Senate Bill 2805

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A MISSISSIPPI INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS WITHIN THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES; TO PRESCRIBE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL; TO PRESCRIBE THE DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, during the 2010-2011 school year, an estimated 12,929 children and youth were homeless in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi ranked forty-ninth among the 50 states in America's Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness by The National Center on Family Homelessness; and

WHEREAS, many families in Mississippi are at-risk of becoming homeless with increasing unemployment and the high cost of a two-bedroom apartment (no single person earning minimum wage anywhere in Mississippi can afford a two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent); and

WHEREAS, children and youth who are experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience acute and chronic illnesses, go hungry, have high rates of emotional and behavioral problems, show delayed development, and have learning disabilities and significant delays in gross and fine motor skills as well as social and personal growth; and

WHEREAS, children and youth experiencing homelessness are likely to move up to three times within a single year, repeat a grade, score lower than their peers on reading and math proficiency tests, and graduate from high school at a rate of less than 25%; and

WHEREAS, no statewide ten-year planning efforts have taken place in Mississippi to end child and family homelessness; and

WHEREAS, ending child homelessness in Mississippi is urgently necessary and possible; and

WHEREAS, strong on-going coordination and collaboration among all stakeholders is required to ensure that resources are distributed effectively and strategically so that a comprehensive, coordinated effort to end child homelessness will accomplish its goal; and

WHEREAS, in November 2010, the Mississippi Campaign to End Child Homelessness released the Mississippi Plan to End Child Homelessness; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Plan to End Child Homelessness was developed and written based on feedback and information from community leaders, key stakeholders, and homeless parents from throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Plan to End Child Homelessness recommends increased coordination and collaboration among state agencies, service providers, community leaders, and families to ensure a sustained, coordinated, statewide response to prevent and end child and family homelessness in Mississippi; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) A Mississippi Interagency Council on Homelessness (council) is hereby established to develop and implement the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness that includes a strong focus on the needs of homeless children, youth and families as well as individuals and veterans who are homeless. The council shall be located for administrative purposes within the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

(2) The council will include the following members appointed by the Governor:

(a) A representative from the Governor's office;

(b) Representatives of the Mississippi Department of Health, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Department of Mental Health, State Department of Education, and Mississippi Development Authority;

(c) The chairmen of the committees on Public Health and Human Services of each house plus a Senator appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and a Representative appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(d) Representatives of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care regional groups (Partners to End Homelessness, Mississippi United to End Homelessness, and Open Doors);

(e) Representatives from school districts around the state working on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act;

(f) Representatives from the Mississippi Campaign to End Child Homelessness;

(g) Directors of homeless and domestic violence emergency shelters;

(h) Representatives of youth, veteran and child care programs;

(i) People who have experienced homelessness; and

(j) Veterans who are homeless.

(3) The Mississippi Interagency Council on Homelessness shall meet regularly to develop and implement the Ten-Year Plan, update it annually, and report annually to the Governor, the Mississippi House of Representatives, the Mississippi State Senate, and the public about its progress in meeting its goals and objectives.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.