Bill Text: MS HB1129 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Termination of parental rights; clarify jurisdiction of county and youth courts.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Independent 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-06-22 - Approved by Governor [HB1129 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2020-HB1129-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representative Cockerham
House Bill 1129
(As Sent to Governor)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 93-15-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY JURISDICTION OF COUNTY COURTS IN RELATION TO TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS PROCEEDINGS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 93-15-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
93-15-105. (1) The
chancery court has original exclusive jurisdiction over all termination of
parental rights proceedings except * * * when a county court * * * sitting as a youth court has acquired jurisdiction of a child in an abuse or neglect
proceeding, * * * then the county court shall have original exclusive
jurisdiction to hear a petition for termination of parental rights against a
parent of that child pursuant to the procedures of this chapter.
(2) (a) Venue in a county court sitting as a youth court for termination of parental rights proceedings shall be in the county in which the court has jurisdiction of the child in the abuse or neglect proceedings. Venue in chancery court for termination of parental rights proceedings shall be proper either in the county in which the defendant resides, the child resides or in the county where an agency or institution having custody of the child is located.
(b) Transfers of venue shall be governed by the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.
