Miss. Code Ann. § 43-13-145 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-145
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-13-145
Status: repealed

(1)(a) Upon each nursing facility licensed by the State of Mississippi, there is levied an assessment in an amount set by the division, equal to the maximum rate allowed by federal law or regulation, for each licensed and occupied bed of the facility.

(b) A nursing facility is exempt from the assessment levied under this subsection if the facility is operated under the direction and control of:

(i) The United States Veterans Administration or other agency or department of the United States government; or

(ii) The State Veterans Affairs Board.

(2)(a) Upon each intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities licensed by the State of Mississippi, there is levied an assessment in an amount set by the division, equal to the maximum rate allowed by federal law or regulation, for each licensed and occupied bed of the facility.

(b) An intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities is exempt from the assessment levied under this subsection if the facility is operated under the direction and control of:

(i) The United States Veterans Administration or other agency or department of the United States government;

(ii) The State Veterans Affairs Board; or

(iii) The University of Mississippi Medical Center.

(3)(a) Upon each psychiatric residential treatment facility licensed by the State of Mississippi, there is levied an assessment in an amount set by the division, equal to the maximum rate allowed by federal law or regulation, for each licensed and occupied bed of the facility.

(b) A psychiatric residential treatment facility is exempt from the assessment levied under this subsection if the facility is operated under the direction and control of:

(i) The United States Veterans Administration or other agency or department of the United States government;

(ii) The University of Mississippi Medical Center; or

(iii) A state agency or a state facility that either provides its own state match through intergovernmental transfer or certification of funds to the division.

(4) Hospital assessment.

(a)(i) Subject to and upon fulfillment of the requirements and conditions of paragraph (f) below, and notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, an annual assessment on each hospital licensed in the state is imposed on each non-Medicare hospital inpatient day as defined below at a rate that is determined by dividing the sum prescribed in this subparagraph (i), plus the nonfederal share necessary to maximize the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) and Medicare Upper Payment Limits (UPL) Program payments and hospital access payments and such other supplemental payments as may be developed pursuant to Section 43-13-117(A)(18) , by the total number of non-Medicare hospital inpatient days as defined below for all licensed Mississippi hospitals, except as provided in paragraph (d) below. If the state-matching funds percentage for the Mississippi Medicaid program is sixteen percent (16%) or less, the sum used in the formula under this subparagraph (i) shall be Seventy-four Million Dollars ($74,000,000.00). If the state-matching funds percentage for the Mississippi Medicaid program is twenty-four percent (24%) or higher, the sum used in the formula under this subparagraph (i) shall be One Hundred Four Million Dollars ($104,000,000.00). If the state-matching funds percentage for the Mississippi Medicaid program is between sixteen percent (16%) and twenty-four percent (24%), the sum used in the formula under this subparagraph (i) shall be a pro rata amount determined as follows: the current state-matching funds percentage rate minus sixteen percent (16%) divided by eight percent (8%) multiplied by Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00) and add that amount to Seventy-four Million Dollars ($74,000,000.00). However, no assessment in a quarter under this subparagraph (i) may exceed the assessment in the previous quarter by more than Three Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($3,750,000.00) (which would be Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) on an annualized basis). The division shall publish the state-matching funds percentage rate applicable to the Mississippi Medicaid program on the tenth day of the first month of each quarter and the assessment determined under the formula prescribed above shall be applicable in the quarter following any adjustment in that state-matching funds percentage rate. The division shall notify each hospital licensed in the state as to any projected increases or decreases in the assessment determined under this subparagraph (i). However, if the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) does not approve the provision in Section 43-13-117(39) requiring the division to reimburse crossover claims for inpatient hospital services and crossover claims covered under Medicare Part B for dually eligible beneficiaries in the same manner that was in effect on January 1, 2008, the sum that otherwise would have been used in the formula under this subparagraph (i) shall be reduced by Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000.00).

(ii) In addition to the assessment provided under subparagraph (i), an additional annual assessment on each hospital licensed in the state is imposed on each non-Medicare hospital inpatient day as defined below at a rate that is determined by dividing twenty-five percent (25%) of any provider reductions in the Medicaid program as authorized in Section 43-13-117(F) for that fiscal year up to the following maximum amount, plus the nonfederal share necessary to maximize the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) and inpatient Medicare Upper Payment Limits (UPL) Program payments and inpatient hospital access payments, by the total number of non-Medicare hospital inpatient days as defined below for all licensed Mississippi hospitals: in fiscal year 2010, the maximum amount shall be Twenty-four Million Dollars ($24,000,000.00); in fiscal year 2011, the maximum amount shall be Thirty-two Million Dollars ($32,000,000.00); and in fiscal year 2012 and thereafter, the maximum amount shall be Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00). Any such deficit in the Medicaid program shall be reviewed by the PEER Committee as provided in Section 43-13-117(F) .

(iii) In addition to the assessments provided in subparagraphs (i) and (ii), an additional annual assessment on each hospital licensed in the state is imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section 43-13-117(F) if the cost-containment measures described therein have been implemented and there are insufficient funds in the Health Care Trust Fund to reconcile any remaining deficit in any fiscal year. If the Governor institutes any other additional cost-containment measures on any program or programs authorized under the Medicaid program pursuant to Section 43-13-117(F) , hospitals shall be responsible for twenty-five percent (25%) of any such additional imposed provider cuts, which shall be in the form of an additional assessment not to exceed the twenty-five percent (25%) of provider expenditure reductions. Such additional assessment shall be imposed on each non-Medicare hospital inpatient day in the same manner as assessments are imposed under subparagraphs (i) and (ii).

(b) Definitions.

(i) [Deleted]

(ii) For purposes of this subsection (4):

1. “ Non-Medicare hospital inpatient day ” means total hospital inpatient days including subcomponent days less Medicare inpatient days including subcomponent days from the hospital's most recent Medicare cost report for the second calendar year preceding the beginning of the state fiscal year, on file with CMS per the CMS HCRIS database, or cost report submitted to the Division if the HCRIS database is not available to the division, as of June 1 of each year.

a. Total hospital inpatient days shall be the sum of Worksheet S-3, Part 1, column 8 row 14, column 8 row 16, and column 8 row 17, excluding column 8 rows 5 and 6.

b. Hospital Medicare inpatient days shall be the sum of Worksheet S-3, Part 1, column 6 row 14, column 6 row 16.00, and column 6 row 17, excluding column 6 rows 5 and 6.

c. Inpatient days shall not include residential treatment or long-term care days.

2. “ Subcomponent inpatient day ” means the number of days of care charged to a beneficiary for inpatient hospital rehabilitation and psychiatric care services in units of full days. A day begins at midnight and ends twenty-four (24) hours later. A part of a day, including the day of admission and day on which a patient returns from leave of absence, counts as a full day. However, the day of discharge, death, or a day on which a patient begins a leave of absence is not counted as a day unless discharge or death occur on the day of admission. If admission and discharge or death occur on the same day, the day is considered a day of admission and counts as one (1) subcomponent inpatient day.

(c) The assessment provided in this subsection is intended to satisfy and not be in addition to the assessment and intergovernmental transfers provided in Section 43-13-117(A)(18) . Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any state agency, division or department, or county, municipality or other local governmental unit to license for revenue, levy or impose any other tax, fee or assessment upon hospitals in this state not authorized by a specific statute.

(d) Hospitals operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and state-operated facilities that provide only inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services shall not be subject to the hospital assessment provided in this subsection.

(e) Multihospital systems, closure, merger, change of ownership and new hospitals.

(i) If a hospital conducts, operates or maintains more than one (1) hospital licensed by the State Department of Health, the provider shall pay the hospital assessment for each hospital separately.

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, if a hospital subject to this assessment operates or conducts business only for a portion of a fiscal year, the assessment for the state fiscal year shall be adjusted by multiplying the assessment by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the year during which the hospital operates, and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365). Immediately upon ceasing to operate, the hospital shall pay the assessment for the year as so adjusted (to the extent not previously paid).

(iii) The division shall determine the tax for new hospitals and hospitals that undergo a change of ownership in accordance with this section, using the best available information, as determined by the division.

(f) Applicability.

The hospital assessment imposed by this subsection shall not take effect and/or shall cease to be imposed if:

(i) The assessment is determined to be an impermissible tax under Title XIX of the Social Security Act; or

(ii) CMS revokes its approval of the division's 2009 Medicaid State Plan Amendment for the methodology for DSH payments to hospitals under Section 43-13-117(A)(18) .

(5) Each health care facility that is subject to the provisions of this section shall keep and preserve such suitable books and records as may be necessary to determine the amount of assessment for which it is liable under this section. The books and records shall be kept and preserved for a period of not less than five (5) years, during which time those books and records shall be open for examination during business hours by the division, the Department of Revenue, the Office of the Attorney General and the State Department of Health.

(6) [Deleted]

(7) All assessments collected under this section shall be deposited in the Medical Care Fund created by Section 43-13-143 .

(8) The assessment levied under this section shall be in addition to any other assessments, taxes or fees levied by law, and the assessment shall constitute a debt due the State of Mississippi from the time the assessment is due until it is paid.

(9)(a) If a health care facility that is liable for payment of an assessment levied by the division does not pay the assessment when it is due, the division shall give written notice to the health care facility demanding payment of the assessment within ten (10) days from the date of delivery of the notice. If the health care facility fails or refuses to pay the assessment after receiving the notice and demand from the division, the division shall withhold from any Medicaid reimbursement payments that are due to the health care facility the amount of the unpaid assessment and a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the assessment, plus the legal rate of interest until the assessment is paid in full. If the health care facility does not participate in the Medicaid program, the division shall turn over to the Office of the Attorney General the collection of the unpaid assessment by civil action. In any such civil action, the Office of the Attorney General shall collect the amount of the unpaid assessment and a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the assessment, plus the legal rate of interest until the assessment is paid in full.

(b) As an additional or alternative method for collecting unpaid assessments levied by the division, if a health care facility fails or refuses to pay the assessment after receiving notice and demand from the division, the division may file a notice of a tax lien with the chancery clerk of the county in which the health care facility is located, for the amount of the unpaid assessment and a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the assessment, plus the legal rate of interest until the assessment is paid in full. Immediately upon receipt of notice of the tax lien for the assessment, the chancery clerk shall forward the notice to the circuit clerk who shall enter the notice of the tax lien as a judgment upon the judgment roll and show in the appropriate columns the name of the health care facility as judgment debtor, the name of the division as judgment creditor, the amount of the unpaid assessment, and the date and time of enrollment. The judgment shall be valid as against mortgagees, pledgees, entrusters, purchasers, judgment creditors and other persons from the time of filing with the clerk. The amount of the judgment shall be a debt due the State of Mississippi and remain a lien upon the tangible property of the health care facility until the judgment is satisfied. The judgment shall be the equivalent of any enrolled judgment of a court of record and shall serve as authority for the issuance of writs of execution, writs of attachment or other remedial writs.

(10)(a) To further the provisions of Section 43-13-117(A)(18) , the Division of Medicaid shall submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) any documents regarding the hospital assessment established under subsection (4) of this section. In addition to defining the assessment established in subsection (4) of this section if necessary, the documents shall describe any supplement payment programs and/or payment methodologies as authorized in Section 43-13-117(A)(18) if necessary.

(b) All hospitals satisfying the minimum federal DSH eligibility requirements (Section 1923(d) of the Social Security Act) may, subject to OBRA 1993 payment limitations, receive a DSH payment. This DSH payment shall expend the balance of the federal DSH allotment and associated state share not utilized in DSH payments to state-owned institutions for treatment of mental diseases. The payment to each hospital shall be calculated by applying a uniform percentage to the uninsured costs of each eligible hospital, excluding state-owned institutions for treatment of mental diseases; however, that percentage for a state-owned teaching hospital located in Hinds County shall be multiplied by a factor of two (2).

(11) The division shall implement DSH and supplemental payment calculation methodologies that result in the maximization of available federal funds.

(12) The DSH payments shall be paid on or before December 31, March 31, and June 30 of each fiscal year, in increments of one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the total calculated DSH amounts. Supplemental payments developed pursuant to Section 43-13-117(A)(18) shall be paid monthly.

(13) Payment.

(a) The hospital assessment as described in subsection (4) for the nonfederal share necessary to maximize the Medicare Upper Payments Limits (UPL) Program payments and hospital access payments and such other supplemental payments as may be developed pursuant to Section 43-3-117(A)(18) shall be assessed and collected monthly no later than the fifteenth calendar day of each month.

(b) The hospital assessment as described in subsection (4) for the nonfederal share necessary to maximize the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments shall be assessed and collected on December 15, March 15 and June 15.

(c) The annual hospital assessment and any additional hospital assessment as described in subsection (4) shall be assessed and collected on September 15 and on the 15th of each month from December through June.

(14) If for any reason any part of the plan for annual DSH and supplemental payment programs to hospitals provided under subsection (10) of this section and/or developed pursuant to Section 43-13-117(A)(18) is not approved by CMS, the remainder of the plan shall remain in full force and effect.

(15) Nothing in this section shall prevent the Division of Medicaid from facilitating participation in Medicaid supplemental hospital payment programs by a hospital located in a county contiguous to the State of Mississippi that is also authorized by federal law to submit intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) to the State of Mississippi to fund the state share of the hospital's supplemental and/or MHAP payments.

(16) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2028.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-735 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 27 / Section 33-735
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-735
Status: in_force

It is the intention of the Legislature that:

(a) Any pledge of earnings, revenues or other assets consistent with the provisions of this article shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made;

(b) Any earnings, revenues or other assets so pledged and thereafter received by the corporation shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act;

(c) Such liens shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the corporation irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof; and

(d) Neither the resolution nor any other instrument by which a pledge is created need be recorded.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-767 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-767
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-767
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to the authority granted under this article to issue revenue bonds, the Mississippi Home Corporation is authorized to declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of negotiable general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for the Mississippi Affordable Housing Development Fund established in Section 43-33-759 . Upon the adoption of a resolution by the board, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the corporation shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the State Bond Commission. Upon receipt of such resolution or resolutions, the State Bond Commission, in its discretion, shall act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The amount of bonds issued to fund housing activities authorized by this section shall not exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) in the aggregate.

(2) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the Mississippi Affordable Housing Development Fund shall be used to pay debt service on the general obligation bonds issued under subsection (1) of this section in accordance with proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-21 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-21
Status: in_force

Anyone violating or releasing information of a confidential nature without the approval of the court with jurisdiction or the Department of Child Protection Services, upon being found guilty, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of no more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment of six (6) months, or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-709 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 19 / Section 33-709
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-709
Status: in_force

(1) The corporation shall hold regular meetings as set forth in its bylaws. Special meetings of the corporation shall be held at the call of the chairperson or whenever any three (3) members shall so request in writing. Each director shall be given not less than three (3) days' written notice of special meetings, unless at least seven (7) directors have agreed to the scheduling of the special meeting. Notice of special meetings may be oral or written. Written notice shall be effected by first class mail or by any more rapid means. Written notice is effective at the earliest of the following:

(a) When received;

(b) Five (5) days after its deposit in U.S. mail.

