Senate Bill 2167

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EARLY INTERVENTION TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE IDEA PART C EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEM IN MISSISSIPPI AND MISSISSIPPI'S LAWS REGARDING EARLY INTERVENTION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE GOALS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASK FORCE; TO REQUIRE THE TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP AND REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO THE LEGISLATURE ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2023; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby established the "Early Intervention Task Force to Study the IDEA Part C Early Intervention System in Mississippi and Mississippi's Laws Regarding Early Intervention." The goal of the task force shall be to develop a recommendation to the Legislature on reforming the current early intervention system and laws in Mississippi, with a goal of increasing access to services for children from birth to age three (3) through a robust First Steps Early Intervention Program. The task force may propose legislation and rule changes based upon its recommendation.

(2) The members of the task force shall be as follows:

(a) The Chairmen of the Public Health Committees of the Mississippi Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives, or his or her designee from their respective committee membership;

(b) The Chairmen of the Appropriations Committees of the Mississippi Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives, or his or her designee from their respective committee membership;

(c) The Chairmen of the Education Committees of the Mississippi Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives, or his or her designee from their respective committee membership;

(d) One (1) member of the Mississippi State Senate, to be named by the Lieutenant Governor; and one (1) member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, to be named by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who are interested in early intervention issues;

(e) The State Health Officer of the Mississippi Department of Health or a designated deputy;

(f) One (1) designee that is a direct service provider in the First Steps Early Intervention Program, to be named by the State Health Officer;

(g) One (1) faculty member from the Social Science Research Center (SSRC) at Mississippi State University, to be named by the Director of the SSRC;

(h) One (1) developmental-behavioral pediatrician with expertise in early childhood systems building, to be named by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mississippi Medical Center;

(i) One (1) general pediatrician, to be named by the Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics;

(j) One (1) clinical psychologist with expertise in social-emotional health of infants and toddlers, to be named by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mississippi Medical Center;

(k) One (1) school psychologist, to be named by the Mississippi Association of Psychologists in the Schools;

(l) One (1) early interventionist/development therapist, to be named by the State Health Officer;

(m) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance;

(n) One (1) family advocacy representative to be appointed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities;

(o) One (1) parent representative with current experience with early intervention to be appointed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities;

(p) One (1) faculty member from the College of Health Sciences at Jackson State University, to be named by the president of such university; and

(q) One (1) pediatrician, to be named by the Mississippi Region of the National Medical Association.

(3) A faculty member from each of the universities within the institutions of higher learning with an early childhood development program or early intervention program may be named by the president of each university to assist the task force.

(4) The task force shall meet within forty-five (45) days of the effective date of this act and shall evaluate the current early intervention laws in Mississippi. Specifically, the task force shall:

(a) Evaluate early intervention infrastructure in Mississippi and in states with better performance outcomes as compared to Mississippi, study the employment structures of early intervention systems and evaluate eligibility requirements to support serving more children within the early intervention system;

(b) Review billing and reimbursement processes and rates for early intervention services in Mississippi and in other states, to ensure a timely receipt of payment to providers;

(c) Explore options for an ideal location where early intervention services should be housed to reduce barriers to implementation;

(d) Study early intervention service delivery models used in surrounding states, including a university-based hub model and evaluate how this model may impact the training of students and future professionals;

(e) Access the efficiency of telemedicine for initial evaluations and therapeutic services deemed clinically appropriate;

(f) Explore the benefits of including additional service providers within the early intervention service delivery system;

(g) Review the Comprehensive Systems of Personnel Development (CSPD) and the quantity, quality and effectiveness of the early intervention workforce; explore the feasibility of funding a CSPD Coordinator within a state agency to assist in ensuring all early intervention providers meet competencies for serving young children;

(h) Explore the feasibility of developing an Office of Early Childhood and provide recommendations on this approach; and

(i) Review any other matters related to the above issues or related to early intervention services.

(5) The task force may request the assistance of the Mississippi Department of Health, the Social Sciences Research Center at Mississippi State University, the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance or any other related entity or organization with expertise in early intervention services.

(6) The members of the task force shall elect a Chair from among the members. The task force shall develop and report its findings and recommendations for proposed legislation to the Legislature and proposed rule changes to the Mississippi Department of Health on or before December 1, 2023. A quorum of the membership shall be required to approve any final report and recommendation. Members of the task force shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expense in the same manner as public employees are reimbursed for official duties from any available funds and members of the Legislature shall be reimbursed in the same manner as for attending out-of-session committee meetings.

(7) The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review shall provide necessary clerical support for the meetings of the task force and the preparation of the report. Proposed legislation shall be prepared by the Legislative Services Offices of the Senate and House as requested.

(8) The task force shall be dissolved upon presentation of its report.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.