pertinent thereto, except as herein expressly provided, shall be construed as applying to any proceedings had hereunder or any acts done pursuant hereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 51-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-11
Status: in_force

In addition to the requirements set out in Section 37-51-7 , to be eligible for a loan an applicant must:

(a) Be a bona fide actual resident of the State of Mississippi; and

(b) Attend any bona fide approved nonfree elementary or secondary school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 175-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-5
Status: in_force

(1) Parents or legal guardians may exercise the option to remove their child from a traditional public school setting to be enrolled in a nonpublic school which meets the standards for appropriate specific instruction designed to meet the unique learning needs of young students with a speech-language impairment. The objectives of such school shall be:

(a) To emphasize the importance of early intervention; and

(b) To provide intensive high-quality speech-language pathology services.

(2) The parent or legal guardian of a public school student with a speech-language impairment may request and receive from the state a Mississippi Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship for the child to enroll in and attend a nonpublic school in accordance with this section if:

(a) The student has spent the previous school year in attendance at a Mississippi public school or any other state accredited nonpublic special purpose school in the state that is organized to provide and emphasizes instruction in speech-language therapy and intervention as the primary purpose of the school; or

(b) The parent or legal guardian has obtained acceptance for admission of the student to a nonpublic school that is eligible for the program under Section 37-175-19 and has requested from the department a scholarship within thirty (30) days before the date of the first scholarship payment. The request must be through a communication directly to the department in a manner that creates a written or electronic record of the request and the date of receipt of the request. The State Department of Education must notify the district of the parent's or legal guardian's intent upon receipt of the parent's or legal guardian's request.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 141-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-21
Status: in_force

(1) The director of the center, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, shall fix the salaries and wages of employees of the center, shall reimburse employees for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, and may approve receipt by employees of additional income payments from grants, fellowships and other sources.

(2) The director of the center, upon approval of the board of trustees, may contract with universities and colleges, with individuals and with public or private research organizations for their services and, under the same approval, may contract for performance by the center of services to governmental subdivisions of the state, to United States government departments and agencies, to area development organizations, to trade associations and other similar groups of public or private nature, and to private business enterprises, and may set fees for such services. Upon approval of the board of trustees, the center may establish intern programs to provide experience that supplements the education of students enrolled in state institutions of higher learning.

(3) Expenditures by and for the center and its branches shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of the funds appropriated to carry out the provisions of this chapter, upon warrant issued by the State Fiscal Management Board; and such board shall issue its warrant upon requisition signed by the director of the center, in the manner provided by law. Full and complete accounting shall be kept and made by the center for all funds received and expended by it. Representatives of the office of the State Auditor annually shall audit the expenditures of funds received by the center from all sources, and the auditor shall make a complete and detailed report of such audit to the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 145-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-45
Status: in_force

No bonds issued by the company under Sections 37-145-43 through 37-145-73 shall constitute a debt, liability or general obligation of the state or any political subdivision thereof (other than the company), or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or any political subdivision thereof (other than the company), but shall be payable solely as provided by the company. No member or officer of the board of directors of the company nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof. Each bond issued under Sections 37-145-43 through 37-145-73 shall contain on the face thereof a statement that neither the state, nor any other political subdivision thereof, shall be obligated to pay the same or the interest thereon or other costs incident thereto except from the revenue or money pledged by the company and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the state or any political subdivision thereof is pledged to the payment of the principal of, or the interest on, such bond.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 177-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-19
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Education shall adopt such policies, rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of this chapter.

(2) The State Department of Education shall provide such technical assistance and training of teachers/administrators as may be needed to aid local school districts in administering the provisions of this chapter.

(3) Each local school district must include provisions required by this chapter as an addition to the district's published handbook of policy for employees and students beginning in school year 2013-2014.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-2 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-2
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-2
Status: in_force

The permanent record provided for in Section 37-15-1 shall be kept, while it is active, in the attendance center office in a fire resistant container.

The permanent record shall be considered active: (a) if the student is enrolled in the school; or (b) if he has withdrawn or has been expelled and the students of the class of which he was a member shall not have reached the time of graduation.

At the point of the student's graduation or at the time when the student would normally have graduated had he not withdrawn or been expelled from school, the student's permanent record shall become a part of the permanent binder in the central fire resistant depository or stored digitally as designated and provided by the school board of the school district, or, as an alternative method, the records may be maintained in fire resistant storage at the school last attended by the student. The permanent binding and preservation of the inactive records shall be the duty of the superintendent of the school district who shall maintain a central depository of the records.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 41-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-27
Status: in_force

(1) The local school boards, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, may permit the use of publicly owned school buses for the transportation of participating students, teachers, coaches and sponsors in connection with athletic events, events of boys' and girls' clubs, events of Future Farmers of America or 4-H Clubs and special events in connection with the schools which the boards may consider a part of the educational program. The local school boards, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, may permit the use of publicly owned school buses for the transportation of citizens for grand jury and other jury functions upon order of the court or as considered necessary by the school board during natural or man-made emergencies, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other acts of God. The local school boards, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, may permit the use of publicly owned school buses for the transportation of citizens attending an air show or historic commemorative event held on a military base or military park located in the school district; provided that such determination shall be made upon the minutes of the school board and shall include an agreement with the military base or military park that it will indemnify and hold the school district harmless in any action regarding such transportation.

(2)(a) Local school boards may regularly permit the use of motor vehicles other than school buses when the transportation is for trips to and from school sites or for school-related functions and activities; however, motor vehicles other than school buses may not be used for customary transportation between a student's residence and such sites.

(b) When the transportation of students is provided, as authorized in this subsection, in a vehicle other than a school bus that is owned, operated, rented, contracted, or leased by a school district or charter school, the following provisions shall apply:

(i) The vehicle must be a passenger car or multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck, as defined in 49 CFR Part 571 , designed to transport fewer than sixteen (16) students and which does not require a commercial driver's license with passenger endorsement. Students must be transported in designated seating positions and must use the occupant crash protection system provided by the manufacturer unless the student's physical condition prohibits such use.

(ii) An authorized vehicle may not be driven by a student on a public right-of-way. An authorized vehicle may be driven by a student on school or private property as part of the student's educational curriculum if no other student is in the vehicle.

(iii) The driver of an authorized vehicle transporting students must maintain a valid driver's license and must comply with the requirements of the school district's locally adopted safe driver plan, which includes review of driving records for disqualifying violations.

(iv) The local school board must adopt a policy that addresses procedures and liability for trips under this paragraph, including a provision that school buses are to be used whenever practical and specifying consequences for violation of the policy.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-16 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 173-16
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-16
Status: in_force

(1) Each local school district shall make an initial determination of whether a student diagnosed with dyslexia meets the eligibility criteria under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to have an Individualized Education Program developed and to receive services. If a student's diagnosis of dyslexia does not result in an IDEA eligibility determination then the district must proceed with their process for determining if the student is eligible for a 504 Plan under the Rehabilitation Act based on the presumption that proficiency in spelling, reading and writing are essential for the student to achieve appropriate educational progress. Each local school district shall develop interventions and strategies to address the needs of those students diagnosed with dyslexia which provide the necessary accommodations to enable the student to achieve appropriate educational progress. The interventions and strategies developed shall include, but not be limited to, the use of the 3-Tier Instructional Model and the utilization of provisions of the IDEA and 504 Plan to address those needs.

(2) The State Department of Education shall require public school districts to conduct four (4) hours of in-service training in dyslexia and related disorder awareness education every three (3) years for all licensed educators and paraprofessionals responsible for instruction. Standard 1 and Standard 2 of the International Dyslexia Association's “Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading” 2018 Edition shall be the minimum content used for the dyslexia training. Additional content of the trainings shall also include the indicators and characteristics, screening processes, evidence-based interventions and accommodations for students with dyslexia and other related disorders. The training, which may be provided through live in-person instruction, online course instruction or through a prerecorded video presentation, shall be delivered by an individual who holds a State Department of Education License No. 203 in Dyslexia Therapy and a national certificate as a Certified Academic Language Therapist.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-201 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-201
Status: in_force

(1) Before December 1, 2008, the State Board of Education shall appoint an ongoing Advisory Committee to expedite the implementation of Sections 37-23-191 through 37-23-203 . The Advisory Committee shall be composed of at least twelve (12) persons nominated by the State Superintendent of Public Education from within or outside of the state, including, but not limited to, representatives of the following groups:

(a) The National Federation of the Blind;

(b) The Mississippi Council of the Blind;

(c) A parent or guardian of a blind student;

(d) The Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities;

(e) Special education directors having one or more blind or visually impaired students in their respective school districts;

(f) Specialists in Braille education or deaf-blindness or certified teachers of the blind and visually impaired students, or both. Specialists in Braille shall be deemed competent in reading and writing Literary Braille and Nemeth Code as certified by successful passage of the Mississippi Praxis II Braille Competency Exam and/or certified under National Certification in Literary Braille;

(g) Employees of the State Department of Education;

(h) Consumers, or an advocate of consumers, of Braille materials;

(i) The Mississippi School for the Blind;

(j) The Mississippi Instructional Resource Center; and

(k) Individuals from higher education programs that address issues specific to visual impairment.

(2) The State Superintendent of Public Education shall appoint a chairperson from among the members of the Advisory Committee. The committee shall meet at least semiannually upon the call of the superintendent, and its functions shall be to perform the duties prescribed in subsection (3) of this section. Members of the committee shall receive no compensation or per diem, but each member shall be entitled to reimbursement for all actual and necessary expenses incurred by his participation in the committee's activities.

(3) The committee shall perform the following duties:

(a) Provide expertise to maximize collaboration with the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) at the American Printing House for the Blind and, when necessary, textbook publishers on the development of NIMAS and associated graphics files to be converted into accessible textbooks with translation software;

(b) Recommend potential authorized users for the NIMAS program to the State Director of Special Education to ensure that all accessible textbook needs are met within the state on a timely basis, being no later than such time that all other students receive their corresponding textbooks;

(c) Study any other issues that the committee determines are relevant and necessary to the implementation of this article and to the improvement of the education of students who are blind or visually impaired in Mississippi; and

(d) Assist the State Department of Education in promulgating regulations, policies and procedures in implementing Sections 37-23-191 through 37-23-203 .

(4) The State Superintendent of Public Education shall respond to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee within sixty (60) days of the annually published report.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-133 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 23-133
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-133
Status: in_force

Words and terms, unless otherwise defined below, when used in Sections 37-23-1 through 37-23-159 shall be defined in the same manner as those words and terms used in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 1997 Amendments (IDEA), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, applicable federal regulations and relevant court cases:

(a) “ Assistive technology device ” means any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.

(b) “ Assistive technology service ” means any service that directly assists a student with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes:

(i) The evaluation of the needs of a student with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the student in his or her customary environment;

(ii) Purchasing, leasing or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by students with disabilities;

(iii) Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing or replacing assistive devices;

(iv) Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;

(v) Training or technical assistance for a student with a disability or, if appropriate, that student's family; and

(vi) Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation services), employers or other individuals who may provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of students with disabilities.

(c) “ Consent ” means agreement in writing from the parent of a child with a disability pertaining to the activities as required under IDEA and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Local educational agencies shall ensure that the parent:

(i) Has been fully informed of all information relevant to the activity for which consent is required;

(ii) Understands the activity for which consent is requested; and

(iii) Understands that the granting of consent is voluntary and may be revoked at any time prior to the time the activity is conducted.

