House Bill 708

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-27-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO MAKE ALTERNATIVE USES OF COLUMBIA 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. All youth, both male and female, committed to the custody of the Department of Human Services and adjudicated to training school shall be housed at the Oakley Training School. The Oakley Training School shall provide gender-specific treatment for youth who are adjudicated delinquent.

(3) All or part of the Columbia Training School property 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.

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