MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Currie

House Bill 355

AN ACT TO REQUIRE EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL, INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS TO POST, IN A CLEARLY VISIBLE LOCATION IN A PUBLIC AREA OF THE SCHOOL THAT IS READILY ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS, A SIGN, IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH, THAT CONTAINS THE TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

      SECTION 1.  (1)  Every public school, including charter schools shall post, in a clearly visible location in a public area of the school that is readily accessible to students, a sign, in English and in Spanish, that contains the toll-free telephone number operated by the Department of Human Services to receive reports of child abuse or neglect established under Sections 43-21-353 and 43-21-354, in addition to also providing directions on how to access the Department of Human Services or the Department of Child Protection Services websites.

      (2)  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations relating to the posting required by subsection (1) of this section.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.