(d) “ Free appropriate public education ” means special education and related services provided by local educational agencies that:

(i) Have been provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge;

(ii) Meet the standards of the State Department of Education;

(iii) Include an appropriate preschool, elementary, or secondary school education; and

(iv) Are provided in conformity with the individualized education program required under IDEA, applicable federal and state regulations and relevant court cases.

(e) “ Individualized education program ” or “ IEP ” means a written statement for each child with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with the requirements under IDEA, applicable federal and state regulations and relevant court cases.

(f) “ Least restrictive environment ” means to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

(g) “ Parent ” means a person who is legally responsible for a child's welfare or acting for the child in the absence of the legally responsible person. Parent may also mean a natural parent, a guardian, or a surrogate parent.

(h) “ Related services ” means transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services (including speech-language pathology and audiology services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, social work services, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services, except that such medical services shall be for diagnostic and evaluation purposes only) as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes the early identification and assessment of disabling conditions in children.

(i) “ Special education ” means specially designed instruction provided by local educational agencies, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings. This term also includes instruction in physical education.

(j) “ Supplementary aids and services ” means aids, services, and other supports that are provided in regular education classes or other education-related settings to enable children with disabilities to be educated with nondisabled children to the maximum extent appropriate in accordance with the least restrictive environment requirements under IDEA, applicable federal regulations and relevant court cases.

(k) “ Transition services ” means a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that:

(i) Is designed within an outcome-oriented process, which promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;

(ii) Is based upon the individual student's needs, taking into account the student's preferences and interests;

(iii) Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 59-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-19
Status: in_force

When a petition signed by a majority of the qualified electors residing within the school district on behalf of which bonds are to be issued, fixing the maximum amount of such bonds, such maximum amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and the purpose or purposes for which they are to be issued, shall be filed with the school board of the school district, praying for the issuance of bonds for any of the purposes enumerated in Section 37-59-3 , the school board shall issue the bonds of such school district in the manner provided in this article, in the amount and for the purpose or purposes set forth in such petition, without the necessity of calling an election upon the question of whether or not such bonds shall be issued. The finding of the school board as to the sufficiency of any such petition shall be final and conclusive, unless such finding be appealed from in the manner provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 141-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “The University Research Center Act of 1988.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-91 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 23-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-91
Status: in_force

The board of education in any Class 1 county of the state having a total population of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) according to the 1960 census and having a total assessed valuation in excess of Sixty Million Dollars ($60,000,000.00), bordering on the Gulf of Mexico and in which there is a federal military base, under the methods set out in Sections 37-23-91 through 37-23-111 , may establish a child development center for children in the county who have an intellectual or physical disability or are otherwise unable to attend public school, including, but not limited to, any child of educable or trainable mind under twenty-one (21) years of age for whose particular educational needs institutional care and training are not available in such county, or who cannot pursue regular classwork due to reason or reasons of defective hearing, vision, speech, intellectual disability or physical conditions, as determined by competent medical authorities and psychologists who are approved by the State Board of Education. This specifically includes, but shall not be limited to, provision for the deaf and blind of an age under six (6) years, where early training is in accordance with the most advanced and best approved scientific methods of instruction, always taking into consideration the best interests of the child and his improvement at a time during which he is most susceptible to improvement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-11
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to adopt and have an official seal in such form as it deems appropriate for its official use.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 33-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-65
Status: in_force

Any individual applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation services who is aggrieved by any action or inaction of the department shall be entitled, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department, to a fair hearing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-175 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 29-175
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-175
Status: in_force

If a junior college now or hereafter establishes facilities for the industrial training of students and it appears to the board of trustees of the junior college district that the training of students will be facilitated by the continuous operation of such facilities, the trustees are authorized to lease to individual firms or corporations such facilities or a part thereof upon such terms and conditions as the trustees may approve, provided that all students desirous of securing training of the kind offered by the lessee shall be given a reasonable opportunity therefor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 103-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-3
Status: in_force

No student may be admitted to any junior college or institution of higher learning as a resident of Mississippi unless his residence has been in the State of Mississippi preceding his admission. Residence shall be as defined in Sections 37-103-7 and 37-103-13 unless excepted in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-203 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 153-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-203
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Legislature finds that:

(a) The public health crisis related to COVID-19 resulted in a general disruption in the Mississippi economy and workforce, particularly in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other health care facilities across the state;

(b) Workforce shortages exist in the health care industry; and

(c) The availability of unprecedented federal funding to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the workforce and economy has created a unique opportunity for the office, working with community colleges, to provide education and training to help Mississippians find employment in the nursing, allied health and other health care fields, including paramedics.

(2) Therefore, the intent of the Mississippi Legislature is:

(a) To provide funding for outreach efforts to connect citizens seeking employment in nursing, allied health, and other health care fields, including paramedics, with the education and training required to obtain necessary skills for relevant employment in the state;

(b) To provide funding for new and increased capacity in existing nursing and allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs, or to help retain and graduate nursing and allied health students, including students in an accredited paramedic program, to include any required equipment or supplies, at community and junior colleges or through other entities facilitating healthcare-focused workforce training programs across the state;

(c) To provide funding for new and increased capacity in physician residency and fellowship programs in hospitals across the state; and

(d) To gauge the effectiveness of these programs by gathering data related to participation and wage and employment outcomes in order to replicate successful efforts in future workforce development programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 183-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Postsecondary Education COVID-19 Mitigation Relief Program Act.” 1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-423 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-423
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-423
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District, in the discretion of the board of trustees, may charge fees and tuitions in accordance with Section 37-103-25 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-5
Status: in_force

There shall be appointed only men or women to membership on the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning as shall be qualified electors residing in the district from which each is appointed and at least twenty-five years of age and of the highest order of intelligence, character, learning and fitness for the performance of such duties to the end that such board shall perform the high and honorable duties thereof to the greatest advantage of the people of the state and of such institutions, uninfluenced by any political considerations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-175 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-175
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-175
Status: in_force

(1) Within the limits of the funds available to the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for such purpose, the Executive Director may grant a paid internship to students pursuing junior or senior undergraduate-level year coursework toward a bachelor's degree in a program that qualifies the individual to qualify to become a rehabilitation specialist or a benefit program specialist within the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. Those applicants deemed qualified shall receive funds that may be used to pay for tuition, books and related fees to pursue their degree. It is the intent of the Legislature that the paid internship program (hereinafter referred to as the “program”) shall be used as an incentive for students to develop job-related skills and to encourage careers as rehabilitation specialists or benefits programs specialists at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(2) In order to be eligible for the program, an applicant must:

(a) Attend any college or school approved and designated by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(b) Have successfully obtained a minimum of fifty-eight (58) semester hours toward a bachelor's degree in an eligible field as determined by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services from a Mississippi institution of higher learning. Applicants must have achieved a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) on these semester hours of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If accepted into the internship program, participants shall maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all coursework counted toward a bachelor's degree in an eligible field as determined by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(c) Work at least a total of three hundred (300) hours each summer at a Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services' (MDRS) offices that is mutually agreed upon between MDRS and the respective intern.

(d) Agree to work as a rehabilitation specialist or a benefit program specialist at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services upon graduation for a period of time equivalent to one (1) year for each semester the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services remits payment for tuition, books and/or related fees towards a bachelors degree in an eligible field as determined by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(3)(a) Before being placed into the program, each applicant shall enter into a contract with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, which shall be deemed a contract with the State of Mississippi, agreeing to the terms and conditions upon which the internship shall be granted to him or her. The contract shall include such terms and provisions necessary to carry out the full purpose and intent of this section. The form of such contract shall be prepared and approved by the Attorney General of this state, and shall be signed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and the participant.

(b) Upon entry into the program, participants will become employees of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services during their time in the program and shall be eligible for benefits such as medical insurance paid by the agency for the participant; however, in accordance with Section 25-11-105II.(b), those participants shall not become members of the Public Employees' Retirement System while participating in the program. Participants shall not accrue personal or major medical leave while they are in the program.

(c) The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services shall have the authority to cancel any contract made between it and any program participant upon such cause being deemed sufficient by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(d) The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services is vested with full and complete authority and power to sue in its own name any participant for any damages due the state on any such uncompleted contract, which suit shall be filed and handled by the Attorney General of the state. The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services may contract with a collection agency or banking institution, subject to approval by the Attorney General, for collection of any damages due the state from any participant. The State of Mississippi, the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and its employees are immune from any suit brought in law or equity for actions taken by the collection agency or banking institution incidental to or arising from their performance under the contract. The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, collection agency and banking institution may negotiate for the payment of a sum that is less than full payment in order to satisfy any damages the participant owes the state, subject to approval by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(4)(a) Any recipient who is accepted into the program by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and who fails to complete undergraduate level coursework toward an approved degree, or withdraws from school at any time before completing his or her education, shall be liable to repay the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for all monies received during the time the recipient was in the program, at the rate of pay received by the employee while in the program, including benefits paid by the agency for the participant, and monies received for tuition, books and related fees used to pursue their degree with interest accruing at ten percent (10%) per annum from the date the recipient failed or withdrew from school. The recipient also shall not be liable for repayment for any money earned during the required summer hours. This money shall be considered earned by the recipient at the federal minimum wage rate.

(b) All paid internship compensation received by the recipient while in school shall be considered earned conditioned upon the fulfillment of the terms and obligations of the paid internship contract and this section. However, no recipient of the paid internship shall accrue personal or major medical leave while the recipient is pursuing junior or senior undergraduate-level year coursework toward a bachelor's degree in a program that qualifies the individual to qualify to become a rehabilitation specialist or a benefit program specialist within the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. The recipient shall not be liable for liquidated damages.

(c) If the recipient does not work as a rehabilitation specialist or a benefit program specialist at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for the period required under subsection (2)(d) of this section, the recipient shall be liable for repayment on demand of the remaining portion of the compensation that the recipient was paid while in the program which has not been unconditionally earned, with interest accruing at ten percent (10%) per annum from the recipient's date of graduation or the date that the recipient last worked at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, whichever is the later date.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-3
Status: in_force

Each junior college shall have an official seal to be impressed upon all instruments of the junior college requiring seal. Said seal may be in the form of a circle. Said seal shall imprint the name and location of the college and the words “Official Seal.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-35 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 11-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-35
Status: in_force

(1) If any person charged by Section 37-11-29(2) or (3) to make the reports therein provided for shall willfully fail, refuse or neglect to file any such report, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or be imprisoned not exceeding six (6) months, or both.

(2) If any person charged by Section 97-5-24 to make the reports therein provided for shall willfully fail, refuse or neglect to file any such report, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or be imprisoned not exceeding six (6) months, or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 113-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-81
Status: in_force

(1) A veterinarian shall be released from the program contract without penalty if:

(a) The veterinarian has completed the service requirements of the contract;

(b) The veterinarian is unable to complete the service requirements of the contract because of a permanent physical disability;

(c) The veterinarian demonstrates extreme hardship or shows other good cause justifying the release; or

(d) The veterinarian dies.

(2) An obligation to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine in accordance with the provisions of Section 37-113-77 shall be postponed during:

(a) Any period of temporary medical disability during which the person obligated is unable to practice veterinary medicine due to the disability; and

(b) Any other period of postponement agreed to or determined in accordance with criteria agreed to in the practice agreement.

