House Bill 1559

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF VARIOUS TERMS USED UNDER THE YOUTH COURT LAW; TO AMEND SECTIONS 43-21-301 AND 43-21-303, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A CHILD MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED NEGLECTED WHEN THE FAILURE OF THE PARENT TO PROPERLY PROVIDE FOR THE CHILD IS PRIMARILY DUE TO FINANCIAL INABILITY; TO AMEND SECTION 93-15-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE THE PHRASE "COMPELLING AND EXTRAORDINARY REASONS" AS USED UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO APPOINT COUNSEL FOR AN INDIGENT CUSTODIAL PARENT IN YOUTH COURT PROCEEDINGS, AND TO REQUIRE A FINANCIALLY ABLE PARENT TO PAY FOR COURT-APPOINTED REPRESENTATION; TO REQUIRE MONIES COLLECTED TO BE DEPOSITED INTO A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "JUVENILE COURT REPRESENTATION FUND" TO HELP COVER THE COSTS OF COUNSEL IN INDIGENT CASES; TO AMEND SECTION 93-15-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE CHILDREN AGE 12 OR OLDER TO BE INCLUDED IN PROCEEDINGS FOR THE INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS; TO AMEND SECTION 93-15-111, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE A COURT TO ACCEPT A PARENT'S WRITTEN VOLUNTARY RELEASE TERMINATING PARENTAL RIGHTS IF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS ARE MET; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-151, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE CHARGES OF CHILD NEGLECT WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE YOUTH COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 93-17-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT FOR HOLDING A HEARING ON THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS WITHIN 120 DAYS FROM THE STATUTE GOVERNING ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 93-15-121, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING IF A PARENT'S MENTAL ILLNESS IS GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-7-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE ADOPTIONS INVOLVING THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES FROM THE SERVICES FOR WHICH A CHANCERY CLERK IS PAID A FEE; TO AMEND SECTION 97-5-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE THE TERM "TORTURE" AS A TYPE OF FELONIOUS CHILD ABUSE; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 43-19-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A COURT TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM CHILD VISITATION SCHEDULES FOR CERTAIN NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS ORDERED TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Joey Hood

  Sponsor

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

In the House of Representatives Feb 19 – Mar 5

1. Feb 19Referred to the House committee on Judiciary A
2. Mar 5Died in committee in the House