MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Appropriations
By: Representatives Frierson, Denny, Clarke, Banks, Bennett, DeLano, Eure, Read, Staples
AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO DEFRAY CERTAIN EXPENSES OF THE MISSISSIPPI HOME CORPORATION FOR FISCAL YEARS 2015 AND 2016.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Department of Finance and Administration for the purpose of providing a grant to the Mississippi Home Corporation, for the period beginning upon the passage of this act and through June 30, 2015
................................................. $ 364,000.00.
SECTION 2. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Department of Finance and Administration for the purpose of providing a grant to the Mississippi Home Corporation, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 2016.. $ 1,811,386.00.
SECTION 3. The funds appropriated herein shall be targeted to individuals with disabilities or individuals with serious mental illnesses who:
(1) Are being discharged from a State psychiatric hospital after a stay of more than 90 days; or, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities after a stay of more than 90 days; or
(2) Have been discharged from a State psychiatric hospital within the last two years and;
(a) Had multiple hospital visits in the last year due to mental illness; or
(b) Are known to the mental health or state housing agency to have been arrested or incarcerated in the last year due to conduct related to mental illness; or
(c) Are known to the mental health or state housing agency to have been homeless for one full year or have had four or more episodes of homelessness in the last three years.
(3) Lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes a subset for an individual who is exiting an institution where he or she resided for 90 days or less and who resides in an emergency shelter or a place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution.
Any funds appropriated herein to hire additional staff or employ staff shall only be used to implement this housing program.
SECTION 4. It is the intention of the Legislature that an annual financial report based upon the State’s fiscal year, shall be provided to the Attorney General, the Chairman of Senate Appropriations, the Chairman of House Appropriations, and the Legislative Budget Office.
SECTION 5. It is the intention of the Legislature that none of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act for the Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) shall be expended for the purpose of making a payment of any kind or for any purpose, directly or indirectly, to a member of the State of Mississippi Legislature, State official, MHC board member, or person who has been a member of the MHC within the last year.
SECTION 6. It is the intention of the Legislature that any monies appropriated herein shall not lapse and that those unexpended monies shall be re-appropriated for the same purpose the following fiscal year.
SECTION 7. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasury out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisition signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law.
SECTION 8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after passage of this act and through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016.