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MississippiHB 19062026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Appropriation; Child Protection Services, Department of.

Sponsored By: Clay Deweese (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations CAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More help for foster and adoptive families

For FY2027, the state funds key payments for families caring for children. It provides $11,086,239 to keep adoption assistance and congregate care payments. It provides $1,711,959 to keep foster home maintenance payments. It also allows up to $5,431,692 for kinship care payments to relatives caring for children.

Pathways program funding for FY2027

The law sets aside $4,229,000 from the Capital Expense Fund to run the Pathways program in FY2027. The State Treasurer distributes the money. These funds support program operations and services for participating children and families.

Major funding for child protection

For FY2027 (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027), the state funds Child Protection Services. It provides $140.8 million from the State General Fund. It also provides $218.2 million from special funds. This money keeps child safety, foster care, adoption help, and kin supports running statewide.

Child Protection Services staffing and pay limits

The law allows 1,440 permanent and 403 time‑limited jobs, adding three new attorney roles. Payroll is capped at $125.4 million ($64.3 million General Funds and $61.2 million Special Funds), and payroll money cannot move to other uses. $5,042,615 in vacancy funds can only be used to fill jobs, not raises. If a pay action would exceed the budget, salary actions pause; essential new hires can still be approved. The agency cannot replace lost federal or special salary funds with state General Funds, and any position or payroll increases need Finance approval and proof of new money. Most FY2026 escalated positions become time‑limited, and extra hires tied to federal recovery funds need approvals.

24/7 hotline for trafficked children

The law provides $250,000 a year to run a 24-hour hotline for child victims. It funds a coordinator and contracts for counseling and specialized services. Kids hurt by commercial or sexual exploitation can get help any time.

Children’s Trust Fund gets $93,601

The law transfers $93,601 to the Mississippi Children’s Trust Fund on July 1, 2026. The money comes from court assessment funds. It supports child abuse prevention and related services through the Trust Fund.

IT upgrades and systems funding

The agency may use available funds to upgrade tech or equipment when savings will cover the cost. It also has $2,500,000 reappropriated for IT system development in FY2027. Spending is limited to unspent balances as of June 30, 2026 and must keep the original purpose.

Budget and payroll transparency rules

The State Personnel Board must publish the agency’s projected yearly payroll cost using monthly and year‑to‑date payroll data. The agency must keep accounting and personnel records in the same detail as FY2026. Its FY2028 budget request must match that detail level.

Buying preference and contractor rules

When bids are equal, the agency must choose Mississippi Industries for the Blind; the same applies to no‑bid buys. The agency can pay $60,208 owed to certain vendors from past years. All contractor pay must follow IRS Publication 15‑A as the State Auditor interprets it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Clay Deweese

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Richard Bennett

    Republican • House

  • Sam Creekmore IV

    House

  • Becky Currie

    Republican • House

  • Missy McGee

    Republican • House

  • Carl L. Mickens

    Democratic • House

  • John Read

    Republican • House

  • Omeria Scott

    Democratic • House

  • Jerry R. Turner

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 338 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 117 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Passed

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/6/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/31/2026Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/31/2026House

  4. Conference Report Adopted

    3/29/2026Senate

  5. Conference Report Adopted

    3/29/2026House

  6. Conference Report Filed

    3/27/2026Senate

  7. Conference Report Filed

    3/27/2026House

  8. Conferees Named Hopson,Blackwell,Simmons (13th)

    3/19/2026Senate

  9. Conferees Named Deweese,Oliver,Cockerham

    3/19/2026House

  10. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/18/2026House

  11. Returned For Concurrence

    3/13/2026Senate

  12. Passed As Amended

    3/12/2026Senate

  13. Amended

    3/12/2026Senate

  14. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/12/2026Senate

  15. Referred To Appropriations

    2/27/2026Senate

  16. Transmitted To Senate

    2/20/2026House

  17. Passed

    2/19/2026House

  18. Title Suff Do Pass

    2/18/2026House

  19. DR - TSDP: AP To A2

    2/18/2026House

  20. DR - TSDP: A2 To AP

    2/17/2026House

  21. Referred To Appropriations C;Appropriations A

    2/16/2026House

Bill Text

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