Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 32 - Rehabilitation And Disabilities › Part 21 - Vocational Rehabilitation Policy and Resource Guide › Chapter 1 - Mission and Assurances › Section 32-21-1-1.4 - PUBLIC HEARING PROCEEDINGS ON PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES THAT SUBSTANTIALLY IMPACT SERVICES TO CLIENTS

Current through June 25, 2024
1. Scope. - The
				following policy and procedures apply to all public hearings held for the
				purpose of providing the public with an opportunity to make oral presentations
				on proposed new policies and amendments to existing policies before the
				Department (MDRS) that substantially impact services to clients.
2. When Public Hearing Proceedings will be
				Scheduled on Proposed Policies. The Department will conduct a public hearing
				proceeding within thirty (30) days after the first notice of public hearing is
				run in certain regional and statewide newspapers on proposed policy or
				amendment to existing policies that substantially impact services to
				clients.
3. Requested Format. Each
				request to comment must be printed or typewritten, or must be in legible
				handwriting. Each request to comment must be submitted on standard business
				letter-size paper (8-1/2 inches by 11 inches). Requests to comment may be in
				the form of a letter addressed to the MDRS Executive Director and signed by the
				requestor(s).
4. Notification of
				Public Hearing Proceedings. The date, time and place of all public hearing
				proceedings will be announced via notice in certain regional and statewide
				newspapers, public service announcements via Mississippi Public Radio, notice
				on the MDRS website, and press releases to numerous consumer organizations who
				represent or serve people with disabilities. The public hearing proceeding will
				be scheduled within thirty (30) days after the first notice of public hearing
				is run in certain regional and statewide newspapers.
5. Presiding Officer. The Executive Director,
				or his/her designee, who is familiar with the substance of the proposed policy,
				shall preside at the public hearing proceeding on a proposed policy.
6. Public Presentations and Participation.
a. At a public hearing proceeding on a
				proposed policy, persons may make oral statements and make documentary and
				physical submissions, which may include data, views, comments or arguments
				concerning the proposed policy.
b.
				Persons wishing to make oral presentations at such a proceeding shall notify
				the Department at least one business day prior to the proceeding and indicate
				the general subject of their presentations. The presiding officer at his or her
				discretion may allow individuals to participate that have not previously
				contacted the Department.
c. At the
				proceeding, those who participate shall indicate their names and addresses,
				identify any persons or organizations they may represent, and provide any other
				information relating to their participation deemed appropriate by the presiding
				officer.
d. The presiding officer
				may place time limitations on individual oral presentations when necessary to
				assure the orderly and expeditious conduct of the public hearing proceeding. To
				encourage joint oral presentations and to avoid repetition, additional time may
				be provided for persons whose presentations represent the views of other
				individuals as well as their own views.
e. Persons making oral presentations are
				encouraged to avoid restating matters that have already been submitted in
				writing.
f. There shall be no
				interruption of a participant who has been given the floor by the presiding
				officer, except that the presiding officer may in his or her discretion
				interrupt or end the participant's time where the orderly conduct of the
				proceeding so requires.