Senate Bill 3044 Summary

• Establishes the "Equity in Distance Learning Grant Program" administered by the Mississippi Department of Education to provide funding and guidance to schools for distance learning implementation in response to COVID-19.

• Transfers $149.7 million total to the Equity in Distance Learning Fund: $300,000 for MSIS technology upgrades, $129.7 million allocated to schools based on average daily membership, and $20 million allocated based on schools' needs assessments.

• Requires schools to prioritize purchasing grade-appropriate devices for students and teachers, match 20% of grant funds with federal ESSER or other funding sources, and develop distance learning plans, technology sustainability plans, and responsible use policies by September 1, 2020.

• Designates purchases under the grant program as emergency purchases, exempting them from standard competitive bidding requirements under Section 31-7-13 of Mississippi Code.

• Establishes an Express Products List (EPL) of approved vendors and products that schools should use when purchasing equipment, with flexibility to purchase non-EPL items if demonstrably cheaper and equivalent in quality.