(3) A veterinarian shall be released from further performance of veterinary services under the program contract if he or she is unable to perform his or her contractual obligations to provide veterinary services due to the suspension or revocation of his or her federal accreditation or denial, refusal of renewal, limitation, suspension, revocation, or other disciplinary measure taken against his or her license to practice in the State of Mississippi pursuant to the Mississippi Veterinary Practice Act, Chapter 39, Title 73, Mississippi Code of 1972 , particularly, Sections 73-39-75 and 73-39-77 . If a veterinarian is released from his or her contract pursuant to this subsection, the program may recover a portion of or all of the payments made to such veterinarian under Section 37-113-77 . The dean may use appropriate remedies available to enforce this subsection.

(4) Upon the failure of a person to satisfy the obligation to engage in the full-time practice of veterinary medicine in a rural community in accordance with the provisions of this section with no just cause as outlined in subsection (1), that person shall, within ninety (90) days of the failure, be liable for the repayment of all financial assistance provided to such person through the program prescribed in accordance with the policies adopted by the dean, less a prorated amount based on any periods of veterinary medicine practice meeting the requirements of this section, plus interest at the prime rate of two percent (2%) from the date the assistance accrued. The interest on any unpaid obligation for violations specified in this subsection shall be compounded annually.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 16-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-15
Status: in_force

(1) Any person who has withdrawn from high school before graduation may be granted a diploma from the Mississippi public high school that the person last attended if the person has:

(a) Completed all requisite graduation course work requirements and has achieved a passing score on an assessment reasonably comparable to the respective assessments that would qualify the person for high school graduation as such assessments existed at the time that the student would have graduated; and

(b) Made a request to the public high school district that the person last attended in Mississippi that includes relevant transcripts of course work completed.

(2) The State Department of Education is authorized to determine and/or develop any reasonably comparable assessment to be administered to persons seeking to obtain a diploma from the last Mississippi public high school of attendance under the authority granted under subsection (1) of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-261 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 33-261
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-261
Status: in_force

(1) Such assessments as are collected under subsections (1) and (2) of Section 99-19-73 , shall be deposited in a special fund that is created in the State Treasury and designated the Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and all interest received from the investment of monies in the trust fund shall be credited to the trust fund and shall not be deposited into the State General Fund. Monies deposited in the fund shall be expended beginning in fiscal year 1997 by the Department of Rehabilitation Services as authorized and appropriated by the Legislature for the following purposes:

Providing the cost of care for spinal cord and traumatic brain injury as a payer of last resort to residents of the State of Mississippi for a multilevel program of rehabilitation as prescribed in Sections 37-33-251 through 37-33-259 . Authorization of expenditures for spinal cord injury care and traumatic brain injury care from this trust fund shall be made only by the Department of Rehabilitation Services. Authorized expenditures shall include three (3) or more of the following forms of assistance: acute care; rehabilitation; transitional living; assistive technology services, devices and equipment; respite care; transportation; housing; home modifications; and other services and/or assistance as deemed appropriate by the advisory council for individuals with spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries to accomplish a successful re-entry into the community. Such activities may also include expanding the public's awareness of how spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries occur and how they can be prevented and identifying advanced treatment and prevention techniques. Other authorized expenditures may include costs associated with salary and other support costs for personnel sufficient to carry out the program or to subcontract all or part of the authorized services, and to pay the travel and meeting expenses of the advisory council.

(2) The department shall issue a report to the Legislature and the Governor by January 1 of each year, summarizing the activities supported by the trust fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-133-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 133-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-133-3
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared that the state public welfare demands and the state public policy requires:

(a) That some program be immediately initiated to rectify the presently existing critical condition of lack of a resident labor force within the State of Mississippi capable of holding positions requiring particular skills in the technical, scientific and engineering fields demanded by heavy and aero-space industry and installations;

(b) That the present and prospective health, safety, morals, pursuit of happiness, right of gainful employment, and general welfare of the citizens of the State of Mississippi demand, as a public purpose, the immediate correction of the deficient and incomplete training programs and facilities by the state institutions of higher learning to quickly increase and thereafter maintain an adequate source of skilled engineering technicians demanded by heavy and aero-space industry and installations;

(c) That the means and measures authorized in the Mississippi Technical Institute Law of 1964 to promote engineering, commercial, industrial, agricultural, manufacturing and aero-space enterprises and installations, are, as a matter of public policy, for the public purposes of increasing the gainful employment, business activity, and for the proper development of the State of Mississippi; and

(d) That the accomplishment of the things herein authorized will stimulate and provide ready and attractive employment for skilled engineering technician residents of the State of Mississippi through the proper increase of the skilled engineering technician labor force available, which will further develop the engineering, agricultural, commercial, industrial and other resources of the State of Mississippi for the general welfare.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 47-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-27
Status: in_force

All capital improvements by any school district which are financed in whole or in part with funds received from the state public school building fund pursuant to an application approved by the commission, shall be constructed by contract entered into and awarded by the board of trustees or other governing body of such school district. The awarding of such contract shall be in the sole province of such board of trustees or other governing body except as is herein provided. No such contract shall be entered into unless and until the site for the location of and the plans and specifications for the construction of the capital improvements shall have been approved by the commission. The commission shall not exclude from approval plans and specifications which involve the use of preengineered steel building systems. Plans and specifications for preengineered steel building systems, in order to be approved by the commission, must be submitted to and certified by an architect or professional engineer registered in the State of Mississippi and not an employee of the contractor, as meeting the minimum requirements of the local building, plumbing and electrical codes, the Southern Standard Building Code, Coastal Region Loading, the Metal Building Manufacturers Association, the American Institute of Steel Construction and the American Iron and Steel Institute, as to design, materials and construction.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 145-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-29
Status: in_force

The State Bond Commission shall sell such bonds in the manner and at a price which will result in the lowest interest rate on the best terms obtainable for the state, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. Notice of the sale of any such bonds shall be published at least one (1) time not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of sale and shall be so published in one or more newspapers having a general circulation in the City of Jackson and in one or more other newspapers or financial journals as may be directed by the State Bond Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 31-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-41
Status: in_force

All funds made available for carrying out the provisions of Sections 37-31-31 through 37-31-41 shall be paid by the state treasurer on warrants drawn therefor by the state auditor on requisitions of the state superintendent of public education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-81
Status: in_force

When an agricultural high school is abolished under the provisions of Section 37-27-79 , then it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors or boards of supervisors, to advertise the sale of and to sell all of the property of such school to the highest bidders for cash. The proceeds of such sale shall be used to pay off any outstanding indebtedness of such school. If there is a balance after paying all outstanding indebtedness then such balance shall be paid into the county school fund of such county or counties.

In the event the proceeds of the sale of the property of such school are not sufficient to pay all outstanding indebtedness of such school, then the board or boards of supervisors of such county or counties shall levy a tax on the property of the county or counties sufficient to pay the outstanding indebtedness when it becomes due.

Alternatively, the board of supervisors may transfer any part or all of such property to any school district in said county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-553 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-553
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-553
Status: in_force

The Coahoma Community College District shall be under the executive direction of a president elected by the board of trustees of the district for a term not to exceed four (4) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 106-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-31
Status: in_force

(1) There is created a Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant Program, to be administered by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board established under Section 37-106-9 . The board shall set the dates that will serve as the deadlines for applying for an award under this section and award scholarships to each Mississippi student who:

(a)(i) Is recognized by the merit or achievement programs of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation or the National Achievement Scholarship as a semifinalist or finalist, and has obtained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 calculated on a 4.0 scale in high school subjects acceptable for credit toward a diploma, after seven (7) semesters certified by the high school counselor or other authorized school official on the application and graduation from high school verified by the institution before disbursement of award; or

(ii) Has scored twenty-nine (29) on the American College Testing Program or its equivalent and has obtained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 calculated on a 4.0 scale after seven (7) semesters certified by the high school counselor or other authorized school official on the application and graduation from high school verified by the institution before disbursement of award, or the equivalent in high school subjects acceptable for credit toward a diploma; or

(iii) Has attended a home education program during grade levels 9 through 12 and has scored twenty-nine (29) on the American College Testing Program or its equivalent.

(b) Meets the general requirements for student eligibility, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(c) Files, before the deadline, an application for an award during his last year in high school, or before the expiration of the third school year succeeding the year of his high school graduation.

(d) Attends, on a full-time basis, any state institution of higher learning or public community or junior college, or any regionally accredited, state-approved, nonprofit two-year or four-year college or university located in the State of Mississippi approved by the board.

(e) Enrolls as a “first-time in college” student in Mississippi. Postsecondary academic credit earned prior to or during the summer immediately subsequent to receiving a high school diploma, or while dually enrolled in secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, or while enrolled in the early admission program of a postsecondary institution shall not be considered when determining if a student is enrolling for the first time. However, any student who earns postsecondary academic credit at an institution of higher learning located outside the state shall meet the requirements on grade point average and maximum credit hours set forth in subsection (2)(b) of this section.

(f) Is a resident of the State of Mississippi.

(2)(a) Except for students who earn credits at institutions of higher learning located outside the state, students who apply for awards but do not accept their initial awards may apply to receive awards during subsequent application periods occurring before the expiration of the third school year succeeding the year of their high school graduation. The eligibility of these applicants shall be determined in the same manner as first-time applicants.

(b) Students who receive initial awards and who later do not accept renewal awards may apply to receive awards during subsequent application periods occurring before the expiration of the third school year succeeding the year of their high school graduation. Reinstatement applications will be accepted from these students according to dates set by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board. The eligibility of these applicants shall be determined in the same manner as first-time applicants, except that these students shall be required to have maintained the equivalent of a 3.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale for all college work attempted and if the student attended an out-of-state institution, to have completed no more than thirty-six (36) credit hours. The board shall not make awards to reinstatement applicants who submit applications that are received after the deadline set by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board.

(c) The board shall create a renewal application for each student who received the award for one or more terms during the immediately preceding academic year.

(3)(a) The annual award to a student shall be up to Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) for tuition and fees. Payment of the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant shall be made payable to the recipient and the educational institution and mailed directly to the institution, to be applied first to tuition.

(b) Within six (6) weeks of the end of regular registration, inclusive of a drop-add period, institutions shall certify to the board the eligibility status of each awarded student. The eligibility status of each student to receive a disbursement shall be determined by each institution as of this date. Institutions shall not be required to reevaluate a student's eligibility status after this date for purposes of amending eligibility determinations previously made. However, an institution shall be requested to make refunds for students who receive award disbursements and terminate enrollment for any reason during the academic term when an institution's refund policies permit a student to receive a refund under the circumstances.

(c) Institutions shall certify to the board the amount of funds disbursed to each student and shall remit to the board any undisbursed advances within sixty (60) days of the end of regular registration.

(4) A recipient shall maintain the equivalent of a 3.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, or shall maintain an approved equivalent student progress evaluation plan, on at least twelve (12) hours per quarter, trimester or semester in order to be eligible for a continuation of the award. No student may receive a Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant for more than the equivalent semesters or quarters required to complete one (1) degree or certificate program per institution. The award may be renewed annually upon certification of eligibility by the eligible institutions that the recipient meets the necessary qualifications. If any recipient transfers from one university, community college or junior college to another, his award will be transferable, provided he is otherwise eligible for the award. If a student fails to maintain continuous enrollment, and is not granted an exception for cause by the administering board, the student is ineligible to receive the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant during the following semester or trimester or term of the regular academic year.

(5) The board may conduct its own annual audits of any institution participating in the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant Program. The board may suspend or revoke an institution's eligibility to receive future monies under the program if it finds that the institution has not complied with the provisions of this section.