(2) A majority of members then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business and for the exercise of any power or function of the corporation. No vacancy in the membership of the corporation shall impair the rights of a quorum to exercise all the rights and to perform all the duties of the corporation. If a quorum is present when a vote is taken, the affirmative vote of a majority of directors present is the act of the board of directors.

(3) Directors may participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. A director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-16 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 14 / Section 27-16
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-16
Status: in_force

The Department of Youth Services is authorized to request from any and all existing agencies, departments, divisions, officers, employees, boards, bureaus, commissions and institutions of the State of Mississippi, or any political subdivision thereof, information, data and assistance as will enable the department to fulfill its duties hereunder, and all such agencies, departments, divisions, officers, employees, boards, bureaus, commissions and institutions of the State of Mississippi and its political subdivisions are hereby directed to cooperate with the department and render such information, data, aid and assistance as may be requested by the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-105 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-27-105
Status: in_force

Funding for the placement resources authorized in Sections 43-27-101 and 43-27-103 shall be used to match appropriate federal funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 27 / Section 33-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-3
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared (a) that the providing of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons of low income are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent and private property acquired and are governmental functions of state concern and (b) that it is in the public interest that work on projects for such purposes be commenced as soon as possible in order to relieve unemployment which now constitutes an emergency; and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions hereinafter enacted, is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-103 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 21-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-103
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that each child coming within the jurisdiction of the youth court shall become a responsible, accountable and productive citizen, and that each such child shall receive such care, guidance and control, preferably in such child's own home as is conducive toward that end and is in the state's and the child's best interest. It is the public policy of this state that the parents of each child shall be primarily responsible for the care, support, education and welfare of such children; however, when it is necessary that a child be removed from the control of such child's parents, the youth court shall secure proper care for such child.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-45 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 15 / Section 19-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-45
Status: in_force

(1) The Child Support Unit shall establish a state parent locator service for the purpose of locating absent and nonsupporting parents and alleged parents, which will utilize all appropriate public and private locator sources. In order to carry out the responsibilities imposed under Sections 43-19-31 through 43-19-53 , the Child Support Unit may secure, by administrative subpoena from the customer records of public utilities and cable television companies, the names and addresses of individuals and the names and addresses of employers of such individuals that would enable the location of parents or alleged parents who have a duty to provide support and maintenance for their children. The Child Support Unit may also administratively subpoena any and all financial information, including account numbers, names and social security numbers of record for assets, accounts, and account balances from any individual, financial institution, business or other entity, public or private, needed to establish, modify or enforce a support order. No entity complying with an administrative subpoena to supply the requested information of whatever nature shall be liable in any civil action or proceeding on account of such compliance. Full faith and credit shall be given to all uniform administrative subpoenas issued by other state child support units. The recipient of an administrative subpoena shall supply the Child Support Unit, other state and federal IV-D agencies, its attorneys, investigators, probation officers, county or district attorneys in this state, all information relative to the location, employment, employment-related benefits including, but not limited to, availability of medical insurance, income and property of such parents and alleged parents and with all information on hand relative to the location and prosecution of any person who has, by means of a false statement or misrepresentation or by impersonation or other fraudulent device, obtained Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to which he or she was not entitled, notwithstanding any provision of law making such information confidential. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services and any other agency in this state using the facilities of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services are directed to permit the Child Support Unit access to their files, inclusive of those maintained for other state agencies, for the purpose of locating absent and nonsupporting parents and alleged parents, except to the extent that any such access would violate any valid federal statute or regulation issued pursuant thereto. The Child Support Unit, other state and federal IV-D agencies, its attorneys, investigators, probation officers, or county or district attorneys, shall use such information only for the purpose of investigating or enforcing the support liability of such absent parents or alleged parents or for the prosecution of other persons mentioned herein. Neither the Child Support Unit nor those authorities shall use the information, or disclose it, for any other purpose. All records maintained pursuant to the provisions of Sections 43-19-31 through 43-19-53 shall be confidential and shall be available only to the Child Support Unit, other state and federal IV-D agencies, the attorneys, investigators and other staff employed or under contract under Sections 43-19-31 through 43-19-53 , district or county attorneys, probation departments, child support units in other states, and courts having jurisdiction in paternity, support or abandonment proceedings. The Child Support Unit may release to the public the name, photo, last-known address, arrearage amount and other necessary information of a parent who has a judgment against him for child support and is currently in arrears in the payment of this support. Such release may be included in a “Most Wanted List” or other media in order to solicit assistance.

(2) The Child Support Unit shall have the authority to secure information from the records of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security that may be necessary to locate absent and nonsupporting parents and alleged parents under the provisions of Sections 43-19-31 through 43-19-53 . Upon request of the Child Support Unit, all departments, boards, bureaus and agencies of the state shall provide to the Child Support Unit verification of employment or payment and the address and social security number of any person designated as an absent or nonsupporting parent or alleged parent. In addition, upon request of the Child Support Unit, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, or any private employer or payor of any income to a person designated as an absent or nonsupporting parent or alleged parent, shall provide to the Child Support Unit verification of employment or payment and the address and social security number of the person so designated. Full faith and credit shall be given to such notices issued by child support units in other states. All such records and information shall be confidential and shall not be used for any purposes other than those specified by Sections 43-19-31 through 43-19-53 . The violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be unlawful and any person convicted of violating the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall pay a fine of not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).

(3) Federal and state IV-D agencies shall have access to the state parent locator service and any system used by the Child Support Unit to locate an individual for purposes relating to motor vehicles or law enforcement. No employer or other source of income who complies with this section shall be liable in any civil action or proceeding brought by the obligor or obligee on account of such compliance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-43-5 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 31 / Section 43-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-43-5
Status: in_force

All purchase of service contracts between the Department of Human Services or the Department of Child Protection Services and individuals, associations or corporations other than state agencies shall be for the reimbursement of actual costs incurred in providing services. However, the Department of Human Services or the Department of Child Protection Services, in accordance with policy established by either department, may advance one-twelfth ( 1 / 12 ) of the total estimated cost for providing services under the twelve-month contractual agreement, upon written request of a contractor, to give the contractor a better cash flow. Any funds so advanced shall be withheld from the contract reimbursement payments and in no case shall the final reimbursement payment to the contractor exceed the actual cost incurred in providing services. Any contractor receiving such advance payments shall be strictly liable to ensure that same is adjusted to actual cost, including repayment of excess cash advances if necessary, prior to the final closeout of the purchase of service contract.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-325 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 21-325
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-325
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Public Safety's Planning Division is authorized to monitor and carry out the provisions of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002 in the four (4) core protection requirements of the act for the state as follows:

(a) Deinstitutionalization of status offenders;

(b) Separation of juveniles from incarcerated adults;

(c) Removal of juveniles from adult jails and lockups; and

(d) Disproportional minority contact.

(2) If any staff or individual of a secure facility prohibits the Department of Public Safety's Planning Division from fully performing its duties, as prescribed in the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002, then such staff or individual shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-11 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 55-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-11
Status: in_force

The commission shall have staff necessary for the commission to perform its functions. The commission staff shall include an executive director. The executive director shall report directly to the commission for the purpose of giving and making recommendations on programs and laws related to volunteerism and community service.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-35 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 35-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-35
Status: in_force

No public official or employee of a municipality, or of any board or commission thereof who exercises any authority with respect to urban renewal projects undertaken pursuant to this article, and no commissioner or employee of a housing authority or urban renewal agency which has been vested by a municipality with urban renewal project powers under Section 43-35-31 shall voluntarily acquire any personal interest, direct or indirect, in any urban renewal project, or in any property included or planned to be included in any urban renewal project of such municipality or in any contract or proposed contract in connection with such urban renewal project. Where such acquisition is not voluntary, the interest acquired shall be immediately disclosed in writing to the local governing body and such disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the governing body. If any such official, commissioner or employee presently owns or controls, or owned or controlled within the preceding two (2) years, any interest, direct or indirect, in any property which he knows is included or planned to be included in an urban renewal project, he shall immediately disclose this fact in writing to the local governing body, and such disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the governing body, and any such official, commissioner or employee shall not participate in any action by the municipality, or board or commission thereof, housing authority, or urban renewal agency affecting such property. Any disclosure required to be made by this section to the local governing body shall concurrently be made to a housing authority or urban renewal agency which has been vested with urban renewal project powers by the municipality pursuant to the provisions of Section 43-35-31 . No commissioner or other officer of any housing authority, urban renewal agency, board or commission exercising powers pursuant to this article shall hold any other public office under the municipality other than his commissionership or office with respect to such housing authority, urban renewal agency, board or commission. Any violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute misconduct in office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-17 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 27 / Section 35-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-17
Status: in_force

(a) A municipality shall have the right to acquire by condemnation any interest in real property, including a fee simple title thereto, which it may deem necessary for or in connection with an urban renewal project under this article. A municipality may exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided in Chapter 27, Title 11, Mississippi Code of 1972, or it may exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner now or which may be hereafter provided by any other statutory provisions for the exercise of the power of eminent domain. Property already devoted to a public use may be acquired in like manner, provided that no real property belonging to the state, or any political subdivision thereof, may be acquired without its consent.

(b) In any proceeding to fix or assess compensation for damages for the taking or damaging of property, or any interest therein, through the exercise of the power of eminent domain or condemnation, evidence or testimony bearing upon the following matters shall be admissible and shall be considered in fixing such compensation or damages, in addition to evidence or testimony otherwise admissible:

(1) Any use, condition, occupancy, or operation of such property, which is unlawful or violative of, or subject to elimination, abatement, prohibition, or correction under, any law or any ordinance or regulatory measure of the state, county, municipality, other political subdivision, or any agency thereof, in which such property is located, as being unsafe, substandard, unsanitary or otherwise contrary to the public health, safety, or welfare; and

(2) The effect on the value of such property of any such use, condition, occupancy, or operation, or of the elimination, abatement, prohibition, or correction of any such use, condition, occupancy, or operation.

(c) The foregoing testimony and evidence shall be admissible notwithstanding that no action has been taken by any public body or public officer toward the abatement, prohibition, elimination or correction of any such use, condition, occupancy, or operation. Testimony or evidence that any public body or public officer charged with the duty or authority so to do has rendered, made or issued any judgment, decree, determination or order for the abatement, prohibition, elimination or correction of any such use, condition, occupancy, or operation shall be admissible and shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and character of such use, condition or operation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-25-101 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 14 / Section 25-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-25-101
Status: in_force

The Governor, on behalf of this state, may execute a compact in substantially the following form, and the Legislature signifies in advance its approval and ratification of the compact:

The compacting states to this Interstate Compact recognize that each state is responsible for the proper supervision or return of juveniles, delinquents and status offenders who are on probation or parole and who have absconded, escaped or run away from supervision and control and in so doing have endangered their own safety and the safety of others. The compacting states also recognize that each state is responsible for the safe return of juveniles who have run away from home and in doing so have left their state of residence. The compacting states also recognize that Congress, by enacting the Crime Control Act, 4 USCS Section 112 (1965) , has authorized and encouraged compacts for cooperative efforts and mutual assistance in the prevention of crime.

It is the purpose of this compact, through means of joint and cooperative action among the compacting states to:

(a) Ensure that the adjudicated juveniles and status offenders subject to this compact are provided adequate supervision and services in the receiving state as ordered by the adjudicating judge or parole authority in the sending state;

(b) Ensure that the public safety interests of the citizens, including the victims of juvenile offenders, in both the sending and receiving states are adequately protected.

(c) Return juveniles who have run away, absconded or escaped from supervision or control or have been accused of an offense to the state requesting their return;

(d) Make contracts for the cooperative institutionalization in public facilities in member states for delinquent youth needing special services;

(e) Provide for the effective tracking and supervision of juveniles;

(f) Equitably allocate the costs, benefits and obligations of the compacting states;

(g) Establish procedures to manage the movement between states of juvenile offenders released to the community under the jurisdiction of courts, juvenile departments, or any other criminal or juvenile justice agency that has jurisdiction over juvenile offenders;

(h) Ensure immediate notice to jurisdictions where defined offenders are authorized to travel or to relocate across state lines;

(i) Establish procedures to resolve pending charges (detainers) against juvenile offenders before transfer or release to the community under the terms of this compact.

(j) Establish a system of uniform data collection on information pertaining to juveniles subject to this compact that allows access by authorized juvenile justice and criminal justice officials, and regular reporting of compact activities to heads of state, executive, judicial, and legislative branches and juvenile and criminal justice administrators;

(k) Monitor compliance with rules governing interstate movement of juveniles and initiate interventions to address and correct noncompliance;

(l) Coordinate training and education regarding the regulation of interstate movement of juveniles for officials involved in that activity; and

(m) Coordinate the implementation and operation of the compact with the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children, the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision and other compacts affecting juveniles particularly in those cases where concurrent or overlapping supervision issues arise.

It is the policy of the compacting states that the activities conducted by the Interstate Commission created by this compact are the formation of public policies and therefore are public business. Furthermore, the compacting states shall cooperate and observe their individual and collective duties and responsibilities for the prompt return and acceptance of juveniles subject to the provisions of this compact. The provisions of this compact shall be reasonably and liberally construed to accomplish the purposes and policies of the compact.

As used in this compact, unless the context clearly requires a different construction:

(a) “ Bylaws ” means those bylaws established by the Interstate Commission for its governance, or for directing or controlling its actions or conduct.

(b) “ Compact administrator ” means the individual in each compacting state appointed under the terms of this compact, responsible for the administration and management of the state's supervision and transfer of juveniles subject to the terms of this compact, the rules adopted by the Interstate Commission and policies adopted by the State Council under this compact.

(c) “ Compacting state ” means any state that has enacted the enabling legislation for this compact.

(d) “ Commissioner ” means the voting representative of each compacting state appointed pursuant to Article III of this compact.

(e) “ Court ” means any court having jurisdiction over delinquent, neglected or dependent children.

(f) “ Deputy compact administrator ” means the individual, if any, in each compacting state appointed to act on behalf of a compact administrator under the terms of this compact responsible for the administration and management of the state's supervision and transfer of juveniles subject to the terms of this compact, the rules adopted by the Interstate Commission and policies adopted by the State Council under this compact.

(g) “ Interstate Commission ” means the Interstate Commission for Juveniles created by Article III of this compact.

