Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-704 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 31 / Section 33-704
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-704
Status: in_force

(1) There is created by this article the Mississippi Home Corporation, which shall be a continuation of the corporate existence of the Mississippi Housing Finance Corporation and (a) all property, rights and powers of the Mississippi Housing Finance Corporation are vested in, and shall be exercised by, the corporation, subject, however, to all pledges, covenants, agreements, undertakings and trusts made or created by the Mississippi Housing Finance Corporation; (b) all references to the Mississippi Housing Finance Corporation in any other law or regulation shall be deemed to refer to and apply to the corporation; and (c) all regulations of the Mississippi Housing Finance Corporation shall continue to be in effect as the regulations of the corporation until amended, supplemented or rescinded by the corporation in accordance with law.

(2) The corporation is created with power to: raise funds from private investors in order to make such private funds available to finance the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and improvement of residential and rental housing for persons of low or moderate income within the state; provide financing to qualified sponsors or individuals for a wide range of loans including, but not limited to, housing development, mortgage, rehabilitation or energy conservation loans; make loans to private lenders to finance any of these loans; purchase any of these loans from private lenders; refinance, insure or guarantee any of these loans; provide for temporary or partial financing for any of these purposes; develop, operate and administer housing programs which further its stated goals of improving the availability, affordability and quality of low and moderate income housing in the state; and make grants or loans to private nonprofit developers, local governments or private persons in furtherance of these goals;

(3)(a) The corporation shall be composed of thirteen (13) members. The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint the members of the corporation, who shall be residents of the state and shall not hold other public office. There shall be at least one (1) member and not more than three (3) members appointed from each of the five (5) congressional districts in existence on January 1, 1989, and, in addition, from and after September 1, 1980, (i) at least one (1) member shall have at least three (3) years' experience and background in the savings and loan association business, the commercial banking business or the mortgage banking business, (ii) at least one (1) member shall have at least three (3) years' experience and background in the residential housing construction industry, (iii) at least one (1) member shall have at least three (3) years' experience and background in the licensed residential housing brokerage business, and (iv) at least one (1) member shall be a member of the general public not engaged in any business, industry or activity described in clauses (i) through (iii) of this subparagraph; from and after September 1, 1989, (i) at least one (1) member shall have at least three (3) years' experience and background in the manufactured housing business; (ii) at least one (1) member shall have at least three (3) years' experience and background in nonprofit housing development in a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA); (iii) at least one (1) member shall have at least three (3) years' experience and background in nonprofit housing development outside a MSA; and (iv) at least (1) member shall be a low or moderate income person qualified for assistance under this article.

(b) The term of office of the members of the corporation who are serving pursuant to this subsection (3) shall terminate on May 23, 2000.

(4) From and after May 23, 2000, the corporation shall be composed of nine (9) members. The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint six (6) members of the corporation, who shall be residents of the state. The Governor shall appoint two (2) members from each Supreme Court District. The Lieutenant Governor shall appoint three (3) members of the corporation, who shall be residents of the state. The Lieutenant Governor shall appoint one (1) member from each Supreme Court District. Two (2) members shall be appointed by the Governor for an initial term of two (2) years, two (2) members shall be appointed by the Governor for an initial term of four (4) years, and two (2) members shall be appointed by the Governor for an initial term of six (6) years. One (1) member shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor for an initial term of two (2) years, one (1) member shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor for an initial term of four (4) years, and one (1) member shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor for an initial term of six (6) years. Thereafter, the terms of members appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be as provided in subsection (5) of this section. In the appointment process, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor will attempt to see that all portions of society and its diversity are represented in the membership of the corporation. In the appointment process, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor will attempt to see that persons with substantial housing and financial experience are represented in the membership of the corporation.

(5) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3)(b) and subsection (4) of this section, appointments shall be for terms of six (6) years. Each member shall hold office until his successor has been appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the appropriate appointing authority, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, for the length of the unexpired term only. Any member of the corporation shall be eligible for reappointment. Any member of the corporation may be removed by the appointing authority for misfeasance, malfeasance or willful neglect of duty after reasonable notice and a public hearing, unless the same are expressly waived in writing. Each member of the corporation shall before entering upon his duty take an oath of office to administer the duties of his office faithfully and impartially, and a record of such oath shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. The corporation shall annually elect from its membership a chairman who shall be eligible for reelection. The corporation shall annually elect from its membership a vice chairman who shall be eligible for reelection. The corporation shall also elect or appoint, and prescribe the duties of, such other officers (who need not be members) as the corporation deems necessary or advisable, and the corporation shall fix the compensation of such officers. The corporation may delegate to one or more of its members, officers, employees or agents such powers and duties as it may deem proper, not inconsistent with this article or other provisions of law.

(6) In accomplishing its purposes, the corporation is acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state and the performance of essential public functions and is serving a vital public purpose in approving and otherwise promoting their health, welfare and prosperity, and the enactment of the provisions hereinafter set forth is for a valid public purpose and is hereby so declared to be such as a matter of express legislative determination.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-103 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 18 / Section 33-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-103
Status: in_force

If the board of supervisors of each of two (2) or more contiguous counties by resolution declares that there is a need for one (1) housing authority to be created for all of such counties to exercise in such counties powers and other functions prescribed for a regional housing authority, a public body corporate and politic to be known as a regional housing authority shall thereupon exist for all of such counties and exercise its powers and other functions in such counties; and thereupon each county housing authority created for each of such counties shall cease to exist except for the purpose of winding up its affairs and executing a deed to the regional housing authority as hereinafter provided. The board of supervisors of a county shall not adopt a resolution as aforesaid if there is a county housing authority created for such county which has any bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness outstanding unless, first, all holders of such evidences of indebtedness consent in writing to the substitution of such regional housing authority in lieu of such county housing authority on all such evidences of indebtedness, and second, the commissioners of such county housing authority adopt a resolution consenting to the transfer of all the rights, contracts, obligations, and property, real and personal, of such county housing authority to such regional housing authority as hereinafter provided. When the above two (2) conditions are complied with and such regional housing authority is created and authorized to exercise its powers and other functions, all rights, contracts, agreements, obligations, and property of such county housing authority shall be in the name of and vest in such regional housing authority, and all obligations of such county housing authority shall be the obligations of such regional housing authority and all rights and remedies of any person against such county housing authority may be asserted, enforced, and prosecuted against such regional housing authority to the same extent as they might have asserted, enforced, and prosecuted against such county housing authority.

When any real property of a county housing authority vests in a regional housing authority as provided above, the county housing authority shall execute a deed of such property to the regional housing authority which thereupon shall file such deed in the office provided for the filing of deeds; nothing contained in this sentence shall affect the vesting of property in the regional housing authority as provided above.

The board of supervisors of each of two (2) or more contiguous counties shall by resolution declare that there is a need for one (1) regional housing authority to be created for all of such counties to exercise in such counties powers and other functions prescribed for a regional housing authority, if such board of supervisors finds (and only if it finds) (a) that unsanitary or unsafe inhabited dwelling accommodations exist in such county or there is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwelling accommodations in such county available to persons of low income at rentals they can afford and (b) that a regional housing authority would be a more efficient or economical administrative unit than the housing authority of such county to carry out the purposes of this article and the Housing Authorities Law in such county.

In any suit, action, or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of or relating to any contract of the regional housing authority, the regional housing authority shall be conclusively deemed to have become created as a public body corporate and politic and to have become established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers hereunder upon proof of the adoption of a resolution by the board of supervisors of each of the counties creating the regional housing authority declaring the need for the regional housing authority. Each such resolution shall be deemed sufficient if it declares that there is need for the regional housing authority and finds in substantially the foregoing terms (no further detail being necessary) that the conditions enumerated above in (a) and (b) exist. A copy of such resolution of the board of supervisors of a county, duly certified by the county clerk of such county, shall be admissible in evidence in any suit, action, or proceeding.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-751 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 29 / Section 33-751
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-751
Status: in_force

The directors shall comply with the provisions of Section 25-4-101 et seq.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-119 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-119
Status: in_force

(1) If the department finds that a violation has occurred under this article or the rules and regulations of the department, it may:

(a) Deny, suspend or revoke a license or place the licensee on probation, if the department discovers that a licensee is not in compliance with the laws, standards or regulations governing its operation, and/or it finds evidence of aiding, abetting or permitting the commission of any illegal act; or

(b) Restrict or prohibit new admissions to the licensee's program or facility, if the department discovers that a licensee is not in compliance with the laws, standards or regulations governing its operation, and/or it finds evidence of aiding, abetting or permitting the commission of any illegal act.

(2) If placed on probation, the agency or licensee shall post a copy of the notice in a conspicuous place as directed by the department and with the agency's or individual's license, and the agency shall notify the custodians of each of the children in its care in writing of the agency's status and the basis for the probation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 35-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-9
Status: in_force

A municipality for the purposes of this article may formulate for the municipality a workable program for utilizing appropriate private and public resources to eliminate and prevent the development or spread of slums and urban blight, to encourage needed urban rehabilitation, to provide for the redevelopment of slum and blighted areas, or to undertake such of the aforesaid activities or other feasible municipal activities as may be suitably employed to achieve the objectives of such workable program. Such workable program may include, without limitation, provision for: the prevention of the spread of blight into areas of the municipality which are free from blight through diligent enforcement of housing, zoning and occupancy controls and standards; the rehabilitation or conservation of slum and blighted areas or portions thereof by replanning, removing congestion, providing parks, playgrounds and other public improvements, by encouraging voluntary rehabilitation and by compelling the repair and rehabilitation of deteriorated or deteriorating structures; and the clearance and redevelopment of slum and blighted areas or portions thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-857 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 20 / Section 21-857
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-857
Status: in_force

(1) A CASA volunteer must meet the following minimum requirements:

(a) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;

(b) Be of good moral character;

(c) Complete a written application providing the names of at least three (3) references;

(d) Submit to a personal interview with program staff;

(e) Submit to a criminal records background check; and

(f) Submit to child and vulnerable person abuse registries checks.

(2) If found acceptable, the applicant shall obtain a minimum of thirty (30) hours of initial training and take an oath of confidentiality administered by a youth court judge or, if none, a chancellor in the chancery court district.

(3) Initial and in-service training of volunteers must be provided by the program director or staff following standards adopted pursuant to Section 43-21-867 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-755 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-755
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-755
Status: in_force

Any action or proceeding to which the corporation or the people of the state may be a part in which any question arises as to the validity of this article shall be preferred over all other civil causes in all courts of the state and shall be heard and determined in preference to all other civil business pending therein irrespective of position on the calendar. The same preference shall be granted upon application of counsel to the corporation in any action or proceeding questioning the validity of the article in which he may be allowed to intervene. The venue of any such action or proceeding shall be in the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-15 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 19 / Section 47-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-15
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall have the authority to provide immediate medical care, food, clothing, heat, shelter, supervision or other essential services in the absence of consent if it is determined that:

(a) The vulnerable person is in imminent danger of death or irreparable harm;

(b) Provision of emergency and/or protective services will alleviate the endangerment; and

(c) No other statutory or otherwise appropriate remedy is immediately available.

(2) Within forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, the department shall petition the court for an order for injunctive relief authorizing the provision of emergency services.

(3) Upon petition of the Commissioner of Public Welfare, the court may order the provision of emergency services to a vulnerable person after finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that:

(a) The vulnerable person lacks the capacity to consent and that he is in need of protective services;

(b) An emergency exists; and

(c) No other person authorized by law or order to give consent is available and willing to arrange for emergency services.

If there is reasonable cause to believe that the conditions listed above exist and no other custodian is available, then upon a written petition for emergency services filed by the department, the court may issue an order for injunctive relief for the department to provide emergency services to a vulnerable person.

(4) The petition for emergency services shall set forth the name, address and authority of the petitioners; the name, age and residence of the vulnerable person; the nature of the emergency; the proposed emergency services; the petitioner's reasonable belief as to the existence of the conditions set forth in subsection (1) of this section; and facts showing petitioner's attempts to obtain the vulnerable person's consent to the services.

(5) If the provision of emergency and/or protective services alleviates the imminent danger of death or irreparable harm and the department has reasonable cause to believe that the vulnerable person remains in need of protective services, the department shall proceed according to Sections 43-47-11 and 43-47-13 .

(6) Where it is necessary to enter a premises without the vulnerable person's consent after obtaining a court order in compliance with subsection (3) of this section, the representative of the petitioner shall do so.

(7) No petitioner shall be held liable in any action brought by the vulnerable person if the petitioner acted in good faith.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-23 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 53 / Section 55-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-23
Status: in_force

(1) The institutions of higher learning and the Office of the Governor shall provide necessary administrative and staff support services to the State Commission for Volunteer Service. Additional support services may be provided, including, but not limited to, the use of office space, furniture and equipment, motor vehicles, travel and other related services. The commission shall employ an executive director, who shall be initially designated by the Governor. The executive director shall employ such staff as is necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Future executive directors shall be selected by the commission.

(2) The commission may procure information and assistance from the state or any subdivision, municipal corporation, public officer, or governmental department or agency thereof. All agencies, officers, and political subdivisions of the state or municipal corporations shall provide the office with all relevant information and reasonable assistance on any matters of research within their knowledge or control.

(3) The commission may apply for, receive, and expend funds, grants, and services from local, state, or federal government, or any of their agencies, or any other public or private sources and is authorized to use funds derived from these sources for purposes reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The commission also may expend moneys, upon appropriation by the Legislature, from the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service Fund created in Section 43-55-29 .

(4) The commission shall submit its budget request through the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. Such request shall be submitted by the board of trustees as a separate and distinct request made on behalf of the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 26-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-9
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Legislature that the resources devoted to family and children's services and to public assistance programs be clearly delineated and that all resources intended for child protection and other related purposes be expended in service of that goal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-321 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 14 / Section 21-321
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-321
Status: in_force

(1) All juvenile detention centers shall develop and implement policies and procedures that comply with the regulations promulgated by the Juvenile Facilities Monitoring Unit.

(2) If a student's detention will cause the student to miss one or more days of school during the academic school year or special education services when required by state and federal law or when designated on a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), the detention center staff shall notify school district officials where the detainee last attended school by the first school day following the student's placement in the facility. Detention center staff shall not disclose youth court records to the school district, except as provided by Section 43-21-261 .

