MS HB985

Creates a Children's Cabinet composed of 14 members including the Governor, Speaker of the House, Lieutenant Governor, and heads of state departments serving children (Education, Human Services, Health, Mental Health, Medicaid, and others) to coordinate services across agencies.

Cabinet must meet by August 1, 2018 and develop plans to adopt best practices, streamline service delivery, create interagency case management systems, and reduce duplication of services for children and families.

Transfers responsibilities of the State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) for early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and the Interagency Coordinating Council for Children and Youth (ICCCY) to the new Children's Cabinet.

Repeals six separate sections of Mississippi Code establishing the State Early Childhood Advisory Council, State Interagency Coordinating Council, Advisory Committee to the SICC, Interagency Council on Homelessness, and related advisory councils.

Effective date is July 1, 2018.