MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Veterans and Military Affairs; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Furniss, White (29th), King, Harvey, Carmichael, Johnson (19th), Michel

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 35-1-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE VETERANS AFFAIRS BOARD TO ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL STATE VETERANS HOMES TO PROVIDE NURSING/DOMICILIARY CARE AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE VETERANS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 35-1-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

35-1-19. (1) There is hereby authorized to be established by the State Veterans Affairs Board, the Mississippi State Veterans Home on a site to be determined by the State Veterans Affairs Board, with the approval of the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management of the Governor's Office of General Services, when funds are made available for such purpose by any agency of the federal government or other sources. The object and purpose of the establishment of the Mississippi State Veterans Home shall be to provide domiciliary care and other related services for eligible veterans of the State of Mississippi.

(2) One or more additional veterans homes or domiciliaries are hereby authorized to be established by the State Veterans Affairs Board on sites in northern, central or southern Mississippi, to be determined by the State Veterans Affairs Board, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Administration, when funds are made available for such purpose by any agency of the federal government or other sources. The Veterans Affairs Board shall give the three (3) regions, northern, southern and central priority as to where the veterans home shall be located, with the northern region having first priority, the southern region having the next level priority and the central region being third in order of priority. The object and purpose of the establishment of such additional homes or domiciliaries shall be to provide domiciliary care and other related services for eligible veterans of the State of Mississippi. The State Veterans Affairs Board shall not be required to obtain certificates of need to carry out the intent and purpose of this section.

(3) The State Veterans Affairs Board is hereby authorized to establish additional state veterans homes (nursing/domiciliary) on sites to be determined by the State Veterans' Affairs Board, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Administration, when funds are made available for such purpose by any agency of the federal government or other sources. The purpose of the establishment of the additional homes shall be to provide nursing/domiciliary care and other related services for eligible veterans of the State of Mississippi. The State Veterans Affairs Board is not required to obtain certificates of need to carry out the provisions of this section.

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