Bill Text: MS SB2731 | 2026 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Juvenile Justice Diversion Program; authorize diversion within the Division of Youth Services within DHS.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Failed) 2026-02-03 - Died In Committee [SB2731 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-SB2731-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Judiciary, Division A
By: Senator(s) Fillingane
Senate Bill 2731
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-27-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO RENAME THE "ADOLESCENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM" WITHIN THE DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES TO THE "JUVENILE JUSTICE DIVERSION PROGRAM"; TO REQUIRE THE JUVENILE JUSTICE DIVERSION PROGRAM TO OFFER ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION DURING AFTER SCHOOL AND WEEKEND HOURS; TO PROVIDE THAT SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR BY THE LEGISLATURE, THE JUVENILE JUSTICE DIVERSION PROGRAM MAY OPERATE AS PRE-PETITION DIVERSION AND AS A POST-ADJUDICATION DIVERSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIVERTING JUVENILES FROM DETENTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 43-27-201, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
43-27-201. (1) The purpose of this section is to outline and structure a long-range proposal in addition to certain immediate objectives for improvements in the juvenile facilities of the Division of Youth Services of the Mississippi Department of Human Services in order to provide modern and efficient rehabilitation facilities for juvenile offenders in Mississippi, who are committing an increasing percentage of serious and violent crimes.
(2) The Division of Youth
Services shall establish, maintain and operate * * * a Juvenile Justice Diversion Program (JJDP)
throughout the state, which may include non-Medicaid assistance eligible
juveniles. Beginning July 1, 2016, subject to availability of funds
appropriated therefor by the Legislature, * * * JJDP
professional services, salaries, facility offices, meeting rooms and related
supplies and equipment may be provided through contract with local mental
health centers or other nonprofit community organizations. Each * * * JJDP
participating organizations must incorporate evidence-based practices and
positive behavioral intervention that includes two (2) or more of the following
elements: academic * * *
tutoring * * * and
literacy, mentoring, vocational training, substance abuse treatment and
education, individual counseling, family counseling and social
adaptability skills training to include, but not limited to, conflict
resolution and anger management. Programs may include, but shall not be
limited to, after school and weekend programs, job readiness programs, home
detention programs, community service conflict resolution programs, restitution
and community service.
(3) The JJDP shall offer alternatives to detention during after school and weekend hours to include, but not limited to, job-readiness skills training, curfew and house arrest monitoring, community service work hours, and restitution and restorative justice practices.
(4) Subject to availability of funds appropriated therefor by the Legislature, the JJDP may operate as pre-petition diversion and as a post-adjudication diversion for the purpose of diverting juveniles from detention. The Division of Youth Services shall be responsible for programmatic oversight, including placement and services provided to juveniles diverted from the Youth Courts in the pre-petition setting. The Youth Courts, in consultation with the Division of Youth Services, shall be responsible for overseeing placement and services to be provided to juveniles in the post-adjudication setting.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.
