House Bill 1289

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PAY CUSTODIAL/JANITORIAL SERVICE WORKERS AND CAFETERIA/FOOD SERVICE WORKERS A MINIMUM OF $15.00 PER HOUR; TO PROHIBIT SCHOOL BOARDS OR PRIVATE ENTITIES WITH WHOM THE BOARD HAS ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT FROM REDUCING THE COMPENSATION OF THOSE EMPLOYEES WHOSE PAY CALCULATES TO BE MORE THAN THE MINIMUM HOURLY ESTABLISHED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-9-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-9-3. * * * Within the limits of the available funds, the superintendent of schools of a school district shall recommend to the school board thereof all noninstructional employees to be employed and may prescribe the duties thereof. However, in the superintendent's recommendation of noninstructional employees it should be stipulated by the school board as the hiring authority or any private entities with whom the board has enter into contract for the operation of nonacademic school processes, as authorized in Section 37-7-301(ww), that the minimum rate of compensation for such employees serving in capacities as custodial/janitorial and cafeteria/food service workers shall not be less than Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) per hour. Any such compensation paid to such employees which calculates to be more than the required minimum hourly pay required by this subsection, shall not be reduced in any subsequent year of employment to a sum less than that paid to such employees for performing the same duties during the immediately preceding school year. Compensation for such employees may be paid from any lawful funds.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.