MS HB1739

Appropriates $134,949,321 from the State General Fund and $177,475,053 from special funds to the Department of Child Protection Services for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026).

Authorizes 1,501 permanent positions and 412 time-limited positions; prohibits personal services funding from exceeding fiscal year 2026 appropriations unless new programs or positions are added by the Legislature.

Allocates $250,000 for a 24-hour hotline and coordinator to assist child victims of commercial and sexual exploitation or human trafficking, and up to $4,500,000 for kinship care payments.

Appropriates $11,086,239 for adoption assistance and congregate care homes maintenance payments, and $1,711,959 for foster home maintenance payments.

Reappropriates $2,500,000 from the Capital Expense Fund for information technology system development, and authorizes headcount escalation for operational needs related to Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds.