MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Corrections; Appropriations

By: Representative Scott

House Bill 1444

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-933, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE FROM $31.00 TO $32.00 THE AMOUNT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS PAYS PER DAY FOR EACH STATE OFFENDER WHO IS HOUSED IN A REGIONAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH PAYMENT IS MANDATORY RATHER THAN DISCRETIONARY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT FOR MEDICAL SERVICES THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS PAYS TO A REGIONAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY SHALL BE MANDATORY RATHER THAN DISCRETIONARY; 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 minimum fee of * * *no more than Thirty‑one Dollars ($31.00) Thirty-two Dollars ($32.00) per day for each offender that is housed in the facility.  The Department of Corrections may 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 shall reimburse each facility for contract medical services as provided by law in an amount * * * not to  exceed that is at least Six Dollars and Twenty-five Cents ($6.25) per day per offender.  If there are extraordinary medical circumstances that require a higher reimbursement rate than the required minimum amount of Six Dollars and Twenty-five Cents ($6.25), then the department may contract up to Two Dollars ($2.00) more per offender for such extraordinary medical circumstances.

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