MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Corrections; Appropriations

By: Representatives Clark, Hudson

House Bill 243

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-933, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE DAILY FEE FROM $31.00 TO $42.00 THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS PAYS TO ANY REGIONAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR THE HOUSING OF STATE OFFENDERS IF SUCH FACILITY HOUSES FEWER THAN 300 STATE OFFENDERS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO INCLUDE IN THE CONTRACT A CERTAIN ANNUAL INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT PRICE FOR SUCH HOUSING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 47-5-933, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     47-5-933.  The Department of Corrections may contract for the purposes set out in Section 47-5-931 for a period of not more than twenty (20) years.  The contract * * *may shall provide that the Department of Corrections pay a fee of no * * * more less than Thirty-one Dollars ($31.00) per day for each offender that is housed in the facility; however, if a facility houses fewer than three hundred (300) offenders who are in the custody of the department, the department shall pay a fee of no less than Forty-two Dollars ($42.00) per day for each offender who is in the custody of the department and is housed in such facility.  The Department of Corrections * * * may shall include in the contract, as an inflation factor, a three percent (3%) annual increase in the contract price.  The state shall retain responsibility for medical care for state offenders to the extent that is required by law; provided, however, the department may reimburse each facility for contract medical services as provided by law in an amount not to exceed Six Dollars and Twenty-five Cents ($6.25) per day per offender.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.