MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Representative Flaggs

AN ACT TO PROVIDE AN ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS UNDER THE MINIMUM EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF EMPLOYING SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning with the 1999-2000 school year, the State Department of Education shall allot sufficient funding under the minimum education program to each school district for the purpose of employing school social workers.

(2) The State Department of Education shall determine the amount of the additional allotment for employing a school social worker or workers, considering the needs of school districts, as indicated by records of the State Department of Education and the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services which reflect incidences of crime and violence.

(3) The State Department of Education may increase the number of social worker positions funded each year as money is made available.

(4) Any individual employed by a school district with funds allotted pursuant to this section must be appropriately licensed as a social worker under Sections 73-53-1 through 73-53-29. The State Department of Education shall specify which license a social worker must hold as a qualification to being employed in a position funded under this section.

(5) To qualify for minimum program funding, school social workers must be full-time professional personnel and must spend at least seventy-five percent (75%) of their work time in a direct relationship with students. School social workers may not devote more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the work day to administrative activities related to their social work.

(6) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a school district from employing social workers with local funds.

(7) The State Department of Education may adopt rules and regulations regarding the activities of the school social workers. School social workers may perform those services that are not inconsistent with such rules and regulations.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.