reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 65 - CLOSING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING (§§ 37-65-1 — 37-65-131) › Article 3 - CLOSING PURSUANT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES' ORDER (§§ 37-65-101 — 37-65-131) › Section 37-65-113 - Closing of schools shall not affect retirement benefits

Upon or during any closure of any school in accordance with the terms of this article, the retirement benefits under existing law of any teacher, superintendent, principal or other employee shall in no way be affected by the same or because of the period of time elapsing while such school or junior college or institution of high learning may be closed.
Codes, 1942, § 6232-51; Laws, 1960, ch. 316, § 11, eff. 4/27/1960.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 65 - CLOSING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING (§§ 37-65-1 — 37-65-131) › Article 3 - CLOSING PURSUANT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES' ORDER (§§ 37-65-101 — 37-65-131) › Section 37-65-115 - Period of closure shall not be deducted from time earned toward certification

Should any school be closed in accordance with the terms of this article, such period of closure shall not be subtracted from the period of time which would otherwise be earned by any superintendent, principal, teacher or other employee employed to render services in and about the conduct and operation of any such school, as to any certification to which such person might otherwise be entitled.
Codes, 1942, § 6232-51; Laws, 1960, ch. 316, § 11, eff. 4/27/1960.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 65 - CLOSING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING (§§ 37-65-1 — 37-65-131) › Article 3 - CLOSING PURSUANT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES' ORDER (§§ 37-65-101 — 37-65-131) › Section 37-65-117 - Elapsed time during closure not to be deducted from time schools are required to be operated during scholastic year

The period of time which may elapse during any closure of any school in accordance with the terms of this article, shall not be deducted or counted as a deduction from any period of time which by any other law of this state such school is required to be operated in any scholastic year. The provisions of any other law of this state setting a minimum time or number of days which any such school is required to be operated in any scholastic year shall not prevent the closure provided for in this article, and, in the event of any conflict between the terms of this article and any such other law, the provisions of this article shall control.
Codes, 1942, § 6232-52; Laws, 1960, ch. 316, § 12, eff. 4/27/1960.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 65 - CLOSING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING (§§ 37-65-1 — 37-65-131) › Article 3 - CLOSING PURSUANT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES' ORDER (§§ 37-65-101 — 37-65-131) › Section 37-65-121 - Copies of petition shall be forwarded to state superintendent of public education

A signed duplicate original copy or a photostatic or other reproduced copy, not a hand or typewritten copy, of the petition or petitions provided for in Section
37-65-119
, shall be sent by registered or certified mail to the state superintendent of public education on the day when one such copy shall have been filed with or delivered to the president or secretary of the board of trustees to which such petitions be directed. Such copy or copies above mentioned may be transmitted to the state superintendent of public education by the person or persons filing or delivering same to said president or secretary of said board of trustees and shall be accompanied by the oath of such person or persons as to such facts and the date or dates on which such action was done. If such is not done the original petition shall have no validity.
All duplicate original signed copies or other copy or copies of said petitions, as hereinabove provided for, shall be preserved for not less than one calendar year from the date of said filing and same shall be public records.
Codes, 1942, §§ 6232-43, 6232-45; Laws, 1960, ch. 316, §§ 3, 5, eff. 4/27/1960.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 65 - CLOSING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING (§§ 37-65-1 — 37-65-131) › Article 3 - CLOSING PURSUANT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES' ORDER (§§ 37-65-101 — 37-65-131) › Section 37-65-123 - "Qualified elector" defined

The words "qualified elector" or "qualified electors" for the purposes of this article, shall in addition to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section
37-65-119
, mean:
A person, who on the day he or she signs any petition provided for in the section, is properly registered and qualified to vote in a county wide election of the county if such were then held, according to the voter roll as electronically maintained in the Statewide Elections Management System in the office of the circuit clerk and registrar of the county, in which all or any part of the school district is located, and who is a resident of the school district in which one or more schools have been closed, and who (a) is qualified to vote in an election of a trustee of that school district, if any be elective and (b) if the school district be a municipal separate school district or a special municipal separate school district and such person lives within the corporate limits of the municipality then such person must be qualified to vote in a city wide election if such were held on the day he or she signs any petition herein provided for.
Codes, 1942, § 6232-43; Laws, 1960, ch. 316, § 3, eff. 4/27/1960.
Amended by Laws, 2017, ch. 441, HB 467, 185, eff. 7/1/2017.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 65 - CLOSING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING (§§ 37-65-1 — 37-65-131) › Article 3 - CLOSING PURSUANT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES' ORDER (§§ 37-65-101 — 37-65-131) › Section 37-65-125 - Details of petitions

