Child Protection Services; require provision of adequate and habitable office space for local offices of., the official text

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th)

Senate Bill 2458

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-26-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972,
TO REQUIRE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF EACH COUNTY IN WHICH A LOCAL OFFICE OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES IS LOCATED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE AND
HABITABLE OFFICE SPACE FOR SUCH LOCAL OFFICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1.  Section
43-26-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-26-11.  (1)  There shall
be created local offices of the Department of Child Protection Services in
those locations throughout the state as determined by the commissioner.  It
shall be the duty of the board of supervisors of each county in which a local
office is located to provide adequate and habitable office space for the
local offices.

The local office of the
Department of Child Protection Services shall administer all forms of child
welfare services with the exception of those administered by the Department of
Human Services.  The local offices shall comply with such regulations and
submit such reports as may be established or required by the commissioner.
Subject to the approval of the commissioner, the local offices may cooperate
with other departments, agencies and institutions, state and local, when so
requested, in performing services in conformity with the provisions of this
chapter.

(2)  The Department of Child
Protection Services may enter into a lease with each county board of
supervisors in each county where a local office is located to allow the
department to maximize the availability of federal funds.  Fair market value
for the county-furnished building will be established and the department shall
pay the federal share for the rent to the county.  All other expenses related
to the operation of the local office shall be split between the department,
providing the federal share, and the county, being responsible for the
remainder or the state share.  This includes, but is not limited to,
electricity, water, gas, internet, and janitorial services and supplies.  All maintenance
and repairs of the local office shall be the responsibility of the county due
to the prohibition of federal funds for improvements of real property.

SECTION 2.  This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.