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MississippiSB 27712025 Regular SessionSenate

Youth court; revise timeline for permanency hearings.

Sponsored By: Nicole Boyd (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Youth and Family AffairsJudiciary AJudiciary, Division A

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More legal help for youth and parents

Beginning July 1, 2025, Mississippi's State Public Defender may represent youth in delinquency and child-in-need-of-supervision cases. The office may also represent parents or guardians in abuse, neglect, or parental-rights termination cases and appeals. A youth court judge must find the parent or guardian unable to afford a lawyer. The judge no longer needs a separate finding that the person needs representation. This expands access to publicly funded lawyers but does not guarantee representation.

New hearing schedule for abused children

Beginning July 1, 2025, Mississippi changes hearings that decide permanent living plans for children found abused or neglected. The first hearing is due within three months of the court's finding or removal from the allegedly abusive caregiver, whichever happens first. Hearings then occur every three months, replacing the former 120-day deadline and 60-day schedule for children under three. A separate legal timetable still applies when required. When the court finds efforts to keep the child at home unnecessary, hearings continue at least yearly during state custody.

Youth court lawyers face revised training rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, lawyers appointed to represent children alleged to be abused or neglected must have specialized training. The Mississippi Judicial College must provide or approve this child protection and juvenile justice training. Separately, youth court lawyers appointed to 10 or fewer cases per year are exempt from annual training requirements. The former exemption covered five or fewer cases per year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nicole Boyd

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 218 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/13/2025

Concurred in Amend From House

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2025

Passed As Amended

Yes: 117 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/7/2025

Passed

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/24/2025legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/19/2025House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/19/2025Senate

  4. Concurred in Amend From House

    3/13/2025Senate

  5. Returned For Concurrence

    3/12/2025House

  6. Passed As Amended

    3/11/2025House

  7. Amended

    3/11/2025House

  8. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/4/2025House

  9. DR - TSDPAA: JA To YF

    3/4/2025House

  10. DR - TSDPAA: YF To JA

    3/3/2025House

  11. Referred To Youth and Family Affairs;Judiciary A

    2/13/2025House

  12. Transmitted To House

    2/10/2025Senate

  13. Passed

    2/7/2025Senate

  14. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/7/2025Senate

  15. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/4/2025Senate

  16. Referred To Judiciary, Division A

    1/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

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