No person shall sign any such petition or petitions provided for in Section
37-65-119
who is not a qualified elector. All petitions shall be signed in person. Opposite or under his name, every signer shall, in a manner readily identifiable with his name, give the following information: his post office and street address, if any; the name in or by which he is registered upon the county registration books; his occupation; where employed, if employed; the voting precinct where he last voted if he has voted within the last three years; if the school district includes part of two judicial districts and has two offices of the circuit clerk and registrar, he shall specify the municipality in which is located the circuit clerk's office where he is registered; and whether he is parent, natural or adoptive, or guardian, as the case may be, of a child or children enrolled in a school of the district and if so, the name of the child or children and the school in which said child or children may be enrolled. Any name signed to such a petition which does not give all information required above shall not constitute a valid signature to any such petition and shall be disregarded in computing the number of qualified electors who may have signed any such petition.
Codes, 1942, § 6232-43; Laws, 1960, ch. 316, § 3, eff. 4/27/1960.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 65 - CLOSING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING (§§ 37-65-1 — 37-65-131) › Article 3 - CLOSING PURSUANT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES' ORDER (§§ 37-65-101 — 37-65-131) › Section 37-65-127 - Board may act at regular or special meeting

Any action or order of the board of trustees provided for in this article or deemed necessary may be taken at any regular or special meeting thereof, held at the place where such board holds its regular meetings, or otherwise as provided in this article and at which a majority of the board of trustees shall be present.
Codes, 1942, § 6232-44; Laws, 1960, ch. 316, § 4, eff. 4/27/1960.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 65 - CLOSING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING (§§ 37-65-1 — 37-65-131) › Article 3 - CLOSING PURSUANT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES' ORDER (§§ 37-65-101 — 37-65-131) › Section 37-65-131 - Construction of article

The fact that the power and authority to close any one or more or all of the schools of any school district may, by some other law of the State of Mississippi, be vested in some other person or officer or board shall not cause this article and any other such law to be in conflict nor shall the same be construed to be in conflict with each other, and the power and authority vested in each such board or boards of trustees or person or officer may be exercised by each or either, independent of the other such board or boards or person or persons or officer or officers.
Codes, 1942, § 6232-53; Laws, 1960, ch. 316, § 13, eff. 4/27/1960.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 68 - EQUITY IN DISTANCE LEARNING ACT (§§ 37-68-1 — 37-68-15) › Section 37-68-1 - Title

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Equity in Distance Learning Act."
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 488, SB 3044,§ 1, (became law without the Governor's signature on July 9, 2020).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 68 - EQUITY IN DISTANCE LEARNING ACT (§§ 37-68-1 — 37-68-15) › Section 37-68-3 - Legislative findings and intent

(1)
The Mississippi Legislature finds the following:
(a)
The State of Emergency and ongoing public health crisis related to COVID-19 requires all schools to plan and implement distance learning programs, and plan to facilitate safe classroom and remote instruction;
(b)
The availability of unprecedented federal funding for distance learning has created a unique opportunity for schools to provide all students and teachers with better access to technology to enhance traditional classroom teaching; and
(c)
In recognition that every school's technology needs are different, this chapter establishes the Equity in Distance Learning Grant Program to require the Mississippi Department of Education and schools to expend funds on eligible expenses, within the relevant statutory provisions of this chapter and the regulations promulgated, in order to assist schools in expeditiously implementing distance learning programs and facilitating safe classroom and remote instruction.
(2)
Therefore, the intent of the Mississippi Legislature is:
(a)
To provide funding for devices and other technology, including technology related to connectivity and online access, sufficient for students, teachers, and administrators and other staff to engage in grade-appropriate distance learning aligned with the state's College and Career Readiness Standards, and provide funding for safe classroom or remote instruction; and
(b)
To provide funding for technical support and professional development to facilitate distance learning and safe classroom or remote instruction.
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 488, SB 3044,§ 3, (became law without the Governor's signature on July 9, 2020).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 68 - EQUITY IN DISTANCE LEARNING ACT (§§ 37-68-1 — 37-68-15) › Section 37-68-5 - Definition

