HB 1011 Summary

• Creates a new Division of Child Protection Services within the Mississippi Department of Human Services, separate from the Office of Family and Children's Services, with a Commissioner appointed by the Governor with Senate approval.

• Exempts the Division of Child Protection Services and Department of Human Services from State Personnel Board rules, Personal Service Contract Review Board regulations, and Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services requirements for three fiscal years beginning July 1, 2016.

• Establishes a seven-member Child Protection Services Transition Committee to develop an implementation plan for orderly transition of child protection functions, with the committee to be abolished on July 1, 2018.

• Exempts the Commissioner's salary from statutory salary limitations, allowing compensation greater than 150% of the Governor's salary and supplementation with federal or private funds.

• Allows the Department of Human Services and Division of Child Protection Services to enter into contracts with vendors to improve performance and reduce costs without specific Legislative authority, provided the contracts remain under agency supervision and control.