House Bill 923

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A PROGRAM THAT WOULD PROVIDE INSTRUCTION ON FELONY LAWS TO CERTAIN STUDENTS AND TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO PROVIDE THE LEGISLATURE WITH A REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY; TO DIRECT THE BOARD TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM BEFORE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The State Board of Education shall conduct a study on the feasibility of implementing a program that would provide instruction on felony laws to students in either Grade 7 or Grade 8 in the public schools of this state. The board shall make a report to the Legislature concerning the findings of the study, with recommendations regarding logistical requirements of the program including, but not limited to, the length of the program, the grade in which the program should be taught and by whom, and how the instruction will be organized. The report also must include the estimated costs, whether these costs will be paid with federal, state or local funding, and the potential benefits associated with implementing this program. The program must be implemented before the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.