"Mississippi Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act of 2026"; enact.

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To: Veterans and Military
Affairs; Appropriations
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Tate

SENATE BILL NO. 2667

AN ACT ENTITLED THE "MISSISSIPPI VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH AND 1
ADDICTION THERAPY QUALITY OF CARE ACT OF 2026"; TO SET FORTH THE 2
PURPOSE OF THE ACT; TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS SUICIDE 3
PREVENTION LIFELINE PROGRAM; TO DESCRIBE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE 4
BOARD IN MAINTAINING THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE STATE VETERANS 5
AFFAIRS BOARD TO CREATE A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE 6
OF THE PROGRAM; TO OUTLINE CRITERIA THE PLAN MUST MEET; TO REQUIRE 7
THE BOARD TO COMPLETE THE PLAN AND MAKE IT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE 8
BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2026; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO PERIODICALLY 9
UPDATE THE PLAN AND MAKE SUCH UPDATES PUBLICLY AVAILABLE; TO 10
PROHIBIT UNETHICAL CONDUCT AND IMPROPER COLLECTION OF FEES 11
RELATING TO ASSISTANCE OR REFERRALS IN VETERANS BENEFITS MATTERS; 12
TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON WHO RECEIVES COMPENSATION FOR ASSISTING 13
AN INDIVIDUAL REGARDING ANY VETERANS BENEFITS IS HELD TO THE SAME 14
ETHICAL STANDARD AS AN ATTORNEY; TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION OF 15
THIS ACT SHALL BE DEEMED A DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE ACTIONABLE BY 16
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION; TO AMEND 17
SECTIONS 75-24-5, 75-24-15 AND 35-3-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 18
IN CONFORMITY; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 43-17-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 19
1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SHALL SET 20
ASIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THE MONIES RECEIVED BY THE STATE UNDER 21
THE FEDERAL TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES BLOCK GRANT 22
DURING EACH FISCAL YEAR TO FUND GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS 23
SPECIFICALLY WORKING WITH MILITARY OR FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES, OR 24
BOTH, TO PROVIDE MARRIAGE COUNSELING, PREPARATION AND SUPPORT; TO 25
AMEND SECTION 43-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE 26
PRECEDING PROVISION; TO ENACT THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS CLAIMS 27
REPRESENTATION PROTECTION ACT; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO PROHIBIT 28
UNACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVES FROM REPRESENTING, ADVISING OR 29
ASSISTING VETERANS OR DEPENDENTS IN PREPARING OR FILING CLAIMS FOR 30
VA BENEFITS; TO PROHIBIT UNACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVES FROM 31
ADVERTISING OR HOLDING THEMSELVES OUT AS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING 32
CERTAIN SERVICES; TO CREATE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; 33
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO MAINTAIN A 34
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REGISTRY OF ACCREDITED VA CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVES AND PROVIDE 35
PUBLIC NOTICE TO ASSIST VETERANS IN IDENTIFYING THE SAME; TO 36
REQUIRE A STUDY ON THE QUALITY OF CARE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MENTAL 37
HEALTH AND ADDICTION THERAPY CARE PROVIDED BY HEALTH CARE 38
PROVIDERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 39
COMPARED TO NONDEPARTMENT PROVIDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 40
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 41
SECTION 1. (1) This act shall be known and may be cited as 42
the "Mississippi Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy 43
Quality of Care Act of 2026." 44
(2) The purpose of this act is to coordinate the functions 45
of key stakeholders in order to assess the mental health needs of 46
military veterans and current members of the Mississippi National 47
Guard and to implement a strategic plan addressing mental health 48
issues and the prevention of suicide and improve veterans' access 49
to community health care, as developed by the Mississippi Save Our 50
Service Member Task Force established under House Bill No. 1268 51
(2025 Regular Session). 52
SECTION 2. (1) The State Veterans Affairs Board (board) 53
shall maintain the Mississippi Veterans Suicide Prevention 54
Lifeline program created herein. 55
(2) In maintaining the program, the activities of the board 56
shall include: 57
(a) Working with and supporting crisis centers across 58
the State for providing suicide prevention and mental health 59
crisis intervention services for veterans, including appropriate 60
follow-up services, to veterans seeking help at any time, day or 61
night; 62
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(b) Maintaining a suicide and mental health hotline for 63
veterans to link callers to local emergency, mental health and 64
social services resources. Such hotline shall be staffed by 65
veterans trained to assist in mental health crises; 66
(c) Improving awareness of the program for suicide 67
prevention and mental health crisis intervention services for 68
veterans in Mississippi, including by conducting an awareness 69
initiative on social media and online, as well as ongoing outreach 70
to the public; and 71
(d) Improving the collection and analysis of 72
demographic information, in a manner that protects personal 73
privacy, consistent with applicable Federal and State privacy 74
laws, in order to understand disparities in access to the program 75