For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context otherwise requires:
(a)
"Grant program" means the Equity in Distance Learning Grant Program established in this chapter.
(b)
"Department" means the Mississippi Department of Education.
(c)
"School" means public school districts, agricultural high schools, the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind, the Mississippi School of the Arts and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and public charter schools.
(d)
"COVID-19" means the Coronavirus Disease 2019.
(e)
"State of Emergency" means the State of Emergency declared by Executive Order of the Governor of the State of Mississippi on March 14, 2020, and any amendments thereto or subsequent orders or amendments thereto.
(f)
"Express Product List" or "EPL" means the compilation of vendors and products adopted by the department for use by schools for the purchase of devices, software, online tools, and other equipment and technology necessary to support distance learning.
(g)
"Learning management system" means a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs.
(h)
"Eligible expenses" means a cost incurred by a school, pursuant to this chapter, to facilitate or enhance distance learning capabilities under its distance learning plan, including:
(i)
The purchase of laptop computers, tablets, assisted learning devices or other devices which can be used personally by a student or teacher in their home or in the classroom;
(ii)
The purchase of learning management systems, software and other online tools;
(iii)
The purchase and installation of hardware to provide for or enhance the internet connectivity of a school's students, including the cost of establishing personal or centrally located hotspots;
(iv)
The enhancement of security related to devices or connectivity to comply with state and federal law, and to protect students, teachers and administrators and other staff working within the school;
(v)
The delivery of professional development related to use of devices, connectivity and other relevant components of distance learning for teachers, students and the wider community, including parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school; and
(vi)
Materials or equipment necessary to increase health and safety precautions in classrooms or other school facilities.
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 488, SB 3044,§ 4, (became law without the Governor's signature on July 9, 2020).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 68 - EQUITY IN DISTANCE LEARNING ACT (§§ 37-68-1 — 37-68-15) › Section 37-68-7 - Equity in Distance Learning Grant Program established; administration; purpose; basis for allocations; use of funds; supplemental matching funds

(1)
There is established the Equity in Distance Learning Grant Program which shall be administered by the department for the purpose of reimbursing schools for eligible expenses incurred in funding their distance learning plans, and in facilitating safe classroom and remote instruction.
(2)
Subject to appropriations by the Legislature, allocations to schools shall be made based on net enrollment, as defined in Section 37-151-201. For any school not funded under the total funding formula, the department shall calculate the net enrollment equivalent or fund the school based on enrollment.
(3)
Subject to the provisions of this chapter, and other applicable federal law and regulations, schools shall have the authority to use the funds provided in this grant program in a way which best facilitates their distance learning plan, and safe classroom or remote instruction.
(4)
Schools are highly encouraged to commit a portion of their federal ESSER funds, above the amount required by Section
37-68-11(b)
, as supplemental matching funds to offset the total cost of purchasing sufficient electronic devices, technological supports and systems of service for its distance learning plan.
Amended by Laws, 2024, ch. 484, HB 4130,§ 89, eff. 7/1/2024.
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 488, SB 3044,§ 5, (became law without the Governor's signature on July 9, 2020).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 68 - EQUITY IN DISTANCE LEARNING ACT (§§ 37-68-1 — 37-68-15) › Section 37-68-9 - Responsibilities and authority of the Department of Education

(1)
The department shall:
(a)
Inform each school of its portion of the funds appropriated to this grant program as provided for in Section
37-68-7(2)
.
(b)
Develop regulations and procedures to govern the administration of this grant program, to include:
(i)
A reimbursement process for schools to submit expenditures and receive reimbursement for eligible expenses from the department up to the total amount allocated to each school in Section
37-68-7
;
(ii)
Provide guidance to schools in the development of a technology sustainability plan, addressing how devices and other technology purchased and used by the school district, and students, teachers and other administrators and staff, will be maintained throughout their usage and replaced before the expiration of the term of their expected useful life;
(iii)
Provide guidance to schools in the development of a responsible use policy for students, teachers and administrators or other staff to govern the use of devices and other technology purchased under this grant program;
(c)
Provide guidance to schools on the development and implementation of a distance learning plan;
(d)
Solicit bid proposals from vendors to establish an EPL; and
(e)
Seek an emergency exemption from the procurement laws and bidding procedures established in Section
31-7-13
to expedite the compilation of an EPL and to minimize the cost of relevant devices or other technology for school districts through bulk purchasing.
(2)
The department may:
(a)
Revise the adopted EPL based upon purchasing demands as needed to provide schools with choice in the selection of the electronic devices; and
(b)
Use the federal ESSER funds set aside for administration of the program to administer this grant program, to the extent permissible under federal law.
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 488, SB 3044,§ 6, (became law without the Governor's signature on July 9, 2020).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 68 - EQUITY IN DISTANCE LEARNING ACT (§§ 37-68-1 — 37-68-15) › Section 37-68-13 - Equity in Distance Learning Fund created; use of funds; unobligated or unexpended funds; audit

