MS HB939

Amends Section 37-23-69 of Mississippi Code to allow children residing in licensed psychiatric residential treatment facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) to be eligible for state financial assistance for education.

Requires that children in these facilities receive education placement decisions based on recommendations from their Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee, consistent with special education requirements.

Establishes that eligible children receive state financial assistance at the per diem rate set by the Mississippi State Department of Education for the full term of placement, including extended school year if deemed necessary by the IEP Committee.

Applies to exceptional children not currently wards of the state who are placed in Medicaid-reimbursed private facilities that operate accredited nonpublic schools providing 24-hour monitoring, treatment, and education.

Takes effect July 1, 2013.