Senate Bill 2244

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-99-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF THE COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES TO ADOPT POLICIES REQUIRING EACH PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING, COMMUNITY OR JUNIOR COLLEGE TO PROVIDE FREE TRANSCRIPTS TO FOSTER CARE CHILDREN AND CHILDREN PLACED IN THE LEGAL CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 55-3-87, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT FOSTER CARE CHILDREN AND CHILDREN WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY PLACED IN THE LEGAL CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES AND THEIR FAMILY, INCLUDING THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS AND SIBLINGS, THEIR FOSTER PARENTS AND SIBLINGS, THEIR ADOPTED PARENTS AND SIBLINGS, THEIR GUARDIANS OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THEIR DIRECT HOUSEHOLD, AS APPLICABLE, SHALL BE ALLOWED FREE ADMISSION TO ANY STATE PARK IN THIS STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT FOSTER CARE CHILDREN AND CHILDREN WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY PLACED IN THE LEGAL CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES AND THEIR FAMILY, INCLUDING THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS AND SIBLINGS, THEIR FOSTER PARENTS AND SIBLINGS, THEIR ADOPTED PARENTS AND SIBLINGS, THEIR GUARDIANS OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THEIR DIRECT HOUSEHOLD, AS APPLICABLE, SHALL BE ALLOWED FREE ADMISSION TO ANY PUBLICLY FUNDED MUSEUM IN THIS STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 37-99-3, Mississippi Code of 1972:

37-99-3. (1) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this subsection, unless context of use clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

(b) "Eligible child" means:

(i) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was placed in the legal custody of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services by a youth court or through other legal means and who was in the legal custody of the department at any time;

(ii) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was placed in a qualified residential child care agency by a parent, legal guardian, court of competent jurisdiction, or other person or entity acting in the best interest of the individual and who did reside in a qualified residential child care agency at any time; or

(iii) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age who was adopted from the department's legal custody or adopted while residing at a qualified residential child care agency as described in paragraph (c) of this subsection at any time.

(c) "Qualified residential child care agency" means an entity that provides a home for children and was licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services at the time that the eligible child was housed by the agency.

(2) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the boards of trustees of the community and junior colleges shall adopt policies requiring each public institution of higher learning, community or junior college to provide free transcripts to an eligible child when requested.

SECTION 2. The following shall be codified as Section 55-3-87, Mississippi Code of 1972:

55-3-87. (1) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this subsection, unless context of use clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

(b) "Eligible foster parent" means an individual licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services to operate a foster home to provide residential care to a child in the department's custody.

(c) "Eligible child agency" means a child—placing agency or a residential child—caring agency licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services as set forth in Section 43-15-107.

(d) "State Park" shall mean any land operated by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for the purpose of providing outdoor recreational activities and enjoyment for the citizens of the State of Mississippi and for the purpose of attracting visitors to the state.

(2) An eligible foster parent, including his or her spouse, foster children, biological children or any other member of his or her direct household, or the staff of an eligible child agency together with the children placed with the agency, as applicable, shall be allowed free admission to any state park in this state upon showing the appropriate license/ certificate issued by the department.

SECTION 3. (1) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this subsection, unless context of use clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

(c) "Museum" means a public agency or institution located in this state and organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes, which utilizes a professional staff, owns or utilizes tangible objects, cares for them, and exhibits them to the public on a regular basis.

(d) "Eligible child agency" means a child—placing agency or a residential child—caring agency licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services as set forth in Section 43-15-107.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.