(6) For purposes of this section, certificated shall mean, but not be limited to, all postsecondary vocational programs in eligible institutions approved by the board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-137 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 13-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-137
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Education shall adopt regulations as provided in this section not later than March 1, 2008, which shall be effective for compliance by school districts beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, for the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and Lunch Programs that are not in conflict with the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The regulations shall take into account the most recent and advanced scientific principles regarding good human health and fitness, and the effect of the regulations must be that the good health, well-being and fitness of Mississippi school children shall be advanced. The regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:

(a) Healthy food and beverage choices;

(b) Healthy food preparation;

(c) Marketing of healthy food choices to students and staff;

(d) Food preparation ingredients and products;

(e) Minimum and maximum time allotment for students and staff lunch and breakfast periods;

(f) The availability of food items during the lunch and breakfast periods of the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and Lunch Programs; and

(g) Methods to increase participation in the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and Lunch Programs.

(2) The Office of Healthy Schools of the State Department of Education shall provide comprehensive training for superintendents, business managers, food service directors and food service managers of a local school district, or the designees appointed by those individuals for training purposes, as required by the department on marketing healthy foods, creating a healthy cafeteria environment, effective and efficient food service operations, the standards and expectations of food service staff, and other topics as identified by the department. The department may determine the time and location of the trainings and the frequency with which they are held. Persons employed by a local school district having the certification as a Food Service Administrator III or IV shall be exempt from the training requirements of this subsection.

(3) Local school districts may adopt rules and regulations that may be more stringent but not in conflict with those adopted by the State Board of Education under this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-14 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 106-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-14
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature may appropriate funds annually to implement, administer and make awards under the programs provided for in this chapter. The board may seek, accept and expend funds from any source, including private business, industry, foundations and other groups as well as any federal or other governmental funding available for this purpose.

(2) Subject to the availability of funds, it is the intent of the Legislature to first fund grant awards to eligible students. If funds are insufficient to fully fund grant awards to eligible students, grant awards shall be prorated among all eligible students. No student shall receive any combination of student financial aid in excess of the cost of attendance. After grant awards are made, it is the intent of the Legislature to fund forgivable loan awards to eligible renewal students and then to eligible new students on a first-come, first-served basis.

(3) At the end of the fiscal year, any unexpended balances appropriated by the Legislature for the implementation or administration of programs provided for in this chapter shall not lapse into the State General Fund, but shall carry over and be available for expenditure in the succeeding fiscal year, subject to appropriation therefor by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-99-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 99-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-99-3
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this subsection, unless context of use clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Department ” means the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

(b) “ Eligible child ” means:

(i) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was placed in the legal custody of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services by a youth court or through other legal means and who was in the legal custody of the department at any time;

(ii) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was placed in a qualified residential child care agency by a parent, legal guardian, court of competent jurisdiction, or other person or entity acting in the best interest of the individual and who did reside in a qualified residential child care agency at any time; or

(iii) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was adopted from the department's legal custody or adopted while residing at a qualified residential child care agency as described in paragraph (c) of this subsection at any time.

(c) “ Qualified residential child care agency ” means an entity that provides a home for children and was licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services at the time that the eligible child was housed by the agency.

(2) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the boards of trustees of the community and junior colleges shall adopt policies requiring each public institution of higher learning, community or junior college to provide free transcripts to an eligible child when requested.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 145-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-13
Status: in_force

The annual and aggregate loan limits for each eligible student borrower shall be in accordance with those limits established for the Stafford Loan Program authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The board of trustees has established an agency to carry out the functions of providing guarantees to student loans in accordance with the Stafford Loan Program. This agency, entitled the Mississippi Guarantee Student Loan Agency, guarantees payment of loans qualifying under federal law which are thereby eligible for reinsurance from the federal Department of Education. The board is authorized to operate the Mississippi Opportunity Loan Program as a guaranteed program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 41-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-3
Status: in_force

Pupils of legal school age, which shall include kindergarten pupils, and in actual attendance in the public schools who live a distance of one (1) mile or more by the nearest traveled road from the school to which they are assigned by the school district in which they are enrolled shall be entitled to transportation within the meaning of this chapter. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to bar any child from such transportation where he or she lives less than one (1) mile and is on the regular route of travel of a school bus and space is available in such bus for such transportation. No state funds shall be paid for the transportation of children living within one (1) mile of the school, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, and such children shall not be included in transportation reports. In the development of route plans, economy shall be a prime consideration. There shall be no duplication of routes except in circumstances where it is totally unavoidable. The State Department of Education shall have authority to investigate school bus routing when there is reason to believe the provisions of this statute are being violated. The State Board of Education shall have authority to withhold transportation funds when school districts fail to correct unnecessary route duplication. Provided further, that all school districts are hereby authorized to lease or contract with any public or private individual, partnership, corporation, association, agency or other organization for the implementation of transportation of pupils as provided for in this section.

The school boards may provide transportation to such crippled and physically handicapped children as may be designated by such boards, when the failure to do so would result in undue hardship, even though the children are not otherwise entitled to transportation under the provisions of this chapter. The State Department of Education shall require all school districts during the 1993-1994 school year to equip school buses with properly designed seat belts to protect such physically handicapped children, and school districts are authorized to expend funds therefor from nonminimum program or other sources.

Where space is available, students attending junior colleges shall be allowed transportation on established routes in district-owned buses. However, no additional funds shall be allocated or expended for such purposes, and such persons shall not be included in transportation reports.

Children enrolled in special or alternative programs approved by school boards may be provided transportation even though such children are not otherwise entitled to transportation under the provisions of this chapter. No additional funds shall be allocated or expended for such purpose, and such children shall not be included in transportation reports.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 113-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-5
Status: in_force

The interest arising from the proceeds of the fund known as the “Agricultural Land Scrip Fund” is appropriated and devoted, to the extent of one-half of it, to the Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, and may be drawn from the treasury, upon warrant of the auditor, to be issued upon the requisitions of the treasurer, from time to time, as such interest may accrue and be wanted for the use of the university.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-60 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 13-60
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-60
Status: in_force

In addition to all other authority, duties and powers the governing boards of the several school districts of this state may now have, each is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt plans for the implementation of a career education program as the same best suits the needs thereof and thereby to orient its system to the field of work. In so doing, the governing board shall operate within its regular budget, without the employment of additional personnel and out of any available funds, federal, state, local or private.

Nothing in Sections 37-13-58 through 37-13-60 shall be so construed as to prohibit the acceptance of contributions from the private business sector or cooperation therewith, including but not limited to seminars, tours, lectures and in-service training.

There will be cooperation between the state department of education, the state coordinator of career education and the governing boards of the several school districts in implementing this program as it best suits the needs of the individual districts.

Provided, further, the commission on school accreditation shall encourage the development of plans of career education and the implementation thereof, and shall be authorized to accredit same.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-129-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 129-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-129-1
Status: in_force

In addition to all other powers and duties now vested by law in the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning of the State of Mississippi, said board is hereby empowered and required to:

(a) Establish by rules and regulations and promulgate uniform standards for accreditation of schools of nursing in the State of Mississippi (i) insofar as concerns the eligibility of graduates of such schools to take the examination prescribed by law to become registered nurses authorized to practice the profession of nursing as registered nurses in Mississippi, and (ii) insofar as concerns student nurses attending such schools being eligible to participate in any student nurse scholarship program or other program of assistance now existing or hereafter established by legislative enactment;

(b) Issue to such schools of nursing upon an annual basis certificates of accreditation as may be proper under such standards;

(c) Administer any scholarship program or other program of assistance heretofore or hereafter established by legislative enactment for the benefit of students attending accredited schools of nursing in this state;

(d) Administer any other funds available or which may be made available for the promotion of nursing education in the state, with the exception of nursing faculty supplement funds to the public junior colleges, which funds shall be appropriated to and administered by the Division of Junior Colleges of the State Department of Education;

(e) Adopt rules and regulations to provide that a nurse in training may, during the two-year period in an approved hospital, be allowed to transfer at any time with full credit after six (6) months in training, to any other hospital of her choice at which there is a vacancy; suitable provision shall be made to protect her against coercion or intimidation concerning such a contemplated transfer.

In addition to other powers now vested by law in the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, said board is hereby empowered to establish and maintain a nurse-midwifery education program that meets the accreditation standards of the American College of Nurse-Midwives at a state institution of higher learning under the jurisdiction of the board of trustees.

In order to implement paragraph (d) above, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized and directed to arrange and contract with hospitals, senior colleges and hospital schools of nursing for the financial support of programs of nursing education. The said board is further authorized to adopt such terms for contracts, and such rules and regulations for reimbursing contracting agencies for costs of instruction in schools of nursing as may be feasible in accordance with appropriations made by the Legislature for this purpose. However, no reimbursement may be made to contracting agencies in excess of the actual cost of instruction in the schools of nursing.

In addition to the powers now vested by law in the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated therefor, said board is hereby empowered and directed to conduct a one-year feasibility study and comprehensive plan for nursing schools in Mississippi which addresses the concept of shared utilization of clinical simulation laboratories for all Mississippi schools of nursing in order to provide computerized interactive learning capabilities for all schools, utilizing the pooled resources or mobile capability models from other states. The completed plan shall be developed and a report made to the 2009 Regular Session on or before December 1, 2008.

No provision of this section shall be construed to authorize any department, agency, officer or employee of the State of Mississippi to exercise any controls over the admissions policy of any private educational institution offering a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-4-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 4-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-4-3
Status: in_force

(1) From and after July 1, 1986, there shall be a Mississippi Community College Board which shall receive and distribute funds appropriated by the Legislature for the use of the public community and junior colleges and funds from federal and other sources that are transmitted through the state governmental organization for use by said colleges. This board shall provide general coordination of the public community and junior colleges, assemble reports and such other duties as may be prescribed by law.

(2) The board shall consist of ten (10) members of which none shall be an elected official. Until January 1, 2028, the Governor shall appoint two (2) members from the First Mississippi Congressional District, one (1) who shall serve an initial term of two (2) years and one (1) who shall serve an initial term of five (5) years; two (2) members from the Second Mississippi Congressional District, one (1) who shall serve an initial term of five (5) years and one (1) who shall serve an initial term of three (3) years; and two (2) members from the Third Mississippi Congressional District, one (1) who shall serve an initial term of four (4) years and one (1) who shall serve an initial term of two (2) years; two (2) members from the Fourth Mississippi Congressional District, one (1) who shall serve an initial term of three (3) years and one (1) who shall serve an initial term of four (4) years; and two (2) members from the Fifth Mississippi Congressional District, one (1) who shall serve an initial term of five (5) years and one (1) who shall serve an initial term of two (2) years. All subsequent appointments shall be for a term of six (6) years and continue until their successors are appointed and qualify. An appointment to fill a vacancy which arises for reasons other than by expiration of a term of office shall be for the unexpired term only. All members shall be appointed with the advice and consent of the Senate.

The Mississippi Community College Board, created by former Section 37-4-3, is continued and reconstituted as follows: Effective January 1, 2028, the Governor shall appoint three (3) members from each Mississippi Supreme Court District and one (1) from the state at large. The members shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of office of four (4) years, provided that six (6) members shall be appointed in 2028 to a term ending December 31, 2031, and four (4) members shall be appointed in 2030 to a term ending December 31, 2033. Appointments made at the beginning of the four-year cycle shall be made to fill any member's term which actually expires that year and any member's term which expires next until the majority of the membership of the board or commission is reached. Appointments made at the beginning of the third year of the four-year cycle shall be made for the remainder of the membership positions irrespective of the time of their prior appointment. Any question regarding the order of appointments shall be determined by the Secretary of State in accordance with the specific statute. All appointment procedures, vacancy provisions, interim appointment provisions and removal provisions specifically provided for in Section 7-1-35, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall be fully applicable to appointments to the Mississippi Community College Board, and to the position of executive director.

