MS SB2074

Requires youth courts to consider medical professional opinions submitted by a child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian before entering intake orders or adjudicating a child as neglected, abused, dependent, or in need of special care

Prohibits youth courts from entering intake orders based solely on the opinion of a medical professional under contract with the Department of Human Services (DHS) or the Department of Child Protection Services (CPS)

Prohibits adjudication of a child as neglected, abused, dependent, or in need of special care based solely on the opinion of a DHS or CPS-contracted medical professional

Parent-submitted medical opinions must be properly admitted as evidence under existing rules (Section 43-21-559) before the court is required to consider them in adjudication proceedings

Effective date: July 1, 2023