(1)
(a)
There is created a special fund in the State Treasury, to be known as the "Equity in Distance Learning Fund," from which the grants authorized by this chapter shall be disbursed by the department. All monies shall be disbursed from the fund in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act. If on November 1, 2020, there are unobligated monies in the fund from either the department or schools, the department shall have the discretion to distribute the monies for eligible expenditures pursuant to the CARES Act to schools by application. However unexpended amounts of any monies unrelated to the Coronavirus Relief Fund, whether appropriated by the Legislature or donated by any public or private entity, remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the Budget Contingency Fund or the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the grant program fund shall be deposited to the credit of the grant program fund.
(b)
If on December 29, 2020, there are unexpended Coronavirus Relief Fund monies remaining in the fund, those funds shall lapse into the Budget Contingency Fund, to be transferred, by the State Fiscal Officer, into the Unemployment Compensation Fund on or before December 30, 2020.
(2)
The use of funds allocated under this grant program shall be subject to audit by the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor. Each school, or other entity or person receiving funds under this grant program, found to be fully or partially noncompliant with the requirements in this chapter, shall return to the state all or a portion of the funds received.
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 488, SB 3044,§ 2, (became law without the Governor's signature on July 9, 2020).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 68 - EQUITY IN DISTANCE LEARNING ACT (§§ 37-68-1 — 37-68-15) › Section 37-68-15 - Comprehensive report on use of funds and effectiveness of distance learning plans

The department shall provide a comprehensive report on the use of funds distributed under this grant program and the effectiveness of distance learning plans adopted by schools to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations and Education Committees by October 1, 2020.
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 488, SB 3044,§ 9, (became law without the Governor's signature on July 9, 2020).
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 69 - THE ENERGY ACADEMY ACT (§§ 37-69-1 — 37-69-7) › Section 37-69-1 - [Repealed effective 7/1/2025] Short title

This chapter shall be known as "The Energy Academy Act."
Reenacted without change by Laws, 2022, ch. 382, SB 2885,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2022.
Added by Laws, 2019, ch. 482, SB 2928,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2019.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 69 - THE ENERGY ACADEMY ACT (§§ 37-69-1 — 37-69-7) › Section 37-69-3 - [Repealed effective 7/1/2025] Intent

The intent of the Legislature is to provide an opportunity for motivated students to participate in a curriculum that will prepare them for a career of employment in the energy industry in their home state.
Reenacted without change by Laws, 2022, ch. 382, SB 2885,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2022.
Added by Laws, 2019, ch. 482, SB 2928,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2019.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 69 - THE ENERGY ACADEMY ACT (§§ 37-69-1 — 37-69-7) › Section 37-69-5 - [Repealed effective 7/1/2025] Definitions

For purposes of this chapter:
(a)
"The Board of Trustees" means the Board of Trustees of the Vicksburg-Warren School District.
(b)
"The Board of Education" means the Claiborne County Board of Education.
(c)
"Nuclear Facility" means any nuclear generating plant in the State of Mississippi.
(d)
"Energy Academy" means an energy high school created under this chapter.
(e)
"Partnership Council" means the Energy High School Academy Partnership Council.
(f)
"MDA" means the Mississippi Development Authority.
Reenacted without change by Laws, 2022, ch. 382, SB 2885,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2022.
Added by Laws, 2019, ch. 482, SB 2928,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2019.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 71 - MISSISSIPPI LEARN TO EARN ACT (§§ 37-71-1 — 37-71-11) › Section 37-71-1 - Short title

This chapter shall be known, and may be cited as the "Mississippi Learn to Earn Act."
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 401, HB 1336,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2020.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 71 - MISSISSIPPI LEARN TO EARN ACT (§§ 37-71-1 — 37-71-11) › Section 37-71-3 - Definitions

