MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations

By: Representative Scott (80th)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO USE ANY OF THE SAVINGS TO THE TANF PROGRAM THAT RESULTS FROM A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF TANF RECIPIENTS TO FUND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR TANF RECIPIENTS WHO DESIRE TO ATTEND COLLEGE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 43-17-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-17-7. (1) The state department shall:

(a) Supervise the administration of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program under this chapter by the county departments;

(b) Make such rules and regulations and take such action as may be necessary or desirable for carrying out the provisions of this chapter. All rules and regulations made by the state department shall be binding on the counties and shall be complied with by the respective county departments;

(c) Prescribe the form of, and print and supply to the county departments such forms as it may deem necessary and advisable;

(d) Cooperate with the federal government in matters of mutual concern pertaining to the TANF program;

(e) Make such reports in such form and containing such information as the federal government may from time to time require, and comply with such provisions as the federal government may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports;

(f) Publish an annual report and such interim reports as may be necessary;

(g) Establish rules and regulations restricting the use or disclosure of information, records, papers, files and communications concerning applicants and recipients to purposes directly connected with the administration of the TANF program, in compliance with federal law;

(h) When the state agency has reason to believe that the home in which a relative and child receiving TANF assistance reside is unsuitable for the child because of the neglect, abuse or exploitation of such child, the state department shall bring such condition to the attention of the appropriate court or law enforcement agencies, and provide such data with respect to the situation as the department may have;

(i) As required by federal law, to provide for the development and implementation of a program under which the department will undertake, in the case of a child born out of wedlock who is receiving TANF assistance authorized herein, to establish the paternity of such child and secure support for him; and, in the case of any child receiving TANF assistance from the department who has been deserted or abandoned by his parent, to secure support for such child from such parent (or from any other person legally liable for such support), utilizing any reciprocal arrangements adopted with other states to obtain or enforce court orders for support;

(j) Provide for entering into cooperative arrangements with appropriate courts and law enforcement officials to assist the department in administering the program referred to in paragraph (i), including the entering into of financial arrangements with such courts and officials in order to assure optimum results under such program, and with respect to any other matters of common concern to such courts or officials in the department;

(k) Use any of the savings to the TANF program that results from a reduction in the number of TANF recipients, because of the recipients' employment as provided for under this chapter or for any other reason, to fund post-secondary education assistance for TANF recipients who desire to attend college.

(2) The Department of Human Services shall include the following agencies currently providing services to TANF and food stamp recipients in any planning activities with respect thereto, and those agencies shall cooperate with the department and provide information as necessary in order to ensure the full utilization of all economic assistance programs: the State Department of Mental Health, the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Mississippi Department of Corrections, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the State Department of Public Safety, the Division of Medicaid, the State Department of Health and the State Department of Education.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.