Bill > HB1906

This bill appropriates funds for the Department of Child Protection Services (CPS) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, totaling over $321 million from both the State General Fund and special funds. A significant portion of these funds, over $125 million, is designated for "Personal Services," which includes salaries, wages, and fringe benefits for employees, with specific allocations for vacancy funding to fill authorized but unfilled positions. The bill also outlines the authorized headcount for permanent and time-limited positions, including six new attorney positions. It emphasizes maintaining detailed accounting and personnel records, adhering to the Variable Compensation Plan for employee salaries, and sets guidelines for managing personal services expenditures to avoid exceeding appropriations. Additionally, the bill allocates specific amounts for the Mississippi Children's Trust Fund, a 24-hour hotline for child exploitation victims, Kinship Care Payments, Adoption Assistance, Congregate Care Homes Maintenance Payments, and Foster Home Maintenance Payments. It also reappropriates $2.5 million for information technology system developments and allocates $4.2 million for the "pathways program," with provisions for technology upgrades, vendor payments for past expenses, and the authority to escalate headcount for operational needs related to Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds. Finally, the bill mandates preference for the Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions and specifies that the funds will be disbursed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer.

Budget and Finance

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1906.xml