Senate Bill 2943

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-619, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT A YOUTH COURT JUDGE MAY ORDER THE PARENT OF A CHILD UNDER YOUTH COURT JURISDICTION TO ATTEND NOT MORE THAN 6 PARENT TRAINING SESSIONS AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $20.00 PER SESSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 43-21-619, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-21-619. (1) The youth court may order financially able parents to pay for court ordered medical and other examinations and treatment of a child; for reasonable attorney's fees and court costs; for costs for the parent to participate in parent training, not to exceed Twenty Dollars ($20.00) per session, and not to exceed six (6) sessions; and for other expenses found necessary or appropriate in the best interest of the child as determined by the youth court. The youth court is authorized to enforce payments ordered under this subsection.

(2) The youth court may order the parents, guardians or custodians who exercise parental custody and control of a child who is under the jurisdiction of the youth court and who has willfully or maliciously caused personal injury or damaged or destroyed property, to pay such damages or restitution through the court to the victim in an amount not to exceed the actual loss and to enforce payment thereof. Restitution ordered by the youth court under this section shall not preclude recovery of damages by the victim from such child or parent, guardian or custodian or other person who would otherwise be liable. The youth court also may order the parents, guardians or custodians of a child who is under the jurisdiction of the youth court and who willfully or maliciously has caused personal injury or damaged or destroyed property to participate in a counseling program or other suitable family treatment program for the purpose of preventing future occurrences of malicious destruction of property or personal injury.

(3) Such orders under this section shall constitute a civil judgment and may be enrolled on the judgment rolls in the office of the circuit clerk of the county where such order was entered, and further, such order may be enforced in any manner provided by law for civil judgments.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2011.