MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Senator(s) Smith

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-1-30, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT IMPLEMENTATION COUNCIL, TO SERVE AS THE SINGLE STATE ADVISORY AND REVIEW COUNCIL FOR ASSURING MISSISSIPPI'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK OPPORTUNITY RECONCILIATION ACT OF 1996 (PUBLIC LAW 104-193) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT FEDERAL MEDICAID BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 43-1-30, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-1-30. (1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Federal Block Grant Implementation Council. It shall serve as the independent, single state advisory and review council for assuring Mississippi's compliance with the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193), as amended, and any subsequent federal Medicaid block grant program. The council shall further cooperation between government, education and the private sector in meeting the needs of the block grant program. It shall also further cooperation between the business and labor communities, education and training delivery systems, and between businesses in developing highly skilled workers for high skill, high paying jobs in Mississippi.

(2) The council shall be comprised of fifteen (15) public members and certain voting ex officio members. All public members of the council shall be appointed as follows by the Governor:

Ten (10) members shall be representatives from business and industry, provided that no fewer than five (5) members are from the manufacturing and industry sector who are also serving as members of private industry councils established within the state pursuant to the federal TANF program. Five (5) members shall be recipients of block grant assistance programs appointed one (1) each from the Mississippi Congressional districts, one (1) of which shall represent a Mississippi Head Start agency and one (1) of which shall represent a community action agency. The ex officio members of the council shall consist of the following, or their designees:

(a) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services;

(b) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission;

(c) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development;

(d) The State Superintendent of Education;

(e) The Director of the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges; * * *

(f) The Commissioner of Higher Education;

(g) The Director of the Division of Medicaid;

(h) The Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Correction;

(i) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation;

(j) The Commissioner of Insurance;

(k) The State Health Officer;

(l) The Executive Director of the Department of Mental Health;

(m) The Commissioner of Public Safety; and

(n) The Director of the Administrative Officer of Courts.

(3) The Governor shall designate one (1) public member to serve as chairman of the council for a term of two (2) years and until a successor as chairman is appointed and qualified.

(4) The term of office for public members appointed by the Governor shall be four (4) years and until their successors are appointed and qualified.

(5) Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by the Governor in the manner of the original appointment, unless otherwise specified in this section.

(6) Public members shall receive a per diem as authorized in Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, for each day actually engaged in meetings of the council, and shall be reimbursed for mileage and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, as provided in Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(7) The council shall:

(a) Annually review and recommend policies and programs to the Governor and the Legislature that will implement and meet federal requirements under the TANF program and any subsequent federal Medicaid block grant legislation.

(b) Annually review and recommend policies and programs to the Governor and to the Legislature that will enable citizens of Mississippi to acquire the skills necessary to maximize their economic self-sufficiency.

(c) Review the provision of services and the use of funds and resources under applicable federal TANF and subsequent federal Medicaid block grant programs, and under all state-financed job training and job retraining programs, and advise the Governor and the Legislature on methods of coordinating such provision of services and use of funds and resources consistent with the laws and regulations governing such programs.

(d) The council shall assist in developing outcome and output measures to measure the success of the Department of Human Services' efforts in implementing the TANF programs and any subsequent federal Medicaid block grant program. These recommendations shall be made to the Department of Human Services at such times as required in the event that the department implements new programs to comply with the TANF program requirements, or subsequent federal block grant requirements.

(8) A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of meetings and all actions of the council shall be by a majority of the members present at a meeting.

(9) The council shall adopt rules and regulations as it deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this section and under applicable federal human resources programs.

(10) The council may make and enter into contracts and interagency agreements as may be necessary and proper.

(11) The council is authorized to commit and expend monies appropriated to it by the Legislature for its authorized purposes. The council is authorized to solicit, accept and expend public and private gifts, grants, awards and contributions related to furtherance of its statutory duties.

(12) Funds for the operations of the council shall be derived from federal funds for the operation of state councils pursuant to applicable federal human resources programs and from such other monies appropriated to it by the Legislature.

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