MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Representatives Dedeaux, Banks, Barnett (116th), Barnett (92nd), Broomfield, Cummings, Davis (7th), Eaton, Ellzey, Flaggs, Formby, Franks, Fredericks, Frierson, Gadd, Gibbs, Grist, Guice, Hamilton, Henderson (26th), Henderson (9th), Holland, Hudson, Janus, Ketchings, Livingston, Manning, Maples, Martinson, McInnis, Miles, Miller, Moak, Moss, Myers, Peranich, Read, Robertson, Rogers, Rotenberry, Saucier, Short, Simpson, Smith (35th), Watson, Weathersby, Woods

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Mississippi Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Council, the purpose of which is to develop for the Legislature a comprehensive plan to reduce the teenage pregnancy rate and out-of-wedlock births in Mississippi and to use state agency resources in the most effective manner in order to effectuate the goals of the plan. The council shall develop and submit the comprehensive plan to the Legislature by September 1, 1998. After the plan is submitted to the Legislature, the council shall act in an advisory capacity to the Legislature for the implementation of the plan. The council shall be abolished on July 1, 1999.

(2) The council shall consist of ten (10) members, five (5) to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and five (5) to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. The Speaker and Lieutenant Governor each shall appoint one (1) member from each congressional district. The members shall be persons who have education, experience or special interest in teenage pregnancy reduction. At its first meeting, the council shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from its membership, and shall adopt rules for transacting its business and keeping records.

(3) The council shall be assigned to the State Department of Health for administrative purposes only, and the department shall designate staff to assist the council. The council may solicit grants, donations and other funds, and may accept and expend any such funds that are made available to the council to carry out its purpose. The council may not expend more than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), from any state funds that may be appropriated, in any fiscal year for postage and stationery. Members of the council shall not receive per diem for their service on the council, but may receive, within any funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the council, reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while engaged in official business of the council.

(4) The Attorney General shall assign legal counsel to provide legal assistance at all council meetings and at other times as requested by the council.

(5) All meetings of the council shall be open to the public, with opportunities for public comment provided on a regular basis. Notice of all meetings shall be given as provided in the Open Meetings Act (Section 25-41-1 et seq.). Notice of the meetings also shall be given to the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate, who shall notify the members of the Legislature.

(6) All agencies, departments, offices and institutions of the state, including the state universities and the community and junior colleges, shall cooperate with the council in carrying out its purpose, and shall provide the council with such assistance as requested by the council.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.