MS HB1803

Appropriates $20,000,000 from the Budget Contingency Fund to the Mississippi Department of Corrections for COVID-19 related expenses from July 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020.

Allocates $4,275,000 to fifteen regional correctional facilities for personal protective equipment, test kits, distant learning, virtual visitation, IT equipment and other COVID-19 expenses.

Allocates $1,500,000 to private correctional facilities and $14,225,000 to state correctional facilities for similar COVID-19 related expenses including isolation/quarantine housing for released inmates.

Requires the Department of Corrections to certify that expenditures comply with federal Coronavirus Relief Fund guidelines and to verify recipients have not received duplicate reimbursement from other sources.

Establishes that if federal inspectors determine improper use of funds, the responsible department or recipient must repay the misused amount to the State of Mississippi for federal reimbursement.