(3) All juvenile detention centers shall adhere to the following minimum standards:

(a) Each center shall have a manual that states the policies and procedures for operating and maintaining the facility, and the manual shall be reviewed annually and revised as needed;

(b) Each center shall have a policy that specifies support for a drug-free workplace for all employees, and the policy shall, at a minimum, include the following:

(i) The prohibition of the use of illegal drugs;

(ii) The prohibition of the possession of any illegal drugs except in the performance of official duties;

(iii) The procedure used to ensure compliance with a drug-free workplace policy;

(iv) The opportunities available for the treatment and counseling for drug abuse; and

(v) The penalties for violation of the drug-free workplace policy; and

(c) Each center shall have a policy, procedure and practice that ensures that personnel files and records are current, accurate and confidential.

(4) Local school districts shall work collaboratively with juvenile detention center staff to provide special education services as required by state and federal law. Upon the written request of the youth court judge for the county in which the detention center is located, a local school district in the county in which the detention center is located, or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district, shall provide a certified teacher to provide educational services to detainees. The youth court judge shall designate the school district which shall be defined as the sponsoring school district. The local home school district shall be defined as the school district where the detainee was last enrolled. Detainees who have received a High School Equivalency diploma shall be provided remedial instruction in math and language arts, or other areas as determined by the sponsoring school district, which may be computer-based instruction, as well as career counseling opportunities. Teacher selection shall be in consultation with the youth court judge. The Legislature shall annually appropriate sufficient funds for the provision of educational services, as provided under this section, to detainees in detention centers.

(5) To ensure students in youth detention facilities continue to receive appropriate educational services, local education agencies (LEAs) must have policies and procedures to ensure the relevant records of students who move to, and from, youth detention facilities are sent to and received from the sponsoring school district as soon as practicable to enable the effective delivery of educational services.

(6) The sponsoring school district, or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district, shall be responsible for providing the instructional program and, when required by state and federal law, special education services, for the detainee while in detention during the sponsoring school district's academic calendar and a six-week summer enrichment program, the dates which are determined by the sponsoring school district. The enrichment program shall be facilitated by certified or classified district staff and shall be focused academically on mathematics and English language arts instruction, and may include other primary core subject areas, including character education. The six-week enrichment program shall not set aside any guidelines set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The summer enrichment program may be computer-based and have an abbreviated school day that shall not be less than four (4) hours per day. After forty-eight (48) hours of detention during the sponsoring school district's academic calendar and six-week enrichment program, the detainee shall receive the following services which may be computer-based:

(a) Diagnostic assessment of grade-level mastery of reading and math skills;

(b) Individualized instruction and practice to address any weaknesses identified in the assessment conducted under paragraph (a) of this subsection if the detainee is in the center for more than forty-eight (48) hours during the sponsoring school district's academic calendar and six-week enrichment program; and

(c) Character education to improve behavior.

(7) No later than the tenth day of detention during the sponsoring school district's academic calendar and six-week enrichment program, the detainee shall begin an extended detention education program. A team consisting of a certified teacher provided by the local sponsoring school district or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district, the appropriate official from the local home school district, and the youth court counselor or representative will develop an individualized academic program (IAP) for the detainee, where appropriate as determined by the teacher of the sponsoring school district, or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district. The detainee's parent or guardian shall participate on the team unless excused by the youth court judge. Failure of any party to participate shall not delay implementation of this education program. Any student identified under IDEA will utilize the student's current IEP in lieu of the IAP.

(8) It shall be the responsibility of the student's local home school district school to ensure that all related services identified on a student's IEP are provided in accordance with the student's IEP.

(9) It shall be the responsibility of the student's local home school district to collaborate with the sponsoring school district to ensure that all students, including students with disabilities, are appropriately included in general state and district-wide assessments, including assessments required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended, and state law.

(10) Teachers in youth detention facilities serving IDEA-eligible students must be licensed with endorsements required by state and federal law, and related services personnel and paraprofessionals must meet state and federal qualifications for those personnel.

(11) The sponsoring school district, or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district, shall provide the detention center with an appropriate and adequate computer lab to serve detainees. The Legislature shall annually appropriate sufficient funds to equip and maintain the computer labs. The computer lab shall become the property of the detention centers and the sponsoring school districts shall maintain and update the labs.

(12) The Mississippi Department of Education will collaborate with the appropriate state and local agencies, juvenile detention centers and local school districts to ensure the provision of educational services to every student placed in a juvenile detention center. The Mississippi Department of Education has the authority to develop and promulgate policies and procedures regarding financial reimbursements to the sponsoring school district from school districts that have students of record or compulsory-school-age residing in said districts placed in a youth detention center. Such services may include, but not be limited to: assessment and math and reading instruction, character education and behavioral counseling. The Mississippi Department of Education shall work with the appropriate state and local agencies, juvenile detention centers and local school districts to annually determine the proposed costs for educational services to youth placed in juvenile detention centers and annually request sufficient funding for such services as necessary.

(13) Juvenile detention centers shall ensure that staffs create transition planning for youth leaving the facilities. This process shall be led by the student's youth court counselor, and shall include staff from the educational center. Plans shall include providing the youth and his or her parents or guardian with copies of the youth's detention center education and health records, information regarding the youth's home community, referrals to mental and counseling services when appropriate, and providing assistance in making initial appointments with community service providers; the transition team will work together to help the detainee successfully transition back into the home school district once released from detention. The transition team will consist of a certified teacher provided by the local sponsoring school district, or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district, the appropriate official from the local home school district, the school attendance officer assigned to the local home school district, and the youth court counselor or representative. The detainee's parent or guardian shall participate on the team unless excused by the youth court judge. Failure of any party to participate shall not delay implementation of this education program.

(14) Student's records, including grades and attendance, shall be part of the student's transition and submitted to the receiving school district for review. Grades received from the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) education program shall be incorporated into each student's academic performance grade.

(15) The Mississippi Department of Public Safety Juvenile Detention Facilities Monitoring Unit shall monitor the detention facilities for compliance with these minimum standards, and no child shall be housed in a detention facility the monitoring unit determines is substantially out of compliance with the standards prescribed in this section. In accordance with Section 43-21-907(5), Mississippi Code of 1972 , the Mississippi Department of Education has the authority to promulgate rules and regulations related to the education of all children housed in a juvenile detention facility, to conduct inspections of the facility's educational services at least annually or more often as deemed necessary and shall provide the licensing agency with its determination of the facility's compliance with the education provisions. The licensing agency shall use the information in its determination of the facility's eligibility for licensure. It is the intention of the Legislature that the implementation of the provisions of Section 43-21-321 shall not create accountability or accreditation requirements or standards upon the sponsoring school district or the home district that are greater, more restrictive or more demanding than those requirements imposed upon local school districts in the provision of educational services to the general population of students.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-17 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 26-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-17
Status: in_force

The Department of Child Protection Services shall cooperate with the federal government, its agencies and instrumentalities, in carrying out the provisions of any federal acts concerning public welfare for children, and in other matters of mutual concern pertaining to public welfare for children, including the adoption of such methods of administration as are found by the federal government to be necessary for the efficient operation of plans for public assistance and welfare services for children in accordance with the provisions of the federal Social Security Act, as amended. It shall also cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, federal, state and local or private, when so requested, in performing services in conformity with the laws applicable to the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-731 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 29 / Section 33-731
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-731
Status: reserved

Bonds and notes of the corporation shall:

(a) State on the face thereof that they:

(i) Are payable both as to principal and interest solely out of the assets of the corporation; and

(ii) Do not constitute an obligation, either general or special, of the state or municipality or any other political subdivision of the state; and

(b) Be:

(i) Either registered, registered as to principal only or in coupon form;

(ii) Issued in such denominations as the corporation may prescribe;

(iii) Fully negotiable instruments under the laws of the state;

(iv) Signed on behalf of the corporation with the manual or facsimile signature of the chairman or vice-chairman, attested by the manual or facsimile signature of the secretary, and have impressed or imprinted thereon the seal of the corporation or a facsimile thereof, and the coupons attached thereto shall be signed with the facsimile signature of such chairman or vice-chairman. If the officers whose signatures or countersignatures appear on any bonds, notes or coupons shall cease to be such officers before the delivery of such bonds, notes or coupons, such signatures shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such officers had remained in office until such delivery;

(v) Payable as to principal at such time or times, at such place or places, and with such reserved rights of prior redemption as the corporation may determine or provide;

(vi) Payable as to interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed a greater rate to maturity than that established in Section 75-17-103, Mississippi Code of 1972 ) and at such time or times as the corporation may determine or provide;

(vii) Sold at such price or prices, at public or private sale, and in such manner as the corporation may prescribe; and the corporation may pay all expenses, premiums and commissions which it deems necessary or advantageous in connection with the issuance and sale thereof; and

(viii) Issued under and subject to such terms, conditions and covenants providing for the payment of the principal, redemption premiums, if any, and interest and such other terms, conditions, covenants and protective provisions safeguarding such payment, not inconsistent with this article, as may be found to be necessary by the corporation for the most advantageous sale thereof, which may include, but not be limited to, covenants with the holders of the bonds or the notes, as to:

1. Pledging or creating a lien, to the extent provided by such resolution or resolutions, on all or any part of any money or property of the corporation or of any monies held in trust or otherwise by others to secure the payments of such bonds or notes;

2. Otherwise providing for the custody, collection, securing, investment and payment of any money of or due to the corporation;

3. The setting aside of reserves or sinking funds and the regulation or disposition thereof;

4. Limitations on the purpose to which the proceeds of sale of any issue of such bonds or notes then or thereafter to be issued may be applied;

5. Limitations on the issuance of additional bonds or notes and on the refunding of outstanding or other bonds or notes;

6. The procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with the holders of bonds or notes may be amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds or notes the holders of which must consent thereto, and the manner in which such consent may be given;

7. The creation of special funds into which any money of the corporation may be deposited;

8. Vesting in a trustee or trustees such properties, rights, powers and duties in trust as the corporation may determine, which may include any or all of the usual and customary rights, powers and duties of the trustee appointed for the holders of any issue of bonds or notes as agreed upon by the corporation;

9. Defining the acts or omissions to act which shall constitute a default in the obligations and duties of the corporation and providing for the rights and remedies of the holders of bonds or notes in the event of such default; provided, that such rights and remedies shall not be inconsistent with the general laws of the state and other provisions of this article; and

10. Any other matters of like or different character, which in any way affect the security and protection of the bonds or notes and the rights of the holders thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-201 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 19 / Section 21-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-201
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Each party shall have the right to be represented by counsel at all stages of the proceedings including, but not limited to, detention, shelter, adjudicatory and disposition hearings and parole or probation revocation proceedings.

(b) In delinquency matters the court shall appoint legal defense counsel who is not also a guardian ad litem for the same child. If the party is a child, the child shall be represented by counsel at all critical stages: detention, adjudicatory and disposition hearings; parole or probation revocation proceedings; and post-disposition matters. If indigent, the child shall have the right to have counsel appointed for him by the youth court.

(c) A child who is alleged to have been abused or neglected shall be deemed to be a party to the proceedings under this chapter. The child shall be represented by an attorney at all stages of any proceedings held pursuant to this chapter. The court shall appoint an attorney to any child who is unrepresented.

The guardian ad litem may serve a dual role as long as no conflict of interest is present. If a conflict of interest arises, the guardian ad litem shall inform the youth court of the conflict, and the youth court shall retain the guardian ad litem to represent the best interest of the child and appoint an attorney to represent the child's preferences as required by Uniform Rule of Youth Court Practice 13(f).

(2)(a) When a party first appears before the youth court, the judge shall ascertain whether he is represented by counsel and, if not, inform him of his rights including his right to counsel. If the court determines that a custodial parent or guardian who is a party in an abuse, neglect or termination of parental rights proceeding is indigent, the youth court judge shall appoint counsel to represent the indigent parent or guardian in the proceeding. The court may appoint counsel to represent a noncustodial parent if the court determines that the noncustodial parent is indigent and has demonstrated a significant custodial relationship with the child. All parents have the right to be appointed counsel in termination of parental rights hearings, and the court shall appoint counsel if the court makes a finding that the parent is indigent and counsel is requested by the parent. For purposes of this section, indigency shall be determined pursuant to Section 25-32-9 and Rule 7.3 of the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure .

(b)(i) The court shall order a financially able parent or custodian to pay all or part of reasonable attorney's fees and expenses for court-appointed representation after review by the court of an affidavit of financial means completed and verified by a parent or custodian and a determination by the court of an ability to pay.

(ii) All monies collected by the clerk under this paragraph must be retained by the clerk and deposited into a special fund to be known as the “Juvenile Court Representation Fund.”

(iii) The Administrative Office of Courts may direct that money from the fund be used in providing counsel for indigent parents or custodians at the trial level in dependency-neglect proceedings.

(iv) Upon a determination of indigency and a finding by the court that the fund does not have sufficient funds to pay reasonable attorney's fees and expenses incurred at the trial court level and that state funds have been exhausted, the court may order the county to pay the reasonable fees and expenses until the state provides funding for counsel.

(v) A special fund, to be designated as the “Juvenile Court Representation Fund,” is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Monies in the fund shall be disbursed by the Administrative Office of Courts as provided in this section. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(3) An attorney appointed to represent a child shall be required to complete annual juvenile justice training that is approved by the Mississippi Office of State Public Defender and the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education. An attorney appointed to represent a parent or guardian in an abuse, neglect or termination of parental rights proceeding shall be required to complete annual training that is approved by the Office of State Public Defender and the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education. The Mississippi Office of State Public Defender and the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education shall determine the amount of juvenile justice training and continuing education required to fulfill the requirements of this subsection. The State Public Defender shall maintain a roll of attorneys who have complied with the training requirements and shall enforce the provisions of this subsection. Should an attorney fail to complete the annual training requirement or fail to attend the required training within six (6) months of being appointed to a youth court case, the attorney shall be disqualified to serve, and the youth court shall immediately terminate the representation and appoint another attorney. Attorneys appointed by a youth court to five (5) or fewer cases a year are exempt from the requirements of this subsection.

(4) Attorneys for all parties, including the child's attorney, shall owe the duties of undivided loyalty, confidentiality and competent representation to the party client pursuant to the Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct.

(5) An attorney shall enter his appearance on behalf of a party in the proceeding by filing a written notice of appearance with the youth court, by filing a pleading, notice or motion signed by counsel or by appearing in open court and advising the youth court that he is representing a party. After counsel has entered his appearance, he shall be served with copies of all subsequent pleadings, motions and notices required to be served on the party he represents. An attorney who has entered his appearance shall not be permitted to withdraw from the case until a timely appeal, if any, has been decided, except by leave of the court then exercising jurisdiction of the cause after notice of his intended withdrawal is served by him on the party he represents.

(6) Each designee appointed by a youth court judge shall be subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct and shall govern himself or herself accordingly.

