MS HB960

Creates a nine-member task force to address disparities of African-American males in the judicial system, with membership consisting of three House members, three Senate members, and representatives from the State Superintendent of Education, Department of Human Services, and Department of Corrections.

Task force shall review data on incarceration rates and education levels of African-American males, evaluate dropout prevention methods, assess early guidance and counseling programs, and develop best practices for job skills training and drug rehabilitation.

Directs task force to develop a program focused on college preparation, leadership development, and teacher recruitment to increase African-American male elementary school teachers as role models in Mississippi's public schools.

Requires task force to evaluate methods used by the state training school to prevent adjudicated youth from entering the adult prison system and submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2011.

Task force shall be organized by July 15, 2011, with nonlegislative members compensated at per diem rates and reimbursed for mileage and expenses; legislative members paid from contingent expense funds when Legislature is not in session.