Bill > HB20

This bill appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. * **State General Fund:** $92,949,992.00 is appropriated from the State General Fund to the Department of Human Services. * **Special Funds:** $1,578,105,219.00 is appropriated from various special funds available to the department to support its divisions. * **Personal Services:** $113,856,269.00 is allocated for employee salaries, wages, and fringe benefits, including $3,900,396.00 for vacancy funding. This appropriation supports 1,302 permanent and 353 time-limited positions. * **Child Care Vouchers:** $15,000,000.00 is provided for childcare vouchers within the Child Care Program. * **Home Delivered Meals Program:** $1,000,000.00 is designated for the Home Delivered Meals Program. * **Regional Food Banks:** Up to $1,500,000.00 in CARES Act or American Rescue Act funding may be provided to three regional food banks serving Mississippi. * **Capital Expense Fund Reappropriation:** $56,188,624.00 is reappropriated from the Capital Expense Fund for computer expenses ($2,188,624.00) and to secure federal funding for a new computer system ($54,000,000.00). * **Prior Fiscal Year Expenses:** $32,575.76 is authorized for payments of expenses incurred in prior fiscal years. * **Transfer to Department of Health:** $1,000,000.00 from the Child Care Development Fund or other appropriate special fund is transferred to the Department of Health for the Child Care Licensure Program. * **Transfer to Department of Public Safety:** $250,000.00 from the State General Fund is transferred to the Juvenile Facility Monitoring Unit at the Department of Public Safety. Funds appropriated cannot be spent for purposes not authorized by state or federal law. The department is required to maintain detailed accounting and personnel records and submit budget requests in a comparable format to the previous year. The department is also authorized to spend additional federal incentive funds for child support enforcement. The bill includes provisions for competitive procurement for TANF subgrant agreements, monthly reporting from subgrantees, and limitations on advancing funds to subgrantees. Preference is to be given to Mississippi Industries for the Blind for purchases. The department may spend funds on technology upgrades that generate savings. The bill also prohibits the use of funds for certain utilities for state-furnished housing and outlines performance measures for various programs.