MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Manning

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO ENROLL PERSONS WHO WILL NOT GRADUATE BEFORE AGE 21; TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAKE EXCEPTIONS TO THE AGE REQUIREMENT; TO EXEMPT PERSONS HAVING SPECIAL NEEDS FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) No school district shall be required to enroll any person in Grades K-12 unless, in the determination of the local school board, the person has a reasonable chance of graduating from high school before attaining the age of twenty-one (21) years. However, the local school board, in its discretion, may authorize the enrollment of a person who is not able to graduate before attaining the age of twenty-one (21) years if, in the school board's determination, the enrollment of such person would be in his and the school district's best interest.

(2) This section shall not apply to persons who are: working towards meeting the requirements for a special diploma or special certificate of completion; enrolled in a special educational assistance program; or enrolled in any program for exceptional children.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this act shall be codified as a separate section in Chapter 15, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.