House Bill 1300

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING AND OPERATING TELEHEALTH PROGRAMS AT THE SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2022.

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

SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much of it as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the State Department of Education to provide grants to school districts for the purpose of establishing and operating telehealth programs at the schools in the district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2022............ $ 5,800,000.00.

SECTION 2. As a condition of receiving the funds appropriated by Section 1 of this act, the department shall:

(a) Set the maximum amount of a grant that a school district may receive, which shall not be more than $40,000.00 per district;

(b) Set the minimum criteria for telehealth programs that will be eligible for grants;

(d) Specify the type of information that the school districts will be required to provide to the department after receiving a grant; and

(e) Monitor the school districts that receive grants to ensure that they are using the grant funds and operating the telehealth program in accordance with the criteria set by the department.

SECTION 3. The money appropriated by this act shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.