(h) “ Juvenile ” means any person defined as a juvenile in any member state or by the rules of the Interstate Commission, including:

(i) Accused delinquent, which is a person charged with an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal offense;

(ii) Adjudicated delinquent, which is a person found to have committed an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal offense;

(iii) Accused status offender, which is a person charged with an offense that would not be a criminal offense if committed by an adult;

(iv) Adjudicated status offender, which is a person found to have committed an offense that would not be a criminal offense if committed by an adult; and

(v) Nonoffender, which is a person in need of supervision who has not been accused or adjudicated a status offender or delinquent.

(i) “ Noncompacting state ” means any state that has not enacted the enabling legislation for this compact.

(j) “ Probation or parole ” means any kind of supervision or conditional release of juveniles authorized under the laws of the compacting states.

(k) “ Rules ” means a written statement by the Interstate Commission promulgated under Article VI of this compact that is of general applicability, implements, interprets or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact, or an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the commission, and has the force and effect of statutory law in a compacting state, and includes the amendment, repeal or suspension of an existing rule.

(l) “ State ” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia (or its designee), the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Marianas Islands.

(1) The compacting states create the “Interstate Commission for Juveniles.” The commission shall be a body corporate and joint agency of the compacting states. The commission shall have all the responsibilities, powers and duties set forth in this compact, and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by subsequent action of the respective legislatures of the compacting states in accordance with the terms of this compact.

(2) The Interstate Commission shall consist of commissioners appointed by the appropriate appointing authority in each state pursuant to the rules and requirements of each compacting state and in consultation with the State Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision created under this compact. The commissioner shall be the compact administrator, deputy compact administrator or designee from that state who shall serve on the Interstate Commission in such capacity under the applicable law of the compacting state.

(3) In addition to the commissioners who are the voting representatives of each state, the Interstate Commission shall include individuals who are not commissioners, but who are members of interested organizations. Those noncommissioner members must include a member of the national organizations of governors, legislators, state chief justices, attorneys general, Interstate Compact for Adult Offender for Adult Offender Supervision, Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children, juvenile justice and juvenile corrections officials and crime victims. All noncommissioner members of the Interstate Commission shall be ex officio nonvoting members. The Interstate Commission may provide in its bylaws for additional ex officio nonvoting members, including members of other national organizations, in such numbers as determined by the commission.

(4) Each compacting state represented at any meeting of the commission is entitled to one (1) vote. A majority of the compacting states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the Interstate Commission.

(5) The commission shall meet at least once each calendar year. The chairperson may call additional meetings and, upon the request of a simple majority of the compacting states, shall call additional meetings. Public notice shall be given of all meetings and meetings shall be open to the public.

(6) The Interstate Commission shall establish an executive committee, which shall include commission officers, members and others as determined by the bylaws. The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission during periods when the Interstate Commission is not in session, with the exception of rule making and/or amendment to the compact. The executive committee shall oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact managed by an executive director and Interstate Commission staff; administers enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws and rules and performs such other duties as directed by the Interstate Commission or set forth in the bylaws.

(7) Each member of the Interstate Commission shall have the right and power to cast a vote to which that compacting state is entitled and to participate in the business and affairs of the Interstate Commission. A member shall vote in person and shall not delegate a vote to another compacting state. However, a commissioner, in consultation with the State Council, shall appoint another authorized representative, in the absence of the commissioner from that state, to cast a vote on behalf of the compacting state at a specified meeting. The bylaws may provide for members' participation in meetings by telephone or other means of telecommunication or electronic communication.

(8) The Interstate Commission's bylaws shall establish conditions and procedures under which the Interstate Commission shall make its information and official records available to the public for inspection or copying. The Interstate Commission may exempt from disclosure any information or official records to the extent they would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietary interests.

(9) Public notice shall be given of all meetings and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as set forth in the rules or as otherwise provided in the compact. The Interstate Commission and any of its committees may close a meeting to the public where it determines by two-thirds ( 2 / 3 ) vote that an open meeting would be likely to:

(a) Relate solely to the Interstate Commission's internal personnel practice and procedures;

(b) Disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by statute;

(c) Disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential;

(d) Involve accusing any person of a crime, or formally censuring any person;

(e) Disclose information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

(f) Disclose investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes;

(g) Disclose information contained in or related to examination, operating or condition reports prepared by, or on behalf of or for the use of, the Interstate Commission with respect to a regulated person or entity for the purpose of regulation or supervision of the person or entity;

(h) Disclose information, the premature disclosure of which would significantly endanger the stability of a regulated person or entity; or

(i) Specifically relate to the Interstate Commission's issuance of a subpoena, or its participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding.

(10) For every meeting closed under this provision, the Interstate Commission's legal counsel shall publicly certify that, in the legal counsel's opinion, the meeting may be closed to the public, and shall reference each relevant exemptive provision. The Interstate Commission shall keep minutes that shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in any meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of any actions taken, and the reasons therefor, including a description of each of the views expressed on any item and the record of any roll call vote (reflected in the vote of each member on the question). All documents considered in connection with any action shall be identified in the minutes.

(11) The Interstate Commission shall collect standardized data concerning the interstate movement of juveniles as directed through its rules, which shall specify the data to be collected, the means of collection, data exchange and reporting requirements. Those methods of data collection, exchange and reporting shall, insofar as is reasonably possible, conform to up-to-date technology and coordinate its information functions with the appropriate repository of records.

The commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To provide for dispute resolution among compacting states.

(b) To promulgate rules to effect the purposes and obligations as enumerated in this compact, which shall have the force and effect of statutory law and shall be binding in the compacting states to the extent and in the manner provided in this compact.

(c) To oversee, supervise and coordinate the interstate movement of juveniles subject to the terms of this compact and any bylaws adopted and rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission.

(d) To enforce compliance with the compact provisions, the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission, and the bylaws, using all necessary and proper means, including, but not limited to, the use of judicial process.

(e) To establish and maintain offices, which shall be located within one or more of the compacting states.

(f) To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.

(g) To borrow, accept, hire or contract for services of personnel.

(h) To establish and appoint committees and hire staff that it deems necessary for the carrying out of its functions including, but not limited to, an executive committee as required by Article III, which shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission in carrying out its powers and duties under this compact.

(i) To elect or appoint officers, attorneys, employees, agents or consultants, and to fix their compensation, define their duties and determine their qualifications; and to establish the Interstate Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to, inter alia, conflicts of interest, rates of compensation and qualifications of personnel.

(j) To accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and to receive, utilize and dispose of it.

(k) To lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of or otherwise to own, hold, improve or use any property, real, personal or mixed.

(l) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal or mixed.

(m) To establish a budget and make expenditures and levy dues as provided in Article VIII of this compact.

(n) To sue and be sued.

(o) To adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the Interstate Commission.

(p) To perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact.

(q) To report annually to the legislatures, governors, judiciary, and State Councils of the compacting states concerning the activities of the Interstate Commission during the preceding year. Those reports also shall include any recommendations that may have been adopted by the Interstate Commission.

(r) To coordinate education, training and public awareness regarding the interstate movement of juveniles for officials involved in that activity.

(s) To establish uniform standards of the reporting, collecting and exchanging of data.

(t) To maintain its corporate books and records in accordance with the bylaws.

(1) Bylaws . The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members present and voting, within twelve (12) months after the first Interstate Commission meeting, adopt bylaws to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the compact, including, but not limited to:

(a) Establishing the fiscal year of the Interstate Commission;

(b) Establishing an executive committee and such other committees as may be necessary;

(c) Providing for the establishment of committees governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or function of the Interstate Commission;

(d) Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the Interstate Commission, and ensuring reasonable notice of each such meeting;

(e) Establishing the titles and responsibilities of the officers of the Interstate Commission;

(f) Providing a mechanism for concluding the operations of the Interstate Commission and the return of any surplus funds that may exist upon the termination of the compact after the payment and/or reserving of all of its debts and obligations;

(g) Providing “start-up” rules for initial administration of the compact; and

(h) Establishing standards and procedures for compliance and technical assistance in carrying out the compact.

(2) Officers and Staff .(a) The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members, elect annually from among its members a chairperson and a vice chairperson each of whom shall have such authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson or, in the chairperson's absence or disability, the vice chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Interstate Commission. The officers so elected shall serve without compensation or remuneration from the Interstate Commission; however, subject to the availability of budgeted funds, the officers shall be reimbursed for any ordinary and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties and responsibilities as officers of the Interstate Commission.

(b) The Interstate Commission shall, through its executive committee, appoint or retain an executive director for such period, upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation as the Interstate Commission may deem appropriate. The executive director shall serve as secretary to the Interstate Commission, but shall not be a member and shall hire and supervise such other staff as may be authorized by the Interstate Commission.

(3) Qualified Immunity, Defense and Indemnification .(a) The commission's executive director and employees shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property, personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of or relating to any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties or responsibilities; however, any such person shall not be protected from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of any such person.

(b) The liability of any commissioner, or the employee of an agent of a commissioner, acting within the scope of the person's employment or duties for acts, errors or omissions occurring within the person's state, may not exceed the limits of liability set forth under the Constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees and agents. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of any such person.

(c) The Interstate Commission shall defend the executive director or the employees or representatives of the Interstate Commission and, subject to the approval of the attorney general of the state represented by any commissioner of a compacting state, shall defend the commissioner or the commissioner's representatives or employees in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that the defendant has a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the person.

(d) The Interstate Commission shall indemnify and hold the commissioner of a compacting state, or the commissioner's representatives or employees or the Interstate Commission's representatives or employees, harmless in the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against those persons arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that those persons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.

(1) The Interstate Commission shall promulgate and publish rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of the compact.

(2) Rule making shall occur using the criteria set forth in this article and the bylaws and rules adopted under this article. That rule making shall substantially conform to the principles of the “Model State Administrative Procedures Act,” 1981 Act, Uniform Laws Annotated, Volume 15, page 1 (2000), or such other administrative procedures act, as the Interstate Commission deems appropriate consistent with due process requirements under the United States Constitution as now or hereafter interpreted by the United States Supreme Court. All rules and amendments shall become binding as of the date specified, as published with the final version of the rule as approved by the commission.

(3) When promulgating a rule, the Interstate Commission shall, at a minimum:

(a) Publish the proposed rule's entire text stating the reason(s) for that proposed rule;

(b) Allow and invite any and all persons to submit written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which information shall be added to the record, and be made publicly available;

(c) Provide an opportunity for an informal hearing if petitioned by ten (10) or more persons; and

(d) Promulgate a final rule and its effective date, if appropriate, based on input from state or local officials, or interested parties.

(4) Allow not later than sixty (60) days after a rule is promulgated, any interested person to file a petition in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or in the Federal District Court where the Interstate Commission's principal office is located for judicial review of the rule. If the court finds that the Interstate Commission's action is not supported by substantial evidence in the rule-making record, the court shall hold the rule unlawful and set it aside. For purposes of this subsection, evidence is substantial if it would be considered substantial evidence under the Model State Administrative Procedures Act.

(5) If a majority of the legislatures of the compacting states rejects a rule, those states may, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact, cause that the rule shall have no further force and effect in any compacting state.

(6) The existing rules governing the operation of the Interstate Compact on Juveniles superceded by this compact shall be null and void twelve (12) months after the first meeting of the Interstate Commission created under this compact.

(7) Upon determination by the Interstate Commission that a state of emergency exists, it may promulgate an emergency rule that shall become effective immediately upon adoption, provided that the usual rule-making procedures provided under this article retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the emergency rule.

(1) Oversight . (a) The Interstate Commission shall oversee the administration and operations of the interstate movement of juveniles subject to this compact in the compacting states and shall monitor those activities being administered in noncompacting states that may significantly affect compacting states.

(b) The courts and executive agencies in each compacting state shall enforce this compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this compact and the rules promulgated under this compact shall be received by all the judges, public officers, commissions and departments of the state government as evidence of the authorized statute and administrative rules. All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules. In any judicial or administrative proceeding in a compacting state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact that may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the Interstate Commission, it shall be entitled to receive all service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes.

(2) Dispute Resolution .(a) The compacting states shall report to the Interstate Commission on all issues and activities necessary for the administration of the compact, as well as issues and activities pertaining to compliance with the provisions of the compact and its bylaws and rules.

(b) The Interstate Commission shall attempt, upon the request of a compacting state, to resolve any disputes or other issues that are subject to the compact and that may arise among compacting states and between compacting and noncompacting states. The commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes among the compacting states.

(c) The Interstate Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact using any or all means set forth in Article XI of this compact.

(1) The Interstate Commission shall pay or provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization and ongoing activities.

(2) The Interstate Commission shall levy on and collect an annual assessment from each compacting state to cover the cost of the internal operations and activities of the Interstate Commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover the Interstate Commission's annual budget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the Interstate Commission, taking into consideration the population of each compacting state and the volume of interstate movement of juveniles in each compacting state, and shall promulgate a rule binding upon all compacting states which governs the assessment.

(3) The Interstate Commission shall not incur any obligations of any kind before securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Interstate Commission pledge the credit of any of the compacting states, except by and with the authority of the compacting state.

(4) The Interstate Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Interstate Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Interstate Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Interstate Commission.

Each member state shall create a State Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision. While each state may determine the membership of its own State Council, its membership must include at least one (1) representative from the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government, victims groups, and the compact administrator or designee. Each compacting state retains the right to determine the qualifications of the compact administrator or deputy compact administrator. Each State Council will advise and may exercise oversight and advocacy concerning the state's participation in Interstate Commission activities and other duties as may be determined by that state, including, but not limited to, development of policy concerning operations and procedures of the compact within that state.

(1) Any state, the District of Columbia (or its designee), the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Marianas Islands as defined in Article II of this compact is eligible to become a compacting state.

(2) The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less that thirty-five (35) of the states. The initial effective date shall be the later of July 1, 2004, or upon enactment into law by the thirty-fifth jurisdiction. Thereafter, it shall become effective and binding as to any other compacting state upon enactment of the compact into law by that state. The governors of nonmember states or their designees shall be invited to participate in the activities of the Interstate Commission on a nonvoting basis before adoption of the compact by all states and territories of the United States.

(3) The Interstate Commission may propose amendments to the compact for enactment by the compacting states. No amendment shall become effective and binding upon the Interstate Commission and the compacting states unless and until it is enacted into law by unanimous consent of the compacting states.

(1) Withdrawal .(a) Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each and every compacting state; however, a compacting state may withdraw from the compact by specifically repealing the statute that enacted the compact into law.

(b) The effective date of withdrawal is the effective date of the repeal.

(c) The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chairperson of the Interstate Commission in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing this compact in the withdrawing state. The Interstate Commission shall notify the other compacting states of the withdrawing state's intent to withdraw within sixty (60) days of its receipt thereof.

(d) The withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal, including any obligations, the performance of which extend beyond the effective date of withdrawal.

