MS SB2196

Establishes the "Mississippi Foster Care Fund" administered by the Department of Child Protection Services to support services directly provided to foster families and foster children through contracts and grants compliant with Mississippi law.

Fund consists of legislative appropriations, accrued interest, federal monies, donations, and revenues from Section 99-19-73 assessments, with 90% of assessment revenues used directly for foster care services and no more than 10% for administrative purposes.

Adds a $2.00 assessment to criminal penalties imposed for drug violations under Section 41-29-139, with proceeds directed to the Mississippi Foster Care Fund.

Specifies that fund expenditures require legislative appropriation and can only be made in amounts available in the fund, establishing it as a continuing fund not subject to fiscal-year limitations.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.