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a)
"Alternative learning course" or "alternative course, program or opportunity" means a sequence of instruction over a period of time that meets reasonably equivalent requirements or competencies of a subject or subjects included in the career and technical education curriculum included in the College and Career Readiness Standards, which results in the granting of a credit leading to high school graduation.
(b)
"Apprenticeship" means:
(i)
A program that meets the federal guidelines set out in 29 CFR Part 29, including Industry Programs; or
(ii)
An apprenticeship program that already exists or created by a Mississippi statute, rule or licensing authority.
(c)
"Board" means the State Board of Education.
(d)
"Department" means the State Department of Education.
(e)
"Licensing" means any required training, education, or fee to work in a specific profession.
(f)
"Licensing authority" means an agency, examining board, credentialing board, or other office with the authority to impose occupational fees or licensing requirements on any profession.
(g)
"Sponsoring organization" means any business, industry, whether public or private, nonprofit organization, for-profit organization or other appropriate entities that partner with a local school district or multiple districts to provide alternative learning courses through apprenticeships, internships or pre-apprenticeships, subject to guidelines prescribed by the State Board of Education.
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 401, HB 1336,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2020.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 71 - MISSISSIPPI LEARN TO EARN ACT (§§ 37-71-1 — 37-71-11) › Section 37-71-5 - Department and certain entities required to identify high-school-to-work apprenticeships or other student internship programs that may be eligible for exemptions from federal and state labor laws and regulations; and to establish procedures for obtaining exemptions

The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Employment Security, the State Workforce Investment Board, the Mississippi Community College Board, and any relevant licensing authority shall identify high-school-to-work apprenticeships and other student internship programs that may be eligible for exemptions from those federal and state labor laws and regulations for which exemptions are available for student apprenticeship programs. The State Board of Education, the Department of Employment Security, the State Workforce Investment Board and the Mississippi Community College Board shall also establish procedures by which such exemptions may be obtained for high-school-to-work apprenticeships and other student internship programs.
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 401, HB 1336,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2020.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 71 - MISSISSIPPI LEARN TO EARN ACT (§§ 37-71-1 — 37-71-11) › Section 37-71-9 - Applications from local school districts for implementation of alternative courses, programs and opportunities or apprenticeship programs; annual progress report

(1)
(a)
Following the adoption of the rule required in Section
37-71-7
, the department shall accept applications from local school districts for the implementation of alternative courses, programs and opportunities or apprenticeship programs. The department shall require an application for each alternative course, program or opportunity or apprenticeship program approved by a local school board to be implemented in its school district.
(b)
Upon receipt of an application, the department shall have ninety (90) days to approve or deny the application. Any denied application shall be returned to the submitting local school board and shall include an explanation of the reasons for denial of the application.
(2)
The State Department of Education shall provide an annual report detailing the progress that has been made in each school district in providing alternative courses, programs and opportunities or apprenticeships. The report shall be provided to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Education Committees no later than December 1 of each year, beginning December 1, 2021. The report also shall be provided to the other members of the Legislature upon request and posted on the department's website for the general public to view.
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 401, HB 1336,§ 5, eff. 7/1/2020.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 71 - MISSISSIPPI LEARN TO EARN ACT (§§ 37-71-1 — 37-71-11) › Section 37-71-11 - Criteria for grant of license to participating student applicants; establishment by licensing authorities of passing score for examinations; licensing fee

(1)
Beginning with July 1, 2020, a licensing authority shall grant a license to any student applicant who participates in an alternative learning course, program or opportunity or apprenticeship program, and who meets the following criteria:
(a)
Completed an apprenticeship in the licensed occupation or profession;
(b)
Attained a satisfactory industry certification score on the WorkKeys assessment, if such assessment is a required component of the alternative course or apprenticeship;
(c)
Passed an examination, if one is deemed to be necessary by the licensing authority; and
(d)
Paid any fees deemed necessary by the licensing authority.
(2)
Licensing authorities shall establish a passing score for their respective examinations which shall not exceed the passing score that is required under the standard licensing processes. If the relevant licensing authority or provision of law does not require an examination for the standard licensing process for an occupation, no examination may be required for applicants who complete an apprenticeship in that occupation.
(3)
Licensing authorities shall establish a licensing fee, which shall not exceed the licensing fee that is required under the standard licensing processes. If the relevant licensing authority or state does not require a fee for the standard licensing process for an occupation, no fee can be required for applicants who complete an apprenticeship in that occupation.
(4)
Except as otherwise required by federal law, apprenticeships for an occupation shall not be required to exceed the number of hours required by the relevant licensing authority or statute for that occupation.
(5)
Licensing authorities shall adopt necessary rules for the implementation of this section.
Added by Laws, 2020, ch. 401, HB 1336,§ 6, eff. 7/1/2020.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 73 - COMPREHENSIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION REFORM ACT (§§ 37-73-1 — 37-73-9) › Section 37-73-1 - Short title