(e) Reinstatement following withdrawal of any compacting state shall occur upon the withdrawing state reenacting the compact or upon such later date as determined by the Interstate Commission.

(2) Technical Assistance, Fines, Suspension, Termination and Default .(a) If the Interstate Commission determines that any compacting state has at any time defaulted in the performance of any of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact, or the bylaws or duly promulgated rules, the Interstate Commission may impose any or all of the following penalties:

(i) Remedial training and technical assistance as directed by the Interstate Commission;

(ii) Alternative dispute resolution;

(iii) Fines, fees and costs in such amounts as are deemed to be reasonable as fixed by the Interstate Commission; and

(iv) Suspension or termination of membership in the compact, which shall be imposed only after all other reasonable means of securing compliance under the bylaws and rules have been exhausted and the Interstate Commission has therefore determined that the offending state is in default. Immediate notice of suspension shall be given by the Interstate Commission to the governor, the chief justice or the chief judicial officer of the state, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature and the State Council. The grounds for default include, but are not limited to, failure of a compacting state to perform the obligations or responsibilities imposed upon it by this compact, the bylaws or duly promulgated rules and any other grounds designated in commission bylaws and rules. The Interstate Commission shall immediately notify the defaulting state in writing of the penalty imposed by the Interstate Commission and of the default pending a cure of the default. The commission shall stipulate the conditions and the time period within which the defaulting state must cure its default. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default within the time period specified by the commission, the defaulting state shall be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the compacting states and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this compact shall be terminated from the effective date of termination.

(b) Within sixty (60) days of the effective date of termination of a defaulting state, the commission shall notify the governor, the chief justice or the chief judicial officer, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, and the State Council of that termination.

(c) The defaulting state is responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination including any obligations, the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of termination.

(d) The Interstate Commission shall not bear any costs relating to the defaulting state unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the Interstate Commission and the defaulting state.

(e) Reinstatement following termination of any compacting state requires both a reenactment of the compact by the defaulting state and the approval of the Interstate Commission pursuant to the rules.

(3) Judicial Enforcement . The Interstate Commission may, by majority vote of the members, initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or, at the discretion of the Interstate Commission, in the federal district court where the Interstate Commission has its offices, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact, its duly promulgated rules and bylaws, against any compacting state in default. If judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of the litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.

(4) Dissolution of Compact .(a) The compact dissolves effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the compacting state, which reduces membership in the compact to one (1) compacting state.

(b) Upon the dissolution of the compact, the compact becomes null and void and shall be of no further force or effect, and the business and affairs of the Interstate Commission shall be concluded and any surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with the bylaws.

(1) The provisions of this compact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.

(2) The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.

(1) Other Laws .(a) Nothing in this compact prevents the enforcement of any other law of a compacting state that is not inconsistent with this compact.

(b) All compacting states' laws other than state constitutions and other interstate compacts conflicting with this compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.

(2) Binding Effect of the Compact .(a) All lawful actions of the Interstate Commission, including all rules and bylaws promulgated by the Interstate Commission, are binding upon the compacting states.

(b) All agreements between the Interstate Commission and the compacting states are binding in accordance with their terms.

(c) Upon the request of a party to a conflict over meaning or interpretation of Interstate Commission actions, and upon a majority vote of the compacting states, the Interstate Commission may issue advisory opinions regarding that meaning or interpretation.

(d) If any provision of this compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any compacting state, the obligations, duties, powers or jurisdiction sought to be conferred by that provision upon the Interstate Commission shall be ineffective and those obligations, duties, powers or jurisdiction shall remain in the compacting state and shall be exercised by the agency thereof to which those obligations, duties, powers or jurisdiction are delegated by law in effect at the time this compact becomes effective.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-311 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 21-311
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-311
Status: in_force

(1) When a child is taken into custody, he shall immediately be informed of:

(a) The reason for his custody;

(b) The time within which review of the custody shall be held;

(c) His rights during custody including his right to counsel;

(d) All rules and regulations of the place at which he is held;

(e) The time and place of the detention hearing when the time and place is set; and

(f) The conditions of his custody which shall be in compliance with the detention requirements provided in Section 43-21-301(6) .

These rights shall be posted where the child may read them, and such rights must be read to the child when he or she is taken into custody.

(2) When a child is taken into custody, the child may immediately telephone his parent, guardian or custodian; his counsel; and personnel of the youth court. Thereafter, he shall be allowed to telephone his counsel or any personnel of the youth court at reasonable intervals. Unless the judge or his designee finds that it is against the best interest of the child, he may telephone his parent, guardian or custodian at reasonable intervals.

(3) When a child is taken into custody, the child may be visited by his counsel and authorized personnel of the youth court at any time. Unless the judge or his designee finds it to be against the best interest of the child, he may be visited by his parent, guardian or custodian during visiting hours which shall be regularly scheduled at least three (3) days per week. The youth court may establish rules permitting visits by other persons.

(4) Except for the child's counsel, guardian ad litem and authorized personnel of the youth court, no person shall interview or interrogate a child held in a detention or shelter facility unless approval therefor has first been obtained from the judge or his designee. When a child in a detention or shelter facility is represented by counsel or has a guardian ad litem, no person may interview or interrogate the child concerning the violation of a state or federal law, or municipal or county ordinance by the child unless in the presence of his counsel or guardian ad litem or with their consent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-301 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 12 / Section 21-301
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-301
Status: in_force

(1) No court other than the youth court shall issue an arrest warrant or custody order for a child in a matter in which the youth court has exclusive original jurisdiction but shall refer the matter to the youth court.

(2) Except as otherwise provided, no child in a matter in which the youth court has exclusive original jurisdiction shall be taken into custody by a law enforcement officer, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Child Protection Services, or any other person unless the judge or his designee has issued a custody order to take the child into custody.

(3) The judge or his designee may require a law enforcement officer, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Child Protection Services, or any suitable person to take a child into custody for a period not longer than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory state holidays.

(a) Custody orders under this subsection may be issued if it appears that there is probable cause to believe that:

(i) The child is within the jurisdiction of the court;

(ii) Custody is necessary because of any of the following reasons: the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm, any person would be in danger of a significant risk of harm by the child, to ensure the child's attendance in court at such time as required, or a parent, guardian or custodian is not available to provide for the care and supervision of the child; and

(iii) There is no reasonable alternative to custody.

A finding of probable cause under this subsection (3)(a) shall not be based solely upon a positive drug test of a newborn or parent for marijuana or solely upon the status of a parent as a cardholder under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act; however, a finding of probable cause may be based upon an evidence-based finding of harm to the child or a parent's inability to provide for the care and supervision of the child due to the parent's use of marijuana. Probable cause for unlawful use of any controlled substance, except as otherwise provided in this subsection (3)(a) for marijuana, may be based: 1. upon a parent's positive drug test for unlawful use of a controlled substance only if the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm or the parent is unable to provide proper care or supervision of the child because of the unlawful use and there is no reasonable alternative to custody; and 2. upon a newborn's positive drug screen for a controlled substance that was used unlawfully only if the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm or the parent is unable to provide proper care or supervision of the child because of the unlawful use and there is no reasonable alternative to custody.

A child shall not be considered “neglected” solely because the child's parent, guardian or custodian has failed to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of the child when the failure is caused primarily by financial inability, unless relief services had been offered and refused and the child is in imminent risk of harm.

(b) Custody orders under this subsection shall be written. In emergency cases, a judge or his designee may issue an oral custody order, but the order shall be reduced to writing within forty-eight (48) hours of its issuance.

(c) Each youth court judge shall develop and make available to law enforcement a list of designees who are available after hours, on weekends and on holidays.

(4) The judge or his designee may order, orally or in writing, the immediate release of any child in the custody of any person or agency. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, custody orders as provided by this chapter and authorizations of temporary custody may be written or oral, but, if oral, reduced to writing within forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory state holidays. The written order shall:

(a) Specify the name and address of the child, or, if unknown, designate him or her by any name or description by which he or she can be identified with reasonable certainty;

(b) Specify the age of the child, or, if unknown, that he or she is believed to be of an age subject to the jurisdiction of the youth court;

(c) Except in cases where the child is alleged to be a delinquent child or a child in need of supervision, state that the effect of the continuation of the child's residing within his or her own home would be contrary to the welfare of the child, that the placement of the child in foster care is in the best interests of the child, and unless the reasonable efforts requirement is bypassed under Section 43-21-603(7)(c) , also state that (i) reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his or her own home, but that the circumstances warrant his removal and there is no reasonable alternative to custody; or (ii) the circumstances are of such an emergency nature that no reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his own home, and that there is no reasonable alternative to custody. If the court makes a finding in accordance with (ii) of this paragraph, the court shall order that reasonable efforts be made toward the reunification of the child with his or her family;

(d) State that the child shall be brought immediately before the youth court or be taken to a place designated by the order to be held pending review of the order;

(e) State the date issued and the youth court by which the order is issued; and

(f) Be signed by the judge or his designee with the title of his office.

(5) The taking of a child into custody shall not be considered an arrest except for evidentiary purposes.

(6)(a) No child who has been accused or adjudicated of any offense that would not be a crime if committed by an adult shall be placed in an adult jail or lockup. An accused status offender shall not be held in secure detention longer than twenty-four (24) hours prior to and twenty-four (24) hours after an initial court appearance, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory state holidays, except under the following circumstances: a status offender may be held in secure detention for violating a valid court order pursuant to the criteria as established by the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002, and any subsequent amendments thereto, and out-of-state runaways may be detained pending return to their home state.

(b) No accused or adjudicated juvenile offender, except for an accused or adjudicated juvenile offender in cases where jurisdiction is waived to the adult criminal court, shall be detained or placed into custody of any adult jail or lockup for a period in excess of six (6) hours.

(c) If any county violates the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection, the state agency authorized to allocate federal funds received pursuant to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 2750 (codified in scattered Sections of 5 , 18, 42 USCS ), shall withhold the county's share of such funds.

(d) Any county that does not have a facility in which to detain its juvenile offenders in compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection may enter into a contractual agreement to detain or place into custody the juvenile offenders of that county with any county or municipality that does have such a facility, or with the State of Mississippi, or with any private entity that maintains a juvenile correctional facility.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this subsection, all counties shall be allowed a one-year grace period from March 27, 1993, to comply with the provisions of this subsection.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-117 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 19 / Section 33-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-117
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided herein, a regional housing authority and the commissioners thereof shall, within the area of operation of such regional housing authority, have the same functions, rights, powers, duties, privileges, immunities and limitations provided for housing authorities created for cities or counties and the commissioners of such housing authorities, and all the provisions of law applicable to housing authorities created for cities or counties and the commissioners of such authorities shall be applicable to regional housing authorities and the commissioners thereof. For such purposes, the term “mayor” or “governing body” as used in the Housing Authorities Law shall be construed as meaning “board of supervisors,” unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context. A regional housing authority shall have power to select any appropriate corporate name.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 59-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-3
Status: in_force

(1) There is created the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women. The commission shall be nonpartisan, and shall be composed of thirteen (13) members to be appointed, with the advice and consent of the Senate, as follows:

(a) Four (4) members shall be appointed by the Governor, including a current or former food stamps recipient and a single parent;

(b) Three (3) members shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, including a current or former college educator with expertise in women's issues;

(c) Three (3) members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, including a health care professional knowledgeable in women's health issues; and

(d) Three (3) members shall be appointed by the Attorney General, including a law professor or lawyer with expertise in women's issues.

(2) The members of the commission shall be women and men of recognized ability and achievement who are representative of the ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic and cultural diversity of the population of this state, and who have a proven record of efforts to improve the status of women. The initial term of office of one (1) member appointed by the Governor shall expire on June 30, 2002. The initial terms of office of the remaining members shall be fixed by the appointing authorities so that the term of office of one (1) member appointed by each appointing authority expires on June 30, 2003, the term of office of one (1) member appointed by each expires on June 30, 2004, and the terms of office of the remaining three (3) members expires on June 30, 2005. After the expiration of the initial terms, the terms of office of all members shall be four (4) years each, from the expiration date of the previous term. A member may not serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms. All vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term.

(3) The commission shall organize by electing a chair, vice chair and secretary from among its members for terms of two (2) years each. Any member is eligible for successive elections to office.

(4) A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for transacting business.

(5) Members of the commission may be reimbursed for expenses as provided in Section 25-3-41 , and may receive per diem as provided in Section 25-3-69 .

(6) The Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House and Attorney General shall notify the Governor after they have made their appointments. The Governor then shall designate a place and time for the initial organizational meeting of the commission, which meeting must be before October 1, 2001.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-13 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 28-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-13
Status: in_force

(1) All property and income of the ABLE Trust Fund, as an instrumentality of the state, is exempt from all taxation by the state and by its political subdivisions.

(2) Any contributor or payor to a Mississippi ABLE Program account may deduct from their Mississippi taxable income any contributions or payments to an account or accounts in the ABLE Trust Fund up to a maximum annual amount limit established by Congress for such accounts for single, joint and other filers. Contributions or payments for such tax years may be made after such calendar years but before the deadline for making contributions to an individual retirement account under federal law for such years. The earnings portion of any withdrawals from an account that are not qualified withdrawals, as well as any amounts included in such nonqualified withdrawals previously deducted from taxable income under this section, shall be included in the gross income of the recipient of the withdrawal for purposes of the Mississippi Income Tax Law in the year of such withdrawal.

(3) Additionally, the participation of any Mississippi resident in the Mississippi ABLE Program or any other qualified ABLE Program, shall not preclude the resident from receiving any benefit or assistance provided by the State of Mississippi for which they are eligible. Funds in an individual's Mississippi ABLE account or any other ABLE account shall be exempt from any consideration when any agency or subdivision of the state is determining an individual's eligibility for state-provided assistance. Likewise, any tangible assets purchased with Mississippi ABLE account funds or any other ABLE account funds which are not otherwise disqualified as a countable resource of a program participant shall be exempt from consideration when determining such person's eligibility provided by the state, to the extent allowable under federal law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 39-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-3
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a uniform policy for the fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced by the acquisition of real property by state and local land acquisition programs which are publicly funded in whole or in part. The policy shall be uniform as to (a) relocation payments, (b) advisory assistance, and (c) assurance of availability of standard housing under state or local land acquisition programs which are publicly funded in whole or in part.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-115 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 28 / Section 33-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-115
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

The commissioners of a regional housing authority shall elect a chairman from among the commissioners and shall have power to select or employ such other officers and employees as the regional housing authority may require. A majority of the commissioners of a regional housing authority shall constitute a quorum of such authority for the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and for all other purposes. In the event that a directly assisted commissioner ceases to be directly assisted by the authority for which he/she serves as commissioner, said person shall then become disqualified to serve that authority as a directly assisted commissioner and shall be replaced as commissioner by a person who is directly assisted by the authority if federal law then requires that authority to have a directly assisted commissioner.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-117 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-117
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in this article, no person, agency, firm, corporation, association or group children's home may engage in child placing, or solicit money or other assistance for child placing, without a valid license issued by the department. No out-of-state child-placing agency that provides a full range of services, including, but not limited to, adoptions, foster family homes, adoption counseling services or financial aid, may operate in this state without a valid license issued by the department. No child-placing agency shall advertise in the media markets in Mississippi seeking birth mothers or their children for adoption purposes unless the agency holds a valid and current license issued either by the department or the authorized governmental licensing agency of another state that regulates child-placing agencies. Any child-placing agency, physician or attorney who advertises for child placing or adoption services in Mississippi shall be required by the department to show their principal office location on all media advertising for adoption services.