among veterans who are seeking help. 76
(3) (a) For the purpose of maintaining the suicide 77
prevention hotline for veterans, the board shall develop and 78
implement a plan to ensure the provision of high-quality services. 79
(b) The plan required by paragraph (a) of this 80
subsection shall include the following: 81
(i) Program evaluation, including performance 82
measures to assess progress toward the goals and objectives of the 83
program and to improve the responsiveness and performance of the 84
hotline. 85
(ii) Requirements that call-takers must meet to 86
ensure that each telephone call and applicable other communication 87
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received by the hotline is answered in a timely manner by a 88
veteran trained to assist other veterans in mental health crises, 89
consistent with evidence-based guidance or other guidance or best 90
practices, as appropriate. Such requirements shall be developed 91
in conjunction with the Department of Health. 92
(c) Specific recommendations for implementing 93
evidence-based practices, including with respect to follow-up 94
conversations and communicating the availability of resources in 95
the State for individuals in need. 96
(d) Criteria for carrying out periodic testing of the 97
hotline during each fiscal year to identify and address any 98
problems in a timely manner. 99
(4) The board shall complete development of the initial plan 100
and make such plan publicly available not later than December 1, 101
2026, and update such plan and make the updated plan publicly 102
available periodically thereafter. 103
SECTION 3. (1) For purposes of Section 4 of this act: 104
(a) "Compensation" means payment of any money, thing of 105
value or financial benefit. 106
(b) "Veterans benefits matter" means the preparation, 107
presentation or prosecution of any claim affecting any person who 108
has filed or expressed an intent to file a claim for any benefit, 109
program, service, commodity, function or status, to which 110
entitlement is determined under the laws and regulations 111
administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 112
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the United States Department of Defense, or the Mississippi State 113
Veterans Affairs Board pertaining to veterans, their dependents or 114
survivors, or any other individual eligible for such benefit, 115
program, service, commodity, function or status. 116
(2) Except as permitted under federal law, no person shall 117
receive compensation for preparing, presenting, prosecuting, 118
advising, consulting or assisting any individual with regard to 119
any veterans benefits matter before the United States Department 120
of Veterans Affairs, the United States Department of Defense, or 121
the Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board. 122
(3) No person shall receive compensation for referring any 123
individual to another person to prepare, present, prosecute, 124
advise, consult or assist regarding any veterans benefits matter 125
before the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the 126
United States Department of Defense, or the Mississippi State 127
Veterans Affairs Board. 128
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a 129
division of fees between licensed attorneys that is otherwise 130
proper under the Rules of Professional Conduct of The Mississippi 131
Bar. 132
(5) A violation of this section shall be a deceptive trade 133
practice under Section 75-24-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, 134
actionable by the Mississippi Attorney General. 135
(6) Any person who receives compensation for preparing, 136
presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting or assisting an 137
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individual with regard to any veterans benefits matter before the 138
United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States 139
Department of Defense, or the Mississippi State Veterans Affairs 140
Board shall be held to the same ethical standards as an attorney 141
is held to in the Rules of Professional Conduct of The Mississippi 142
Bar regarding the following areas: 143
(a) Advertising; 144
(b) Solicitation of new clients; 145
(c) Confidentiality; 146
(d) Duty of care; 147
(e) Duty of honesty; and 148
(f) Duty to zealously pursue what is in the best 149
interest of the client. 150
(7) Any person preparing or assisting any individual with 151
regard to any veteran's benefits shall comply with the provisions 152
of Section 75-24-15(5) relating to claims filed on behalf of 153
veterans. 154
SECTION 4. Section 75-24-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 155
amended as follows: 156
75-24-5. (1) Unfair methods of competition affecting 157
commerce and unfair or deceptive trade practices in or affecting 158
commerce are prohibited. Action may be brought under Section 159
75-24-5(1) only under the provisions of Section 75-24-9. 160
(2) Without limiting the scope of subsection (1) of this 161
section, the following unfair methods of competition and unfair or 162
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deceptive trade practices or acts in the conduct of any trade or 163
commerce are hereby prohibited: 164
(a) Passing off goods or services as those of another; 165
(b) Misrepresentation of the source, sponsorship, 166
approval, or certification of goods or services; 167
(c) Misrepresentation of affiliation, connection, or 168
association with, or certification by another; 169
(d) Misrepresentation of designations of geographic 170
origin in connection with goods or services; 171
(e) Representing that goods or services have 172
sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, 173