(7) The Department of Child Protection Services shall be a necessary party at all stages of the proceedings involving a child for whom the department has custody, including, but not limited to, detention, shelter, adjudicatory, disposition, permanency, termination of parental rights and adoption hearings.

(8) The Department of Child Protection Services shall have the right to hire agency counsel to represent the department and be represented by counsel from the Attorney General's Office at all stages of the proceedings involving a child for whom the department has custody of or may be awarded custody of, including, but not limited to, detention shelter, adjudicatory disposition, permanency, termination of parental rights and adoption hearings.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 12 / Section 15-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-3
Status: in_force

The Department of Human Services and the Department of Child Protection Services are authorized, empowered and directed to cooperate fully with the United States Children's Bureau and Secretary of Labor in establishing, extending and strengthening “child welfare services” for the protection and care of homeless, dependent and neglected children and children in danger of becoming delinquent. Those departments are further authorized, empowered and directed to cooperate with the United States Children's Bureau and Secretary of Labor in developing plans for those “child welfare services” and extending any other cooperation necessary under Section 521 of Public Law No. 271-74 th Congress of the United States.

In furtherance of the “child welfare services” referred to in the first paragraph hereof the State Treasurer is authorized and directed to receive on behalf of the state, and to execute all instruments incidental thereto, federal or other funds to be used for “child welfare services,” and to place such funds in a special account to the credit of the “child welfare services,” which funds shall be expended by the Department of Human Services and the Department of Child Protection Services for the purposes and under the provisions of this article and Section 521 of Public Law No. 271-74 th Congress of the United States. It shall be paid out by the State Treasurer as funds appropriated to carry out the provisions of those laws.

The Department of Human Services or the Department of Child Protection Services shall issue all checks on the “child welfare services” fund to persons entitled to payment from the fund. All such sums shall be drawn upon the “child welfare services” fund upon requisition of the Director of the Department of Human Services or the Commissioner of Child Protection Services.

The money in the “child welfare services” fund shall be expended in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Children's Bureau and Secretary of Labor and in accordance with the plan developed by the Department of Human Services or Department of Child Protection Services and the United States Children's Bureau under Section 521 of Public Law No. 271-74 th Congress of the United States, and shall not be used for any other purpose.

If a claim for foster care and/or adoption assistance under Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act is not acted upon within a reasonable time after the filing of the claim, or is denied in whole or in part, the claimant may appeal to the Commissioner of Child Protection Services in the manner and form prescribed by the Department of Child Protection Services. The Commissioner of Child Protection Services shall, upon receipt of such an appeal, give the claimant reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair hearing. The Commissioner of Child Protection Services may also, upon his or her own motion, review any decision regarding a claim, and may consider any claim upon which a decision has not been made within a reasonable time. All decisions of the Commissioner of Child Protection Services shall be final and binding.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-81 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 20-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-81
Status: in_force

(1) Each licensed child care facility shall, by October 1 of every year, provide each child's parent or legal guardian with information relative to the risks associated with influenza and the availability, effectiveness and modes of administration of influenza vaccines. That information shall be updated annually to include new information and shall include the following:

(a) The causes and symptoms of influenza and means by which influenza is transmitted;

(b) The infection rates of influenza in children;

(c) Information about the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendations for routine, seasonal vaccination of all children aged six (6) months through eighteen (18) years; and

(d) Sources in which a parent or legal guardian may obtain additional information and where a child may be immunized against influenza.

(2) The State Department of Health shall develop information on influenza immunization and provide that information to each licensed child care facility, which shall provide the information to each child's parent or legal guardian as required by subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The department shall determine the most cost-effective and efficient means of distributing the information. The department may work with public health organizations and vaccine stakeholders in developing and distributing the information.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any licensed child care facility to provide or pay for immunizations against influenza. However, if a licensed child care facility requests assistance in providing influenza vaccine on site to children in accordance with their parent or legal guardian's approval, the department shall work with the licensed child care facility to provide advice and influenza vaccine for children who qualify for the vaccine through the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

(5) The State Board of Health shall establish by rules and regulations all guidelines and procedures for carrying out the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 27 / Section 28-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-9
Status: in_force

In addition to those powers granted to the board by any other provisions of this chapter, the Mississippi ABLE Board shall have the powers necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter, the purposes and objectives of ABLE accounts, and the powers delegated by any other law or executive order of this state, including, but not limited to, the following express powers:

(a) To adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement this chapter, subject to applicable federal laws and regulations, including rules regarding transfers of funds between ABLE accounts established under the provisions of this chapter and independent personal bank accounts;

(b) To impose reasonable requirements for beneficiaries or account owners at the time of enrollment in the Mississippi ABLE Program;

(c) To consult with the Executive Director of the Department of Rehabilitation Services and the State Treasurer for the department's employment of a Mississippi ABLE Coordinator, who shall:

(i) Coordinate meetings of the board and keep minutes of its actions;

(ii) Remain informed of developments in federal rules and regulations affecting ABLE accounts and ensure that the Mississippi ABLE Program remains in compliance;

(iii) Be authorized to enter into contracts, on behalf of the Mississippi ABLE Board, with records administrators, program managers, consultants and other qualified persons and entities for administrative and technical assistance in carrying out the responsibilities of the Mississippi ABLE Program; and

(iv) Perform such other duties as the board may prescribe;

(d) To contract for necessary goods and services, to employ necessary personnel, and to engage the services of consultants and other qualified persons and entities for administrative and technical assistance in carrying out the responsibilities of the ABLE account funds under terms and conditions that the board deems reasonable, including contract terms for such consideration, and for such purposes as the board deems advisable;

(e) To solicit and accept gifts, including bequests or other testamentary gifts made by will, trust or other disposition grants, loans and other aids from any personal source or to participate in any other way in any federal, state or local governmental programs in carrying out the purposes of this chapter;

(f) To define the terms and conditions under which payments may be withdrawn for qualifying expenses established under this chapter and to impose reasonable transaction fees;

(g) To serve as an information clearinghouse for the gathering, compilation and dissemination of educational and programmatic materials relating to the design, operation and benefits provided through ABLE accounts and access to entry into the program;

(h) To regulate the receipt of contributions or payments to the ABLE Trust Fund;

(i) To segregate contributions and payments to the ABLE Trust Fund into various accounts and funds;

(j) To require and collect administrative fees and charges in connection with any transaction and to impose reasonable penalties for withdrawal of funds for nonqualified expenses or for entering into a ABLE account agreement on a fraudulent basis;

(k) To procure insurance against any loss in connection with the property, assets and activities of the ABLE Trust Fund or the board;

(l) To require that account owners of ABLE account agreements verify, under sworn attestation, any requests for contract conversions, substitutions, transfers, cancellations, refund requests or contract changes of any nature;

(m) To solicit proposals and to contract for the marketing of the Mississippi ABLE Program, provided that: (i) any materials produced by a marketing contractor for the purpose of marketing the program must be approved by the board before being made available to the public; and (ii) neither the state nor the board shall be liable for misrepresentation of the program by a marketing contractor;

(n) To delegate responsibility for administration of the comprehensive investment plan to a contractor or contractors or a consultant or consultants that the board determines is qualified;

(o) To make all necessary and appropriate arrangements with vendors, health care service providers, rehabilitation specialists or other entities in order to fulfill its obligations under ABLE account agreements;

(p) To establish other policies, procedures and criteria necessary to implement and administer this chapter;

(q) To authorize the Department of Rehabilitation Services with the advice of the State Treasurer, to carry out any or all of the powers and duties enumerated in this section for efficient and effective administration of the Mississippi ABLE Program and ABLE Trust Fund;

(r) To develop a user-friendly website or access link on the Department of Rehabilitation Services' website to serve as a virtual program and access portal to information about the ABLE Program and how an individual might be able to enroll, whether in the State of Mississippi or in a contracting state with whom Mississippi has entered into a contractual relationship either bilaterally or as part of an ABLE consortium;

(s) To provide an ABLE assistance helpline by which those having inquires can be directed to the proper entity for assistance in qualifying and enrolling in an ABLE Program; and

(t) To develop and provide an “Account Holder's Bill of Rights” to each individual, who is a Mississippi resident, and who enrolls in the ABLE Program whether such account is managed inside or outside of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-321 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 7 / Section 21-321
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-321
Status: in_force

(1) All juvenile detention centers shall develop and implement policies and procedures that comply with the regulations promulgated by the Juvenile Facilities Monitoring Unit.

(2) If a student's detention will cause the student to miss one or more days of school during the academic school year or special education services when required by state and federal law or when designated on a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), the detention center staff shall notify school district officials where the detainee last attended school by the first school day following the student's placement in the facility. Detention center staff shall not disclose youth court records to the school district, except as provided by Section 43-21-261 .

(3) All juvenile detention centers shall adhere to the following minimum standards:

(a) Each center shall have a manual that states the policies and procedures for operating and maintaining the facility, and the manual shall be reviewed annually and revised as needed;

(b) Each center shall have a policy that specifies support for a drug-free workplace for all employees, and the policy shall, at a minimum, include the following:

(i) The prohibition of the use of illegal drugs;

(ii) The prohibition of the possession of any illegal drugs except in the performance of official duties;

(iii) The procedure used to ensure compliance with a drug-free workplace policy;

(iv) The opportunities available for the treatment and counseling for drug abuse; and

(v) The penalties for violation of the drug-free workplace policy; and

(c) Each center shall have a policy, procedure and practice that ensures that personnel files and records are current, accurate and confidential.

(4) Local school districts shall work collaboratively with juvenile detention center staff to provide special education services as required by state and federal law. Upon the written request of the youth court judge for the county in which the detention center is located, a local school district in the county in which the detention center is located, or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district, shall provide a certified teacher to provide educational services to detainees. The youth court judge shall designate the school district which shall be defined as the sponsoring school district. The local home school district shall be defined as the school district where the detainee was last enrolled. Detainees who have received a High School Equivalency diploma shall be provided remedial instruction in math and language arts, or other areas as determined by the sponsoring school district, which may be computer-based instruction, as well as career counseling opportunities. Teacher selection shall be in consultation with the youth court judge. The Legislature shall annually appropriate sufficient funds for the provision of educational services, as provided under this section, to detainees in detention centers.

(5) To ensure students in youth detention facilities continue to receive appropriate educational services, local education agencies (LEAs) must have policies and procedures to ensure the relevant records of students who move to, and from, youth detention facilities are sent to and received from the sponsoring school district as soon as practicable to enable the effective delivery of educational services.

(6) The sponsoring school district, or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district, shall be responsible for providing the instructional program and, when required by state and federal law, special education services, for the detainee while in detention during the sponsoring school district's academic calendar and a six-week summer enrichment program, the dates which are determined by the sponsoring school district. The enrichment program shall be facilitated by certified or classified district staff and shall be focused academically on mathematics and English language arts instruction, and may include other primary core subject areas, including character education. The six-week enrichment program shall not set aside any guidelines set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The summer enrichment program may be computer-based and have an abbreviated school day that shall not be less than four (4) hours per day. After forty-eight (48) hours of detention during the sponsoring school district's academic calendar and six-week enrichment program, the detainee shall receive the following services which may be computer-based:

(a) Diagnostic assessment of grade-level mastery of reading and math skills;

(b) Individualized instruction and practice to address any weaknesses identified in the assessment conducted under paragraph (a) of this subsection if the detainee is in the center for more than forty-eight (48) hours during the sponsoring school district's academic calendar and six-week enrichment program; and

(c) Character education to improve behavior.

(7) No later than the tenth day of detention during the sponsoring school district's academic calendar and six-week enrichment program, the detainee shall begin an extended detention education program. A team consisting of a certified teacher provided by the local sponsoring school district or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district, the appropriate official from the local home school district, and the youth court counselor or representative will develop an individualized academic program (IAP) for the detainee, where appropriate as determined by the teacher of the sponsoring school district, or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district. The detainee's parent or guardian shall participate on the team unless excused by the youth court judge. Failure of any party to participate shall not delay implementation of this education program. Any student identified under IDEA will utilize the student's current IEP in lieu of the IAP.

(8) It shall be the responsibility of the student's local home school district school to ensure that all related services identified on a student's IEP are provided in accordance with the student's IEP.

(9) It shall be the responsibility of the student's local home school district to collaborate with the sponsoring school district to ensure that all students, including students with disabilities, are appropriately included in general state and district-wide assessments, including assessments required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended, and state law.

(10) Teachers in youth detention facilities serving IDEA-eligible students must be licensed with endorsements required by state and federal law, and related services personnel and paraprofessionals must meet state and federal qualifications for those personnel.

(11) The sponsoring school district, or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district, shall provide the detention center with an appropriate and adequate computer lab to serve detainees. The Legislature shall annually appropriate sufficient funds to equip and maintain the computer labs. The computer lab shall become the property of the detention centers and the sponsoring school districts shall maintain and update the labs.

(12) The Mississippi Department of Education will collaborate with the appropriate state and local agencies, juvenile detention centers and local school districts to ensure the provision of educational services to every student placed in a juvenile detention center. The Mississippi Department of Education has the authority to develop and promulgate policies and procedures regarding financial reimbursements to the sponsoring school district from school districts that have students of record or compulsory-school-age residing in said districts placed in a youth detention center. Such services may include, but not be limited to: assessment and math and reading instruction, character education and behavioral counseling. The Mississippi Department of Education shall work with the appropriate state and local agencies, juvenile detention centers and local school districts to annually determine the proposed costs for educational services to youth placed in juvenile detention centers and annually request sufficient funding for such services as necessary.

(13) Juvenile detention centers shall ensure that staffs create transition planning for youth leaving the facilities. This process shall be led by the student's youth court counselor, and shall include staff from the educational center. Plans shall include providing the youth and his or her parents or guardian with copies of the youth's detention center education and health records, information regarding the youth's home community, referrals to mental and counseling services when appropriate, and providing assistance in making initial appointments with community service providers; the transition team will work together to help the detainee successfully transition back into the home school district once released from detention. The transition team will consist of a certified teacher provided by the local sponsoring school district, or a private provider agreed upon by the youth court judge and sponsoring school district, the appropriate official from the local home school district, the school attendance officer assigned to the local home school district, and the youth court counselor or representative. The detainee's parent or guardian shall participate on the team unless excused by the youth court judge. Failure of any party to participate shall not delay implementation of this education program.

(14) Student's records, including grades and attendance, shall be part of the student's transition and submitted to the receiving school district for review. Grades received from the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) education program shall be incorporated into each student's academic performance grade.

