MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2012 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representatives Formby, Moore, Bounds, Dixon

House Bill 707

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO CREATE THE SCHOOL START DATE ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOLS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL BEGIN THE NEW ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR OF INSTRUCTION ON OR AFTER THE THIRD MONDAY IN AUGUST; TO EXEMPT THE MISSISSIPPI SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND AND DEAF FROM THE APPLICATION OF THIS REQUIREMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  This section shall be known and may be cited as the School Start Date Act.

     (2)  Beginning with the 2014—2015 school year, all public elementary or secondary schools under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Education shall begin the new academic year of instruction for students on or after the third Monday in August.

     (3)  The provisions of subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to the Mississippi School for the Blind and the Mississippi School for the Deaf.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2012.