MS HB1612

Appropriates $30,532,240.00 from the State General Fund and $215,854,381.00 from special funds to the Department of Rehabilitation Services for fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023).

Authorizes 964 permanent positions and 207 time-limited positions within the department, with specific allocations including $2,782,590.00 to match federal funds and $854,903.00 for the Independent Living Program and State Attendant Care Program.

Establishes performance targets for FY2023 including 90,000 disability determinations, 2,000 blind and visually impaired persons served, 15,000 vocational rehabilitation clients served, and 1,000 spinal cord and head injury program clients served.

Allocates $1,563,039.00 from general fund court assessments to the Spinal Cord & Head Injury Trust and $1,000,000.00 for Independent Living and Home and Community Based Waiver programs.

Authorizes up to $100,000.00 for National Federation for the Blind News line service and grants preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind in competitive purchasing decisions.