MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Representative Moody

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-27-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO USE FEDERAL FUNDS TO EMPLOY ADDITIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS IN TIME-LIMITED POSITIONS, AND TO DELETE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH TIME-LIMITED POSITIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 43-27-107, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-27-107. The Department of Human Services is authorized to set the qualifications necessary for all social workers employed by the department, which shall at a minimum require state licensure as a social worker, and shall not be required to go through the State Personnel Board or use the qualifications set by the personnel board in employing social workers for the department. All social workers employed by the department shall be state service employees from the date of their employment with the department; * * * however, to carry out its responsibilities, the department may use any available federal funds to employ such additional social workers as it can employ in time-limited positions. All social worker positions existing before July 1, 1998, will remain state service.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.