MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Rules; Appropriations

By: Representatives Dortch, Hines, Paden

House Concurrent Resolution 81

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE DEADLINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF REQUESTING THE DRAFTING, AND THE INTRODUCTION, CONSIDERATION AND PASSAGE, OF A BILL ENTITLED "AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO PROVIDE PAID LEAVE TO ANY PERSON WHO IS UNABLE TO WORK BECAUSE THE PERSON HAS BEEN CONFIRMED WITH COVID-19, THE PERSON'S EMPLOYER HAS SUSPENDED OR DISCONTINUED BUSINESS DUE TO COVID-19, THE PERSON'S EMPLOYER HAS REDUCED HIS OR HER WORK HOURS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 OR THE PERSON IS UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO LACK OF CHILD CARE AS A RESULT OF SCHOOL AND CHILD CARE CLOSINGS OR SUSPENSION AND SUCH PERSON IS NOT PAID FOR THE LOSS OF WORK HOURS, AS APPLICABLE; TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO HOSPITALS AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS FOR THE PROVISION OF FREE TESTING AND TREATMENT TO PERSONS EXPOSED TO COVID-19; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAID TO SEEK ALL FEDERAL WAIVERS THAT WOULD ALLOW UNINSURED MISSISSIPPIANS TO HAVE COVID-19 TESTING AND TREATMENT; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT TO CHILD CARE OPERATORS DURING THE ENTIRE TIME THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 CRISES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES."

     BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That the Joint Rules of the House and the Senate, including all the deadlines and other provisions imposed by Joint Rule No. 40, are suspended for the purpose of requesting the drafting, and the introduction, consideration and passage, of a bill entitled "AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO PROVIDE PAID LEAVE TO ANY PERSON WHO IS UNABLE TO WORK BECAUSE THE PERSON HAS BEEN CONFIRMED WITH COVID-19, THE PERSON'S EMPLOYER HAS SUSPENDED OR DISCONTINUED BUSINESS DUE TO COVID-19, THE PERSON'S EMPLOYER HAS REDUCED HIS OR HER WORK HOURS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 OR THE PERSON IS UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO LACK OF CHILD CARE AS A RESULT OF SCHOOL AND CHILD CARE CLOSINGS OR SUSPENSION AND SUCH PERSON IS NOT PAID FOR THE LOSS OF WORK HOURS FOR SUCH REASON, AS APPLICABLE; TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO HOSPITALS AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS FOR THE PROVISION OF FREE TESTING AND TREATMENT TO PERSONS EXPOSED TO COVID-19; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAID TO SEEK ALL FEDERAL WAIVERS THAT WOULD ALLOW UNINSURED MISSISSIPPIANS TO HAVE COVID-19 TESTING AND TREATMENT; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT TO CHILD CARE OPERATORS DURING THE ENTIRE TIME THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 CRISES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES."