House Bill 1393

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-27-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PERMIT THE CLOSURE, DOWNSIZING OR REORGANIZATION OF OAKLEY TRAINING SCHOOL AS A SECURE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS; TO EXEMPT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM THE STATE PERSONNEL BOARD IN ORDER TO MAKE CERTAIN PERSONNEL MODIFICATIONS IF THE DECISION IS MADE TO CLOSE, DOWNSIZE OR REORGANIZE THE TRAINING SCHOOL; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROPERTIES AND FACILITIES OF COLUMBIA AND OAKLEY TRAINING SCHOOLS MAY BE USED IN A MANNER THAT SERVES THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE STATE AND COMMUNITY; 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, downsized or reorganized as a secure training school for juvenile delinquents. If the decision to close, downsize or reorganize Oakley Training School is made, the Department of Human Services shall be exempt for a period of one (1) year from the State Personnel Board's rules, regulations and restrictions regarding all personnel transactions including, but not limited to, the hiring, termination, promoting, reclassifying, reallocating and realigning of employees, pay grades and job positions. The types and classifications of juveniles who were formerly committed to the state training schools shall be treated in regional, community, home-based and other adolescent offender 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 that is determined by the department 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 its passage.