Senate Bill NO. 2503

By Senator(s) Blackmon

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created a Department of Human Services Reorganization Study Committee which shall study the implementation of a freestanding agency of Mississippi government that would focus on and administer the following programs relating to children: (a) the functions of the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services; (b) the functions of the Office for Children and Youth of the Department of Human Services; (c) the functions of the Division of Family and Children's Services presently administered by the Department of Human Services, including the foster care or foster home placement program, child adoption and child placement, and investigation of child abuse and neglect; (d) the administration of the school attendance officers enforcing the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law presently administered by the district attorney offices; (e) the alternative school programs presently administered by the various school districts; (f) any program for children services which are provided by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health; and (g) child care facility licensure programs presently administered by the Mississippi Department of Health; to ensure that the funds for approved services follow the child. The task force may study and make recommendations on any other program relating to child welfare or children's services, including but not limited to the youth court system in Mississippi, the child abuse and neglect laws of Mississippi, and the impact of state and federal welfare reform initiatives on child welfare services in Mississippi.

(2) The task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor and the Governor on October 1, 2001, for implementation in the 2002 Regular Session.

(3) The task force shall be composed of the following: the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services; the State Health Officer; the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health; the Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid; two (2) youth court judges appointed by the Governor; two (2) representatives of child residential facilities appointed by the Governor; the Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee; the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee; three (3) members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; the Chairman of the House Public Health and Welfare Committee; the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; and three (3) members of the House appointed by the Speaker of the House. The Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the Chairman of the House Public Health and Welfare Committee shall serve as co-chairmen of the committee. In the event any member is unable to attend any meeting of the task force, such member shall not be authorized to designate another person to attend or vote at such meeting. Within fifteen (15) days after passage of this section, on a day to be designated jointly by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the task force shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a vice chairman. The vice chairman shall also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the task force. A majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices to be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the date on which a meeting is to be held.

(4) Any member of the task force who is also a state employee shall not be eligible to receive per diem compensation for attending meetings of the task force, but may be reimbursed in accordance with Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, for mileage and actual expense incurred in the performance of their duties, if authorized by vote, at a meeting of the task force, which action shall be recorded in the official minutes of said meeting. Legislative members of the task force shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session.

(5) The task force is empowered to utilize staff already employed by the agencies affected by this section and any other assistance made available to it.

(6) Upon presentation of its report, the task force shall be dissolved.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

AN ACT TO CREATE A DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES REORGANIZATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A FREESTANDING AGENCY TO ADMINISTER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CHILDREN SERVICE PROGRAMS AND TO STUDY OTHER CHILD SERVICE-RELATED ISSUES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.