MS HB483

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

Requires the Division of Medicaid to provide Medicaid recipients ages 13-20 with the same information and referrals and mandate their participation in educational programs on these topics.

Mandates that identified fathers of children born to TANF and Medicaid recipients ages 13-20 participate in the same educational programs once paternity is legally established.

Establishes criteria for abstinence-focused educational activities that must be medically accurate, age-appropriate, and include information on contraception effectiveness, sexually transmitted infections, sexual assault prevention, and financial responsibility for children.

Directs unspent TANF funds from prior fiscal years to first be expended for nursing education course expenses and childcare costs for persons enrolled in nursing workforce training programs.