MS HB150

Creates a 17-member Children's Resource Commission charged with coordinating and streamlining state services to Mississippi children, including efforts to combat abuse and neglect and promote foster care and adoption.

Commission members include the Governor's appointee, executive directors from Department of Human Services, State Department of Health, State Department of Mental Health, plus representatives from education, counseling, social work, and workforce development organizations.

Commission must design resource mapping of all federal and state funding for children's programs, assess program effectiveness, determine feasibility of merging or discontinuing services, and file annual reports to legislative committees by December 1.

All state agencies, departments, institutions, and political subdivisions providing children's services must submit itemized lists of programs and funding to the John C. Stennis Institute at Mississippi State University by September 1 annually; the institute compiles information and distributes to the commission and legislature.

Commission meetings must be quarterly at minimum, open to the public with opportunity for public comment; members receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for travel expenses.