(3) There shall be a chairman and vice chairman of the board, elected by and from the membership of the board; and the chairman shall be the presiding officer of the board. The board shall adopt rules and regulations governing times and places for meetings and governing the manner of conducting its business.

(4) The members of the board shall receive no annual salary, but shall receive per diem compensation as authorized by Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for each day devoted to the discharge of official board duties and shall be entitled to reimbursement for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties, including mileage as authorized by Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(5) Effective July 1, 2028, the board shall name a director for the state system of public junior and community colleges, who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board, with the advice and consent of the Senate, not less than every four (4) years. Such director shall be the chief executive officer of the board, give direction to the board staff, carry out the policies set forth by the board, and work with the presidents of the several community and junior colleges to assist them in carrying out the mandates of the several boards of trustees and in functioning within the state system and policies established by the Mississippi Community College Board. The Mississippi Community College Board shall set the salary of the director of the board. The Legislature shall provide adequate funds for the Mississippi Community College Board, its activities and its staff.

(6) The powers and duties of the Mississippi Community College Board shall be:

(a) To authorize disbursements of state-appropriated funds to community and junior colleges through orders in the minutes of the board.

(b) To make studies of the needs of the state as they relate to the mission of the community and junior colleges.

(c) To approve new, changes to and deletions of vocational and technical programs to the various colleges.

(d) To require community and junior colleges to supply such information as the board may request and compile, publish and make available such reports based thereon as the board may deem advisable.

(e) To approve proposed new attendance centers (campus locations) as the local boards of trustees should determine to be in the best interest of the district. Provided, however, that no new community/junior college branch campus shall be approved without an authorizing act of the Legislature.

(f) To serve as the state approving agency for federal funds for proposed contracts to borrow money for the purpose of acquiring land, erecting, repairing, etc., dormitories, dwellings or apartments for students and/or faculty, such loans to be paid from revenue produced by such facilities as requested by local boards of trustees.

(g) To approve applications from community and junior colleges for state funds for vocational-technical education facilities.

(h) To approve any university branch campus offering lower undergraduate level courses for credit.

(i) To appoint members to the Post-Secondary Educational Assistance Board.

(j) To appoint members to the Authority for Educational Television.

(k) To contract with other boards, commissions, governmental entities, foundations, corporations or individuals for programs, services, grants and awards when such are needed for the operation and development of the state public community and junior college system.

(l) To fix standards for community and junior colleges to qualify for appropriations, and qualifications for community and junior college teachers.

(m) To have sign-off approval on the State Plan for Vocational Education which is developed in cooperation with appropriate units of the State Department of Education.

(n) To approve or disapprove of any proposed inclusion within municipal corporate limits of state-owned buildings and grounds of any community college or junior college and to approve or disapprove of land use development, zoning requirements, building codes and delivery of governmental services applicable to state-owned buildings and grounds of any community college or junior college. Any agreement by a local board of trustees of a community college or junior college to annexation of state-owned property or other conditions described in this paragraph shall be void unless approved by the board and by the board of supervisors of the county in which the state-owned property is located.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 27-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-13
Status: in_force

Any county which has contributed or may hereafter contribute funds for the purchase of lands or for the construction of buildings for an agricultural high school or schools in another county, shall be deemed to be the owner of an interest in said agricultural high school in the proportion that the amount contributed by such county bears to the whole expense of the purchase of said lands or the construction of said buildings.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-57 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 45-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-57
Status: in_force

In the event of an appeal by any county board of education or board of trustees of any municipal separate school district from any final rule, regulation or order of the state educational finance commission, it shall be the duty and responsibility of such appealing county board or board of trustees, under the supervision of the executive secretary of said commission, to prepare or cause to be prepared the record on appeal, which, when approved by the commission or by the chairman thereof in vacation, shall be and constitute the record on appeal. The same shall thereupon be filed, as required by law, in the chancery court to which the appeal is taken. The cost of making and filing such record shall be an item of cost of said appeal, which shall be paid by said appellant. The cost of such record shall not be in excess of the cost of a similar record on appeal from a chancery court of this state to the supreme court of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 106-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-51
Status: repealed

The board is authorized to establish a consolidated revolving loan fund for the purpose of providing monies for the operation of all forgivable loan programs authorized to the board and for the purpose of providing monies for the operation of such other loan programs as may be deemed appropriate and authorized by the board from time to time for the furtherance of education of eligible applicants. The board shall be charged with the duty of directing the dispensing of such funds in a manner so as to best effectuate the purpose of this section. Any monies collected in the form of repayment of loans, both principal and interest, shall be deposited in this fund. The board is authorized to maintain such revolving fund in an official state depository and, in accordance with Section 27-105-21, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall invest such funds, less the amount required for current operation, at interest as required by said section. All interest earned on such investments shall likewise be deposited in said fund.

From and after July 1, 1991, the sums maintained in the respective revolving funds being repealed by Chapter 547, Laws of 1991, or other revolving funds being maintained by the board shall become and constitute the monies of the consolidated revolving fund created by this section, wherever such funds may be physically located. The board is hereby authorized to transfer said funds to an official state depository, as aforesaid.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 145-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-45
Status: in_force

No bonds issued by the company under Sections 37-145-43 through 37-145-73 shall constitute a debt, liability or general obligation of the state or any political subdivision thereof (other than the company), or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or any political subdivision thereof (other than the company), but shall be payable solely as provided by the company. No member or officer of the board of directors of the company nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof. Each bond issued under Sections 37-145-43 through 37-145-73 shall contain on the face thereof a statement that neither the state, nor any other political subdivision thereof, shall be obligated to pay the same or the interest thereon or other costs incident thereto except from the revenue or money pledged by the company and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the state or any political subdivision thereof is pledged to the payment of the principal of, or the interest on, such bond.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-4 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-4
Status: in_force

The school board of every school district, as created and empowered by law, shall keep and preserve permanently a copy of all district-wide reports required by the State Board of Education to be filed on an annual basis.

Copies of those district-wide reports required by the State Board of Education on less than an annual basis may be destroyed after five (5) years upon approval of the school board of the school district.

All supporting documents necessary to compile such district-wide reports, except as delineated in Section 37-15-8 may be destroyed after three (3) years following the academic year for which the report was made upon approval of the school board of the school district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 113-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-45
Status: in_force

Any such county as is provided for in Section 37-113-43 is hereby authorized and empowered to issue and sell its bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness for the purpose of providing funds with which to make the contribution or donation authorized under the provisions of said section. Such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness shall not be issued in an amount which will exceed the limit of indebtedness of said county as such limit is prescribed by Sections 19-9-1 through 19-9-31, Mississippi Code of 1972 . Before issuing any such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, the board of supervisors acting for such county shall adopt a resolution declaring its intention to issue the same, stating the amount and purpose thereof and fixing the date upon which an election will be held on the proposition. Notice of such election shall be given by publication of such resolution once a week for at least three consecutive weeks in at least one newspaper published in said county. The first publication of such notice shall be made not less than twenty-one days prior to the date fixed in such resolution for the holding of said election as aforesaid and the last publication shall be made not more than seven days prior to such date. At such election all qualified electors of said county may vote and the ballots used shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness proposed to be issued and the voter shall vote by placing a cross (x) or check (✓) opposite his choice on the proposition. The bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness authorized herein shall not be issued unless authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified voters of said county who vote on the proposition at such election. Such election shall be conducted and the returns thereof made, canvassed, and declared as nearly as may be in like manner as is now or may hereafter be provided by law in the case of general elections in counties. In the event that the question of the issuance of such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness be not authorized at such election, such question shall not again be submitted to a vote until the expiration of a period of six months, from and after the date of such election.

Such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness shall bear such date or dates, shall be of such denomination or denominations, shall be payable at such place or places, shall bear such rate or rates of interest and shall mature in such amounts and at such times as may be provided and directed by the board of supervisors of said county. Such bonds shall bear interest at a rate or rates not exceeding six per cent per annum and shall mature in not more than twenty-five years from the date thereof and shall be sold for not less than par and accrued interest.

Any bonds authorized to be issued at an election as provided for in this section shall be issued by such county, acting by and through its board of supervisors, at such times and in such amounts as shall be provided for by resolution of the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning.

All bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued hereunder shall be secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of such county. There shall annually be levied upon all taxable property within said county an ad valorem tax in addition to all other taxes, sufficient to provide for the payment of the principal of and the interest on said bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness as the same respectively mature and accrue.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 23-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-65
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education is authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations for the payment of such financial assistance and the administration of Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 generally.

The State Department of Education shall have the authority to promulgate and enforce reasonable rules and regulations establishing standards for administration of the program contemplated by Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 , consistent with the maintenance of high quality programs for the benefit of the exceptional children served.

The State Department of Education shall require that the programs for which children are eligible for financial assistance under Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 be designed to provide individualized appropriate special education and related services that enable a child to reach his or her appropriate and uniquely designed goals for success.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-193 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-193
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-193
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education may make civil rights and human rights education a part of the K-12 curriculum of instruction in Mississippi public schools. The State Department of Education shall work with the Mississippi Civil Rights Education Commission established in Section 37-13-195 in implementing these five (5) guidelines: (a) provide assistance and advice to K-12 schools with respect to the Civil Rights Movement and human rights education and awareness programs; (b) survey and catalog the extent to which civil rights and human rights education exists in state curricula; (c) inventory civil rights memorials, exhibits and resources that could be used in classrooms and other educational programs; (d) compile a list of volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences concerning the struggle for civil rights; (e) prepare reports for the Governor and the State Legislature on the inclusion of civil rights studies into the educational systems of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 45-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-11
Status: in_force

The commission is authorized to adopt and use an official seal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 173-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-17
Status: in_force

(1) To be eligible to participate in the Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program, a nonpublic school must:

(a) Be a state accredited special purpose school;

(b) Provide to the department all documentation required for a student's participation, including the nonpublic school's and student's fee schedules, at least thirty (30) days before the first quarterly scholarship payment is made for the student.

(c) Be academically accountable to the parent or legal guardian for meeting the educational needs of the student by, at a minimum, annually providing to the parent or legal guardian a written explanation of the student's progress.

(d) Maintain in this state a physical location where a scholarship student regularly attends classes.

(2) The inability of a nonpublic school to meet the requirements of this subsection shall constitute a basis for the ineligibility of the nonpublic school to participate in the scholarship program as determined by the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 146-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program shall be administered by a commission to be known as the “Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Commission.” The commission shall be directed by a board composed of the following members:

(a) Two (2) dentists appointed by and from the membership of the Mississippi Dental Association, the term of which shall be three (3) years and who may be reappointed for one (1) additional term;

(b) One (1) dentist appointed by and from the membership of each of the following organizations, the term of which shall be three (3) years and who may be reappointed for one (1) additional term:

(i) Mississippi Dental Society;

(ii) Mississippi Academy of General Dentistry; and

(iii) Mississippi Chapter, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry;

(c) Two (2) designees of the Dean of the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry whose terms are at the discretion of the dean, at least one (1) of whom is a member of the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry Admissions Committee; and

(d) Two (2) dental students, one (1) of whom shall be selected yearly through a process developed by the Dean of the School of Dentistry in consultation with the chairs of the various departments.