The provisions of this chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Comprehensive Career and Technical Education Reform Act."
Added by Laws, 2022, ch. 370, HB 1388,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2022.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 73 - COMPREHENSIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION REFORM ACT (§§ 37-73-1 — 37-73-9) › Section 37-73-3 - Career coaching pilot program to support middle and high school students

(1)
Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, the Office of Workforce Development shall implement a career coaching program to support middle schools and high schools as students are exposed, prepared and connected to career avenues within and beyond the classroom setting. Through strong partnerships with economic and business leaders, paired with viable relationships with school districts, the career coaches shall target the alignment of students' strengths with intentional academic and work-based learning in pursuit of meaningful professional employment.
(2)
Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, the Office of Workforce Development, working through the Department of Employment Security as fiscal agent, shall establish rules and regulations to operate the career coaching program, which may include granting funds to eligible recipients such as state agencies, regional workforce entities and other nonprofits, to hire coaches. The Office of Workforce Development shall establish criteria for coaches and shall work with partner organizations to identify candidates and measure outcomes.
Amended by Laws, 2024, ch. 481, HB 1567,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Added by Laws, 2022, ch. 370, HB 1388,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2022.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 73 - COMPREHENSIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION REFORM ACT (§§ 37-73-1 — 37-73-9) › Section 37-73-5 - Alignment of career technical education courses across public school system and community college system

The Mississippi Department of Education shall work in conjunction with the Mississippi Community College Board to ensure alignment of career technical education courses across the public school system and community college system. If a community college chooses not to participate in the dual credit program or does not have certain courses available for participating students, eligible high school students may enroll in dual credit courses and attend such courses at the campus of another participating community college within the state.
Added by Laws, 2022, ch. 370, HB 1388,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2022.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 73 - COMPREHENSIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION REFORM ACT (§§ 37-73-1 — 37-73-9) › Section 37-73-7 - State Workforce Investment Board to create list of nationally recognized industry certifications; uses of list

The State Workforce Investment Board, by and through the Office of Workforce Development, shall create, in consultation with the Mississippi Department of Education, the Mississippi Community College Board, the Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit and other appropriate business and industry stakeholders, a single list of nationally recognized industry certifications for use in the Mississippi statewide accountability system, in diploma endorsement requirements and for reimbursement under Section
37-153-15
.
Added by Laws, 2022, ch. 370, HB 1388,§ 4, eff. 7/1/2022.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 97 - ATHLETICS (§§ 37-97-1 — 37-97-109) › Article 1 - DESIGNATION OF TEAMS BY SEX (§§ 37-97-1 — 37-97-5) › Section 37-97-1 - Designation of athletic teams based on biological sex

(1)
Interscholastic or intramural athletic teams or sports that are sponsored by a public primary or secondary school or any school that is a member of the Mississippi High School Activities Association or public institution of higher education or any higher education institution that is a member of the NCAA, NAIA or NJCCA shall be expressly designated as one of the following based on biological sex:
(a)
"Males," "men" or "boys";
(b)
"Females," "women" or "girls"; or
(c)
"Coed" or "mixed."
(2)
Athletic teams or sports designated for "females," "women" or "girls" shall not be open to students of the male sex.
Added by Laws, 2021, ch. 309, SB 2536,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2021.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 97 - ATHLETICS (§§ 37-97-1 — 37-97-109) › Article 1 - DESIGNATION OF TEAMS BY SEX (§§ 37-97-1 — 37-97-5) › Section 37-97-3 - Protection for educational institutions for maintaining separate athletic teams or sports for female sex

