House Bill 1472

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES SHALL EXPEND THOSE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT IT ADMINISTERS ONLY IN A MANNER AUTHORIZED BY THE APPLICABLE SOURCE OF FEDERAL FUNDS; TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN EXPENSES THAT ARE ORDERED TO BE PAID BY A YOUTH COURT FOR A CHILD IN CUSTODY SHALL NOT BE PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY A SOURCE OF FEDERAL FUNDS OR BY A SPECIFIC STATE APPROPRIATION FOR SUCH SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Department of Child Protection Services shall expend those federal funds that it administers only in a manner authorized by the applicable source of federal funds, whether as a match as set forth in Section 43-26-13 or as any other type of expenditure.

(2) Any of the following expenses that are ordered to be paid by a youth court for a child in custody shall not be paid by the Department of Child Protection Services unless authorized by a source of federal funds or by a specific state appropriation for such services:

(a) The cost of medical and other examinations and treatment of a child ordered by the court;

(b) The cost of care and support of a child committed by the court to the legal custody of an individual or a public or private agency other than the Department of Child Protection Services, but the court may order supplemental payments, if such are necessary or desirable for services;

(c) Reasonable compensation for services and related expenses of an attorney appointed by the court, when appointed by the court to represent a child and when appointed by the court to conduct the proceedings;

(d) Reasonable compensation for a guardian ad litem;

(e) The expense of service of summons, notices and subpoenas; travel expenses of witnesses; transportation, subsistence and detention of a child for youth court proceedings; and other like expenses incurred in the proceedings under Chapter 21 of Title 43, Mississippi Code of 1972; and

(f) The cost of therapeutic counseling.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025, and shall stand repealed on June 30, 2025.