MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Corrections; Appropriations A
By: Representative Harness
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-471, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SHALL REIMBURSE COUNTIES $20.00 PER DAY FOR EACH OFFENDER PARTICIPATING IN A JOINT STATE-COUNTY WORK PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COVER THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING MEDICAL SERVICES TO THESE OFFENDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 47-5-471, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
47-5-471. Upon the request
of any county for eligible inmates, the Department of Corrections shall make
available for participation in the state-county work program in the requesting
county any eligible inmates. Upon request and approval of such request by the
Department of Corrections, the requesting county shall arrange for
transportation of such inmates from the Department of Corrections to such
county. Upon receiving any inmates, the county shall be responsible for all
expenses related to housing and caring for such inmates but shall be reimbursed
by the Department of Corrections at the rate prescribed under * * * this section.
(2) Upon vouchers submitted by the board of supervisors of a county housing offenders for the joint state-county work program, the department shall pay to the county, out of any available funds, at least Twenty Dollars ($20.00) per day per offender for each day an offender participates in the program. Payment shall begin the day that the department receives a certified copy of the sentencing order and shall terminate on the day that the offender is released or otherwise removed from the program.
(3) The department or its contracted medical provider will pay a medical service provider the cost associated with providing medical services for offenders in the joint state-county work program. The amount shall be based upon negotiated fees as agreed to by the medical care service providers and the department and/or its contracted medical provider. In the absence of a negotiated discounted fee schedule, medical care service providers will be paid by the department or its contracted medical service provider at an amount no greater than the reimbursement rate applicable based on the Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rate. The county board of supervisors shall not be liable for any cost associated with medical attention for offenders in the work program that exceeds the Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rate or the reimbursement provided by the Department of Corrections, whichever is greater. This limitation applies to all medical care services, durable and nondurable goods, prescription drugs and medications.
(4) Any payment made to a county, pursuant to this section, shall be placed in the general fund of the county.
(5) Regardless of any eligibility criteria established by the Department of Corrections, no inmate convicted of a sex crime, a crime of violence as defined by Section 97-3-2, or any other crime which specifically prohibits parole shall be eligible for participation in the program. The requesting county may, in its sole discretion, refuse any inmate deemed to present an undue risk to such county.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.