(2) The pre-professional advisors from the accredited four-year colleges and universities in the State of Mississippi shall comprise an advisory committee to the commission in the administration of the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program.

(3) Vacancies on the commission must be filled in a manner consistent with the original appointments.

(4) All appointments to the commission must be made no later than September 1, 2013. After the members are appointed, the Program Director of the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program shall set a date for the organizational meeting that is mutually acceptable to the majority of the commission members. The organizational meeting shall be for the purposes of organizing the commission and establishing rules for transacting its business. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum at all commission meetings. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting shall be required in the adoption of rules, reports and in any other actions taken by the commission. At the organizational meeting, the commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from the members appointed according to paragraphs (a) through (d) of subsection (1). The chair shall serve for a term of two (2) years, upon the expiration of which, the vice chair shall assume the office of chair.

(5) After the organizational meeting, the commission shall hold no less than two (2) meetings annually.

(6) The commission may form an executive committee for the purpose of transacting business that must be conducted before the next regularly scheduled meeting of the commission. All actions taken by the executive committee must be ratified by the commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(7) Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed, subject to the availability of funding, for mileage and actual and necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings of the commission, as provided in Section 25-3-41 .

(8) Funding for the establishment and continued operation of the program and commission shall be appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not already appropriated to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-67 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-67
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, “ bullying or harassing behavior ” is any pattern of gestures or written, electronic or verbal communications, or any physical act or any threatening communication, or any act reasonably perceived as being motivated by any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or on a school bus, and that:

(a) Places a student or school employee in actual and reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property; or

(b) Creates or is certain to create a hostile environment by substantially interfering with or impairing a student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits. For purposes of this section, “ hostile environment ” means that the victim subjectively views the conduct as bullying or harassing behavior and the conduct is objectively severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would agree that it is bullying or harassing behavior.

(2) No student or school employee shall be subjected to bullying or harassing behavior by school employees or students.

(3) No person shall engage in any act of reprisal or retaliation against a victim, witness or a person with reliable information about an act of bullying or harassing behavior.

(4) A school employee who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subject to any act of bullying or harassing behavior shall report the incident to the appropriate school official.

(5) A student or volunteer who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subject to any act of bullying or harassing behavior should report the incident to the appropriate school official.

(6) Conduct described in subsection (1) of this section is considered bullying if that conduct interferes with a student's education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 181-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-5
Status: in_force

(1) An eligible student shall qualify to participate in the ESA program if the parent or guardian signs an agreement promising:

(a) To provide an organized, appropriate educational program with measurable annual goals to their participating student and to provide an education for the participating student in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science;

(b) To document their participating student's disability at intervals and in a manner required under subsection (8) of this section;

(c) Not to enroll their participating student in a public school and to acknowledge as part of the agreement that the eligible school has provided clear notice to the parent or guardian that the participating student has no individual entitlement to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) from their home school district, including special education and related services, for as long as the student is participating in the ESA program;

(d) Not to file for their participating student a certificate of enrollment indicating participation in a home instruction program under Section 37-13-91, Mississippi Code of 1972; and

(e) Not to participate in the Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program or the Mississippi Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship for Students with Speech-Language Impairments Program while participating in the ESA program.

(2) Parents or guardians shall use the funds deposited in a participating student's ESA for any of the following qualifying expenses, which shall be incurred within the awarded ESA school year, to educate the student using any of the below methods or combination of methods that meet the requirement in subsection (1)(a) of this section:

(a) Tuition and/or academic fees at an eligible school;

(b) Textbooks related to academic coursework;

(c) Payment to a tutor, as defined in Section 37-181-3(h) ;

(d) Payment for purchase of curriculum, including any supplemental materials required by the curriculum;

(e) Fees for nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement tests, including alternate assessments; and fees for Advanced Placement examinations or similar courses and any examinations related to college or university admission;

(f) Educational services or therapies from a licensed or certified practitioner or provider, including licensed or certified paraprofessionals or educational aides;

(g) Tuition and fees related to dual enrollment at a postsecondary institution;

(h) Textbooks related to academic coursework at a postsecondary institution;

(i) Surety bond payments if required by the department;

(j) No more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) in annual consumable school supplies necessary for educational services and therapies, daily classroom activities, and tutoring;

(k) Computer hardware and software and other technological devices if an eligible school, licensed or certified tutor, licensed or certified educational service practitioner or provider, or licensed medical professional verifies in writing that these items are essential for the student to meet annual, measurable educational and academic goals or goals within the scope of the eligible student's IEP. Once a student is no longer participating in the ESA program, computer hardware and software and other technological devices purchased with ESA funds shall be donated to a public school or public library. Qualifying expenses for computer hardware and software include only those expenses incurred within the awarded ESA school year.

(3) To qualify to participate in the program, the parent or guardian of an eligible student shall also certify to the department that they have been accepted into an eligible school qualified to provide services for the participating student's disability or special education needs, or provide services addressing a participating student's IEP, as required under this chapter.

(4) Neither a participating student, nor anyone on the student's behalf, may receive cash or cash-equivalent items, such as gift cards or store credit, from any refunds or rebates from any provider of services or products in the ESA program. Any refunds or rebates shall be credited directly to the participating student's ESA. The funds in an ESA may only be used for education-related purposes as defined in this chapter.

(5)(a) Eligible schools, postsecondary institutions and educational service providers that serve participating students shall provide the parent or guardian who submitted the ESA program application with an original itemized receipt, including the service provider's name and address, for all qualifying expenses. The parent or guardian who submitted the ESA application shall provide the original itemized receipt to the department.

(b) In lieu of providing the parent or guardian who submitted the ESA program application with an original itemized receipt, the eligible schools, postsecondary institutions and educational service providers may provide to the department an original itemized receipt approved and signed off on by the parent or guardian who submitted the ESA application, including the service provider's name and address, for all qualifying expenses.

(6) Payment for educational services through an ESA shall not preclude parents or guardians from paying for educational services using non-ESA funds.

(7) For purposes of continuity of educational attainment, students who enroll in the ESA program shall remain eligible to receive quarterly ESA payments until the participating student returns to a public school, completes high school, completes the school year in which the student reaches the age of twenty-one (21), or does not have eligibility verified by a parent or guardian as required under subsection (8) of this section, whichever occurs first.

(8) Any funds remaining in a student's Education Scholarship Account upon completion of high school shall be returned to the state's General Fund.

(9) Every three (3) years after initial enrollment in the ESA program, a parent or guardian of a participating student, except a student diagnosed as being a person with a permanent disability, shall document that the student continues to be identified by the school district, a federal or state government agency, or a licensed physician or psychometrist as a child with a disability, as defined by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 USCS Section 1401(3) ).

(10) An eligible student shall be allowed to return to his home school district at any time after enrolling in the ESA program, in compliance with regulations adopted by the department providing for the least disruptive process for doing so. Upon the participating student's return to his or her home school district, the student's Education Scholarship Account shall be closed and any remaining funds shall be distributed to the student's home school district at the end of the awarded ESA school year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-121 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-121
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-121
Status: in_force

The purpose of Sections 37-33-121 through 37-33-131 is to improve rehabilitation services for severely disabled individuals in Mississippi by providing for the development and continuation of community rehabilitation programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-99-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 99-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-99-3
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this subsection, unless context of use clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Department ” means the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

(b) “ Eligible child ” means:

(i) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was placed in the legal custody of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services by a youth court or through other legal means and who was in the legal custody of the department at any time;

(ii) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was placed in a qualified residential child care agency by a parent, legal guardian, court of competent jurisdiction, or other person or entity acting in the best interest of the individual and who did reside in a qualified residential child care agency at any time; or

(iii) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was adopted from the department's legal custody or adopted while residing at a qualified residential child care agency as described in paragraph (c) of this subsection at any time.

(c) “ Qualified residential child care agency ” means an entity that provides a home for children and was licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services at the time that the eligible child was housed by the agency.

(2) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the boards of trustees of the community and junior colleges shall adopt policies requiring each public institution of higher learning, community or junior college to provide free transcripts to an eligible child when requested.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-39 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 104-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-39
Status: in_force

The Authority, in addition to the monies which may be received by it from the sale of revenue bonds and from the receipt of payments by the participating private institution of higher learning for the payment of the revenue bonds pursuant to the bond loan agreement, shall have the authority to accept from any public or private agency, or from any individual, grants, loans, aid or contributions for or in aid of the educational facility project or for the payment of the revenue bonds for said educational facility project, and to receive and accept grants, loans, aid or contributions, from any source, of money or property or other things of value to be held, used, and applied only for the purposes for which such grants, loans, aid or contributions may be made, provided the purposes of such loans, grants, aid or contributions are not in conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-8 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 11-8
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-8
Status: in_force

(1) The Office of Healthy Schools of the State Department of Education shall develop and implement the Healthier School Initiative, consistent with the HealthierUS School Challenge developed by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered through its Food and Nutrition Service, to facilitate healthy choices and practices by local school districts through the promotion of healthier school environments. The office shall establish standard procedures to be adhered to by schools electing to participate in the program and shall establish a deadline for the submission of applications for participation in the initiative.

(2) Subject to the availability of funds whether appropriated by the Legislature, in an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), or received as gifts, bequests, endowments or grants from any public or private source, the Office of Healthy Schools shall provide financial incentives to schools receiving recognition through the HealthierUS School Challenge for purposes of funding the resources and staff training needed to meet healthy eating, nutrition education and physical education guidelines. The department shall allocate the funds to schools receiving recognition in the following amounts:

(a) Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) shall be awarded to schools receiving the Bronze Award level of recognition;

(b) Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) shall be awarded to schools receiving Silver Award level of recognition;

(c) Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) shall be awarded to schools receiving Gold Award level of recognition; and

(d) Eight Thousand Dollars ($8,000.00) shall be awarded to schools receiving Gold Award of Distinction level of recognition.

(3) The Office of Healthy Schools shall require local school districts to include information relevant to the HealthierUS School Challenge on their district Web sites and shall provide technical assistance to schools that elect to participate in the challenge to become a HealthierUS School. The office shall require participating schools to:

(a) Enroll as a Team Nutrition School;

(b) Offer reimbursable lunches that demonstrate healthy menu planning practices and principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and that meet United States Department of Agriculture nutrition standards;

(c) Provide nutrition education to students;

(d) Provide students with physical education and the opportunity for physical activity;

(e) Maintain an average daily participation of school enrollment for reimbursable lunches; and

(f) Adhere to guidelines established by Food and Nutrition Service for foods served and/or sold in schools outside the National School Lunch Program.

(4) To be eligible for participation, a school must:

(a) Be a public elementary or secondary school;

(b) Participate in the National School Lunch Program;

(c) Be enrolled in United States Department of Agriculture Team Nutrition; and

(d) Submit an application to the United States Department of Agriculture.

(5) Application for certification as a HealthierUS School must be submitted to the State Department of Education for review by the Office of Healthy Schools, which, upon its approval, shall forward the applications to the United States Department of Agriculture for consideration. Any application that is not approved based on standards for submission established by the Office of Healthy Schools shall be returned with instructions for modification and resubmission by the submitting school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-12 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 106-12
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-12
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special trust fund to be known as the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Trust Fund. The trust fund shall consist of all monies designated by the Legislature for deposit therein and any gift, donation, bequest, trust, grant, endowment, transfer of money or securities, or any other monies from any source whatsoever, designated for deposit in the trust fund.