(2) An attorney who provides legal services to a client in connection with proceedings for the adoption of a child by the client, who does not receive, accept or provide custody or care for the child for the purposes specified in Section 43-15-103(c) , shall not be required to have a license under this article to provide those legal services.

(3) An attorney, physician or other person may assist a parent in identifying or locating a person interested in adopting the parent's child, or in identifying or locating a child to be adopted. However, no payment, charge, fee, reimbursement of expense, or exchange of value of any kind, or promise or agreement to make the same, may be made for that assistance.

(4) Nothing in this section precludes payment of reasonable fees for medical, legal or other lawful services rendered in connection with the care of a mother, delivery and care of a child including, but not limited to, the mother's living expenses, or counseling for the parents and/or the child, and for the legal proceedings related to lawful adoption proceedings; and no provision of this section abrogates the right of procedures for independent adoption as provided by law.

(5) The department is specifically authorized to promulgate rules under the Administrative Procedures Law, Title 25, Chapter 43, Mississippi Code of 1972 , to regulate fees charged by licensed child-placing agencies, if it determines that the practices of those licensed child-placing agencies demonstrates that the fees charged are excessive or that any of the agency's practices are deceptive or misleading; however, those rules regarding fees shall take into account the use of any sliding fee by an agency that uses a sliding fee procedure to permit prospective adoptive parents of varying income levels to utilize the services of those agencies or persons.

(6) The department shall promulgate rules under the Administrative Procedures Law, Title 25, Chapter 43, Mississippi Code of 1972 , to require that all licensed child-placing agencies provide written disclosures to all prospective adoptive parents of any fees or other charges for each service performed by the agency or person, and file an annual report with the department that states the fees and charges for those services, and to require them to inform the department in writing thirty (30) days in advance of any proposed changes to the fees or charges for those services.

(7) The department is specifically authorized to disclose to prospective adoptive parents or other interested persons any fees charged by any licensed child-placing agency, attorney or counseling service or counselor for all legal and counseling services provided by that licensed child-placing agency, attorney or counseling service or counselor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-123 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-123
Status: in_force

Any person, agency, association, corporation, institution, society or other organization violating the provisions of this article shall be guilty of illegal placement of children and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment not more than five (5) years, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-23 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-23
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section the term “ placing out ” means to arrange for the free care of a child in a family, other than that of the child's parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt or legal guardian, for the purpose of adoption or for the purpose of providing care.

(2) No person, agency, association, corporation, institution, society or other organization, except a child placement agency licensed by the Department of Child Protection Services under Section 43-15-5 , shall request, receive or accept any compensation or thing of value, directly or indirectly, for placing out of a child.

(3) No person shall pay or give any compensation or thing of value, directly or indirectly, for placing out of a child to any person, agency, association, corporation, institution, society or other organization except a child placement agency licensed by the Department of Child Protection Services.

(4) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to (a) prevent the payment of salaries or other compensation by a child placement agency licensed by the Department of Child Protection Services to the officers or employees thereof; (b) prevent the payment of legal fees, which have been approved by the chancery court, to an attorney for services performed in regard to adoption proceedings; (c) prevent the payment of reasonable and actual medical fees or hospital charges for services rendered in connection with the birth or medical treatment of such child to the physician or hospital which rendered the services; or (d) prevent the receipt of such payments by such attorney, physician or hospital.

(5) Any person, agency, association, corporation, institution, society or other organization violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of illegal placement of children and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment not more than five (5) years, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 26-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Child Protection Services shall immediately send the on-call caseworker to the scene or location chosen by law enforcement (a) when the department is contacted by a law enforcement officer who encounters a minor whom the officer reasonably suspects of being a victim of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation, and (b) the officer requests such assistance using the Mississippi Child Protection Services hotline.

(2) The Department of Child Protection Services, in addition to its duties provided in Section 43-21-353 , within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving a report of child abuse, human trafficking of a child or commercial sexual exploitation of a child, sending an on-call caseworker to a location in response to a minor who is reasonably suspected of being a victim of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation at the request of a law enforcement officer, or when a Child Protection Services caseworker encounters a minor who is reasonably suspected of being a victim of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation, shall:

(a) Make in-person contact with the child to determine appropriate next steps for the protection of the child, or where in-person contact cannot be made within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the report, shall immediately notify the Coordinator of Services for Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation within the Department of Child Protection Services and law enforcement, and shall document all steps taken to make contact with the child as well as the steps that will be taken to locate and ascertain the safety of the child;

(b) Attempt to have an on-site interview with the child's caretaker;

(c) Attempt to have law enforcement or an appropriate investigator conduct an on-site interview with the child's suspected offender; and

(d) Document and assess the safety of other children in the care or custody of the caretaker and/or who may be at risk of abuse by the suspected offender.

(2) 1 If the child is suspected to be a victim of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation, the Coordinator of Services for Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation within the Department of Child Protection Services shall activate an emergency, separate and specialized human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation assessment team. The team shall include, at a minimum: (a) an investigator certified by the Mississippi Human Trafficking Operational Task Force Board, (b) an investigator from the Department of Child Protection Services, and (c) a person certified by the office of the Attorney General as an advocate for victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Such emergency assessment team shall be created without authorization of the youth court, or designated by the Office of the Attorney General as an advocate for such victims.

(3) Any person under eighteen (18) years of age taken into custody under the provisions of Section 97-29-49 shall be presumed a victim of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-44 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 19-44
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-44
Status: in_force

For purposes of this section, an “ authorized person ” shall mean:

(a) Any agent or attorney of any state having in effect a plan approved under federal law, who has the duty or authority under such plan to seek to recover any amounts owed as child and spousal support (including, when authorized under the state plan, any official of a political subdivision);

(b) The court which has authority to issue an order or to serve as the initiating court in an action to seek an order against a noncustodial parent of the support and maintenance of a child, or any agent of such court;

(c) The resident parent, legal guardian, attorney or agent of a child (other than a child receiving federal assistance as determined by federal regulation) without regard to the existence of a court order against a noncustodial parent who has a duty to support and maintain any such child;

(d) A state agency that is administering a program operated under a state plan approved under federal law;

(e) Any agent or attorney of any state having an agreement under this section, who has the duty or authority under the law of such state to enforce a child custody or visitation determination;

(f) Any court having jurisdiction to make or enforce such a child custody or visitation determination, or any agent of such court; and

(g) Any agent or attorney of the United States, or of a state having an agreement under this section, who has the duty or authority to investigate, enforce or bring a prosecution with respect to the unlawful taking or restraint of a child.

The department shall safeguard personal data if the department is provided with reasonable evidence of a risk of harm. A state agency, court, department of another state, obligor, obligee and such other persons or entities as the department may specify may provide the department with reasonable evidence of a risk of harm in such manner as the department may require. The department shall not be required to safeguard personal data in intrastate cases for longer than one (1) year unless the department is provided with reasonable evidence of a continued risk of harm in such manner as the department may require. The department shall notify individuals whose personal data is safeguarded under this section that in order for the safeguards to remain in effect, such individuals must provide the department annually with reasonable evidence of a continued risk of harm. For the purposes of this section “ reasonable evidence of a risk of harm ” shall mean reasonable evidence that the release of information may result in physical harm to the parent or child, that the release of information may result in emotional harm to the parent or child which would significantly reduce the parent's capacity to care for the child, or would significantly reduce the parent or child's ability to function adequately, or that a protective order or restraining order has been issued on behalf of the parent or child.

If the department is provided with reasonable evidence of a risk of harm, the department, its employees and its contractors shall not disclose any personal data that could otherwise be disclosed about the location of a parent or child, including residential address, telephone number and name, address and telephone number of employer, and shall not disclose the Social Security number of a parent or child; provided, however, that such personal data may be shared by and between employees of the department and its contractors; provided further, that the department may disclose such personal data to the Federal Parent Locator Service, to the court, or agent of a court that is authorized to receive information from the Federal Parent Locator Service established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.

Provided further, that the department may disclose the Social Security number of a child receiving IV-D services for the purposes directly connected to obtaining health care coverage for such child to an employer or provider of health care coverage.

If the department is provided with reasonable evidence of a risk of harm pursuant to this section, the department shall notify the Federal Parent Locator Service established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act that a risk of harm exists. Upon order of the court in an intrastate matter the department shall release personal data, which may include location information and Social Security numbers, to such court or agent, as required by said Title IV-D of the Social Security Act; provided, however, that if the department has been provided with reasonable evidence of a risk of harm, the department shall notify the court or agent that the department has received such information; before making any disclosure of such personal data, the court is required to determine whether such disclosure to any other person could be harmful to the parent or child. A person or agency seeking disclosure of personal data which the department is prohibited from disclosing because of a risk of harm, but which could otherwise be disclosed, may file a petition with the chancery court to request disclosure of such personal data.

Upon an order by the court in interstate cases to override nondisclosure procedures in cases dealing with domestic violence, the court shall order the department to release this information within thirty (30) days of the order. Whereupon, the department shall transmit said court order to the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS), whereby OCSE will notify the department of its decision to remove the nondisclosure code. Upon notification from OCSE, the department shall release said information unto the court.

Any unauthorized disclosure or unauthorized willful inspection made in a good faith effort to comply with this section shall not be considered a violation of this section.

A person or agency, including the department, seeking personal data which the department is prohibited from disclosing because of a risk of harm, but which could otherwise be disclosed or which the Federal Parent Locator Service established pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act is prohibited from disclosing because the Secretary of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services has been notified that there is a reasonable evidence of domestic violence or child abuse, may file a petition with the court where the person resides to request disclosure of such personal data. The petition shall specify the purpose for which such personal data is required. When a petition is filed, or when the court receives notice from the department that the department has been notified of a risk of harm, the court shall determine whether disclosure of personal data could be harmful to the parent or child before releasing such data to any other person or agency. In making such determination, the court shall notify the parent that the court has received a request to release personal data and shall provide a specific date by which the parent must object to release of the information and provide the basis for objection. The parent may provide such information in writing and shall not be required to appear in person to contest the release of information. The court shall also notify the department of any petition filed pursuant to this section and the department shall release to the court any information which it has been provided regarding the risk of harm; however, the department shall not be made a party to the action. Further, the attorney for the Department of Human Services, in any proceeding herein, shall not be deemed to be appearing in a representative capacity for any party. The court may also request information directly from the Federal Parent Locator Service from the department of another state, and from any other source.

In determining whether disclosure of personal data could be harmful to the parent or child, the court shall consider any relevant information provided by the parent or child, any information provided by the department or by the department of another state, and any evidence provided by the person seeking the personal data. Documentary evidence transmitted to the court by facsimile, telecopier or other means that do not provide an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission. The court may permit a party or witness to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means.

The court may enter an order (1) impounding the personal data and prohibiting any disclosure by the court or its agents, (2) permitting disclosure by the court or its agents to a specific person or persons, or (3) removing any restrictions on disclosure by the court and its agents. An order permitting disclosure of personal data may specify the purposes for which the data may be used and may prohibit a person to whom the data is disclosed from making further disclosures to any other person. The court shall notify the department of any order entered pursuant to this section. Any person or agency who violates an order issued pursuant to this section may be held in contempt of court and subject to the penalties provided herein.

The court may disclose location information about a parent for the limited purpose of notifying the parent of a proceeding under this section or of any other proceeding in court, provided that such information shall not be disclosed to another party unless the court issues an order pursuant to this section permitting such disclosure.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-741 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 33-741
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-741
Status: in_force

The state does hereby pledge to and agree with the holders of any bonds or notes issued under this article that the state will not limit or alter the rights hereby vested in the corporation to fulfill the terms of any agreements made with the holders thereof in keeping with the provisions of this article, or in any way impair the rights and remedies of such holders until such bonds or notes together with the interest thereon, with interest on any unpaid installments of interest, and all costs and expenses in connection with any action or proceedings by or on behalf of such holders, are fully met and discharged. The corporation is authorized to include this pledge and agreement of the state in any agreement with the holders of such bonds or notes. The chancery court shall have jurisdiction of any suit, action or proceeding by the trustee on behalf of bondholders or noteholders. The venue of any such suit, action or proceeding shall be in the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-17 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-17
Status: in_force

Any two (2) or more authorities may join or cooperate with one another in the exercise, either jointly or otherwise, of any or all of their powers for the purpose of financing (including the issuance of bonds, notes or other obligations and giving security therefor), planning, undertaking, owning, constructing, operating or contracting with respect to a housing project or projects located within the area of operation of any one (1) or more of said authorities. For such purpose an authority may by resolution prescribe and authorize any other housing authority or authorities, so joining or cooperating with it, to act on its behalf with respect to any or all of such powers. Any authorities joining or cooperating with one another may by resolutions appoint from among the commissioners of such authorities an executive committee with full power to act on behalf of such authorities with respect to any or all of their powers, as prescribed by resolutions of such authorities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-859 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 21-859
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-859
Status: in_force

(1) The clerk of court shall:

(a) Notify and provide a copy of all dependency, abuse and neglect petitions to the program director, as soon as the court makes a referral to the program director for assignment of a CASA volunteer to the case;

(b) Provide a copy of all court orders issued pursuant to this section; and

(c) Notify the program director of all scheduled court hearings for cases to which a CASA volunteer has been assigned.

(2) Upon appointment by the court to represent a child, the CASA volunteer will have access to information and records as previously set out in Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 43-21-121 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-26-5 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 43-55-29 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 31 / Section 55-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-55-29
Status: in_force

There is established in the State Treasury a fund known as the “Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service Fund” (hereinafter referred to as “fund”). The fund shall consist of monies obtained from contributions made pursuant to Section 27-7-90 , and from the additional fees collected under Section 27-19-56.16 . Monies in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, may be expended by the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, established in Section 43-55-3, Mississippi Code of 1972 , to carry out the purposes of Sections 43-55-1 through 43-55-27, Mississippi Code of 1972 . Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-153 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 7 / Section 21-153
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-153
Status: in_force

(1) The youth court shall have full power and authority to issue all writs and processes including injunctions necessary to the exercise of jurisdiction and to carrying out the purpose of this chapter.