(15) The Mississippi Department of Public Safety Juvenile Detention Facilities Monitoring Unit shall monitor the detention facilities for compliance with these minimum standards, and no child shall be housed in a detention facility the monitoring unit determines is substantially out of compliance with the standards prescribed in this section. In accordance with Section 43-21-907(5), Mississippi Code of 1972 , the Mississippi Department of Education has the authority to promulgate rules and regulations related to the education of all children housed in a juvenile detention facility, to conduct inspections of the facility's educational services at least annually or more often as deemed necessary and shall provide the licensing agency with its determination of the facility's compliance with the education provisions. The licensing agency shall use the information in its determination of the facility's eligibility for licensure. It is the intention of the Legislature that the implementation of the provisions of Section 43-21-321 shall not create accountability or accreditation requirements or standards upon the sponsoring school district or the home district that are greater, more restrictive or more demanding than those requirements imposed upon local school districts in the provision of educational services to the general population of students.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-303 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 35-303
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-303
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of any municipality are hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to construct, repair, improve, renovate or otherwise recondition physical facilities owned or leased by the municipality within the municipalities subject to the provisions hereinafter set out.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-18 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 16 / Section 27-18
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-18
Status: in_force

All positions in the Department of Youth Services shall be included in the state classification system, but the department is encouraged to establish an incentive program to motivate workers who deal directly with the children to obtain master's degrees in the field of sociology, psychology or some other related field.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-28 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 16 / Section 33-28
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-28
Status: in_force

Any housing authority organized under Sections 43-33-1 through 43-33-53 which is composed of ten (10) counties in the northeastern part of the State of Mississippi with counties bordering both the State of Tennessee and the State of Alabama and more specifically domiciled in a county where U. S. Highway 45 and U. S. Highway 72 intersect is hereby authorized and empowered to issue negotiable leased housing revenue refunding bonds in a principal amount not exceeding nineteen million dollars ($19,000,000.00) for the purpose of refunding its outstanding sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000.00) principal amount housing bonds, Series 1970, dated as of December 1, 1970, (“the Series 1970 bonds”), including interest thereon and applicable redemption premiums and paying other obligations and expenses of the authority necessary for the completion of one thousand thirty-three (1,033) low-rent dwelling units proposed to be financed from the proceeds of the Series 1970 bonds. The proceeds of any such refunding bonds shall be deposited with the trustee named in the bonds to be refunded, and pending the application thereof to the payment of the principal of and interest on and redemption premium on the bonds to be refunded shall be invested and reinvested only in (a) obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which is guaranteed by, the United States of America; (b) obligations of any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America; or (c) in certificates of deposit issued by either a state or national bank which is a qualified depository of the State of Mississippi bearing interest at any rate which may be agreed upon, which certificates of deposit shall be secured by a pledge of any of the obligations authorized by law for the securing of public deposits and having at all times an aggregate market value, exclusive of accrued interest, equal at least to the principal amount of the certificates so secured.

All interest or other increment received on or on account of all such investments shall be deposited in and become a part of the fund held by the trustee for the payment and redemption of the bonds to be refunded. Provided that the trustee may, after making due provisions for the payment and redemption of the Series 1970 bonds, disburse any portion of the principal proceeds in excess of sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000.00) for payment of obligations and expenses of the authority necessary for the completion of the low-rent dwelling units and for payment of expenses incurred by the issuance of the bonds herein authorized; provided, that attorney's fees shall not exceed those set forth in Section 57-1-31, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

The bonds herein authorized shall be authorized by a resolution adopted by the board of commissioners of the authority; may bear such date; may be of such denomination; may mature at such time or times, not exceeding twenty (20) years after the date thereof; and may be redeemable on such terms; all as may be determined by such resolution and in compliance with the provisions of Section 43-33-25 . Such bonds shall not bear a greater overall maximum interest rate to maturity than six percent (6%) per annum. No bond shall bear more than one (1) rate of interest; each bond shall bear interest from its date to its stated maturity date at the interest rate specified in the bid; all bonds of the same maturity shall bear the same rate of interest from date to maturity; all interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually, except that the first interest coupon attached to any such bond may be for any period not exceeding one (1) year.

No interest payment shall be evidenced by more than one (1) coupon and neither cancelled nor supplemental coupons shall be permitted; the lowest interest rate specified for any bonds issued shall not be less than seventy percent (70%) of the highest interest rate specified for the same bond issue. The interest rate of any one (1) interest coupon shall not exceed seven percent (7%).

Each interest rate specified in any bid must be in multiples of one-eighth of one percent ( 1 / 8 of 1%) or in multiples of one-tenth of one percent ( 1 / 10 of 1%), and a zero rate of interest cannot be named. No bonds shall be issued and sold under the provisions of this section for less than par and accrued interest.

The bonds herein authorized shall be payable solely from certain revenues derived by the authority in connection with the low-rent housing project for which the Series 1970 bonds were issued, including annual contributions from the United States of America, income from notes and mortgages purchased from the proceeds of the Series 1970 bonds and the bonds herein authorized, and surplus money available after the Series 1970 bonds shall have been retired from the trust created pursuant to this section and may be secured by a trust indenture. The bonds herein authorized shall not be obligations of the State of Mississippi or of any county or municipality therein, but shall be solely the obligations of the authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-103 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 33-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-103
Status: in_force

If the board of supervisors of each of two (2) or more contiguous counties by resolution declares that there is a need for one (1) housing authority to be created for all of such counties to exercise in such counties powers and other functions prescribed for a regional housing authority, a public body corporate and politic to be known as a regional housing authority shall thereupon exist for all of such counties and exercise its powers and other functions in such counties; and thereupon each county housing authority created for each of such counties shall cease to exist except for the purpose of winding up its affairs and executing a deed to the regional housing authority as hereinafter provided. The board of supervisors of a county shall not adopt a resolution as aforesaid if there is a county housing authority created for such county which has any bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness outstanding unless, first, all holders of such evidences of indebtedness consent in writing to the substitution of such regional housing authority in lieu of such county housing authority on all such evidences of indebtedness, and second, the commissioners of such county housing authority adopt a resolution consenting to the transfer of all the rights, contracts, obligations, and property, real and personal, of such county housing authority to such regional housing authority as hereinafter provided. When the above two (2) conditions are complied with and such regional housing authority is created and authorized to exercise its powers and other functions, all rights, contracts, agreements, obligations, and property of such county housing authority shall be in the name of and vest in such regional housing authority, and all obligations of such county housing authority shall be the obligations of such regional housing authority and all rights and remedies of any person against such county housing authority may be asserted, enforced, and prosecuted against such regional housing authority to the same extent as they might have asserted, enforced, and prosecuted against such county housing authority.

When any real property of a county housing authority vests in a regional housing authority as provided above, the county housing authority shall execute a deed of such property to the regional housing authority which thereupon shall file such deed in the office provided for the filing of deeds; nothing contained in this sentence shall affect the vesting of property in the regional housing authority as provided above.

The board of supervisors of each of two (2) or more contiguous counties shall by resolution declare that there is a need for one (1) regional housing authority to be created for all of such counties to exercise in such counties powers and other functions prescribed for a regional housing authority, if such board of supervisors finds (and only if it finds) (a) that unsanitary or unsafe inhabited dwelling accommodations exist in such county or there is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwelling accommodations in such county available to persons of low income at rentals they can afford and (b) that a regional housing authority would be a more efficient or economical administrative unit than the housing authority of such county to carry out the purposes of this article and the Housing Authorities Law in such county.

In any suit, action, or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of or relating to any contract of the regional housing authority, the regional housing authority shall be conclusively deemed to have become created as a public body corporate and politic and to have become established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers hereunder upon proof of the adoption of a resolution by the board of supervisors of each of the counties creating the regional housing authority declaring the need for the regional housing authority. Each such resolution shall be deemed sufficient if it declares that there is need for the regional housing authority and finds in substantially the foregoing terms (no further detail being necessary) that the conditions enumerated above in (a) and (b) exist. A copy of such resolution of the board of supervisors of a county, duly certified by the county clerk of such county, shall be admissible in evidence in any suit, action, or proceeding.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-715 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 26 / Section 33-715
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-715
Status: in_force

The corporation is not created or organized, and its operations shall not be conducted, for the purpose of making a profit. No part of the revenues or assets of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its directors or officers or other private persons, except as otherwise provided in this article.

Directors of the corporation shall serve without compensation; provided that all members, except ex officio members, shall receive the per diem established in Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for their attendance at meetings; and all directors shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for any actual and reasonable expenses incurred as a necessary incident to service on the corporation, including mileage, as provided in Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-19 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 33-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-19
Status: in_force

An authority shall have the right to acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any real property which it may deem necessary for its purposes under this article after the adoption by it of a resolution declaring that the acquisition of the real property described therein is necessary for such purposes. An authority may exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided in Chapter 27, Title 11, of the Mississippi Code of 1972; or it may exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by any other applicable statutory provisions for the exercise of the power of eminent domain. Property already devoted to a public use may be acquired in like manner; no real property belonging to the city, the county, the state or any political subdivision thereof may be acquired without its consent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 18 / Section 59-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-9
Status: in_force

There is established an interagency council comprised of representatives of state agencies, including, but not limited to, the State Department of Health, State Department of Mental Health, Department of Human Services, State Department of Education, Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Development Authority, Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, Mississippi Community College Board, Attorney General's Office, Secretary of State's Office and Mississippi Department of Corrections. Each of these agencies shall report to the commission annually through its representative, addressing the current health, employment, educational and overall status of women and the agency's actions to improve women's status. The commission, in its discretion, may call a meeting of the full council; however, full council meetings may not be called more frequently than once during a fiscal year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-5 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 35-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-5
Status: in_force

It is hereby found and declared that there exist in municipalities of the state slum and blighted areas which constitute a serious and growing menace, injurious to the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the state; that the existence of such areas contributes substantially and increasingly to the spread of disease and crime, constitutes an economic and social liability imposing onerous municipal burdens which decrease the tax base and reduce tax revenues, substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of municipalities, retards the provision of housing accommodations, aggravates traffic problems and substantially impairs or arrests the elimination of traffic hazards and the improvement of traffic facilities; and that the prevention and elimination of slums and blight is a matter of state policy and state concern in order that the state and its municipalities shall not continue to be endangered by areas which are focal centers of disease, promote juvenile delinquency, and consume an excessive proportion of its revenues because of the extra services required for police, fire, accident, hospitalization and other forms of public protection, services and facilities.

It is further found and declared that certain slum or blighted areas, or portions thereof, may require acquisition, clearance, and disposition subject to use restrictions, as provided in this article, since the prevailing condition of decay may make impracticable the reclamation of the area by conservation or rehabilitation; that other areas or portions thereof may, through the means provided in this article, be susceptible of conservation or rehabilitation in such a manner that the conditions and evils hereinbefore enumerated may be eliminated, remedied or prevented; and that salvable slum and blighted areas can be conserved and rehabilitated through appropriate public action as authorized in this article, and the cooperation and voluntary action of the owners and tenants of property in such areas.

It is further found and declared that the powers conferred by this article are for public uses and purposes for which public money may be expended and the power of eminent domain and police power exercised. The necessity in the public interest for the provisions enacted as this article is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 28-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-9
Status: in_force

In addition to those powers granted to the board by any other provisions of this chapter, the Mississippi ABLE Board shall have the powers necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter, the purposes and objectives of ABLE accounts, and the powers delegated by any other law or executive order of this state, including, but not limited to, the following express powers:

(a) To adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement this chapter, subject to applicable federal laws and regulations, including rules regarding transfers of funds between ABLE accounts established under the provisions of this chapter and independent personal bank accounts;

(b) To impose reasonable requirements for beneficiaries or account owners at the time of enrollment in the Mississippi ABLE Program;

(c) To consult with the Executive Director of the Department of Rehabilitation Services and the State Treasurer for the department's employment of a Mississippi ABLE Coordinator, who shall:

(i) Coordinate meetings of the board and keep minutes of its actions;

(ii) Remain informed of developments in federal rules and regulations affecting ABLE accounts and ensure that the Mississippi ABLE Program remains in compliance;

(iii) Be authorized to enter into contracts, on behalf of the Mississippi ABLE Board, with records administrators, program managers, consultants and other qualified persons and entities for administrative and technical assistance in carrying out the responsibilities of the Mississippi ABLE Program; and

(iv) Perform such other duties as the board may prescribe;

(d) To contract for necessary goods and services, to employ necessary personnel, and to engage the services of consultants and other qualified persons and entities for administrative and technical assistance in carrying out the responsibilities of the ABLE account funds under terms and conditions that the board deems reasonable, including contract terms for such consideration, and for such purposes as the board deems advisable;

(e) To solicit and accept gifts, including bequests or other testamentary gifts made by will, trust or other disposition grants, loans and other aids from any personal source or to participate in any other way in any federal, state or local governmental programs in carrying out the purposes of this chapter;

(f) To define the terms and conditions under which payments may be withdrawn for qualifying expenses established under this chapter and to impose reasonable transaction fees;

(g) To serve as an information clearinghouse for the gathering, compilation and dissemination of educational and programmatic materials relating to the design, operation and benefits provided through ABLE accounts and access to entry into the program;

(h) To regulate the receipt of contributions or payments to the ABLE Trust Fund;

(i) To segregate contributions and payments to the ABLE Trust Fund into various accounts and funds;

(j) To require and collect administrative fees and charges in connection with any transaction and to impose reasonable penalties for withdrawal of funds for nonqualified expenses or for entering into a ABLE account agreement on a fraudulent basis;

(k) To procure insurance against any loss in connection with the property, assets and activities of the ABLE Trust Fund or the board;

(l) To require that account owners of ABLE account agreements verify, under sworn attestation, any requests for contract conversions, substitutions, transfers, cancellations, refund requests or contract changes of any nature;

(m) To solicit proposals and to contract for the marketing of the Mississippi ABLE Program, provided that: (i) any materials produced by a marketing contractor for the purpose of marketing the program must be approved by the board before being made available to the public; and (ii) neither the state nor the board shall be liable for misrepresentation of the program by a marketing contractor;

(n) To delegate responsibility for administration of the comprehensive investment plan to a contractor or contractors or a consultant or consultants that the board determines is qualified;

(o) To make all necessary and appropriate arrangements with vendors, health care service providers, rehabilitation specialists or other entities in order to fulfill its obligations under ABLE account agreements;

(p) To establish other policies, procedures and criteria necessary to implement and administer this chapter;

(q) To authorize the Department of Rehabilitation Services with the advice of the State Treasurer, to carry out any or all of the powers and duties enumerated in this section for efficient and effective administration of the Mississippi ABLE Program and ABLE Trust Fund;

(r) To develop a user-friendly website or access link on the Department of Rehabilitation Services' website to serve as a virtual program and access portal to information about the ABLE Program and how an individual might be able to enroll, whether in the State of Mississippi or in a contracting state with whom Mississippi has entered into a contractual relationship either bilaterally or as part of an ABLE consortium;

(s) To provide an ABLE assistance helpline by which those having inquires can be directed to the proper entity for assistance in qualifying and enrolling in an ABLE Program; and

(t) To develop and provide an “Account Holder's Bill of Rights” to each individual, who is a Mississippi resident, and who enrolls in the ABLE Program whether such account is managed inside or outside of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-17 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 18 / Section 20-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-17
Status: in_force

Information in the possession of the licensing agency concerning the license of individual child care facilities may be disclosed to the public, except such information shall not be disclosed in such manner as to identify children or families of children cared for at a child care facility. Nothing in this section shall affect the agency's authority to release findings of investigations into allegations of abuse pursuant to either Section 43-21-353(8) or Section 43-21-257 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-119 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 15 / Section 27-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-119
Status: in_force

There is created a joint task force of the Department of Human Services, the Department of Child Protection Services and the Attorney General's Office consisting of the executive directors of the departments, the Attorney General, any staff persons designated by the executive directors and the Attorney General, and any other persons designated by the executive directors and the Attorney General. The joint task force shall research the issue of when each department should consider appealing court decisions that are contrary to the department's recommendations in child welfare and juvenile offender cases, and shall issue a protocol for determining the type of cases that should be appealed. The protocol shall establish the following:

(a) General guidelines to be considered for appealing a case;

(b) The type of information from case records and court records that should be entered into the appeal file; and

(c) The individuals who have authority to set the appeals process in motion and who can make final decisions about whether an appeal should be filed or not.

