MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representatives Scott (17th), Simmons, Morris, Markham, Miles, Scott (80th)

AN ACT TO REENACT SECTIONS 37-13-151, 37-13-153 AND 37-13-155, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRE ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO TEACH HOME ECONOMICS IN GRADE 10, 11 OR 12 AND PROVIDE FOR FUNDING FOR THE HOME ECONOMICS PROGRAMS; TO AMEND SECTION 4, CHAPTER 553, LAWS OF 1994, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 4, CHAPTER 448, LAWS OF 1996, TO DELETE THE REPEALER ON THE STATUTES REQUIRING THE HOME ECONOMICS PROGRAMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-13-151, Mississippi Code of 1972, is reenacted as follows:

37-13-151. Before July 1, 1997, all local school districts shall provide programs of education in home economics, in Grade 10, 11 or 12, which include course work in responsible parenting and family living skills. These programs shall contain instruction to prepare students to understand children's physical, mental, emotional and social growth and development as well as to assume responsibility for their care and guidance, with emphasis on nutrition, emotional health and physical health. All such programs shall be subject to the approval of the State Board of Education pursuant to Section 37-31-205(1)(d).

SECTION 2. Section 37-13-153, Mississippi Code of 1972, is reenacted as follows:

37-13-153. State funding for the home economics programs required in Section 37-13-151 shall be phased in over a period of three (3) school years, beginning with the 1994-1995 school year. In the minimum education program and vocational education appropriation bills for fiscal year 1994-1995, there shall be a line item specifying the amount that is to be expended to employ no less than one (1) instructor in each high school in no less than one-third (1/3) of the school districts in the state. In the minimum education program and vocational education appropriation bills for fiscal year 1995-1996, there shall be a line item specifying the amount that is to be expended to employ no less than one (1) instructor in each high school in no less than two-thirds (2/3) of the school districts in the state. In the minimum education program and vocational education appropriation bills for fiscal year 1996-1997, there shall be a line item specifying the amount that is to be expended to employ no less than one (1) instructor in each high school in each school district in the state. Any funds so appropriated by line item which are not expended for this purpose in the vocational education appropriation may be expended for other related home economics vocational purposes during the fiscal year for which those funds were appropriated. The State Board of Education shall determine which districts shall receive funds for the home economics programs during each of the three (3) years of the phase-in period.

SECTION 3. Section 37-13-155, Mississippi Code of 1972, is reenacted as follows:

37-13-155. Subject to the availability of funds appropriated therefor, any school district or community/junior college district may apply for funding through the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education to acquire and operate a home economics training program to provide instruction in quality child care and educational programs to the local community.

SECTION 4. Section 4, Chapter 553, Laws of 1994, as amended by Section 4, Chapter 448, Laws of 1996, is amended as follows:

Section 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1994 * * *.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.