House Bill 759

AN ACT TO REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO POST, IN A CLEARLY VISIBLE LOCATION IN A PUBLIC AREA OF THE SCHOOL, READILY ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS, SIGNAGE CONTAINING THE TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER OPERATED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTIVE 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) Each public school and charter school shall post, in a clearly visible location in a public area of the school that is readily accessible to students, a sign, using a format and language that is clear, simple and understandable to students in English and in Spanish which contains:

(a) The current toll-free telephone number operated by the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services to receive reports of child abuse or neglect as required under Sections 43-21-105 and 43-21-353;

(b) Instructions to call 911 for emergencies; and

(c) Directions for accessing the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services Website (https://reportabuse.mdcps.ms.gov) for more information on reporting abuse, neglect and exploitation.

(2) School districts and charter schools shall post the information specified in subsection (1) of this section at each school campus in at least one (1) high-traffic, highly and clearly visible public area that is readily accessible and widely used by students. The information must be on a poster with minimum dimensions of eleven (11) inches by seventeen (17) inches, in large print and placed at eye level to the students for easy viewing. Additionally, the current toll-free telephone number operated by the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services to receive reports of child abuse or neglect shall be in bold print.

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