HB 1316 Summary

• Prohibits courts and county boards of supervisors from entering multiyear contracts for web-based applications used with the Mississippi Youth Court Information Delivery System (MYCIDS) without completing a competitive bidding process.

• Requires the Department of Information Technology Services to maintain a list of authorized web-based application service providers and establishes a procurement process including sealed bid quotes, public opening, 28-day minimum notice period, and contract terms not exceeding 5 years with price redetermination every 2 years.

• Amends Section 31-7-13 to clarify that MYCIDS web-based application purchases for multiyear contracts are not exempt from competitive bidding requirements despite being information technology products.

• Establishes a comprehensive court interpreter credentialing and language access program requiring certified, registered, or noncredentialed interpreters in all Mississippi courts for Limited English Proficient individuals, with interpreter costs paid by courts/counties rather than litigants.

• Requires courts to submit annual reports to the Administrative Office of Courts detailing bilingual staff availability, language access plans, translated documents, interpreter usage costs, and staff training related to language services.