Not later than November 30, 1994, the joint task force shall complete its research, issue the protocol, and make recommendations to the Legislature for any administrative and legislative action necessary to properly and sufficiently address this issue.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-5-15 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-5-15
Status: in_force

Each of the two (2) schools shall be open to receive all pupils eligible to attend it, and shall provide for the proper lodging, maintenance, care and education while in attendance. A student shall not be admitted to or continue as a pupil in the School for the Blind whose acuity of vision is, or becomes, habitually greater than fifty percent (50%) of normal vision, and a pupil shall not be admitted or remain as a pupil in the school for the deaf whose ability to hear is customarily sufficient for him or her to attend the public schools provided for normal children. The board, in its discretion, shall establish the age of eligibility for students seeking admission to the schools. No person shall be admitted to either institution as a pupil who is not a bona fide resident of this state or who is not of good moral character.

The State Board of Education shall fix the amount to be paid, and the terms of payment, by pupils in each school for board, and the conditions of admission, subject to the provisions of this chapter; and shall admit free of charges, upon the certificate of the county superintendent of education of any county in the state, all pupils eligible to attend the school, provided the amount appropriated by the Legislature is sufficient properly to care for the same. Each school shall provide requisite facilities for every pupil therein to acquire as complete a literary and musical education as practicable; and shall provide and maintain an industrial department in which expert instruction shall be given in such trades and crafts as may be suited to render the pupil therein self-sustaining in after life.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-11 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 27 / Section 59-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-11
Status: in_force

There is created in the State Treasury a fund into which any public or private funds from any source shall be deposited for the support of the activities of the Commission on the Status of Women.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-453 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 19 / Section 21-453
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-453
Status: in_force

The petition shall be entitled “IN THE INTEREST OF __________.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-123 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 14 / Section 21-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-123
Status: in_force

Except for expenses provided by state funds and/or other monies, the board of supervisors, or the municipal governing board where there is a municipal youth court, shall adequately provide funds for the operation of the youth court division of the chancery court in conjunction with the regular chancery court budget, or the county or family courts where said courts are constituted. In preparation for said funding, on an annual basis at the time requested, the youth court judge or administrator shall prepare and submit to the board of supervisors, or the municipal governing board of the youth court wherever the youth court is a municipal court, an annual budget which will identify the number, staff position, title and amount of annual or monthly compensation of each position as well as provide for other expenditures necessary to the functioning and operation of the youth court. When the budget of the youth court or youth court judge is approved by the board of supervisors or the governing authority of the municipality, then the youth court or youth court judge may employ such persons as provided in the budget from time to time.

The board of supervisors of any county in which there is located a youth court, and the governing authority of any municipality in which there is located a municipal youth court, are each authorized to reimburse the youth court judges and other youth court employees or personnel for reasonable travel and expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and in attending educational meetings offering professional training to such persons as budgeted.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-25 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-25
Status: in_force

All political subdivisions of the state, or combinations of political subdivisions, are authorized to employ assistant prosecutors to prosecute for the crimes under Section 97-19-71 and the state department of public welfare is authorized to contract with any political subdivision to subsidize payment for the reasonable and necessary cost of prosecutions and investigations in any program where federal matching funds are available.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-17 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 26 / Section 28-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-17
Status: in_force

(1) On or before July 1, 2018, the Mississippi ABLE Board shall establish and administer the Mississippi ABLE Program or shall enter into a contractual relationship or into a consortium with another state or states to provide qualifying Mississippi residents access to enrollment in an operating ABLE Program. Before implementing the program, the board shall obtain a written opinion from counsel specializing in:

(a) Federal tax matters which indicate that the Mississippi ABLE Program is designed to comply with Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code ; and

(b) Federal securities law which indicate that the Mississippi ABLE Program and the offering of participation in the program are designed to comply with applicable federal securities law and qualify for the available tax exemptions under such law.

(2) The Mississippi ABLE account participation agreement must include provisions specifying that:

(a) The participation agreement is only an obligation of the Mississippi ABLE Program and the ABLE Trust Fund and is not an obligation of the state;

(b) Participation in the Mississippi ABLE Program does not guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to cover all qualified disability expenses for any designated beneficiary and does not guarantee the receipt or continuation of any product or service for the designated beneficiary;

(c) The designated beneficiary must be a resident of this state or a resident of a contracting or consortium state at the time the ABLE account is established;

(d) The establishment of an ABLE account in violation of federal law is prohibited;

(e) Contributions in excess of the limitations set forth in Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code are prohibited;

(f) The state is a creditor of ABLE accounts as, and to the extent, set forth in Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code ; and

(g) Material misrepresentations by a party to the participation agreement, other than the board in the application for the participation agreement or in any communication with the board regarding the Mississippi ABLE Program may result in the involuntary liquidation of the ABLE account. If an account is involuntarily liquidated, the designated beneficiary is entitled to a refund, subject to any fees or penalties provided by the participation agreement and the Internal Revenue Code.

(3) The participation agreement may include provisions specifying:

(a) The requirements and applicable restrictions for opening an ABLE account;

(b) The eligibility requirements for a party to a participation agreement and the rights of the party;

(c) The requirements and applicable restrictions for making contributions to an ABLE account;

(d) The requirements and applicable restrictions for directing the investment of the contributions or balance of the ABLE account;

(e) The administrative fee and other fees and penalties applicable to an ABLE account;

(f) The terms and conditions under which an ABLE account or participation agreement may be modified, transferred or terminated;

(g) The disposition of abandoned ABLE accounts; and

(h) Any other terms and conditions determined to be necessary or proper to conform the participation agreement with the requirements of Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code .

(4) The participation agreement may be amended throughout its term for purposes that include, but are not limited to, allowing a participant to increase or decrease the level of participation and to change designated beneficiaries and other matters authorized by this section and Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code .

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Mississippi ABLE Board, acting through the ABLE Coordinator, may enter into an agreement with contracting states which either allow Mississippi residents to participate under the design, operation, and rules of a contracting state's qualified ABLE Program or which allows residents of a participating contracting state to participate under the Mississippi ABLE Program.

(6) The Mississippi ABLE Program shall continue in existence until terminated by law. If the Mississippi ABLE Board determines that the program is financially infeasible, the board shall submit its recommendation, in the form of a feasibility report, to the Legislature to terminate the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-12-37 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 12-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-12-37
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Human Services shall set disqualification periods for all instances of noncompliance with any SNAP requirement, unless expressly prohibited by federal law.

(2) The department shall institute a three-month, full-household disqualification period for the first instance of noncompliance, unless expressly prohibited by federal law.

(3) The department shall institute a six-month, full-household disqualification period for the second instance of noncompliance, unless expressly prohibited by federal law.

(4) The department shall institute a permanent disqualification period for the third instance of noncompliance, unless expressly prohibited by federal law.

(5) If a recipient is subject to a disqualification period under subsection (4) of this section, the department shall institute a six-month disqualification period for the recipient's entire household, unless expressly prohibited by federal law.

(6) Unless expressly prohibited by federal law, recipients shall be subject to disqualification for failure to perform actions required by other federal, state, or local means-tested public assistance programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-12-5 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 12-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-12-5
Status: in_force

(1) Definitions. For purposes of Sections 43-12-5 through 43-12-17 , the following definitions apply:

(a) “ Department ” means the Division of Medicaid or the Department of Human Services, as the case may be.

(b) “ Identity information ” means an applicant or recipient's full name, aliases, date of birth, address, Social Security number and other related information, including, but not limited to, the information in subsection (2)(a) of this section.

(2) Establishment of enhanced eligibility verification service.

(a) The department shall establish and use a computerized income, asset, residence and identity eligibility verification service in order to verify eligibility, eliminate the duplication of assistance, and deter waste, fraud, and abuse within each respective assistance program administered by the department. The information verified shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) Earned and unearned income;

(ii) Employment status and changes in employment;

(iii) Immigration status;

(iv) Residency status, including a nationwide best-address source to verify individuals are residents of the state;

(v) Enrollment status in other state-administered public assistance programs, as available in a cost-efficient manner;

(vi) Financial resources;

(vii) Incarceration status;

(viii) Death records;

(ix) Enrollment status in public assistance programs outside of this state, as available in a cost-efficient manner; and

(x) Potential identity fraud or identity theft.

(b) The department may issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) from multiple third-party vendors, regardless of the amount of funds to be expended under the contract, for the purposes of identifying fraud in the programs described in this chapter and pursuant to the specifications prescribed in this subsection (2). After evaluating the proposals submitted, the department shall enter into a competitively bid contract with a third-party vendor for the purposes of using and accessing an eligibility verification service by which to verify the income, assets, residence, identity, and other information in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) to prevent fraud, misrepresentation, and inadequate documentation when determining an applicant's eligibility for assistance before the distribution of benefits, periodically between eligibility redeterminations, and during eligibility redeterminations and reviews, as prescribed in this section. The department may use more than one (1) eligibility verification service and/or third-party vendor, if doing so is more cost-efficient. The department may renegotiate an existing contract with a current vendor for the purposes stated in this paragraph (b) if doing so is more cost-efficient than issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) from multiple third-party vendors. If the department determines that it is not more cost-efficient to renegotiate an existing contract with a current vendor, the department shall issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) from multiple third-party vendors as provided in this paragraph (b), regardless of the amount of funds to be expended under the contract. The department may also enter into a competitively bid contract with a third-party vendor to provide information to facilitate reviews of recipient eligibility conducted by the department.

(c) When the department enters into a competitively bid contract with a third-party vendor or renegotiates an existing contract with a current vendor for the purposes of carrying out this eligibility verification service, the vendor, in partnership with the department, shall be required by contract to establish annualized savings realized from implementation of the eligibility verification service. It is the intent of the Legislature that savings exceed the total yearly cost for implementing the eligibility verification service.

(d) To avoid any conflict of interest, when the department enters into a competitively bid contract with a third-party vendor or renegotiates an existing contract with a current vendor, that primary vendor may not currently or will not be allowed to bid on or be awarded a state contract to run enrollment services.

(e) It shall be the responsibility of the contracted third-party vendor to obtain access to any data, data sources and databases, not already being used by the department, for the purposes of implementing the eligibility verification service. The payment structure for the contracted third-party vendor shall be based on a per-applicant rate.

(f) Nothing in this section shall preclude the department from continuing to conduct additional eligibility verification processes, not detailed in this section, that are currently in practice; and nothing in this section shall require the department or third-party vendor to violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

(3) The department shall have the eligibility verification service required by this section implemented and operational not later than July 1, 2019. The department shall submit a report every six (6) months on its progress on implementing the eligibility verification service to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the House Public Health and Human Services Committee and the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, and the House and Senate Medicaid Committees. The report also shall be provided to the other members of the Legislature upon request.

(4)(a) As used in this subsection, the following terms shall be defined as provided in this paragraph:

(i) “ Abuse ” includes any practice that is inconsistent with acceptable fiscal, business or medical practices that unnecessarily increase cost.

(ii) “ Fraud ” means misrepresenting the truth to obtain an unauthorized benefit.

(b) The department shall enter or have entered into a competitively-bid contract with a third-party vendor for the purposes of identifying waste, abuse and fraud in the programs administered by the department, focusing on detecting and preventing abuse and fraud by providers of services in those programs, and recovering improper payments made to providers of services in those programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-103 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 16 / Section 33-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-103
Status: in_force

If the board of supervisors of each of two (2) or more contiguous counties by resolution declares that there is a need for one (1) housing authority to be created for all of such counties to exercise in such counties powers and other functions prescribed for a regional housing authority, a public body corporate and politic to be known as a regional housing authority shall thereupon exist for all of such counties and exercise its powers and other functions in such counties; and thereupon each county housing authority created for each of such counties shall cease to exist except for the purpose of winding up its affairs and executing a deed to the regional housing authority as hereinafter provided. The board of supervisors of a county shall not adopt a resolution as aforesaid if there is a county housing authority created for such county which has any bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness outstanding unless, first, all holders of such evidences of indebtedness consent in writing to the substitution of such regional housing authority in lieu of such county housing authority on all such evidences of indebtedness, and second, the commissioners of such county housing authority adopt a resolution consenting to the transfer of all the rights, contracts, obligations, and property, real and personal, of such county housing authority to such regional housing authority as hereinafter provided. When the above two (2) conditions are complied with and such regional housing authority is created and authorized to exercise its powers and other functions, all rights, contracts, agreements, obligations, and property of such county housing authority shall be in the name of and vest in such regional housing authority, and all obligations of such county housing authority shall be the obligations of such regional housing authority and all rights and remedies of any person against such county housing authority may be asserted, enforced, and prosecuted against such regional housing authority to the same extent as they might have asserted, enforced, and prosecuted against such county housing authority.

When any real property of a county housing authority vests in a regional housing authority as provided above, the county housing authority shall execute a deed of such property to the regional housing authority which thereupon shall file such deed in the office provided for the filing of deeds; nothing contained in this sentence shall affect the vesting of property in the regional housing authority as provided above.