(2) Any person who wilfully violates, neglects or refuses to obey, perform or comply with any order of the youth court shall be in contempt of court and punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in jail not to exceed ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-25 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 28-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-28-25
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Department of Health, the Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Division of Medicaid, the Department of Child Protection Services and the State Department of Education shall assist, cooperate and coordinate with the Mississippi ABLE Board in the provision of public information and outreach for the Mississippi ABLE Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-719 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 18 / Section 33-719
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-719
Status: in_force

(1) In connection with the making of any of the types of loans authorized by this article to any entity the corporation:

(a) May require that the borrower issue and deliver to the corporation an evidence of its indebtedness to the corporation (which evidence shall constitute a general obligation of the borrower as the corporation shall determine) which shall contain such provisions consistent with this section as the corporation shall determine, including but not limited to, date, time of maturing and prepayment clause;

(b) May require that the interest rate or rates and other terms of such loans or any collection of such loans made from the proceeds of any issue of bonds or notes of the corporation shall, together with any other monies available therefor, including reserve funds, be at least sufficient to assure the payment of such bonds or notes and the interest thereon as the same become due;

(c) May require that loans made pursuant to this section be secured as to payment of both principal and interest by a pledge of collateral security of such type and in such amounts as the corporation shall determine to be useful to assure the payment of such loans and the interest thereon as the same become due, and in the case of loans to institutional lenders, such collateral security shall consist of:

(i) Direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States of America;

(ii) Obligations of any municipality or the state or any state agency;

(iii) Mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration and such other mortgages insured or guaranteed by the federal government or by a private insurer as to payment of principal and interest as shall be approved by the corporation; or

(iv) Conventional mortgage loans approved by the corporation;

(d) May require that any collateral for loans be deposited with a bank or trust company or other financial institution acceptable to the corporation located in the state and designated by the corporation as custodian therefor. The corporation may also require the entity receiving such loan to enter into an agreement with the corporation containing such provisions as the corporation shall deem necessary to: (i) adequately identify and maintain such collateral; (ii) service such collateral, if appropriate; and (iii) require such entity to hold such collateral as an agent for the corporation and be accountable to the corporation as the trustee of an express trust for the application and disposition thereof and the income therefrom. In the case of loans to institutional lenders, the corporation shall require the lender to enter into such an agreement;

(e) May also establish such additional requirements as it shall deem necessary with respect to the pledging, assigning, setting aside or holding of such collateral and the making of substitutions therefor or additions thereto and the disposition of income and receipts therefrom;

(f) Shall require as a condition of each loan that the borrower, within a prescribed period after receipt, shall have disbursed or applied the loan proceeds for the purposes for which the loan was made in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of such loan;

(g) May require the submission to it by each borrower of evidence satisfactory to the corporation of compliance with the terms of such loan, and in connection therewith may, through its members, employees or agents, inspect any books and records of any such entity;

(h) May require, as a condition of any loans, representations and warranties deemed necessary to secure the loans and carry out the purpose of this section;

(i) May enforce compliance with the terms of its agreement with any entity by decree of any court of competent jurisdiction. The corporation may require, as a condition of any loan to any national banking association, the consent of such association to the jurisdiction of courts of this state over any proceeding. The corporation may also require, as a condition of any such loan, agreement by such entity to the payment of penalties to the corporation for violation of its undertakings to the corporation, and such penalties shall be recoverable at the suit of the corporation; and

(j) To the extent that any provisions of this section may be inconsistent with any provision of law of the state governing the affairs of mortgage lenders, the provisions hereof shall control.

(2) In connection with the purchase from any lender of any of the types of loans authorized by this article, or any portion thereof or any participation therein, the corporation:

(a) May require as a condition of purchase of such loans either:

(i) That such loans be mortgage loans owned by the mortgage lenders and that such mortgage lenders, within a prescribed period after receipt of the purchase price, shall enter into written commitments to loan and, within a prescribed period thereafter, may loan an amount not to exceed the entire purchase price of such purchased loans on new loans, which new loans shall have such terms and conditions as the corporation may prescribe by regulation; or

(ii) That such purchased loans qualify as new loans and were originated by the lenders for the purpose of selling them to the corporation;

(b) Shall require the submission to it, by each mortgage lender from which the corporation has purchased existing loans, evidence satisfactory to the corporation of the making of new loans as required by the corporation, and in connection therewith may, through its members, employees or agents, inspect the books and records of any such mortgage lender;

(c) May enforce compliance by any mortgage lender with the terms of its agreement with or undertaking to the corporation with respect to the making of any new loans by decree of any court of competent jurisdiction. The corporation may require as a condition of purchase of loans from any national banking association the consent of such association to the jurisdiction of courts of this state over any such proceeding. The corporation may also require, as a condition of the corporation's purchase of loans, agreement by any mortgage lender to the payment of penalties to the corporation for violation by the mortgage lender of its undertakings to the corporation, and such penalties shall be recoverable at the suit of the corporation;

(d) May require as a condition of purchase of any loan from a mortgage lender that the mortgage lender represent and warrant to the corporation that: (i) the unpaid principal balance of such loan and this interest rate thereon have been accurately stated to the corporation; (ii) the amount of the unpaid balance is justly due and owing in accordance with the terms thereof; (iii) the mortgage lender has no notice of the existence of any counterclaim, offset or defense asserted by the maker or his successor in interest; (iv) such loan is evidenced by a bond or promissory note and a mortgage which has been properly recorded with the appropriate public official; (v) the mortgage constitutes a valid lien on the real property described to the corporation subject only to such liens, reservations, exceptions or encumbrances as may be permitted by the rules or regulations of the corporation; (vi) the maker is not now in default in the payment of any installment of principal or interest, escrow funds, taxes or otherwise in the performance of his obligations under the mortgage or loan documents and has not, to the knowledge of the mortgage lender, been in default in the performance of any such obligations for a period of longer than sixty (60) days during the life thereof; (vii) the improvements to mortgaged real property are permanently affixed thereto and the real property together with improvements thereon are covered by a valid and subsisting policy of insurance issued by a company authorized to issue such policies in this state and providing fire and extended coverage in such amounts as the corporation may prescribe by regulation; and (viii), in the case of mortgage loans, the mortgage loan meets the prevailing investment quality standards for mortgage loans of that type in the state;

(e) May require that each mortgage lender be liable to the corporation for any damages suffered by the corporation by reason of any misrepresentation or the breach of any warranty, and in the event that any representation shall prove to be untrue when made or in the event of any breach of warranty, the mortgage lender shall, at the option of the corporation, repurchase the loan for the original purchase price adjusted for amounts subsequently paid thereon, as the corporation may determine;

(f) Shall not be required to inspect or take possession of the loan mortgage or documents if the mortgage lender from which the loan is purchased by the corporation shall enter into a contract to service such loan and account to the corporation therefor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-309 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 7 / Section 35-309
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-309
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of such municipality are hereby authorized, in their discretion, to make such charges as would be deemed proper for the use of such facilities. Any revenue received from any of such charges may be pledged for the payment of bonds issued hereunder or otherwise credited against the cost and expense to be charged against the property benefitted thereby.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-913 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 21-913
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-913
Status: in_force

The licensing agency shall make inspections to determine ongoing compliance with the laws and regulations governing the licensure of juvenile detention facilities. Inspections shall be made at least twice a year, but additional inspections may be made as often as deemed necessary by the licensing agency. The licensing agency is not required to provide any notice to the facility before making an inspection.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-59-11 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 59 / 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. § 43-21-863 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 19 / Section 21-863
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-863
Status: in_force

(1) A state Court-Appointed Special Advocate Association is established. All CASA volunteers, local board members, program directors and staff are eligible for membership in the association. Other categories of membership may be created by the association.

(2) The association shall meet annually to elect a board of directors to manage the business of the association. The board shall elect a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer annually. The board shall meet at least four (4) times each year, and meetings may be held more frequently when called by the president of the board or by a majority of the board members.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 28 / 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. § 43-21-505 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 21-505
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-505
Status: in_force

Service of summons must conform to the Uniform Rules of Youth Court Practice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-103 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 6 / Section 21-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-103
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that each child coming within the jurisdiction of the youth court shall become a responsible, accountable and productive citizen, and that each such child shall receive such care, guidance and control, preferably in such child's own home as is conducive toward that end and is in the state's and the child's best interest. It is the public policy of this state that the parents of each child shall be primarily responsible for the care, support, education and welfare of such children; however, when it is necessary that a child be removed from the control of such child's parents, the youth court shall secure proper care for such child.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-107 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 18 / 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. § 43-21-261 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 20 / Section 21-261
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-261
Status: repealed

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, records involving children shall not be disclosed, other than to necessary staff or officials of the youth court, a guardian ad litem appointed to a child by the court, or a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer who may be assigned in a dependency, abuse or neglect case, except pursuant to an order of the youth court specifying the person or persons to whom the records may be disclosed, the extent of the records which may be disclosed and the purpose of the disclosure. Such court orders for disclosure shall be limited to those instances in which the youth court concludes, in its discretion, that disclosure is required for the best interests of the child, the public safety, the functioning of the youth court, or to identify a person who knowingly made a false allegation of child abuse or neglect, and then only to the following persons:

(a) The judge of another youth court or member of another youth court staff;

(b) The court of the parties in a child custody or adoption cause in another court;

(c) A judge of any other court or members of another court staff, including the chancery court that ordered a forensic interview;

(d) Representatives of a public or private agency providing supervision or having custody of the child under order of the youth court;

(e) Any person engaged in a bona fide research purpose, provided that no information identifying the subject of the records shall be made available to the researcher unless it is absolutely essential to the research purpose and the judge gives prior written approval, and the child, through his or her representative, gives permission to release the information;

(f) The Mississippi Department of Employment Security, or its duly authorized representatives, for the purpose of a child's enrollment into the Job Corps Training Program as authorized by Title IV of the Comprehensive Employment Training Act of 1973 ( 29 USCS Section 923 et seq. ). However, no records, reports, investigations or information derived therefrom pertaining to child abuse or neglect shall be disclosed;

(g) Any person pursuant to a finding by a judge of the youth court of compelling circumstances affecting the health, safety or well-being of a child and that such disclosure is in the best interests of the child or an adult who was formerly the subject of a youth court delinquency proceeding;

(h) A person who was the subject of a knowingly made false allegation of child abuse or neglect which has resulted in a conviction of a perpetrator in accordance with Section 97-35-47 or which allegation was referred by the Department of Child Protection Services to a prosecutor or law enforcement official in accordance with the provisions of Section 43-21-353(4) .

Law enforcement agencies may disclose information to the public concerning the taking of a child into custody for the commission of a delinquent act without the necessity of an order from the youth court. The information released shall not identify the child or his address unless the information involves a child convicted as an adult.

(2) Any records involving children which are disclosed under an order of the youth court or pursuant to the terms of this section and the contents thereof shall be kept confidential by the person or agency to whom the record is disclosed unless otherwise provided in the order. Any further disclosure of any records involving children shall be made only under an order of the youth court as provided in this section.

(3) Upon request, the parent, guardian or custodian of the child who is the subject of a youth court cause or any attorney for such parent, guardian or custodian, shall have the right to inspect any record, report or investigation relevant to a matter to be heard by a youth court, except that the identity of the reporter shall not be released, nor the name of any other person where the person or agency making the information available finds that disclosure of the information would be likely to endanger the life or safety of such person. The attorney for the parent, guardian or custodian of the child, upon request, shall be provided a copy of any record, report or investigation relevant to a matter to be heard by a youth court, but the identity of the reporter must be redacted and the name of any other person must also be redacted if the person or agency making the information available finds that disclosure of the information would be likely to endanger the life, safety or well-being of the person. A record provided to the attorney under this section must remain in the attorney's control and the attorney may not provide copies or access to another person or entity without prior consent of a court with appropriate jurisdiction.

(4) Upon request, the child who is the subject of a youth court cause shall have the right to have his counsel inspect and copy any record, report or investigation which is filed with the youth court or which is to be considered by the youth court at a hearing.

(5)(a) The youth court prosecutor or prosecutors, the county attorney, the district attorney, the youth court defender or defenders, or any attorney representing a child shall have the right to inspect and copy any law enforcement record involving children.

(b) The Department of Child Protection Services shall disclose to a county prosecuting attorney or district attorney any and all records resulting from an investigation into suspected child abuse or neglect when the case has been referred by the Department of Child Protection Services to the county prosecuting attorney or district attorney for criminal prosecution.

(c) Agency records made confidential under the provisions of this section may be disclosed to a court of competent jurisdiction.

(d) Records involving children shall be disclosed to the Division of Victim Compensation of the Office of the Attorney General upon the division's request without order of the youth court for purposes of determination of eligibility for victim compensation benefits.

(6) Information concerning an investigation into a report of child abuse or child neglect may be disclosed by the Department of Child Protection Services without order of the youth court to any attorney, physician, dentist, intern, resident, nurse, psychologist, social worker, family protection worker, family protection specialist, child caregiver, minister, law enforcement officer, or a public or private school employee making that report pursuant to Section 43-21-353(1) if the reporter has a continuing professional relationship with the child and a need for such information in order to protect or treat the child.

(7) Information concerning an investigation into a report of child abuse or child neglect may be disclosed without further order of the youth court to any interagency child abuse task force established in any county or municipality by order of the youth court of that county or municipality.

(8) Names and addresses of juveniles twice adjudicated as delinquent for an act which would be a felony if committed by an adult or for the unlawful possession of a firearm shall not be held confidential and shall be made available to the public.

(9) Names and addresses of juveniles adjudicated as delinquent for murder, manslaughter, burglary, arson, armed robbery, aggravated assault, any sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23 , for any violation of Section 41-29-139(a)(1) or for any violation of Section 63-11-30 , shall not be held confidential and shall be made available to the public.

(10) The judges of the circuit and county courts, and presentence investigators for the circuit courts, as provided in Section 47-7-9 , shall have the right to inspect any youth court records of a person convicted of a crime for sentencing purposes only.

(11) The victim of an offense committed by a child who is the subject of a youth court cause shall have the right to be informed of the child's disposition by the youth court.

(12) A classification hearing officer of the State Department of Corrections, as provided in Section 47-5-103 , shall have the right to inspect any youth court records, excluding abuse and neglect records, of any offender in the custody of the department who as a child or minor was a juvenile offender or was the subject of a youth court cause of action, and the State Parole Board, as provided in Section 47-7-17 , shall have the right to inspect such records when the offender becomes eligible for parole.

(13) The youth court shall notify the Department of Public Safety of the name, and any other identifying information such department may require, of any child who is adjudicated delinquent as a result of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.

