MS HB778

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for the period January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022.

Restricts spending of appropriated funds to death benefits where the cause of death is covered under the Safeguarding America's First Responders Act of 2020.

Requires the Department of Public Safety to verify each expenditure is eligible under Section 602 of the federal Social Security Act (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) and that recipients have not received reimbursement from other sources.

Mandates the department certify to the Department of Finance and Administration that all expenditures comply with U.S. Department of Treasury guidelines for the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund.

Requires the department or recipient to reimburse the State of Mississippi if federal inspectors determine funds were spent improperly and the state must repay the federal government.