A government entity, any licensing or accrediting organization, or any athletic association or organization shall not entertain a complaint, open an investigation, or take any other adverse action against a primary or secondary school or institution of higher education for maintaining separate interscholastic or intramural athletic teams or sports for students of the female sex.
Added by Laws, 2021, ch. 309, SB 2536,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2021.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 97 - ATHLETICS (§§ 37-97-1 — 37-97-109) › Article 1 - DESIGNATION OF TEAMS BY SEX (§§ 37-97-1 — 37-97-5) › Section 37-97-5 - Cause of action

Any student who is deprived of an athletic opportunity or suffers any direct or indirect harm as a result of a violation of this article shall have a private cause of action.
Added by Laws, 2021, ch. 309, SB 2536,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2021.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 97 - ATHLETICS (§§ 37-97-1 — 37-97-109) › Article 3 - MISSISSIPPI INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS COMPENSATION AND PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT (§§ 37-97-101 — 37-97-109) › Section 37-97-101 - Short title

This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi Intercollegiate Athletics Compensation and Publicity Rights Act."
Amended by Laws, 2024, ch. 378, SB 2417,§ 1, eff. 4/18/2024.
Added by Laws, 2021, ch. 444, SB 2313,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2021.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 97 - ATHLETICS (§§ 37-97-1 — 37-97-109) › Article 3 - MISSISSIPPI INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS COMPENSATION AND PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT (§§ 37-97-101 — 37-97-109) › Section 37-97-103 - Definitions

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a)
"Compensation" means any remuneration, in cash or in kind, whether provided at the time or at any subsequent date, to a student-athlete.
For the purposes of this article, "compensation" shall not mean any grant, scholarship, fellowship, tuition assistance, or other form of financial aid provided to a student for pursuing a post-secondary education.
(b)
"Intercollegiate athletics program" means an intercollegiate athletics sport played at the collegiate level for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student-athlete are established by a national association , conference or any other group or organization with authority over the sport, that promotes or regulates collegiate athletics.
(c)
" Publicity Rights" means any right associated with the name, image, likeness, publicity, reputation, fame, or personal following of a student recognized under federal or state law as permitting an individual to control or profit from the use of the same.
(d)
"Postsecondary educational institution" means a public university or community college or private university or college.
(e)
"Student-athlete" means an individual who is enrolled in or has signed a National Letter of Intent or other written agreement to enroll in a postsecondary educational institution or is being recruited by a postsecondary educational institution to participate in an intercollegiate athletics program. If an individual is permanently ineligible to participate in a particular intercollegiate sport, the individual is not a student-athlete for purposes of that sport.
(f)
"Third party" means any individual or entity or group of the same other than a postsecondary educational institution, including a charitable organization that qualifies as an exempt organization under
26 USC Section 501(c)(3)
, as amended.
Amended by Laws, 2024, ch. 378, SB 2417,§ 2, eff. 4/18/2024.
Amended by Laws, 2022, ch. 455, SB 2690,§ 1, eff. 4/18/2022.
Added by Laws, 2021, ch. 444, SB 2313,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2021.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 97 - ATHLETICS (§§ 37-97-1 — 37-97-109) › Article 3 - MISSISSIPPI INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS COMPENSATION AND PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT (§§ 37-97-101 — 37-97-109) › Section 37-97-109 - Limitation of liability of postsecondary educational institutions

(1)
No postsecondary educational institution or any officer, trustee, or employee of a postsecondary educational institution shall be subject to a claim for damages related to their adoption, implementation, or enforcement of any contract, rule, regulation, standard or other requirement in compliance with this chapter. This chapter is not intended to and shall not waive or diminish any applicable defenses and immunities, including, without limitation, sovereign immunity applicable to public postsecondary educational institutions.
(2)
A national association, a conference or any other group or organization with authority over the sport, that promotes or regulates collegiate athletics at a postsecondary educational institution to which this chapter applies shall not:
(a)
Enforce a contract term, a rule, a regulation, a standard, a bylaw, guidance, or any other requirement that penalizes the institution, the institution's intercollegiate athletics program, or student-athlete for performing, participating in, or allowing an activity required or authorized by this chapter;
(b)
Prevent a postsecondary educational institution from or penalize it for establishing agreements with a third-party entity to act on the institution's behalf to identify, create, solicit, facilitate, negotiate, support, assist, and otherwise enable opportunities for a student-athlete to earn compensation from their publicity rights; or
(c)
Penalize a postsecondary educational institution because an individual or entity whose purpose includes supporting and benefiting the postsecondary institution or its intercollegiate athletic programs violates any contract term, a rule, a regulation, a standard, a bylaw, guidance, or any other requirement that is in conflict with actions required or authorized by this chapter.
(3)
A person or entity, regardless of residence, shall not give or promise compensation for the use of publicity rights of a student-athlete that is currently enrolled in or has signed a National Letter of Intent or other written agreement to enroll in a postsecondary educational institution within the State of Mississippi with the purpose of recruiting or inducing the student-athlete to enroll at another postsecondary educational institution.
Amended by Laws, 2024, ch. 378, SB 2417,§ 5, eff. 4/18/2024.
Added by Laws, 2021, ch. 444, SB 2313,§ 7, eff. 7/1/2021.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 99 - POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION: PROVISIONS COMMON TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES (§§ 37-99-1 — 37-99-3) › Section 37-99-1 - Adoption of policies by boards of trustees of institutions of higher learning and community and junior colleges that award educational credit to student veterans for certain courses that are part of military training or service