(14) The Administrative Office of Courts shall have the right to inspect any youth court records in order that the number of youthful offenders, abused, neglected, truant and dependent children, as well as children in need of special care and children in need of supervision, may be tracked with specificity through the youth court and adult justice system, and to utilize tracking forms for such purpose.

(15) Upon a request by a youth court, the Administrative Office of Courts shall disclose all information at its disposal concerning any previous youth court intakes alleging that a child was a delinquent child, child in need of supervision, child in need of special care, truant child, abused child or neglected child, as well as any previous youth court adjudications for the same and all dispositional information concerning a child who at the time of such request comes under the jurisdiction of the youth court making such request.

(16) The Administrative Office of Courts may, in its discretion, disclose to the Department of Public Safety any or all of the information involving children contained in the office's youth court data management system known as Mississippi Youth Court Information Delivery System or “MYCIDS.”

(17) The youth courts of the state shall disclose to the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) any youth court records in order that the number of youthful offenders, abused, neglected, truant and dependent children, as well as children in need of special care and children in need of supervision, may be tracked with specificity through the youth court and adult justice system, and to utilize tracking forms for such purpose. The disclosure prescribed in this subsection shall not require a court order and shall be made in sortable, electronic format where possible. The PEER Committee may seek the assistance of the Administrative Office of Courts in seeking this information. The PEER Committee shall not disclose the identities of any youth who have been adjudicated in the youth courts of the state and shall only use the disclosed information for the purpose of monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of programs established to assist adjudicated youth, and to ascertain the incidence of adjudicated youth who become adult offenders.

(18) In every case where an abuse or neglect allegation has been made, the confidentiality provisions of this section shall not apply to prohibit access to a child's records by any state regulatory agency, any state or local prosecutorial agency or law enforcement agency; however, no identifying information concerning the child in question may be released to the public by such agency except as otherwise provided herein.

(19) In every case of child abuse or neglect, if a child's physical condition is medically labeled as medically “serious” or “critical” or a child dies, the confidentiality provisions of this section shall not apply. In such cases, the following information may be released by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services: the cause of the circumstances regarding the fatality or medically serious or critical physical condition; the age and gender of the child; information describing any previous reports of child abuse or neglect investigations that are pertinent to the child abuse or neglect that led to the fatality or medically serious or critical physical condition; the result of any such investigations; and the services provided by and actions of the state on behalf of the child that are pertinent to the child abuse or neglect that led to the fatality or medically serious or critical physical condition.

(20) Any member of a foster care review board designated by the Department of Child Protection Services shall have the right to inspect youth court records relating to the abuse, neglect or child in need of supervision cases assigned to such member for review.

(21) Information concerning an investigation into a report of child abuse or child neglect may be disclosed without further order of the youth court in any administrative or due process hearing held, pursuant to Section 43-21-257 , by the Department of Child Protection Services for individuals whose names will be placed on the central registry as substantiated perpetrators.

(22) The Department of Child Protection Services may disclose records involving children to the following:

(a) A foster home, residential child-caring agency or child-placing agency to the extent necessary to provide such care and services to a child;

(b) An individual, agency or organization that provides services to a child or the child's family in furtherance of the child's permanency plan to the extent necessary in providing those services;

(c) Health and mental health care providers of a child to the extent necessary for the provider to properly treat and care for the child;

(d) An educational institution or educational services provider where the child is enrolled or where enrollment is anticipated to the extent necessary for the school to provide appropriate services to the child;

(e) Any state agency or board that administers student financial assistance programs. However, any records request under this paragraph shall be initiated by the agency or board for the purpose determining the child's eligibility for student financial assistance, and any disclosure shall be limited to the verification of the child's age during the period of time in which the child was in the department's legal custody; and

(f) Any other state agency if the disclosure is necessary to the department in fulfilling its statutory responsibilities in protecting the best interests of the child.

(23) Nothing in this section or chapter shall require youth court approval for disclosure of records involving children as defined in Section 43-21-105(u) , if the disclosure is made in a criminal matter by a municipal or county prosecutor, a district attorney or statewide prosecutor, pursuant to the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure and the records are disclosed under a protective order issued by the Circuit Court presiding over the criminal matter which incorporates the penalties stated in Section 43-21-267 .

(24) The provisions of this section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-13-201 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-13-201
Status: in_force

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Medicaid Fraud Control Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-205 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-205
Status: in_force

It shall be an absolute affirmative defense to prosecution under Sections 97-5-1 , 97-5-3 and 97-5-39 if the parent or a person designated by the parent voluntarily delivers the child unharmed to an emergency medical services provider pursuant to this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-235 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 30 / Section 35-235
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-35-235
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of any municipality which has delegated to its urban renewal agency or redevelopment authority the powers, duties and responsibilities relating to parking facilities as provided for in Section 43-35-201 , may, within their discretion, appoint two (2) additional members to the board of commissioners of such urban renewal agency, in addition to the five (5) members provided for in Section 43-35-33 . Such additional commissioners shall be appointed in the same manner and for the same term, and shall have the same qualifications and shall otherwise be subject to the provisions of Section 43-35-33 and Section 43-35-35 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 20-8
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8
Status: repealed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(9) From and after January 1, 2008, the State Board of Health shall develop regulations to ensure that all children enrolled or enrolling in a state licensed child care center receive age-appropriate immunization against invasive pneumococcal disease as recommended by the Advisory Committee on immunization practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The State Board of Health shall include, within its regulations, protocols for children under the age of twenty-four (24) months to catch up on missed doses. If the State Board of Health has adopted regulations before January 1, 2008, that would otherwise meet the requirements of this subsection, then this subsection shall stand repealed on January 1, 2008.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-117 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 33-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-117
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided herein, a regional housing authority and the commissioners thereof shall, within the area of operation of such regional housing authority, have the same functions, rights, powers, duties, privileges, immunities and limitations provided for housing authorities created for cities or counties and the commissioners of such housing authorities, and all the provisions of law applicable to housing authorities created for cities or counties and the commissioners of such authorities shall be applicable to regional housing authorities and the commissioners thereof. For such purposes, the term “mayor” or “governing body” as used in the Housing Authorities Law shall be construed as meaning “board of supervisors,” unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context. A regional housing authority shall have power to select any appropriate corporate name.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-48 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 19-48
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-48
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Human Services and financial institutions doing business in the state are required to enter into agreements:

(a) To develop and operate a data match system, using automated data exchanges, in which each such financial institution is required to provide for each calendar quarter the name, record address, social security number or other taxpayer identification number, and other identifying information for each noncustodial parent who maintains an account at such institution and who owes past-due support, as identified by the Department of Human Services by name and social security number or other taxpayer identification number;

(b) To encumber or surrender, as the case may be, assets held by such institution on behalf of any noncustodial parent who is subject to a child support lien; and

(c) To provide for payment of reasonable fees to financial institutions for conducting data matches, and for responding to other requests made pursuant to this section, with such fees not to exceed the actual costs incurred by such financial institutions.

(2) When the operation of such data match system results in the location of an account of a noncustodial parent who owes past-due support, or when such account is located through any means, the department may request and shall receive additional financial or other information including account numbers, names and social security numbers on record for accounts, and account balances, from any financial institution needed to establish, modify or enforce a support order.

(3) The department shall have the authority to encumber and seize assets held by an obligor in a financial institution doing business in Mississippi. Such assets shall be encumbered for either:

(a) A forty-five-day period; or

(b) Until such time as the issue of overdue support is resolved, provided the obligor has filed a petition for hearing with a court of appropriate jurisdiction and the financial institution receives written notice thereof from the department before the end of the said forty-five-day period.

(4) Notice of such encumbrance initiated by the department shall be provided to the financial institution and to the obligor:

(a) The department shall send, by certified mail or other approved types of communication as allowed by the financial institution, notice to the financial institution with which the account is placed, directing that the financial institution shall:

(i) Immediately encumber funds in any account(s) in which the obligor has an interest, and to the extent of the debt indicated in the notice from the department;

(ii) Forward the encumbered funds to the department after either the forty-five-day period stated in subsection (3)(a) of this section, or a determination favorable to the department by a court of appropriate jurisdiction; or

(iii) In the event the obligor prevails before the court, immediately release said funds to the obligor.

(b) Notice shall be delivered to the obligor at the current mailing address as recorded by the department. Such notice shall be sent by regular mail at the commencement of the action described herein.

(c) The financial institution shall not disclose to an account holder or the depositor that the name of such person has been received from or furnished to the department. The financial institution shall disclose to its account holders or its depositors that under the data match system the department has the authority to request certain identifying information on the account holders' or the depositor's accounts.

(5) Challenges to encumbrance of an account:

(a) Challenges to such levy for child support arrearage may be initiated only by the obligor or by an account holder of interest.

(b) Challenges shall be made by the filing of a petition for hearing by the obligor in a court of appropriate jurisdiction under Rule 81(d)(2) of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure . Service upon the department shall be as prescribed by Rule 4(d)(5) of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure .

(c) Grounds for the petition challenging the encumbrance shall be limited to:

(i) Mistakes of identity; or

(ii) Mistakes in amount of overdue support.

(6) Liability of the financial institution and the department:

(a) Neither the department nor the financial institution shall be liable for any applicable early withdrawal penalties on the obligor's account(s).

(b) A financial institution shall be absolutely immune from any civil liability under any law or regulation to any person for the disclosure of or failure to disclose any information pursuant to this chapter or for the escrow, encumbrance, seizure or surrender of any assets held by the financial institution in response to any notice issued by the Department of Human Services, the Child Support Unit or any contractors or agents thereof unless the disclosure or failure to disclose was willful or intentional, or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this chapter.

(7) Any amount encumbered and forwarded by the financial institution under this section shall not exceed the arrearage owed by the obligor.

(8) The provisions herein and any other relevant sections shall be employed equally by authorized contractors of the department to collect delinquent support payments.

(9) A financial institution shall not be liable under federal or state law to any person:

(a) For any disclosure of information to the Department of Human Services;

(b) For encumbering or forwarding any assets held by such financial institution in response to a notice of lien or levy;

(c) For any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of subsection (1)(a) or (b) above.

(10) Definitions. For purposes of this section:

(a) The term “ financial institution ” has the meaning given to such by Section 81-12-3, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and shall include, but not be limited to, credit unions, stock brokerages, public or private entities administering retirement, savings, annuities, life insurance and/or pension funds;

(b) The term “ account ” means any money held in the name of the account owner individually or jointly with another, including, but not limited to, a deposit account, demand account, member account, time certificate of deposit, share account, checking or negotiable withdrawal order account, savings account, time deposit account or money-market mutual fund account.

(11) Failure to comply with the provisions of this section or the willful rendering of false information shall subject the financial institution to a fine of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-17-19 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-17-19
Status: in_force

All TANF assistance grants made under this chapter shall be reconsidered by the county department as frequently as may be required by the rules of the state department. After such further investigation as the county department may deem necessary or the state department may require, the amount of TANF assistance may be changed or TANF assistance may be entirely withdrawn if the state or county department finds that the child's circumstances have altered sufficiently to warrant such action.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-13 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 39-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-13
Status: in_force

(1) Programs or projects undertaken by a displacing agency with public financial assistance shall be planned in a manner that recognizes, at an early stage in the planning of such programs or projects and before the commencement of any actions which will cause displacements, the problems associated with the displacement of individuals, families, businesses and farm operations, and which provides for the resolution of such problems in order to minimize adverse impacts on displaced persons and to expedite program or project advancement and completion.

(2) The head of any displacing agency shall ensure that the relocation assistance advisory services described in subsection (3) of this section are made available to all persons displaced by such agency. If such agency head determines that any person occupying property immediately adjacent to the property where the displacing activity occurs is caused substantial economic injury as a result thereof, the agency head may make advisory services available to such person.

(3) Each relocation assistance advisory program required by subsection (2) of this section shall include such measures, facilities or services as may be necessary or appropriate in order to determine and make timely recommendations on the needs and preferences, if any, of displaced persons for relocation assistance; provide current and continuing information on the availability, sales prices and rental charges of comparable replacement dwellings for displaced homeowners and tenants and suitable locations for businesses and farm operations; assure that a person shall not be required to move from a dwelling unless the person has had a reasonable opportunity to relocate to a comparable replacement dwelling, except in the case of a major disaster as defined in Section 102(2) of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, a national emergency declared by the President or any other emergency which requires the person to move immediately from the dwelling because continued occupancy of such dwelling by the person constitutes a substantial danger to the health or safety of the person; assist a person displaced from a business or farm operation in obtaining and becoming established in a suitable replacement location; supply information concerning other federal and state programs which may be of assistance to displaced persons; supply technical assistance to such persons in applying for assistance under such programs; and provide other advisory services to displaced persons in order to minimize hardships to such persons in adjusting to relocation.

(4) The head of a displacing agency shall coordinate the relocation activities performed by such agency with other federal, state or local governmental actions in the community which could affect the efficient and effective delivery of relocation assistance and related services.

(5) In any case in which a displacing agency acquires property for a program or project, any person who occupies such property on a rental basis for a short term or a period subject to termination when the property is needed for the program or project shall be eligible for advisory services to the extent determined by the displacing agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-7-57 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-7-57
Status: in_force

The duties of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman, as created under Section 43-7-53 , shall be:

(a) The establishment of a procedure to have regular and timely access to the services provided by the State Ombudsman Program and to receive, investigate and resolve complaints filed by residents or sponsors or organizations or long-term care facilities on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities relating to the health, safety, welfare and rights of such residents and to represent the interests of residents before governmental agencies;

(b) The monitoring of the development and implementation of federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies with respect to long-term care facilities and to analyze, comment on and recommend any changes in such laws, regulations and policies as the Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman deems appropriate;

(c) The establishment of a training program for both the state and community ombudsmen;

(d) To provide public forums, including the holding of public hearings, sponsorships of conferences and workshops, and the holding of other meetings to seek information concerning the needs and problems of residents in long-term care facilities;

(e) The establishment and maintenance of a statewide uniform reporting system to collect and analyze data relating to complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities for the purpose of identifying and resolving significant problems faced by residents as a group;

(f) The submission of an annual report to the State Department of Health, the United States Assistant Secretary for Aging (ACL/AOA), Executive Director of the Council and the State Legislature, which shall include statistical information about the state and community long-term care facilities ombudsman programs, shall identify systemic problems in long-term care facilities that cannot be adequately addressed by state and local agencies, and shall include recommendations for legislative or executive action to alleviate any systemic problems;

(g) The testing and designation of the representatives of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman;

(h) The development of an ongoing program of publicizing programs designated by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman and by the community long-term care facilities ombudsman through contact with the media and civic organizations;

(i) The development of policies and regulations related to the use of volunteers in the program; and

(j) Other duties as mandated by the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-29-13 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 20 / Section 29-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-29-13
Status: in_force

If the recipient or applicant is found incapable of taking care of himself or his money, payments may be paid to any person, firm, corporation, association, institution or agency designated to receive it by order of the county department of his county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-16-11 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 12 / Section 16-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-16-11
Status: in_force

(1) Acknowledgement of notification shall be issued by the department upon the filing of a properly completed notification form accompanied by (a) a certificate of inspection and approval by the fire department of the municipality or other political subdivision in which the home is located, and (b) a certificate of inspection and approval by the health department of the county in which the home is located.

