MS SB2712

Adds prenatal drug exposure as grounds for finding a child neglected if a health professional determined the child was exposed prenatally to Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substances not resulting from medical treatment.

Requires petitions in youth court cases to specify whether evidence of aggravated circumstances exists that would eliminate the requirement to make reasonable efforts to maintain the child in the home.

Adds two new aggravated circumstances allowing courts to bypass reasonable efforts requirements: (1) when a child has been removed from parental custody on at least two previous occasions, and (2) when a child under six months old was exposed to alcohol or controlled substances causing chemical dependence and the biological mother has another child with a similar judicial finding.

Clarifies that judges cannot appoint designees who are employees of the Mississippi Department of Human Services or Department of Child Protection Services.

Effective date is July 1, 2020.