The board of supervisors of each of two (2) or more contiguous counties shall by resolution declare that there is a need for one (1) regional housing authority to be created for all of such counties to exercise in such counties powers and other functions prescribed for a regional housing authority, if such board of supervisors finds (and only if it finds) (a) that unsanitary or unsafe inhabited dwelling accommodations exist in such county or there is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwelling accommodations in such county available to persons of low income at rentals they can afford and (b) that a regional housing authority would be a more efficient or economical administrative unit than the housing authority of such county to carry out the purposes of this article and the Housing Authorities Law in such county.

In any suit, action, or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of or relating to any contract of the regional housing authority, the regional housing authority shall be conclusively deemed to have become created as a public body corporate and politic and to have become established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers hereunder upon proof of the adoption of a resolution by the board of supervisors of each of the counties creating the regional housing authority declaring the need for the regional housing authority. Each such resolution shall be deemed sufficient if it declares that there is need for the regional housing authority and finds in substantially the foregoing terms (no further detail being necessary) that the conditions enumerated above in (a) and (b) exist. A copy of such resolution of the board of supervisors of a county, duly certified by the county clerk of such county, shall be admissible in evidence in any suit, action, or proceeding.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-651 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 21-651
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-651
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The court to which appeals may be taken from final orders or decrees of the youth court shall be the Supreme Court of Mississippi pursuant to the Rules of Appellate Procedure. Final Orders in youth court include orders that grant durable legal custody or durable legal relative guardianship, transfer jurisdiction over the minor child to another court, such as for an adoption, or otherwise terminate the jurisdiction of the youth court over the minor child. All factual findings, legal determinations, and adjudication of issues by the youth court prior to the time the final order is entered are preserved for appellate review and any common law to the contrary is expressly abrogated. Any matters adjudicated by the youth court through interim orders such as adjudication/disposition orders, or permanency review orders, may be only appealed through the interlocutory appeal process provided by the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

(b) The rule of construction that statutes in derogation of the common law are to be strictly construed shall have no application to this subsection.

(2) In any case wherein an appeal is desired, written notice of intention to appeal shall be filed with the youth court clerk within the time, and costs in the youth court and the filing fee in the Supreme Court shall be paid, as is otherwise required for appeals to the Supreme Court. If the appellant shall make affidavit that he is unable to pay such costs and filing fee, he shall have an appeal without prepayment of court costs and filing fee. Only the initials of the child shall appear on the record on appeal.

(3) The pendency of an appeal shall not suspend the order or decree of the youth court regarding a child, nor shall it discharge the child from the custody of that court or of the person, institution or agency to whose care such child shall have been committed, unless the youth court or Supreme Court shall so order. If appellant desires to appeal with supersedeas, the matter first shall be presented to the youth court. If refused, the youth court shall forthwith issue a written order stating the reasons for the denial, which order shall be subject to review by the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court does not dismiss the proceedings and discharge the child, it shall affirm or modify or reverse the order of the youth court and remand the child to the jurisdiction of the youth court for placement and supervision in accordance with its order, and thereafter the child shall be and remain under the jurisdiction of the youth court in the same manner as if the youth court had made the order without an appeal having been taken.

(4) Appeals from the youth court shall be preference cases in the Supreme Court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-257 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 16 / Section 21-257
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-257
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

The Department of Health shall not be held civilly liable for the release of information on any findings, recommendations or actions taken pursuant to investigations of abuse that have been conducted under Section 43-21-353(8) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-41 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 47-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-41
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Public Safety shall establish and maintain a registry, to be known as the Mississippi Vulnerable Person Abuse Registry, containing the name of any individual who has been convicted of the crime of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable person.

(2) The department shall establish and enforce reasonable rules governing the custody, use, and preservation of the reports and records of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable person used in maintaining the registry.

(3) The crime for which an individual was convicted under this chapter shall be confidential and shall not be used or disclosed for any purpose other than the following:

(a) A care facility as required by subsection (6) of this section;

(b) A member of the public as allowed by subsection (7) of this section; and

(c) The public for disclosure of the findings and information about a case pursuant to this chapter that resulted in a fatality.

(4)(a) A court of competent jurisdiction shall notify the department of any criminal conviction that arises out of a violation of this chapter.

(b) The department shall adopt rules prescribing the process for notifying the department as required by paragraph (a) of this subsection. The rules shall include a requirement that documentation verifying the conviction be submitted to the department.

(5)(a) Upon receiving the notifications described in subsection (4) of this section, the department, in addition to entering the individual's name and address on the Mississippi Vulnerable Person Abuse Registry, shall enter information pertaining to the offense or offenses for which the individual was convicted.

(b) The individual's information, once entered on the registry, shall remain on the registry even if the individual fulfills the obligations of any criminal sentencing against that individual except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection.

(c) The department shall adopt rules requiring due process that includes notice by certified mail or by personal service for individuals found to have committed acts of abuse, neglect, or exploitation under this chapter. The department shall adopt rules providing a process by which an individual's name and information may be removed from the Mississippi Vulnerable Person Abuse Registry.

(6) A care facility shall query the Mississippi Vulnerable Person Abuse Registry with regard to an individual who is an employee or prospective employee of the facility to confirm whether the individual has been convicted of a crime of abuse, neglect, or exploitation under this chapter.

(7) A member of the public may request permission from the department to query the Mississippi Vulnerable Person Abuse Registry regarding hiring a caretaker or a person who will be in a position of trust or authority to a vulnerable person.

(a) The department shall promulgate rules governing the method of request and access to the Mississippi Vulnerable Person Abuse Registry by a member of the public regarding hiring a caretaker or a person who will be in a position of trust or authority to a vulnerable person. The rules shall require a member of the public requesting access to the registry to declare the purpose for which they are requesting access and to provide their own name and address and the name and address of the vulnerable person in need.

(b) A member of the public requesting access to query the registry shall only be given access for a limited time as determined by the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 28-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-3
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a qualified Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program in this state which will encourage and assist the saving of private funds in tax-exempt accounts in order to pay for the qualified disability expenses of eligible individuals with disabilities. The Legislature intends that the qualified ABLE Program be implemented in a manner that is consistent with federal law authorizing the program and that maximizes program efficiency and effectiveness.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-5 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 26-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-5
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Child Protection Services shall establish a record-keeping procedure to ensure that all referrals of neglect and/or abuse are accurately and adequately maintained for future or cross-reference.

(2) In addition to a toll-free abuse reporting telephone system, the department shall establish a uniform intake procedure for the receipt and referral to the appropriate personnel for investigation. The uniform intake procedure shall be made available to all appropriate agencies and the public in order to facilitate the necessary protective services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-61-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 61 / Section 61-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-61-3
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) “ Department ” means the Department of Human Services.

(b) “ Program ” means the Mississippi Seniors and Indigents Rx Program established in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-125 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 15 / Section 21-125
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-125
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be a Mississippi Council of Youth Court Judges which shall be the official organization of the judges having youth court jurisdiction in this state. The membership of the council shall consist of all the judges and referees of youth courts in the State of Mississippi.

(2) The Mississippi Council of Youth Court Judges is authorized to adopt and, from time to time, amend such rules, regulations or bylaws as it considers necessary to the conduct of its affairs.

(3) The council may elect officers and provide for such meetings of the council as it deems necessary. The council shall meet at least annually for the consideration of:

(a) any and all matters pertaining to the discharge of the official duties and obligations of its members; and

(b) problems that have arisen in connection with the operation of the youth courts in any county or in all counties in order to improve the administration of juvenile justice in the state.

(4) The council shall publish and submit to the governor, the chief justice of the supreme court, and the Mississippi Judicial Council an annual report of the operations which shall include financial and statistical data and may include suggestions and recommendations for legislation.

(5) The council is authorized to receive and expend any funds which may become available from the federal government to carry out any of the purposes of this chapter, and to this end the council may meet any federal requirements not contrary to state law which may be conditions precedent to receiving such federal funds.

(6) The council may cooperate with the federal government in a program for training personnel employed or preparing for employment by the youth court and may receive and expend funds from federal or state sources or from private donations for such purposes. The council may contract with public or nonprofit institutions of higher learning for the training of such personnel, may conduct short-term training courses of its own, may hire experts on a temporary basis for such purpose and may cooperate with the department of youth services or other state departments or agencies in personnel training programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-13 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 17 / Section 33-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-13
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state that each housing authority shall manage and operate its housing projects in an efficient manner so as to enable it to fix the rentals for dwelling accommodations at the lowest possible rates consistent with its providing decent, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations, and that no housing authority shall construct or operate any such project for profit, or as a source of revenue to the city or the county. To this end an authority shall fix the rentals for dwellings in its projects at no higher rates than it shall find to be necessary in order to produce revenues which (together with all other available moneys, revenues, income and receipts of the authority from whatever sources derived) will be sufficient (a) to pay, as the same become due, the principal and interest on the bonds of the authority; (b) to meet the cost of, and to provide for, maintaining and operating the projects (including the cost of any insurance) and the administrative expenses of the authority; and (c) to create (during not less than six (6) years immediately succeeding its issuance of any bonds) a reserve sufficient to meet the largest principal and interest payments which will be due on such bonds in any one year thereafter and to maintain such reserve.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-1 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 12 / Section 26-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-1
Status: repealed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) Protective services for children;

(b) Foster care;

(c) Adoption services;

(d) Special services;

(e) Interstate compact;

(f) Licensure;

(g) Prevention services; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(10) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2028.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-13 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 26 / Section 35-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-13
Status: in_force

(a) A municipality shall not approve an urban renewal project for an urban renewal area unless the governing body has, by resolution, determined such area to be a slum area or a blighted area or a combination thereof and designated such area as appropriate for an urban renewal project. The local governing body shall not approve an urban renewal plan until a general plan for the municipality has been prepared. For this purpose and other municipal purposes, authority is hereby vested in every municipality to prepare, to adopt and to revise from time to time, a general plan for the physical development of the municipality as a whole (giving due regard to the environs and metropolitan surroundings), to establish and maintain a planning commission for such purpose and related municipal planning activities, and to make available and to appropriate necessary funds therefor. A municipality shall not acquire real property for an urban renewal project unless the local governing body has approved the urban renewal project in accordance with subsection (d) hereof.

(b) The municipality may itself prepare or cause to be prepared an urban renewal plan, or any person or agency, public or private, may submit such a plan to a municipality. Prior to its approval of an urban renewal project, the local governing body shall submit such plan to the planning commission of the municipality, if any, for review and recommendations as to its conformity with the general plan for the development of the municipality as a whole. The planning commission shall submit its written recommendations with respect to the proposed urban renewal plan to the local governing body within thirty (30) days after receipt of the plan for review. Upon receipt of the recommendations of the planning commission, or if no recommendations are received within said thirty (30) days, then without such recommendations, the local governing body may proceed with the hearing on the proposed urban renewal project prescribed by subsection (c) hereof.

(c) The local governing body shall hold a public hearing on an urban renewal project, after public notice thereof by publication in a newspaper having a general circulation in the area of operation of the municipality. The notice shall describe the time, date, place and purpose of the hearing, shall generally identify the urban renewal area covered by the plan, and shall outline the general scope of the urban renewal project under consideration.

(d) Following such hearing, the local governing body may approve an urban renewal project if it finds that (1) a feasible method exists for the location of families who will be displaced from the urban renewal area in decent, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations within their means and without undue hardship to such families; (2) the urban renewal plan conforms to the general plan of the municipality as a whole; and (3) the urban renewal plan will afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the sound needs of the municipality as a whole, for the rehabilitation or redevelopment of the urban renewal area by private enterprise. If the urban renewal area consists of an area of open land to be acquired by the municipality, such area shall not be so acquired unless (1) if it is to be developed for residential uses, the local governing body shall determine that a shortage of housing of sound standards and design which is decent, safe and sanitary exists in the municipality; that the need for housing accommodations has been or will be increased as a result of the clearance of slums in other areas (including other portions of the urban renewal area); that the conditions of blight in the area and the shortage of decent, safe and sanitary housing cause or contribute to an increase in and spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare; and that the acquisition of the area for residential uses is an integral part of and essential to the program of the municipality, or (2) if it is to be developed for nonresidential uses, the local governing body shall determine that such nonresidential uses are necessary and appropriate to facilitate the proper growth and development of the community in accordance with sound planning standards and local community objectives, which acquisition may require the exercise of governmental action, as provided in this article, because of defective or unusual conditions of title, diversity of ownership, tax delinquency, improper subdivisions, outmoded street patterns, deterioration of site, economic disuse, unsuitable topography or faulty lot layouts, the need for the correlation of the area with other areas of a municipality by streets and modern traffic requirements, or any combination of such factors or other conditions which retard development of the area.

(e) An urban renewal plan may be modified at any time, provided that if modified after the lease or sale by the municipality of real property in the urban renewal project area, such modification may be conditioned upon such approval of the owner, lessee or successor in interest as the municipality may deem advisable and in any event shall be subject to such rights at law or in equity as a lessee or purchaser, or his successor or successors in interest, may be entitled to assert.

(f) Upon the approval by a municipality of an urban renewal plan or of any modification thereof, such plan or modification shall be deemed to be in full force and effect for the respective urban renewal area and the municipality may then cause such plan or modification to be carried out in accordance with its terms.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, where the local governing body certifies that an area is in need of redevelopment or rehabilitation as a result of a flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, storm, or other catastrophe respecting which the governor of the state has certified the need for disaster assistance under Public Law 875, Eighty-first Congress, or other federal law, the local governing body may approve an urban renewal plan and an urban renewal project with respect to such area without regard to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section and the provisions of this section requiring a general plan for the municipality and a public hearing on the urban renewal project.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-6-103 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 6-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-6-103
Status: in_force

(1) At least one (1) primary entrance to each building shall be accessible by individuals in wheelchairs from a point of vehicular arrival and such access shall be by means of a walk or walks at least forty-eight (48) inches wide and having a gradient not greater than five percent (5%), or eight and thirty-three one-hundredths percent (8.33%) with handrails. These walks shall be of a continuing surface, not interrupted by steps or abrupt changes in level. Wherever walks cross other walks, driveways, or parking lots they shall blend to a common level. A walk shall have a level platform at the top which is at least five (5) feet by five (5) feet, if a door swings out onto the platform or toward the walk. This platform shall extend at least one (1) foot beyond each side of the doorway. A walk shall have a level platform at least three (3) feet deep and five (5) feet wide, if the door does not swing onto the platform or toward the walk. This platform shall extend at least one (1) foot beyond each side of the doorway.

