Bill Text: MS HB1128 | 2020 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Court ordered home study; revise fee.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Independent 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2020-06-09 - Died In Committee [HB1128 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2020-HB1128-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A; Ways and Means
By: Representative Cockerham
House Bill 1128
(As Passed the House)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 93-17-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE FEE FOR COURT ORDERED HOME STUDIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 93-17-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
93-17-12. In any child
custody matter hereafter filed in any chancery or county court in which
temporary or permanent custody has already been placed with a parent or
guardian and in all adoptions, the court shall impose a fee for any court-ordered
home study performed by the Department of * * * Child Protection Services
or any other entity. The fee shall be assessed upon either party or upon both
parties in the court's discretion. The minimum fee imposed shall be not less
than * * * One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars
($1250.00) for each household on which a home study is performed. The fee
shall be paid directly to the Mississippi Department of * * * Child Protection Services
prior to the home study being conducted by the department or to the entity if
the study is performed by another entity. The judge may order the fee be paid
by one or both of the parents or guardian. If the court determines that both
parents or the guardian are unable to pay the fee, the judge shall waive the
fee and the cost of the home study shall be defrayed by the Department of * * * Child Protection Services.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.
