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Bill > HB444
MS HB444
MS HB444Health care and education shortage assistance program; establish to help attract professionals to work in certain counties.
summary
Introduced
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
In Committee
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Establish A Health Care And Education Shortage Assistance Program To Help Attract Physicians, Nurses, Emergency Medical Technicians And Other Health Care Workers, Social Workers And Teachers To Work In Rural Areas Of Counties That Had An Unemployment Rate Of More Than Ten Percent In The Previous Calendar Year And Currently Have A Shortage Of Any Of Those Professionals; To Provide That Funding For The Program Will Be Provided From The Mississippi Works Fund And Will Be Disbursed To The Counties By The Mississippi Department Of Employment Security Upon Appropriation By The Legislature For That Purpose; To Provide That The Amount Appropriated For The Program Shall Be Not Less Than Five Million Dollars For Each Fiscal Year; To Provide That Any Eligible County That Wishes To Receive Funds Under The Program Must Adopt A Resolution Requesting The Funds And Submit An Application To The Department Of Employment Security With A Detailed Plan Of How The Funds Will Be Used; To Provide That In Order To Receive Funds Under The Program, A County Must Provide Matching Funds Of Not Less Than Thirty Percent Of The Amount Of The Funds Provided To The County Under The Program; To Bring Forward Section 71-5-353, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Provides For Workforce Training Funds, For The Purposes Of Possible Amendment; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a health care and education shortage assistance program designed to help attract professionals like physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians, social workers, and teachers to work in rural areas of counties that experienced high unemployment (over 10%) in the previous calendar year. The program will be funded through the Mississippi Works Fund, with at least $5 million appropriated annually, and administered by county boards of supervisors. To participate, eligible counties must adopt a resolution, submit a detailed application to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security explaining how they will use the funds to attract professionals, and provide matching funds of at least 30% of the amount received. The bill also brings forward existing language related to workforce training funds, specifically Section 71-5-353 of the Mississippi Code, which outlines the structure and management of various workforce funds. The program aims to address professional shortages in rural areas by providing financial incentives and support for counties seeking to recruit and retain critical workforce professionals. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0444.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2025/html/HB/0400-0499/HB0444IN.htm |
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