(2) Each building shall have at least one (1) primary entrance which is accessible to individuals in wheelchairs. In multi-story buildings, such primary entrance shall provide access to an elevator either on a level plane or by ramp.

Doors shall have a clear opening of no less than thirty-two (32) inches when fully open and shall be operable by a single effort. The floor on the inside and outside of each doorway shall be level for a distance of five (5) feet from the door in the direction the door swings and shall extend one (1) foot beyond each side of the door. Sharp inclines and abrupt changes in level shall be avoided at doorsills. As much as practicable, thresholds shall be flush with the floor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-13 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-13
Status: in_force

(1) For purposes of this section, “ children ” means persons found within the state who are under the age of twenty-one (21) years, and who were placed in the custody of the Department of Child Protection Services by the youth court of the appropriate county. For purposes of this chapter, “ commercial sexual exploitation ” means any sexual act or crime of a sexual nature, which is committed against a child for financial or economic gain, to obtain a thing of value, for quid pro quo exchange of property or any other purpose.

(2) The Department of Child Protection Services shall establish a foster care placement program for children whose custody lies with the department, with the following objectives:

(a) Protecting and promoting the health, safety and welfare of children;

(b) Preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families by identifying family problems, assisting families in resolving their problems and preventing the breakup of the family where the prevention of child removal is desirable and possible when the child can be cared for at home without endangering the child's health and safety;

(c) Remedying or assisting in the solution of problems that may result in the neglect, abuse, exploitation, commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking or delinquency of children;

(d) Restoring to their families children who have been removed, by the provision of services to the child and the families when the child can be cared for at home without endangering the child's health and safety;

(e) Placing children in suitable adoptive homes approved by a licensed adoption agency or family protection specialist, in cases where restoration to the biological family is not safe, possible or appropriate;

(f) Assuring safe and adequate care of children away from their homes, in cases where the child cannot be returned home or cannot be placed for adoption, including temporary or emergency placement with a relative or fictive kin pending youth court action on the case. At the time of placement, the department shall implement concurrent planning, as described in subsection (8) of this section, so that permanency may occur at the earliest opportunity. Consideration of possible failure or delay of reunification should be given, to the end that the placement made is the best available placement to provide permanency for the child; and

(g) Providing a family protection specialist or worker or team of such specialists or workers for a family and child throughout the implementation of their permanent living arrangement plan. Wherever feasible, the same family protection specialist or worker or team shall remain on the case until the child is no longer under the jurisdiction of the youth court.

(3) The Department of Child Protection Services shall administer a system of individualized plans, reviews and reports once every six (6) months for each child under its custody within the State of Mississippi, which document each child who has been adjudged a neglected, abandoned or abused child, including a child alleged to have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and/or human trafficking and whose custody was changed by court order as a result of that adjudication, and each public or private facility licensed by the department. The Department of Child Protection Services' administrative review shall be completed on each child within the first three (3) months and a relative placement, fictive kin placement, or foster care review once every six (6) months after the child's initial forty-eight-hour shelter hearing. That system shall be for the purpose of enhancing potential family life for the child by the development of individual plans to return the child to the child's natural parent or parents, or to refer the child to the appropriate court for termination of parental rights and placement in a permanent relative's home, adoptive home or foster/adoptive home. The goal of the Department of Child Protection Services shall be to return the child to the child's natural parent(s) or refer the child to the appropriate court for termination of parental rights and placement in a permanent relative's home, adoptive home or foster/adoptive home within the time periods specified in this subsection or in subsection (4) of this section. In furthering this goal, the department shall establish policy and procedures designed to appropriately place children in permanent homes, and provide counseling services and other appropriate services to children who have been victims of commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking. The policy shall include a system of reviews for all children in foster care, as follows: foster care counselors in the department shall make all possible contact with the child's natural parent(s), custodial parent(s) of all siblings of the child, and any interested relative for the first two (2) months following the child's entry into the foster care system, and provide care for victims of commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking. For purposes of contacting custodial parent(s) of a sibling, siblings include those who are considered a sibling under state law, and those who would have been considered a sibling under state law, except for termination or disruption of parental rights. For any child who has been in foster care for fifteen (15) of the last twenty-two (22) months regardless of whether the foster care was continuous for all of those twenty-two (22) months, the department shall file a petition to terminate the parental rights of the child's parents. The time period starts to run from the date the court makes a finding of abuse and/or neglect, or commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking, or sixty (60) days from when the child was removed from his or her home, whichever is earlier. The department can choose not to file a termination of parental rights petition if the following apply:

(a) The child is being cared for by a relative; and/or

(b) The department has documented compelling and extraordinary reasons why termination of parental rights would not be in the best interests of the child. Before granting or denying a request by the department for an extension of time for filing a termination of parental rights action, the court shall receive a written report on the progress which a parent of the child has made in treatment, to be made to the court in writing by a mental health/substance abuse therapist or counselor.

(4) In the case of any child who is placed in foster care on or after July 1, 1998, except in cases of aggravated circumstances prescribed in Section 43-21-603(7)(c) , the child's natural parent(s) will have a reasonable time to be determined by the court, which shall not exceed a six-month period of time, in which to meet the service agreement with the department for the benefit of the child unless the department has documented extraordinary and compelling reasons for extending the time period in the best interest of the child. If this agreement has not been satisfactorily met, simultaneously the child will be referred to the appropriate court for termination of parental rights and placement in a permanent relative's home, adoptive home or a foster/adoptive home. For children under the age of three (3) years, termination of parental rights shall be initiated within six (6) months, unless the department has documented compelling and extraordinary circumstances, and placement in a permanent relative's home, adoptive home or foster/adoptive home within two (2) months. For children who have been abandoned under the provisions of Section 97-5-1 , termination of parental rights shall be initiated within thirty (30) days and placement in an adoptive home shall be initiated without necessity for placement in a foster home. The department need not initiate termination of parental rights proceedings where the child has been placed in durable legal custody, durable legal relative guardianship, or long-term or formalized foster care by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(5) The foster care review once every six (6) months shall be conducted by the youth court or its designee(s), and/or by personnel within the Department of Child Protection Services or by a designee or designees of the department and may include others appointed by the department, and the review shall include at a minimum an evaluation of the child based on the following:

(a) The extent of the care and support provided by the parents or parent while the child is in temporary custody;

(b) The extent of communication with the child by parents, parent or guardian;

(c) The degree of compliance by the agency and the parents with the social service plan established;

(d) The methods of achieving the goal and the plan establishing a permanent home for the child;

(e) Social services offered and/or utilized to facilitate plans for establishing a permanent home for the child; and

(f) Relevant testimony and recommendations from the foster parent of the child, the grandparents of the child, the guardian ad litem of the child, when appointed, the Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of the child, representatives of any private care agency that has cared for the child, the family protection worker or family protection specialist assigned to the case, and any other relevant testimony pertaining to the case.

Each child's review plan once every six (6) months shall be filed with the court which awarded custody and shall be made available to natural parents or foster parents upon approval of the court. The court shall make a finding as to the degree of compliance by the agency and the parent(s) with the child's social service plan. The court also shall find that the child's health and safety are the paramount concern. In the interest of the child, the court shall, where appropriate, initiate proceedings on its own motion. The Department of Child Protection Services shall report to the Legislature as to the number of those children, the findings of the foster care review board and relevant statistical information in foster care in a semiannual report to the Legislature to be submitted to the Joint Oversight Committee of the Department of Child Protection Services. The report shall not refer to the specific name of any child in foster care.

(6)(a) The Department of Child Protection Services, with the cooperation and assistance of the State Department of Health, shall develop and implement a training program for foster care parents to indoctrinate them as to their proper responsibilities upon a child's entry into their foster care. The program shall provide a minimum of twelve (12) clock hours of training, which shall include training foster care parents about providing mental and physical support to children who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking. The foster care training program shall be satisfactorily completed by such foster care parents before or within ninety (90) days after child placement with the parent. Record of the foster care parent's training program participation shall be filed with the court as part of a child's foster care review plan once every six (6) months.

(b)(i) The court may waive foster care training for an appropriate relative placement.

(ii) A relative exempted from foster care training is not eligible for board payments, foster care payments, kinship care payments, therapeutic care payments, or any other monthly payments from the department to assist in the care of the child.

(7) When the Department of Child Protection Services is considering placement of a child in a foster home and when the department deems it to be in the best interest of the child, the department shall give first priority to placing the child in the home of one (1) of the child's relatives within the third degree, as computed by the civil law rule.

(a) In placing the child in a relative's home, the department may waive any rule, regulation or policy applicable to placement in foster care that would otherwise require the child to have a separate bed or bedroom or have a bedroom of a certain size, if placing the child in a relative's home would be in the best interest of the child and those requirements cannot be met in the relative's home.

(b) The court may waive foster care training for a relative only when appropriate.

(8) The Legislature recognizes that the best interests of the child require that the child be placed in the most permanent living arrangement as soon as is practicably possible. To achieve this goal, the Department of Child Protection Services is directed to conduct concurrent planning so that a permanent living arrangement may occur at the earliest opportunity. Permanent living arrangements may include prevention of placement of a child outside the home of the family when the child can be cared for at home without endangering the child's health or safety; reunification with the family, when safe and appropriate, if temporary placement is necessary; or movement of the child toward the most permanent living arrangement and permanent legal status. When a child is placed in foster care or relative care, the department shall first ensure and document that reasonable efforts, as defined in Section 43-21-105 , were made to prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child from the child's home. The department's first priority shall be to make reasonable efforts to reunify the family when temporary placement of the child occurs or shall request a finding from the court that reasonable efforts are not appropriate or have been unsuccessful. A decision to place a child in foster care or relative care shall be made with consideration of the child's health, safety and best interests. At the time of placement, consideration should also be given so that if reunification fails or is delayed, the placement made is the best available placement to provide a permanent living arrangement for the child. The department shall adopt rules addressing concurrent planning for reunification and a permanent living arrangement. The department shall consider the following factors when determining appropriateness of concurrent planning:

(a) The likelihood of prompt reunification;

(b) The past history of the family;

(c) The barriers to reunification being addressed by the family;

(d) The level of cooperation of the family;

(e) The foster parents' willingness to work with the family to reunite;

(f) The willingness and ability of the foster family or relative placement to provide an adoptive home or long-term placement;

(g) The age of the child; and

(h) Placement of siblings.

(9) If the department has placed a child in foster care or relative care under a court order, the department may not change the child's placement unless the department specifically documents to the court that the current placement is unsafe or unsuitable or that another placement is in the child's best interests unless the new placement is in an adoptive home or other permanent placement. Except in emergency circumstances as determined by the department or where the court orders placement of the child under Section 43-21-303 , the foster parents, grandparents or other relatives of the child shall be given an opportunity to contest the specific reasons documented by the department at least seventy-two (72) hours before any such departure, and the court may conduct a review of that placement unless the new placement is in an adoptive home or other permanent placement. When a child is returned to foster care or relative care, the former foster parents or relative placement shall be given the prior right of return placement in order to eliminate additional trauma to the child.

(10) The Department of Child Protection Services shall provide the foster parents, grandparents or other relatives with at least a seventy-two-hour notice of departure for any child placed in their foster care or relative care, except in emergency circumstances as determined by the department or where the court orders placement of the child under Section 43-21-303 . The parent/legal guardian, grandparents of the child, guardian ad litem and the court exercising jurisdiction shall be notified in writing when the child leaves foster care or relative care placement, regardless of whether the child's departure was planned or unplanned. The only exceptions to giving a written notice to the parent(s) are when a parent has voluntarily released the child for adoption or the parent's legal rights to the child have been terminated through the appropriate court with jurisdiction.

(11) There is hereby created a Foster Parents' Bill of Rights and Responsibilities which shall be provided to all foster parents at foster parent training. The Department of Child Protection Services shall extend the following rights to persons who provide foster care and relative care:

(a) A clear understanding of their role while providing care and the roles of the birth parent(s) and the placement agency in respect to the child in care;

(b) Respect, consideration, trust and value as a family who is making an important contribution to the agency's objectives;

(c) Notification of benchmarks that will be required of the foster parent such as appointments, home visits with department personnel, visitations of the child at school and meetings between department personnel and the child's family;

(d) Advance notice of information regarding scheduled meetings other than meetings where the Department of Child Protection Services personnel or social workers are going to the foster parent's home for site visits, appointments and court hearings concerning the foster child;

(e) The opportunity to communicate with professionals who work with the foster child including therapists, physicians and teachers who work directly with the child;

(f) The opportunity to communicate and collaborate, without threat of reprisal, with a department representative when further educational services are needed to ensure the child's educational needs are met, including services such as an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), tutoring, occupational therapy, speech therapy and after-school programs;

(g) The opportunity to attend all IEP meetings, along with the department worker, at the child's school as long as the child is in custody and receiving special educational services;

(h) The opportunity to communicate with the foster child's guardian ad litem;

(i) The opportunity to attend all youth court hearings involving a foster child occurring while that child is placed in their care without being a party to the youth court action, unless the youth court determines that any foster parent should not be present. Foster parents may attend all youth court hearings and have legal counsel attend and observe with them if the child's permanent plan is adoption by the foster parents, unless the youth court determines that any foster parent should not be present. Foster parents may communicate with the guardian ad litem in writing at any time. Foster parents may ask to be heard concerning the best interest of the child at any disposition or permanency hearing;

(j) When the dates of the permanency hearing and permanency review hearing have been set by the youth court, and if necessary to fulfill the notice requirements, the judge or the judge's designee shall order the clerk of the youth court to issue a summons to the foster parents to appear personally at the hearings as provided by Section 43-21-501 ;

(k) The opportunity to request from the youth court permission to communicate with the child's birth family, previous foster parents of the child, and prospective and finalized adoptive parents of the child, without the threat of reprisal. However, this right creates no obligation of the birth family, previous foster parents, or prospective and finalized adoptive parents to communicate in return;

(l) Involvement in all the agency's crucial decisions regarding the child as team members who have pertinent information based on their day-to-day knowledge of the child in care and involvement in planning, including, but not limited to, individual service planning meetings, foster care review, individual educational planning meetings, and medical appointments;

(m) The opportunity to participate in the planning of visitations between the child and the child's siblings, parents or former guardians or other biological family members which have been previously authorized by the youth court. Visitations shall be scheduled at a time and place meeting the needs of the child, the biological family, and the foster family. Recognizing that visitation with family members is an important right of children in foster care, foster parents shall be flexible and cooperative with regard to family visits but shall retain the right to reasonable advance notice of all scheduled visitations;

(n) The ability to communicate with department personnel or representatives twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, for the purpose of aiding the foster parent;

(o) A comprehensive list of all resources available to the foster parent and child, including dental providers, medical providers, respite workers in the area, day cares, and methods for submitting reimbursements;

(p) Support from the family protection worker or the family protection specialist in efforts to do a better day-to-day job in caring for the child and in working to achieve the agency's objectives for the child and the birth family through provision of:

(i) A copy of the “Foster Child Information Form” and all other pertinent information about the child and the birth family, including medical, dental, behavioral health history, psychological information, educational status, cultural and family background, and other issues relevant to the child which are known to the department at the time the child is placed in foster care prior to the child's placement with a foster parent or parents. The department shall make reasonable efforts to gather and provide all additional current medical, dental, behavioral, educational and psychological information reasonably available from the child's service providers within fifteen (15) days of placement. When the department learns of such information after fifteen (15) days of placement, the department shall communicate such information to the foster parent as soon as practicable;

(ii) An explanation of the plan for placement of the child in the foster parent's home and the ongoing and timely communication of any necessary information which is relevant to the care of the child, including any changes in the case plan;

(iii) Help in using appropriate resources to meet the child's needs, including counseling or other services for victims of commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking;

(iv) Direct interviews between the family protection worker or specialist and the child, previously discussed and understood by the foster parents;

(v) Information regarding whether the child experienced commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking;

(vi) Information related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Foster parents shall protect the confidentiality of the child by working directly with a designated school official to complete the application for free lunches.

