Bill Text: MS SB2785 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Department of Child Protection Services; amend provision related to the expenditure of funds by.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2025-02-04 - Died In Committee [SB2785 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2025-SB2785-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Judiciary, Division A; Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Wiggins
Senate Bill 2785
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-26-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES TO EXPEND FEDERAL FUNDS WHICH IT ADMINISTERS ONLY IN A MANNER AUTHORIZED BY THE APPLICABLE SOURCE OF FEDERAL FUNDS; TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN EXPENSES WHICH ARE ORDERED TO BE PAID BY A YOUTH COURT FOR A CHILD IN CUSTODY SHALL NOT BE PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY A SOURCE OF FEDERAL FUNDS OR BY A SPECIFIC APPROPRIATION BY THE LEGISLATURE THEREFOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 43-26-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
43-26-13. (1) The governing authority of any municipality or county in this state is authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to expend such funds as it deems necessary and desirable, from any available funds of the municipality or county, to: (a) match any state, federal or private funds available for any program administered by the Department of Child Protection Services in this state; and/or (b) make a voluntary contribution to any such program.
(2) The Department of Child Protection Services shall expend those federal funds which it administers only in a manner authorized by the applicable source of federal funds, whether as a match as set forth in subsection (1) or as any other type of expenditure.
(3) Any of the following expenses which are ordered to be paid by a youth court for a child in custody shall not be paid by the Department of Child Protection Services unless authorized by a source of federal funds or by a specific appropriation by the Legislature for such services:
(a) The cost of medical and other examinations and treatment of a child ordered by the court;
(b) The cost of care and support of a child committed by the court to the legal custody of an individual or a public or private agency other than the Department of Child Protection Services, but the court may order supplemental payments, if such are necessary or desirable for services;
(c) Reasonable compensation for services and related expenses of an attorney appointed by the court, when appointed by the court to represent a child and when appointed by the court to conduct the proceedings;
(d) Reasonable compensation for a guardian ad litem;
(e) The expense of service of summons, notices, and subpoenas; travel expenses of witnesses; transportation, subsistence, and detention of a child for youth court proceedings; and other like expenses incurred in the proceedings under Title 43, Chapter 21; and
(f) The cost of therapeutic counseling.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.
