MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative Ellis

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PERSONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998.  

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

SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much of it as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Department of Human Services for the purpose of funding services for elderly persons, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997 and ending June 30, 1998.......................................$1,000,000.00.

SECTION 2. (1) The funds appropriated by Section 1 of this act shall be expended for services, such as homemakers, home health care and meals, which are designed to keep the elderly active and in their homes.

(2) The Department of Human Services shall allocate the funds appropriated by Section 1 of this act among the ten (10) regional planning and development districts in the state as follows:

(a) The following amount shall be allocated equally among the planning and development districts ....................................................$ 500,000.00.

(b) The following amount shall be allocated proportionately among the planning and development districts on the basis that the number of persons sixty-five (65) years of age or older who reside in each planning and development district bears to the total number of persons sixty-five (65) years of age or older in the state..$ 500,000.00.

(3) The planning and development districts shall provide the funds received from the Department of Human Services under this act to the Area Agencies on Aging within each district and the Area Agencies on Aging shall provide the services required by this act.

(4) The Department of Human Services shall pay the funds appropriated to it by this act directly to the planning and development districts in twelve (12) equal installments. Not more than five percent (5%) of the funds appropriated by this act shall be used for the payment of administrative costs of the Department of Human Services, the planning and development districts or the Area Agencies on Aging.

SECTION 3. The money appropriated by this act shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.