(2) The principal of the trust fund shall remain inviolate and shall be invested by the State Treasurer in the same manner as provided by Section 27-105-33, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the investment of excess state funds. Interest and income derived from investment of the principal of the trust fund shall be appropriated by the Legislature for expenditure as provided in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 121-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-1
Status: in_force

The Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College of Mississippi, created by act approved February 28, 1878, shall continue as a body politic and corporate, and shall henceforth be known as “Alcorn State University,” without interference with the rights, powers and prerogatives of said college which continue in all respects. Whenever the name “Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College” appears, the same is construed to denote “Alcorn State University.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-163 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 33-163
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-163
Status: in_force

The Office of Disability Determination Services established by Section 37-33-153 shall be administered by a director appointed by the Executive Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services. The director shall devote his full time to the proper administration of the office. In carrying out his duties under this chapter, the director:

(a) Shall enter into agreements on behalf of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services and the State of Mississippi with the federal Social Security Administration or its successor in order to implement the provisions of the federal Social Security Act relating to the determination of disabilities under Title II and Title XVI, and shall enter into contracts necessary to provide such disability determination functions as allowed under applicable federal regulation;

(b) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, make regulations governing Mississippi applications for disability benefits under Title II and Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act, and make such other regulations as are found necessary to implement the functions of the office prescribed under this chapter;

(c) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, establish appropriate subordinate administrative units within the office;

(d) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, be responsible for appointing supervisors, assistants, physicians, and other employees or entering into purchase of service contracts, as are necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the office, subject to the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the State Personnel Board as created under Section 25-9-101 et seq. ;

(e) Shall prepare and submit to the board through the executive director annual reports of activities and expenditures, and estimates of the amounts to be made available to the office from all sources; and

(f) Shall, with the approval of the executive director and the board, take such other action as he deems necessary or appropriate to implement the functions of the office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-72.2 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 11-72.2
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-72.2
Status: in_force

A school district, school district employee or agent acting in good faith and in substantial compliance with the student's individual health plan and the instructions of the student's licensed health care professional, that provides assistance or services under Sections 37-11-72 through 37-11-72.2 shall be immune from criminal prosecution and shall not be liable in any criminal action or for civil damages in his or her individual, marital, governmental, corporate or other capacities as a result of the services provided under Sections 37-11-72 through 37-11-72.2 to students with epilepsy or seizure disorders.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-205 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 151-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-205
Status: in_force

(1) The preliminary weighted enrollment of each school district and charter school under Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 is determined by applying the weights prescribed in this section, none of which are mutually exclusive of another, to each applicable school district or charter school's net enrollment, as determined by Section 37-151-207 . To determine additional funding authorized under this section, the number of students in a school district that are identified as the applicable weight shall be calculated as a percentage of the students in the school district. Such amount shall be referred to as the “percentage of applicable students.”

(2) For students identified as low-income, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by thirty one-hundredths ( 30 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

(3) For students identified as English Language Learners, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by fifteen one-hundredths ( 15 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

(4) The following weights are applied to students who are identified as entitled to and receiving services in a special education program:

(a) Tier I: For students diagnosed with a specific learning disability, speech and language impairment, or developmental delay, the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by sixty one-hundredths ( 60 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

(b) Tier II: For students diagnosed with autism, hearing impairment, emotional disability, orthopedic impairment, intellectual disability, or other health impairment, the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by one hundred ten one-hundredths (1 10 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

(c) Tier III: For students diagnosed with visual impairment, deaf-blindness, multiple disabilities, or traumatic brain injury, the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by one hundred thirty one-hundredths (1 30 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

For the purpose of student counts, a student entitled to and receiving special education services may not be included under more than one (1) tier prescribed in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subsection. A student having multiple diagnoses must be counted under the highest tier applicable to that student.

(5) A weight of five percent (5%) is applied to five percent (5%) of a school district or charter school's net enrollment for the purpose of providing gifted education, regardless of the number of students in a school district or charter school that have been identified as gifted students: the total number of students in net enrollment in a school district or charter school, as determined by Section 37-151-207 , is multiplied by five one-hundredths ( 5 / 100 ), which is again multiplied by five one-hundredths ( 5 / 100 ).

(6) For Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Grade students enrolled in a career and technical education course, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by ten one-hundredths ( 10 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment. Students enrolled in multiple career and technical education courses are counted once.

(7) In each school district or charter school where the number of students identified as low income, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , exceeds thirty-five percent (35%) of the school district or charter school's net enrollment, a weight of ten percent (10%) is applied only to the number of low income students in excess of the number of low income students which constitute thirty-five percent (35%) of net enrollment. The number of students eligible for this weight is calculated by subtracting the number of students equivalent to thirty-five percent (35%) of the net enrollment of that school district or charter school from the total number of students in that school district or charter school identified as low income: if the total percentage of applicable students identified in subsection (2) exceeds thirty-five percent (35%) of the school district or charter school's total net enrollment, as determined in Section 37-151-207 , the difference between the total percentage of applicable students identified in subsection (2) and thirty-five percent (35%) of the school district or charter school's total net enrollment is multiplied by ten one-hundredths ( 10 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

(8) The final weighted enrollment of each school district and charter school under the total funding formula as provided for in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 is determined as follows:

(a) The final weighted enrollment for each school district or charter school that is not classified as a sparsely populated district or charter school, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , is equivalent to the preliminary weighted enrollment of that school district or charter school, as determined in subsections (1) through (7) of this section: the State Department of Education shall add to the school district or charter school's net enrollment, as determined under Section 37-151-207 , each of the additional figures calculated in accordance with subsections (2) through (7), and this total is the final weighted enrollment.

(b) The final weighted enrollment for each sparsely populated district or charter school, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , is determined by multiplying the sparsity weight by the preliminary weighted enrollment, as determined in subsections (1) through (7) of this section, and then adding that figure to the preliminary weighted enrollment. To calculate the final weighted enrollment, the State Department of Education shall add to the school district or charter school's net enrollment, each of the additional figures calculated in accordance with subsections (2) through (7) to determine the preliminary weighted enrollment, multiply this figure by the sparsity weight as determined below, and add this resulting number to the preliminary weighted enrollment to find the final weighted enrollment. To calculate the sparsity weight, the State Department of Education shall find the difference between the number of students per square mile in that district or charter school and a sparsity threshold of eight (8) students per square mile, and then shall divide the resulting figure by one hundred (100) to create a percentage: for example, if the number of students per square mile in a district is three (3), the difference is five (5) (eight (8) minus three (3)), and the sparsity weight is five percent (5%), or five one-hundredths ( 5 / 100 ).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-261 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-261
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-261
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of any county which levies a tax for the support of a junior college district may, in its discretion, permit county road department employees or road district employees, if any, to operate county-owned equipment and machinery to assist in the maintenance of the public property on such junior college campus.

The board of trustees of the junior college district affected and the board of supervisors may agree as to the terms and conditions under which such public property may be worked and supplies or materials may be furnished.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 103-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-9
Status: in_force

Children of parents who are members of the faculty or staff of any institution under the jurisdiction of the board of trustees of any junior college in this state or the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning may be classified as residents for the purpose of attendance at the institution where their parents are faculty or staff members.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-105 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-105
Status: in_force

All proceeds from community rehabilitation program contracts or other funds paid for services, fees or items sold shall be deposited in a special fund in an established local county or central state depository and shall be subject to audit by the State Auditor. All expenditures from the special fund shall be made on the signatures of the community rehabilitation program staff as designated by the Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The earnings of all client-trainee persons and all production personnel shall be paid from that fund. Instructor-supervisors and support personnel may be paid in whole or in part from that fund. The director, on behalf of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, is authorized to apply for and accept gifts, grants or other personal or real property to be used for the purposes of Section 37-33-101 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 103-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-25
Status: in_force

(1) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the boards of trustees of the community colleges and junior colleges are authorized to prescribe the amount of tuition and fees to be paid by students attending the several state-supported institutions of higher learning and community colleges and junior colleges of the State of Mississippi.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subsections (3) and (4) of this section, the total tuition to be paid by residents of other states shall not be less than the average cost per student from appropriated funds. However, the tuition to be paid by a resident of another state shall be equal to the tuition amount established under subsection (1) of this section if:

(a) The nonresident student is either a veteran, as defined by Title 38 of the United States Code, or a person entitled to education benefits under Title 38 of the United States Code. Nonresident students enrolled in a professional school or college at a state institution of higher learning are excluded from this paragraph (2)(a) except for those nonresident students who must be charged tuition equal to the amount established under subsection (1) due to the provisions of Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014. 1 This paragraph (a) shall be administered and interpreted in the manner necessary to obtain or retain approval of courses of education by the Secretary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;

(b) The nonresident student is an evacuee of an area affected by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. This waiver shall be applicable to the 2005-2006 school year only.

(c) The nonresident student's out-of-state tuition was waived according to subsection (3) or (4) of this section.

(3) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning may, in its discretion, consider and grant requests to approve institution specific policies permitting the waiver of out-of-state tuition when such an official request is made by the president or chancellor of the institution and when such request is determined by the board to be fiscally responsible and in accordance with the educational mission of the requesting institution.

(4) The board of trustees of any community college or junior college may develop and implement a policy for waiving out-of-state tuition for the college if the policy is determined by the board to be in accordance with the educational mission of the college and if a local industry or business or a state agency agrees to reimburse the college for the entire amount of the out-of-state tuition that will be waived under the policy. State funds shall be allocated and spent only on students who reside within the State of Mississippi. However, associate degree nursing students who reside outside the State of Mississippi may be counted for pay purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-233 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 153-233
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-233
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds the following:

(a) The public health crisis related to COVID-19 resulted in a general disruption in the Mississippi economy and workforce, particularly in the healthcare industry.

(b) COVID-19 and the closing of or reduction in services at rural hospitals created an unprecedented demand on emergency medical response providers.

(c) Consequently, the number of paramedics decreased in the State of Mississippi by approximately nineteen percent (19%).

(d) The lack of paramedics directly impacts all Mississippians ability to rely on quality emergency care.

(2) Therefore, the intent of the Legislature is:

(a) To provide funding to the Office of Workforce Development to establish a scholarship program for the purposes outlined herein.

(b) To provide funding for grants to cover the full cost of tuition, fees, books and any required uniforms for qualified applicants to attend an accredited paramedic program.

(c) To provide funding for grants to reimburse the cost of a qualified applicant's fee for the successful completion of the National Registry Paramedic cognitive and psychomotor examinations.