(2) If no fire department exists where the home is located, the State Fire Marshal shall certify as to the inspection for safety from fire hazards. The State Fire Marshal shall establish standards for safety from fire hazards at child residential homes.

(3) Upon notification by a child residential home, the department shall provide copies of the notification form to the chancery court or the youth court, as appropriate, of the county in which the home is located.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-15 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / Section 20-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-15
Status: in_force

The licensing agency shall make or cause to be made inspections relative to compliance with the laws and regulations governing the licensure of child care facilities. Such inspections shall be made at least once a year but additional inspections may be made as often as deemed necessary by the licensing agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-11-25 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-11-25
Status: in_force

Any person establishing, conducting, managing or operating an institution for the aged or infirm without a license under this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for the first offense and not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for each subsequent offense, and each day of a continuing violation after conviction shall be considered a separate offense.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-301 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 18 / Section 21-301
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-301
Status: in_force

(1) No court other than the youth court shall issue an arrest warrant or custody order for a child in a matter in which the youth court has exclusive original jurisdiction but shall refer the matter to the youth court.

(2) Except as otherwise provided, no child in a matter in which the youth court has exclusive original jurisdiction shall be taken into custody by a law enforcement officer, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Child Protection Services, or any other person unless the judge or his designee has issued a custody order to take the child into custody.

(3) The judge or his designee may require a law enforcement officer, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Child Protection Services, or any suitable person to take a child into custody for a period not longer than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory state holidays.

(a) Custody orders under this subsection may be issued if it appears that there is probable cause to believe that:

(i) The child is within the jurisdiction of the court;

(ii) Custody is necessary because of any of the following reasons: the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm, any person would be in danger of a significant risk of harm by the child, to ensure the child's attendance in court at such time as required, or a parent, guardian or custodian is not available to provide for the care and supervision of the child; and

(iii) There is no reasonable alternative to custody.

A finding of probable cause under this subsection (3)(a) shall not be based solely upon a positive drug test of a newborn or parent for marijuana or solely upon the status of a parent as a cardholder under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act; however, a finding of probable cause may be based upon an evidence-based finding of harm to the child or a parent's inability to provide for the care and supervision of the child due to the parent's use of marijuana. Probable cause for unlawful use of any controlled substance, except as otherwise provided in this subsection (3)(a) for marijuana, may be based: 1. upon a parent's positive drug test for unlawful use of a controlled substance only if the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm or the parent is unable to provide proper care or supervision of the child because of the unlawful use and there is no reasonable alternative to custody; and 2. upon a newborn's positive drug screen for a controlled substance that was used unlawfully only if the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm or the parent is unable to provide proper care or supervision of the child because of the unlawful use and there is no reasonable alternative to custody.

A child shall not be considered “neglected” solely because the child's parent, guardian or custodian has failed to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of the child when the failure is caused primarily by financial inability, unless relief services had been offered and refused and the child is in imminent risk of harm.

(b) Custody orders under this subsection shall be written. In emergency cases, a judge or his designee may issue an oral custody order, but the order shall be reduced to writing within forty-eight (48) hours of its issuance.

(c) Each youth court judge shall develop and make available to law enforcement a list of designees who are available after hours, on weekends and on holidays.

(4) The judge or his designee may order, orally or in writing, the immediate release of any child in the custody of any person or agency. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, custody orders as provided by this chapter and authorizations of temporary custody may be written or oral, but, if oral, reduced to writing within forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory state holidays. The written order shall:

(a) Specify the name and address of the child, or, if unknown, designate him or her by any name or description by which he or she can be identified with reasonable certainty;

(b) Specify the age of the child, or, if unknown, that he or she is believed to be of an age subject to the jurisdiction of the youth court;

(c) Except in cases where the child is alleged to be a delinquent child or a child in need of supervision, state that the effect of the continuation of the child's residing within his or her own home would be contrary to the welfare of the child, that the placement of the child in foster care is in the best interests of the child, and unless the reasonable efforts requirement is bypassed under Section 43-21-603(7)(c) , also state that (i) reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his or her own home, but that the circumstances warrant his removal and there is no reasonable alternative to custody; or (ii) the circumstances are of such an emergency nature that no reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his own home, and that there is no reasonable alternative to custody. If the court makes a finding in accordance with (ii) of this paragraph, the court shall order that reasonable efforts be made toward the reunification of the child with his or her family;

(d) State that the child shall be brought immediately before the youth court or be taken to a place designated by the order to be held pending review of the order;

(e) State the date issued and the youth court by which the order is issued; and

(f) Be signed by the judge or his designee with the title of his office.

(5) The taking of a child into custody shall not be considered an arrest except for evidentiary purposes.

(6)(a) No child who has been accused or adjudicated of any offense that would not be a crime if committed by an adult shall be placed in an adult jail or lockup. An accused status offender shall not be held in secure detention longer than twenty-four (24) hours prior to and twenty-four (24) hours after an initial court appearance, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory state holidays, except under the following circumstances: a status offender may be held in secure detention for violating a valid court order pursuant to the criteria as established by the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002, and any subsequent amendments thereto, and out-of-state runaways may be detained pending return to their home state.

(b) No accused or adjudicated juvenile offender, except for an accused or adjudicated juvenile offender in cases where jurisdiction is waived to the adult criminal court, shall be detained or placed into custody of any adult jail or lockup for a period in excess of six (6) hours.

(c) If any county violates the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection, the state agency authorized to allocate federal funds received pursuant to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 2750 (codified in scattered Sections of 5 , 18, 42 USCS ), shall withhold the county's share of such funds.

(d) Any county that does not have a facility in which to detain its juvenile offenders in compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection may enter into a contractual agreement to detain or place into custody the juvenile offenders of that county with any county or municipality that does have such a facility, or with the State of Mississippi, or with any private entity that maintains a juvenile correctional facility.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this subsection, all counties shall be allowed a one-year grace period from March 27, 1993, to comply with the provisions of this subsection.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-35 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 43-43-9 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 19 / Section 43-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-43-9
Status: in_force

No state agency shall assess any charges for services provided by such agency under Title XX to any entity or individual, whether the services be administrative in nature or otherwise, unless such charges be specifically authorized both in principle and amount by the Legislature or, when the Legislature is out of session, by the state fiscal management board. All such charges, whether termed administrative charges, license fees, certification fees, user fees or by whatever name denominated, shall be included in the state budget report as prepared by the legislative budget office and shall be identified by source, purpose, amount and authorization. It is the intent of the Legislature that all such charges by an agency shall be reviewed annually by the Legislature to determine the necessity or continuing necessity for such charges and, if such charges are deemed appropriate and necessary, to include such charges in the agency's appropriation bill.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-783 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 33-783
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-783
Status: in_force

The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 43-33-767 through 43-33-797 may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-12-35 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 9 / Section 12-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-12-35
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Human Services shall only grant benefits when an approved applicant has signed a written agreement clearly enumerating continued eligibility requirements, circumstances in which sanctions may be imposed, and any potential penalties for noncompliance.

(2) The department shall require all enrollees to be compliant with all program requirements, including work requirements, before granting benefits.

(3) The department shall institute a three-month, full-household sanction for the first instance of noncompliance with any TANF requirement, unless expressly prohibited by federal law.

(4) The department shall terminate benefits for the second instance of noncompliance with any TANF requirement, unless expressly prohibited by federal law.

(5) An individual sanctioned under subsection (3) of this section shall not have benefits reinstated without reviewing the agreement required under subsection (1) of this section.

(6) The department shall deny benefits to any adult member of a household where another adult member of the household has been found to have committed benefits fraud.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-405 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 5 / Section 21-405
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-405
Status: in_force

(1) The informal adjustment process shall be initiated with an informal adjustment conference conducted by an informal adjustment counselor appointed by the judge or his designee.

(2) If the child and his parent, guardian or custodian appear at the informal adjustment conference without counsel, the informal adjustment counselor shall, at the commencement of the conference, inform them of their right to counsel, the child's right to appointment of counsel and the right of the child to remain silent. If either the child or his parent, guardian or custodian indicates a desire to be represented by counsel, the informal adjustment counselor shall adjourn the conference to afford an opportunity to secure counsel.

(3) At the beginning of the informal adjustment conference, the informal adjustment counselor shall inform the child and his parent, guardian or custodian:

(a) That information has been received concerning the child which appears to establish jurisdiction of the youth court;

(b) The purpose of the informal adjustment conference;

(c) That during the informal adjustment process no petition will be filed;

(d) That the informal adjustment process is voluntary with the child and his parent, guardian or custodian and that they may withdraw from the informal adjustment at any time; and

(e) The circumstances under which the informal adjustment process can be terminated under Section 43-21-407 .

(4) The informal adjustment counselor shall then discuss with the child and his parent, guardian or custodian:

(a) Recommendations for actions or conduct in the interest of the child to correct the conditions of behavior or environment which may exist;

(b) Continuing conferences and contacts with the child and his parent, guardian or custodian by the informal adjustment counselor or other authorized persons; and

(c) The child's general behavior, his home and school environment and other factors bearing upon the proposed informal adjustment.

(5) After the parties have agreed upon the appropriate terms and conditions of informal adjustment, the informal adjustment counselor and the child and his parent, guardian or custodian shall sign a written informal adjustment agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of the informal adjustment. The informal adjustment agreement may be modified at any time upon the consent of all parties to the informal adjustment conference.

(6) The informal adjustment process shall not continue beyond a period of six (6) months from its commencement unless extended by the youth court for an additional period not to exceed six (6) months by court authorization prior to the expiration of the original six-month period. In no event shall the custody or supervision of a child which has been placed with the Department of Human Services--Division of Youth Services or the Department of Child Protection Services be continued or extended except upon a written finding by the youth court judge or referee that reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his own home, but that the circumstances warrant his removal and there is no reasonable alternative to custody, and that reasonable efforts will continue to be made towards reunification of the family.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-1 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-33-1
Status: in_force

Sections 43-33-1 through 43-33-53 may be referred to as the “Housing Authorities Law,” and the following terms, whenever used or referred to in said sections, shall have the following respective meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

(a) “Authority” or “housing authority” shall mean any of the public corporations created by or pursuant to this Housing Authorities Law, or any law amendatory or supplemental thereto, with power to undertake housing projects for the persons of low income.

(b) “City” shall mean any city in this state. “County” shall mean any county in this state. “The city” shall mean the particular city for which a particular housing authority is created. “The county” shall mean the particular county for which a particular housing authority is created.

(c) “State public body” shall mean any city, town, village, county, municipal corporation, commission, district, authority, or other subdivision or other public body of this state.

(d) “Governing body” shall mean, in the case of a city, the board of aldermen, commissioners, or council; in the case of a county, the board of supervisors; and in the case of any other state public body, the board of aldermen, council, commissioners, board or other body having charge of the fiscal affairs of such state public body.

(e) “Mayor” shall mean the mayor of the city or the officer thereof charged with the duties customarily imposed on the mayor or executive head of the city.

(f) “Clerk” shall mean the clerk of the city or the clerk of the county, as the case may be, or the officer charged with the duties customarily imposed on such clerk.

(g) “Area of operation,” in the case of a housing authority of a city, shall include such city and the area within five (5) miles of the territorial boundaries thereof.

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

(i) “Slum” shall mean any area where dwellings predominate which, by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement, or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health or morals.

(j) “Housing project” shall mean any work or undertaking: (1) to demolish, clear or remove buildings from any slum area; such work or undertaking may embrace the adoption of such area to public purposes, including parks or other recreational or community purposes; or (2) to provide decent, safe and sanitary urban or rural dwellings, apartments, or other living accommodations for persons of low income; such work or undertaking may include buildings, land, equipment, facilities, and other real or personal property for necessary, convenient, or desirable appurtenances, streets, sewers, water service, parks, site preparation, gardening, administrative, community, health, recreational, welfare or other purposes; or (3) to accomplish a combination of the aforegoing. The term “housing project” also may be applied to the planning of the buildings and improvements, the acquisition of property, the demolition of existing structures, the construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair of the improvements and all other work in connection therewith.

(k) “Persons of low income” shall mean persons or families who lack the amount of income which is necessary (as determined by the authority undertaking the housing project) to enable them, without financial assistance, to live in decent, safe and sanitary dwellings, without overcrowding.

(l) “Bonds” shall mean any bonds, notes, interim certificates, debentures, or other obligations issued by a housing authority.

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

(n) “Obligee of the authority” or “obligee” shall include any bondholder, trustee or trustees for any bondholders, or lessor demising to the authority property used in connection with a housing project, or any assignee or assignees of such lessor's interest or any part thereof, and the federal government when it is a party to any contract with the authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-29-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-29-3
Status: in_force

Assistance shall be given under this chapter to any person who qualifies under Section 43-29-1 , and who:

(a) has resided in this state for one (1) year immediately preceding his application, and such residence shall not have been established solely or in part for the purpose of enabling the applicant to come within the provisions of this chapter;

(b) resides in the county in which application is made;

(c) has not sufficient income or other resources to provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health;

(d) is not an inmate of or being maintained by any county, municipal, state, or national institution at the time of receiving assistance except as a patient in a public medical institution, or is not a patient in any institution for tuberculosis or mental diseases, or is not a patient in any medical institution as a result of having been diagnosed as having tuberculosis or psychosis; in the event the federal Social Security Act or other appropriate federal statutes are so amended as to permit funds appropriated by Congress to be used for assistance to disabled persons who are inmates of public institutions, then being an inmate of any such institution shall not disqualify any such person for assistance. An inmate of such an institution may, however, make application for such assistance but the assistance, if granted, shall not begin until after he ceases to be an inmate;

(e) has not made an assignment to transfer his property so as to render himself eligible for assistance under this chapter at any time within two (2) years immediately prior to the filing of an application for assistance pursuant to the provisions hereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-3 — MS Code / Title 43 / Chapter 39 / Section 39-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-39-3
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a uniform policy for the fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced by the acquisition of real property by state and local land acquisition programs which are publicly funded in whole or in part. The policy shall be uniform as to (a) relocation payments, (b) advisory assistance, and (c) assurance of availability of standard housing under state or local land acquisition programs which are publicly funded in whole or in part.