MS HB98

Department of Human Services must provide TANF recipients ages 13-20 with information and referral to programs covering birth control, prenatal health care, abstinence education, marriage education, parenting skills, family preservation, and fatherhood, and require participation in these programs.

Division of Medicaid must provide similar information and referral to Medicaid recipients ages 13-20 and require their participation in abstinence-focused educational programs; identified fathers must also participate.

Unspent TANF funds from prior fiscal years must first be expended for nursing education course expenses and child care costs for nursing students in workforce training programs.

Educational activities emphasizing abstinence must be age and developmentally appropriate, medically accurate, and include instruction on contraception effectiveness rates, STI prevention, sexual assault prevention, financial responsibility for children, and laws regarding sexual conduct with minors.

Effective date is July 1, 2017.