(1)
The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the boards of trustees of the community and junior colleges shall adopt policies requiring the award of educational credits to any student who is enrolled in a public institution of higher learning, community or junior college, and is also a veteran, for courses that are part of the student's military training or service, that meet the standards of the American Council on Education or equivalent standards for awarding academic credit, and that are determined by the academic department or appropriate faculty of the awarding institution to be equivalent in content or experience to courses at that institution. Credits shall be awarded in accordance with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges standards.
(2)
Each board shall adopt the necessary rules, regulations and procedures to implement the provisions of this section, effective no later than the 2020-2021 academic year and continuing thereafter.
Added by Laws, 2019, ch. 416, SB 2053,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2019.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 99 - POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION: PROVISIONS COMMON TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES (§§ 37-99-1 — 37-99-3) › Section 37-99-3 - [Public institution of higher learning, community or junior college to provide free transcripts to eligible children]

(1)
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this subsection, unless context of use clearly requires otherwise:
(a)
"Department" means the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.
(b)
"Eligible child" means:
(i)
Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was placed in the legal custody of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services by a youth court or through other legal means and who was in the legal custody of the department at any time;
(ii)
Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was placed in a qualified residential child care agency by a parent, legal guardian, court of competent jurisdiction, or other person or entity acting in the best interest of the individual and who did reside in a qualified residential child care agency at any time; or
(iii)
Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was adopted from the department's legal custody or adopted while residing at a qualified residential child care agency as described in paragraph (c) of this subsection at any time.
(c)
"Qualified residential child care agency" means an entity that provides a home for children and was licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services at the time that the eligible child was housed by the agency.
(2)
The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the boards of trustees of the community and junior colleges shall adopt policies requiring each public institution of higher learning, community or junior college to provide free transcripts to an eligible child when requested.
Added by Laws, 2024, ch. 381, SB 2244,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 101 - INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 37-101-1 — 37-101-415) › IN GENERAL (§§ 37-101-1 — 37-101-30) › Section 37-101-1 - Management of state institutions of higher learning

The following state institutions of higher learning shall be under the management and control of a board of trustees to be known as the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, namely:
(a)
The University of Mississippi;
(b)
Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science;
(c)
Mississippi University for Women;
(d)
The University of Southern Mississippi;
(e)
Delta State University;
(f)
Alcorn State University;
(g)
Jackson State University;
(h)
Mississippi Valley State University;
(i)
And any other of like kind which may be hereafter established by the state.
Codes, 1942, § 6719; Laws, 1932, ch. 127; Laws, 1944, ch. 262, § 2.
Amended by Laws, 2023, ch. 410, HB 922,§ 1, eff. 3/22/2023.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 37 - EDUCATION (§§ 37-NEW-001 — 37-NEW01-004) › Chapter 101 - INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 37-101-1 — 37-101-415) › IN GENERAL (§§ 37-101-1 — 37-101-30) › Section 37-101-2 - Welfare Policy Institute

There is hereby established within the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning a Welfare Policy Institute at a campus location to be designated by the board of trustees. The purpose of the institute shall be to research and gather empirical information regarding the social and welfare programs authorized under Sections 37-101-2,
43-1-8
,
43-1-10
,
43-1-30
,
43-13-115
,
43-17-1
,
43-17-5
and
43-49-1
through
43-49-15
and to write grant proposals regarding the policy implications of such program.
Laws, 1993, ch. 614 § 16, eff. 4/15/1993.