Senate Bill 2349

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 93-17-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE COST OF COURT-ORDERED HOME STUDIES BY SOCIAL WORKERS SHALL BE PAID BY THE PARENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IF ORDERED BY THE COURT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 93-17-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

93-17-12. In any child custody matter hereafter filed in any chancery or county court in which temporary or permanent custody has already been placed with a parent or guardian, the court shall impose a fee for any court-ordered home study performed by the Department of Human Services. The fee shall be assessed upon either party or upon both parties in the court's discretion. The minimum fee imposed shall be not less than Three Hundred Fifty Dollars ($350.00) for each household on which a home study is performed. The fee shall be paid directly to the Mississippi Department of Human Services prior to the home study being conducted by the department. The judge may order the fee be paid by one or both of the parents or guardian. If the court determines that both parents or the guardian are unable to pay the fee, the judge shall waive the fee and the cost of the home study shall be defrayed by the Department of Human Services.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.