House Bill 707

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-27-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CLOSE OAKLEY TRAINING SCHOOL AS A SECURE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS AND PROVIDE FOR THE TREATMENT OF SUCH JUVENILES; TO AUTHORIZE ALTERNATIVE USES OF COLUMBIA TRAINING SCHOOL AND OAKLEY TRAINING SCHOOL PROPERTIES AND FACILITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 43-27-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-27-39. (1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that Mississippi's juvenile justice system is cost-efficient and effective at reducing juvenile crime and to create a continuum of options for Mississippi's youth court judges so that they are better equipped to protect our communities and to care for our children.

(2) The Columbia Training School shall no longer operate as a secure training school for juvenile delinquents. * * *

(3) The Oakley Training School may be discontinued for use as a secure training school for juvenile delinquents and the types and classifications of juveniles who were formerly committed to the state training institution shall now be treated in regional, community and home-based programs and facilities.

(4) All or part of the Columbia Training School and Oakley Training School properties and facilities may be retained by the Department of Human Services or sold, transferred or leased to public or private entities for any appropriate purpose, which is determined by the Department of Human Services to serve the best interests of the state and the community.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.