(d) To gauge the effectiveness of this program by gathering data related to the participation and employment outcomes in order to replicate successful efforts in future workforce development programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 23-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-69
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education may determine and pay the amount of the financial assistance to be made available to each applicant, and see that all applicants and the programs for them meet the requirements of the program for exceptional children. No financial assistance shall exceed the obligation actually incurred by the applicant for educational costs, which shall include special education and related services as defined by the Mississippi Department of Education Policies and Procedures Regarding Children with Disabilities under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Within the amount of available state funds for that purpose, each such applicant may receive assistance according to the following allowances:

(a) If the applicant chooses to attend a private school, a parochial school or a speech, hearing and/or language clinic having an appropriate program for the applicant, and if the school or clinic meets federal and state regulations, then the educational costs reimbursement will be one hundred percent (100%) of the first Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) in educational costs charged by the school or clinic; or, if the applicant is under six (6) years of age, and no program appropriate for the child exists in the public schools of his domicile, then the reimbursement shall be one hundred percent (100%) of the first Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) in educational costs charged by the school or clinic, and fifty percent (50%) of the next Eight Hundred Dollars ($800.00) in educational costs charged by the school or clinic;

(b) A public school district shall be reimbursed for the educational costs of an applicant up to an annual maximum based on a cost factor determined by the State Board of Education if the following conditions are met: (i) an applicant in the age range six (6) through twenty (20) requests the public school district where he resides to provide an education for him and the nature of the applicant's educational problem is such that, according to best educational practices, it cannot be met in the public school district where the child resides; (ii) the public school district decides to provide the applicant a free appropriate education by placing him in a private school, a parochial school or a speech, hearing and/or language clinic having an appropriate program for the applicant; (iii) the program meets federal and state regulations; and (iv) the applicant is approved for financial assistance by a State Level Review Board established by the State Board of Education. The Review Board will act on financial assistance requests within five (5) working days of receipt. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent two (2) or more public school districts from forming a cooperative to meet the needs of low incidence exceptional children, nor shall the public school be relieved of its responsibility to provide an education for all children. If state monies are not sufficient to fund all applicants, there will be a ratable reduction for all recipients receiving state funds under this section. School districts may pay additional educational costs from available federal, state and local funds.

If an exceptional child, as defined in Section 37-23-3 , is placed in a therapeutic or other group home licensed or approved by the state that has no educational program associated with it, the local school district in which the home is located shall offer an appropriate educational program to that child.

At any time that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee in the district where the home is located determines that an exceptional child, as defined in Section 37-23-3 , residing in that home can no longer be provided a free appropriate public education in that school district, and the State Department of Education agrees with that decision, then the State Department of Education shall recommend to the Department of Human Services placement of the child by the Department of Human Services, which shall take appropriate action. The placement of the exceptional child in the facility shall be at no cost to the local school district. Funds available under Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-77 , as well as any available federal funds, may be used to provide the educational costs of the placement. If the exceptional child is under the guardianship of the Department of Human Services or another state agency, the State Department of Education shall pay only for the educational costs of that placement, and the other agency shall be responsible for the room, board and any other costs. The special education and related services provided to the child shall be in compliance with State Department of Education and any related federal regulations. The State Board of Education may promulgate regulations that are necessary to implement this section; and

(c) If an appropriate local or regional system of care, including a free appropriate public education, is available for exceptional children who are currently being served in out-of-district or Department of Human Services placements under paragraph (b) of this section or Section 37-23-77 , then the state funds from the State Department of Education that would have been used for those placements may be paid into a pool of funds with funds from other state agencies to be used for the implementation of the individualized plans of care for those children. If there are sufficient funds to serve additional exceptional children because of cost savings as a result of serving these students at home and/or matching the pooled funds with federal dollars, the funds may be used to implement individualized plans of care for those additional exceptional children. Each local or regional provider of services included in the individualized plans of care shall comply with all appropriate state and federal regulations. The State Board of Education may promulgate regulations that are necessary to implement this section.

The State Department of Education may also provide for the payment of that financial assistance in installments and for proration of that financial assistance in the case of children attending a school or clinic for less than a full school session and, if available funds are insufficient, may allocate the available funds among the qualified applicants and local school districts by reducing the maximum assistance provided for in this section.

Any monies provided an applicant under Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 shall be applied by the receiving educational institution as a reduction in the amount of the educational costs paid by the applicant, and the total educational costs paid by the applicant shall not exceed the total educational costs paid by any other child in similar circumstances enrolled in the same program in that institution. However, this limitation shall not prohibit the waiving of all or part of the educational costs for a limited number of children based upon demonstrated financial need, and the State Department of Education may adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the intent of these provisions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 51-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-1
Status: in_force

It is hereby determined and declared that the state reaffirms its commitment and dedication to public school education; that nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed in any manner whatever to be an abandonment or impairment of public school education in this state; that the state calls upon all public school trustees, administrators, teachers, parents, and the public at large to continue full support of the public school system of this state; and that, especially during these difficult times, all school officials, administrators, teachers and others with primary responsibility for the public school system merit and need continued support and encouragement in their efforts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-109-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 109-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-109-11
Status: repealed

Sections 37-109-1 , 37-109-3 , 37-109-5 , 37-109-7 and 37-109-9 shall stand repealed on July, 1, 2025.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-99 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 101-99
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-99
Status: in_force

The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is hereby authorized to supervise the contracting for, and the erection of, all buildings erected as a result of the provisions of Sections 37-101-91 through 37-101-103 which the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning does not self-administer or allow a state institution of higher learning to administer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-207 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 153-207
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-207
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Accelerate Mississippi Physician Residency and Fellowship Start-Up Grant Program, which shall be directed by the office for the purpose of creating new or increasing capacity in existing physician residency and fellowship programs in hospitals, which were severely impacted by the disruption to the economy and workforce caused by COVID-19.

(2) For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “Grant program” means the program established in this section, which provides funding, as determined by the office, from federal COVID-19 relief funds to create new or increase capacity in existing physician residency and fellowship programs at general acute care hospitals in the State of Mississippi which are licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

(b) “Recipient” means a general acute care hospital in the State of Mississippi which is licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

(c) “Residency and fellowship programs” means advanced training programs in medical or surgical specialty areas which are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or a similar accreditation body.

(d) “COVID-19” means the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

(e) “Federal COVID-19 relief funds” means funds allocated to the State of Mississippi from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( Public Law No. 117-2 ).

(f) “Eligible expenses” means a cost incurred by a recipient, pursuant to this article, to include:

(i) Equipment or other supplies necessary for accreditation;

(ii) Necessary infrastructure, including building, renovation or construction, for accreditation;

(iii) Curricula or other academic or training materials necessary for accreditation;

(iv) Stipends for the recruitment, hiring and development of program directors, program coordinators, faculty and/or teaching staff and clinic staff necessary for accreditation; and

(v) Remote learning or other classroom technology.

(3) The Department of Employment Security shall serve as fiscal agent in administering the funds.

(4) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, allocations to recipients shall be awarded by the office through an application process, which shall require the applicant to provide:

(a) Evidence that the applicant is in the process of preparing for accreditation, has applied for accreditation or has received accreditation for a new residency or fellowship program, or increased capacity in an existing residency or fellowship program;

(b) A detailed explanation of the residency or fellowship program the applicant intends to use awarded funds to create or expand, to include:

(i) A description of the workforce shortage the residency or fellowship program is intended to address, including specific information from health care providers in the region;

(ii) Any relevant waitlist or other information demonstrating high demand for medical school graduates to enter the residency or fellowship program;

(iii) The number of residents who will be served by the residency or fellowship program;

(iv) The budget for the residency or fellowship program, including a plan showing sustainability after accreditation and any required federal approval of the program; and

(v) The average wage rate for residents or fellows receiving employment after completing the program;

(c) A proposed budget on how awarded funds will be expended, including a plan to consistently report expenditures to the office throughout the funding commitment;

(d) A plan to provide data on participation and outcomes of the residency or fellowship program, including a plan to report outcomes to the office throughout the funding commitment; and

(e) Other relevant information as determined appropriate by the office.

(5) Applicants agreeing to commit a portion of their federal COVID-19 relief funds, if they received federal COVID-19 relief funds directly, or other state, federal or private funds as supplemental matching funds to offset the total cost of the approved program shall be prioritized for approval.

(6) The office shall:

(a) Inform each recipient of its portion of the funds appropriated to the grant program;

(b) Develop regulations and procedures to govern the administration of the grant program;

(c) Prioritize residency or fellowship programs within medical or surgical specialties which are currently experiencing staffing shortages in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other health care providers across the state;

(d) Prioritize residency or fellowship programs which produce graduates in high-demand medical and surgical fields;

(e) Establish a schedule of application deadlines and a system for considering applications on a rotating basis; and

(f) Ensure that every effort be made, in accordance with the priorities in this subsection, to provide funds for the placement of one (1) resident with each recipient before considering awarding funds for the placement of additional residents in the same round of consideration.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 59-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-41
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any agricultural high school shall have the power and authority to borrow money for the current expenses of such agricultural high school in anticipation of the collection of ad valorem taxes for the current fiscal year. The money so borrowed shall bear interest at a rate not greater than that allowed in Section 75-17-105, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and shall be repaid not later than the following March 15 out of the first moneys collected by reason of the tax levy or levies in anticipation of which such money is borrowed. The money so borrowed shall be used for no other purpose than the payment of the current expenses of such agricultural high school. The amount borrowed under the provisions of this section shall in no event exceed fifty percent (50%) of the anticipated, but then uncollected, revenue to accrue to such agricultural high school by the tax levy or levies against which such money is borrowed.

In borrowing money under the provisions of this section, it shall not be necessary to publish notice of intention so to do or to secure the consent of the qualified electors, either by election or otherwise. Money may be borrowed under the provisions of this section by authority of a resolution of said board of trustees, and shall be evidenced by a negotiable note or notes, signed and executed in such form as may be prescribed in such resolution. Money may be borrowed in anticipation of ad valorem taxes under the provisions of this section, regardless of whether such borrowing shall create an indebtedness in excess of the statutory limitations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-171-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 171-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-171-7
Status: in_force

(1) School districts are encouraged strongly to enter into shared use agreements with community organizations and local governmental agencies.

(2) Local government entities are expressly authorized to enter into such shared use agreements and/or expend public funds and/or to use public labor and/or equipment and/or commodities in furtherance of the purpose of such agreements.

(3) The State Department of Education, in consultation with the State Department of Health, shall develop a best practices tool kit relating to shared use agreements for school districts. This tool kit must include:

(a) Information outlining liability protections for both the school district and school district employees for injuries resulting from community use of school property or facilities for purposes of recreation or sport during nonschool hours;

(b) Model shared use agreement language;

(c) A list of technical assistance resources available for the school district to promote community recreational use of school property or facilities during nonschool hours;

(d) A list of potential community partners for shared use agreements; and

(e) A list of any grants or funding opportunities available to school districts to promote community recreational use of school property or facilities during nonschool hours.

The tool kit must be posted on the State Department of Education and State Department of Health websites. The State Department of Education shall review the information required by this section no less than every two (2) years and shall update the information as necessary.

(4) The State Department of Education shall provide a link on the department's website to any school district policies or procedures that promote community recreational use of school property or facilities in order to encourage information sharing among the school districts.

(5) Each school district, in consultation with the school health council, must address community recreational use of school property or facilities during nonschool hours.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-61
Status: in_force

Whenever the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning of the state of Mississippi shall by a proper resolution declare the necessity of the formation of nonprofit corporations for the purpose of acquiring or constructing facilities for institutions of higher learning under the jurisdiction and control of said board, any number of natural persons, not less than three (3), who are residents of the State of Mississippi, may file with the Secretary of State of this state and application in writing for authority to incorporate a public nonprofit corporation, known as an “educational building corporation.” If it shall be made to appear that each of said persons is a duly qualified resident of this state, then the persons filing such application shall be authorized, subject to the prior approval by said board of the form of the articles of incorporation and bylaws thereof, to proceed to form such corporation as provided by the general law of this state with respect to corporations organized not for profit except as hereinafter provided. The secretary of state, upon receipt of such application, shall forthwith issue a certificate of incorporation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-54 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-54
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-54
Status: in_force

The State Department of Rehabilitation Services, through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, shall administer the Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Law as prescribed in Sections 37-33-53 through 37-33-75 , Sections 43-3-3 through 43-3-15 and Section 43-3-93 . The executive director of the department shall assign to the office such powers and duties deemed appropriate to carry out the lawful functions of this law and any federal law or regulation.