MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations

By: Representative Fleming

House Bill 21

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM OF REIMBURSEMENT TO CHILD CARE FACILITIES FOR THE COST OF OBTAINING CRIMINAL RECORDS BACKGROUND CHECKS AND CHILD ABUSE REGISTRY CHECKS FOR OPERATORS, CAREGIVERS AND RESIDENTS OF THE FACILITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  There is established a program of reimbursement to child care facilities for the cost of obtaining criminal records background checks and child abuse registry checks for operators, caregivers and residents of the facilities as required under Section 43-20-8.

     (2)  The reimbursement program shall be administered by the Office of Family and Children's Services of the Department of Human Services.  The department shall adopt such rules and regulations as necessary for the administration of the program.  The maximum amount of reimbursement for any one (1) licensed child care facility is Three Hundred Fifty Dollars ($350.00).

     (3)  There is created in the State Treasury a special fund, in which any funds made available for the reimbursement program will be maintained.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.