House Bill 1312

AN ACT TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 37-68-1, 37-68-3 AND 37-68-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ARE PROVISIONS OF THE "EQUITY IN DIGITAL LEARNING ACT," FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-68-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER THE VOLUNTARY EQUITY IN DISTANCE LEARNING GRANT PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS CHOOSING TO PARTICIPATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING TECHNOLOGY DEVICES AND HARDWARE TO AID IN FACILITATING DISTANCE LEARNING AND SAFE CLASSROOM OR REMOTE INSTRUCTION; TO AUTHORIZE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE, AS MATCHING FUNDS, A PRO RATA SHARE OF ITS TOTAL EQUIPMENT COST, CALCULATED BY PERCENTAGE, BASED ON THE TOTAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASE COST FOR ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-68-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A STATEWIDE TECHNOLOGY NEEDS-ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DETERMINE THE NEED OR DESIRE TO UPDATE DEVICES AND HARDWARE USED TO FACILITATE DISTANCE LEARNING AND SAFE CLASSROOM OR REMOTE INSTRUCTION; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ANNUALLY REVISE THE ADOPTED EPL BASED UPON PURCHASING DEMANDS AS NEEDED TO PROVIDE SCHOOLS WITH CHOICES IN THE SELECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC DEVICES; TO AMEND SECTION 37-68-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PRO RATA SHARE OF THE MONIES USED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT MAY BE ALLOCATED FROM ANY OF THE DISTRICT'S AVAILABLE AND UNOBLIGATED ESSER FUNDS, ESSER II FUNDS OR ESSER III FUNDS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-68-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE LEGISLATURE MAY MAKE AN INITIAL APPROPRIATION OF $10,000,000.00 TO THE EQUITY IN DISTANCE LEARNING FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 37-68-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE REPORT TO THE LEGISLATION ON THE USE OF FUNDS DISTRIBUTED UNDER THE GRANT PROGRAM BY DECEMBER 31; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Richard Bennett

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Jan 17 – Feb 9

1. Jan 17Referred to the House committees on Education and on Appropriations
2. Jan 26Reported from ED to AP in the House: title sufficient, do pass
3. Jan 27Reported from AP to ED in the House: title sufficient, do pass
4. Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass
5. Feb 8Read the third time in the House
6. Feb 9Passed the House

In the Senate Feb 10 – Mar 1

1. Feb 10Sent to the Senate
2. Feb 11Referred to the Senate committees on Education and on Appropriations
3. Feb 23Reported as amended from ED to AP in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass
4. Mar 1Died in committee in the Senate