Bill
Bill > HB191
MS HB191
MS HB191Social workers; provide in schools having high incidences of crime and via video conferencing means.
summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Provide An Allocation Of Funds Under The Mississippi Student Funding Formula To School Districts Having The Highest Incidences Of Crime And Violence For The Purpose Of Employing Social Workers; To Direct The State Department Of Education To Determine Which School Districts Shall Receive Allocations For Social Workers; To Require Social Workers Employed With Those Funds To Be Appropriately Licensed; To Authorize The State Department Of Education To Promulgate Rules And Regulations Concerning The Activities Of Social Workers; To Require The State Department Of Education And The Department Of Human Services To Jointly Establish A Program To Make The Services Of Social Workers Accessible In Public Schools Throughout The State Via Video Conferencing Means; To Require The Department Of Human Services To Employ Ten Social Workers To Staff The Video Conferencing Program; To Authorize School Guidance Counselors Who Identify A Need For The Services Of A Social Worker To Arrange For Those Services Via The Video Conferencing Program; To Amend Section 37-151-209, Mississippi Code Of 1972, In Conformity To The Provisions Of This Act; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill aims to increase the availability of social workers in Mississippi public schools, particularly in districts facing high rates of crime and violence, and to expand access through video conferencing. Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, the State Department of Education will allocate funds from the Mississippi Student Funding Formula to school districts identified as having the greatest need, based on crime, violence, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation, and unemployment rates, for the purpose of hiring licensed social workers. These social workers must spend at least 75% of their time directly with students. Additionally, the State Department of Education and the Department of Human Services will jointly create a program where the Department of Human Services will employ ten licensed social workers who can provide services to schools statewide via video conferencing, accessible when school guidance counselors identify a need and the school district doesn't have its own social worker. The bill also amends existing law to ensure that funding for social workers is included within the overall student funding formula.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0191.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/0100-0199/HB0191IN.htm |
Loading...