(q) The opportunity to develop confidence in making day-to-day decisions in regard to the child;

(r) The opportunity to learn and grow in their vocation through planned education in caring for the child;

(s) The opportunity to be heard regarding agency practices that they may question;

(t) Information related to all costs eligible for reimbursement, including:

(i) Reimbursement for costs of the child's care in the form of a board payment based on the age of the child as prescribed in Section 43-15-17 unless the relative is exempt from foster care training and chooses to exercise the exemption; and

(ii) Reimbursement for property damages caused by children in the custody of the Department of Child Protection Services in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), as evidenced by written documentation. The Department of Child Protection Services shall not incur liability for any damages as a result of providing this reimbursement.

(12) The Department of Child Protection Services shall require the following responsibilities from participating persons who provide foster care and relative care:

(a) Understanding the department's function in regard to the foster care and relative care program and related social service programs;

(b) Sharing with the department any information which may contribute to the care of children;

(c) Functioning within the established goals and objectives to improve the general welfare of the child;

(d) Recognizing the problems in home placement that will require professional advice and assistance and that such help should be utilized to its full potential;

(e) Recognizing that the family who cares for the child will be one of the primary resources for preparing a child for any future plans that are made, including return to birth parent(s), termination of parental rights or reinstitutionalization;

(f) Expressing their views of agency practices which relate to the child with the appropriate staff member;

(g) Understanding that all information shared with the persons who provide foster care or relative care about the child and his/her birth parent(s) must be held in the strictest of confidence;

(h) Cooperating with any plan to reunite the child with his birth family and work with the birth family to achieve this goal; and

(i) Attending dispositional review hearings and termination of parental rights hearings conducted by a court of competent jurisdiction, or providing their recommendations to the guardian ad litem in writing.

(13) The department shall develop a grievance procedure for foster parents to raise any complaints or concerns regarding the provisions of subsection (11) or (12) of this section.

(14) Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a private right of action or claim on the part of any individual, the department, or any child-placing agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-35 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 47-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-35
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Legislature that the department shall implement the provisions of this chapter in the event federal funding is made available therefor under a social services block grant, or in the event any other federal or state funding is made available to provide for protective services for vulnerable persons.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-101 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-101
Status: in_force

(1) The following child-support award guidelines shall be a rebuttable presumption in all judicial or administrative proceedings regarding the awarding or modifying of child-support awards in this state:

Number Of Children

Percentage Of Adjusted Gross Income

Due Support

That Should Be Awarded For Support

1

14%

2

20%

3

22%

4

24%

5 or more

26%

(2) The guidelines provided for in subsection (1) of this section apply unless the judicial or administrative body awarding or modifying the child-support award makes a written finding or specific finding on the record that the application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case as determined under the criteria specified in Section 43-19-103 .

(3) The amount of “adjusted gross income” as that term is used in subsection (1) of this section shall be calculated as follows:

(a) Determine gross income from all potential sources that may reasonably be expected to be available to the absent parent including, but not limited to, the following: wages and salary income; income from self-employment; income from commissions; income from investments, including dividends, interest income and income on any trust account or property; absent parent's portion of any joint income of both parents; workers' compensation, disability, unemployment, annuity and retirement benefits, including an Individual Retirement Account (IRA); any other payments made by any person, private entity, federal or state government or any unit of local government; alimony; any income earned from an interest in or from inherited property; any other form of earned income; and gross income shall exclude any monetary benefits derived from a second household, such as income of the absent parent's current spouse;

(b) Subtract the following legally mandated deductions:

(i) Federal, state and local taxes. Contributions to the payment of taxes over and beyond the actual liability for the taxable year shall not be considered a mandatory deduction;

(ii) Social security contributions;

(iii) Retirement and disability contributions except any voluntary retirement and disability contributions;

(c) If the obligated parent is subject to an existing court order for another child or children, subtract the amount of that court-ordered support;

(d) If the absent parent is also the parent of another child or other children residing with him, then the court may subtract an amount that it deems appropriate to account for the needs of said child or children;

(e) Compute the total annual amount of adjusted gross income based on paragraphs (a) through (d) of this subsection, then divide this amount by twelve (12) to obtain the monthly amount of adjusted gross income.

Upon conclusion of the calculation of paragraphs (a) through (e) of this subsection, multiply the monthly amount of adjusted gross income by the appropriate percentage designated in subsection (1) of this section to arrive at the amount of the monthly child-support award.

(4) In cases in which the adjusted gross income as defined in this section is more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) or less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), the court shall make a written finding in the record as to whether or not the application of the guidelines established in this section is reasonable. The court shall take into account the basic subsistence needs of the obligated parent who has a limited ability to pay.

(5) Imputation of income shall not be based upon a standard amount in lieu of fact-gathering. In the absence of specific sufficient evidence of past earnings and employment history to use as the measure of an obligated parent's ability to pay, the recommended child-support obligation amount should be based on available information about the specific circumstances of the obligated parent. This can include, but is not limited to, such factors as assets, residence, job skills, educational attainment, literacy, age, health, criminal record and other employment barriers, and record of seeking work, as well as the local job market, the availability of employers willing to hire the obligated parent, prevailing earnings level in the local community, and other relevant factors in the case.

(6) Unless extended or waived, the Department of Human Services shall review the appropriateness of these guidelines beginning January 1, 1994, and every four (4) years thereafter and report its findings to the Legislature no later than the first day of the regular legislative session of that year. The Legislature shall thereafter amend these guidelines when it finds that amendment is necessary to ensure that equitable support is being awarded in all cases involving the support of minor children.

(7) All orders involving support of minor children, as a matter of law, shall include reasonable medical support. Notice to the obligated parent's employer that medical support has been ordered shall be on a form as prescribed by the Department of Human Services. In any case in which the support of any child is involved, the court shall make the following findings either on the record or in the judgment:

(a) The availability to all parties of health insurance coverage for the child(ren);

(b) The cost of health insurance coverage to all parties.

The court shall then make appropriate provisions in the judgment for the provision of health insurance coverage for the child(ren) in the manner that is in the best interests of the child(ren). If the court requires the custodial parent to obtain the coverage then its cost shall be taken into account in establishing the child-support award. If the court determines that health insurance coverage is not available to any party or that it is not available to either party at a cost that is reasonable as compared to the income of the parties, then the court shall make specific findings as to such either on the record or in the judgment. In that event, the court shall make appropriate provisions in the judgment for the payment of medical expenses of the child(ren) in the absence of health insurance coverage.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 29 / Section 47-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-9
Status: in_force

(1) Upon receipt of a report pursuant to Section 43-47-7 that a vulnerable person is in need of protective services, the department shall initiate an investigation and/or evaluation within forty-eight (48) hours if immediate attention is needed, or within seventy-two (72) hours if the vulnerable person is not in immediate danger, to determine whether the vulnerable person is in need of protective services and what services are needed. The evaluation shall include any necessary visits and interviews with the person, and if appropriate, with the alleged perpetrator of the vulnerable person abuse and with any person believed to have knowledge of the circumstances of the case. When a caretaker of a vulnerable person refuses to allow the department reasonable access to conduct an investigation to determine if the vulnerable person is in need of protective services, the department may petition the court for an order for injunctive relief enjoining the caretaker from interfering with the investigation.

(2) The staff and physicians of local health departments, mental health clinics and other public or private agencies, including law enforcement agencies, shall cooperate fully with the department in the performance of its duties. These duties include immediate, in-residence evaluations and medical examinations and treatment where the department deems it necessary. However, upon receipt of a report of abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable person confined in a licensed hospital or licensed nursing home facility in the state, the department shall immediately refer this report to the proper authority at the State Department of Health for investigation under Section 43-47-37 .

Upon a showing of probable cause that a vulnerable person has been abused, a court may authorize a qualified third party to make an evaluation to enter the residence of, and to examine the vulnerable person. Upon a showing of probable cause that a vulnerable person has been financially exploited, a court may authorize a qualified third party, also authorized by the department, to make an evaluation, and to gain access to the financial records of the vulnerable person.

(3) The department may contract with an agency or private physician for the purpose of providing immediate, accessible evaluations in the location that the department deems most appropriate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-18-5 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 12 / Section 18-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-18-5
Status: in_force

As used in paragraph (a) of Article V of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, the phrase “ appropriate authority in the receiving state ” with reference to this state shall mean the Department of Child Protection Services, or with the approval of the Commissioner of Child Protection Services, any regional or local office of the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-751 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 7 / Section 21-751
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-751
Status: in_force

This article shall be known as the “Teen Court Pilot Program Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-13 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 19 / Section 20-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-13
Status: in_force

A license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be renewed upon payment of a renewal fee not to exceed Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) per year, and upon filing by the licensee of a report upon such uniform dates and upon forms provided by the licensing agency, accompanied by a current certificate of inspection and approval by the fire department and the county health department specified in Section 43-20-11 .

Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65 .

No governmental entity or agency shall be required to pay the fee or fees set forth in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-107 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-107
Status: in_force

The area of operation of a regional housing authority shall be increased from time to time to include one (1) or more additional contiguous counties not already within a regional housing authority if the board of supervisors of each of the counties then included in the area of operation of such regional housing authority, the commissioners of the regional housing authority and the board of supervisors of each such additional county or counties each adopt a resolution declaring that there is a need for the inclusion of such additional county or counties in the area of operation of such regional housing authority. Upon the adoption of such resolutions, the county housing authority created for each such additional county shall cease to exist except for the purpose of winding up its affairs and executing a deed to the regional housing authority as hereinafter provided. However, such resolutions shall not be adopted if there is a county housing authority created for any such additional county which has any bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness outstanding unless first, all holders of such evidences of indebtedness consent in writing to the substitution of such regional housing authority in lieu of such county housing authority on all such evidences of indebtedness, and second, the commissioners of such county housing authority adopt a resolution consenting to the transfer of all the rights, contracts, obligations, and property, real and personal, of such county housing authority to such regional housing authority as hereinafter provided. When the above conditions are complied with and the area of operation of such regional housing authority is increased to include such additional county, as hereinabove provided, all rights, contracts, agreements, obligations, and property of such county housing authority shall be in the name of and vest in such regional housing authority, all obligations of such county housing authority shall be the obligations of such regional housing authority and all rights and remedies of any person against such county housing authority may be asserted, enforced, and prosecuted against such regional housing authority to the same extent as they might have been asserted, enforced, and prosecuted against such county housing authority.

When any real property of a county housing authority vests in a regional housing authority as provided above, the county housing authority shall execute a deed of such property to the regional housing authority which thereupon shall file such deed in the office provided for the filing of deeds; nothing contained in this sentence shall affect the vesting of property in the regional housing authority as provided above.

The board of supervisors of each of the counties in the regional housing authority, the commissioners of the regional housing authority and the board of supervisors of each such additional county or counties shall by resolution declare that there is a need for the inclusion of such county or counties in the area of operation of the regional housing authority, if (a) the board of supervisors of each such additional county or counties finds that unsanitary or unsafe inhabited dwelling accommodations exist in such county or there is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwelling accommodations in such county available to persons of low income at rentals they can afford and (b) the board of supervisors of each of the counties then included in the area of operation of the regional housing authority, the commissioners of the regional housing authority and the board of supervisors of each such additional county or counties find that the regional housing authority would be a more efficient or economical administrative unit to carry out the purposes of this article and the Housing Authorities Law if the area of operation of the regional housing authority is increased to include such additional county or counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-15 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 47-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-15
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall have the authority to provide immediate medical care, food, clothing, heat, shelter, supervision or other essential services in the absence of consent if it is determined that:

(a) The vulnerable person is in imminent danger of death or irreparable harm;

(b) Provision of emergency and/or protective services will alleviate the endangerment; and

(c) No other statutory or otherwise appropriate remedy is immediately available.

(2) Within forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, the department shall petition the court for an order for injunctive relief authorizing the provision of emergency services.

(3) Upon petition of the Commissioner of Public Welfare, the court may order the provision of emergency services to a vulnerable person after finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that:

(a) The vulnerable person lacks the capacity to consent and that he is in need of protective services;

(b) An emergency exists; and

(c) No other person authorized by law or order to give consent is available and willing to arrange for emergency services.

If there is reasonable cause to believe that the conditions listed above exist and no other custodian is available, then upon a written petition for emergency services filed by the department, the court may issue an order for injunctive relief for the department to provide emergency services to a vulnerable person.

(4) The petition for emergency services shall set forth the name, address and authority of the petitioners; the name, age and residence of the vulnerable person; the nature of the emergency; the proposed emergency services; the petitioner's reasonable belief as to the existence of the conditions set forth in subsection (1) of this section; and facts showing petitioner's attempts to obtain the vulnerable person's consent to the services.

(5) If the provision of emergency and/or protective services alleviates the imminent danger of death or irreparable harm and the department has reasonable cause to believe that the vulnerable person remains in need of protective services, the department shall proceed according to Sections 43-47-11 and 43-47-13 .

(6) Where it is necessary to enter a premises without the vulnerable person's consent after obtaining a court order in compliance with subsection (3) of this section, the representative of the petitioner shall do so.

(7) No petitioner shall be held liable in any action brought by the vulnerable person if the petitioner acted in good faith.