MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Nunnelee, Frazier

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CREATE A JOINT STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE CHILD ADOPTION SYSTEM OF THIS STATE AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THEREON TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That:

(1) There is hereby created a joint study committee on the child adoption system of Mississippi. The committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature to the 1998 Regular Legislative Session, including any recommended legislation.

(2) The committee shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, or his designee.

(b) The Chairman of the House Public Health and Welfare Committee, or his designee.

(c) The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, or his designee.

(d) The Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, or his designee.

(e) The Chairman of the Senate Juvenile Justice and School Violence Committee, or his designee.

(f) The Chairman of the House Juvenile Justice and School Violence Committee, or his designee.

(g) The Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, or his designee.

(h) The Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, or his designee.

(i) The Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, or his designee.

(j) The Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, or his designee.

(k) The Executive Director of the Department of Human Services.

(l) Three (3) representatives of the general public, one (1) designated by the Governor, one (1) by the Lieutenant Governor and one (1) by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the adoption of this resolution by the Legislature, and, within fifteen (15) days thereafter on a day to be designated jointly by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House, the committee shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chairman and a vice-chairman. The vice-chairman shall also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the committee. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the committee shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices to be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the date on which a meeting is to be held.

(3) The committee shall study and make recommendations with respect to the child adoption system in Mississippi, including, but not limited to, incentives and disincentives in the adoption process and foster care system.

(4) Members of the committee who are not legislators, state officials or state employees shall be compensated at the per diem rate authorized by Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, and shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, for mileage and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Legislative members of the committee shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same manner as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem or expense for attending meetings of the committee will be paid while the Legislature is in session. No committee member may incur per diem, travel or other expenses unless previously authorized by vote, at a meeting of the committee, which action shall be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting. Non-legislative members shall be paid from any funds made available to the committee for that purpose.

(5) The committee shall utilize clerical and legal staff already employed by the Legislature and any other staff assistance made available to it by the Department of Human Services, or otherwise. To effectuate the purpose of this resolution, any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or of any political subdivision thereof shall, at the request of the chairman of the committee, provide to the committee such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the committee properly to carry out its task.

(6) Upon presentation of its report to the 1998 Regular Legislative Session, the committee shall be dissolved.