benefits, or quantities that they do not have or that a person has 174
a sponsorship, approval, status, affiliation, or connection that 175
he does not have; 176
(f) Representing that goods are original or new if they 177
are reconditioned, reclaimed, used, or secondhand; 178
(g) Representing that goods or services are of a 179
particular standard, quality, or grade, or that goods are of a 180
particular style or model, if they are of another; 181
(h) Disparaging the goods, services, or business of 182
another by false or misleading representation of fact; 183
(i) Advertising goods or services with intent not to 184
sell them as advertised; 185
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(j) Advertising goods or services with intent not to 186
supply reasonably expectable public demand, unless the 187
advertisement discloses a limitation of quantity; 188
(k) Misrepresentations of fact concerning the reasons 189
for, existence of, or amounts of price reductions; 190
(l) Advertising by or on behalf of any licensed or 191
regulated health care professional which does not specifically 192
describe the license or qualifications of the licensed or 193
regulated health care professional; 194
(m) Charging an increased premium for reinstating a 195
motor vehicle insurance policy that was cancelled or suspended by 196
the insured solely for the reason that he was transferred out of 197
this state while serving in the United States Armed Forces or on 198
active duty in the National Guard or United States Armed Forces 199
Reserve. It is also an unfair practice for an insurer to charge 200
an increased premium for a new motor vehicle insurance policy if 201
the applicant for coverage or his covered dependents were 202
previously insured with a different insurer and canceled that 203
policy solely for the reason that he was transferred out of this 204
state while serving in the United States Armed Forces or on active 205
duty in the National Guard or United States Armed Forces Reserve. 206
For purposes of determining premiums, an insurer shall consider 207
such persons as having maintained continuous coverage. The 208
provisions of this paragraph (m) shall apply only to such 209
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instances when the insured does not drive the vehicle during the 210
period of cancellation or suspension of his policy; 211
(n) Violating the provisions of Section 75-24-8; 212
(o) Violating the provisions of Section 73-3-38; 213
(p) Violating any of the provisions of Title 41, 214
Chapter 149, Mississippi Code of 1972; * * * 215
(q) Violating any of the provisions of Title 45, 216
Chapter 38, Mississippi Code of 1972 * * *; 217
(r) Violating any of the provisions of Title 41, 218
Chapter 151, Mississippi Code of 1972 * * *; and 219
(s) Violating the provisions of this section relating 220
to improper collection of fees in veterans assistance matters. 221
SECTION 5. Section 75-24-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 222
amended as follows: 223
75-24-15. (1) In addition to all other statutory and common 224
law rights, remedies and defenses, any person who purchases or 225
leases goods or services primarily for personal, family or 226
household purposes and thereby suffers any ascertainable loss of 227
money or property, real or personal, as a result of the use or 228
employment by the seller, lessor, manufacturer or producer of a 229
method, act or practice prohibited by Section 75-24-5 may bring an 230
action at law in the court having jurisdiction in the county in 231
which the seller, lessor, manufacturer or producer resides, or has 232
his or her principal place of business or, where the act or 233
practice prohibited by Section 75-24-5 allegedly occurred, to 234
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recover such loss of money or damages for the loss of such 235
property, or may assert, by way of setoff or counterclaim, the 236
fact of such loss in a proceeding against him or her for the 237
recovery of the purchase price or rental, or any portion thereof, 238
of the goods or services. 239
(2) In any private action brought under this chapter, the 240
plaintiff must have first made a reasonable attempt to resolve any 241
claim through an informal dispute settlement program approved by 242
the Attorney General. 243
(3) In any action or counterclaim under this section of this 244
chapter, a prevailing defendant may recover in addition to any 245
other relief that may be provided in this section costs and a 246
reasonable attorney's fee, if in the opinion of the court, said 247
action or counterclaim was frivolous or filed for the purpose of 248
harassment or delay. 249
(4) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit any 250
class action or suit, but every private action must be maintained 251
in the name of and for the sole use and benefit of the individual 252
person. 253
(5) In any claim under this section filed on behalf of a 254
veteran that charges the veteran a fee for the service shall 255
include a form signed by the veteran acknowledging that "THE STATE 256
OF MISSISSIPPI THROUGH THE MISSISSIPPI STATE VETERANS AFFAIRS 257
BOARD OFFERS THE SAME OR SIMILAR SERVICE FREE OF CHARGE." The 258
veteran must sign this form stating that he/she has read and 259
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understands it. The statement signed by the veteran shall be of a 260
BOLD font at least one hundred twenty percent (120%) larger than 261
the font of the claim document filed on behalf of the veteran. 262
Any such claim shall also comply with the provisions of Section 2 263
of this act relating to claims filed on behalf of veterans. 264
SECTION 6. Section 35-3-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 265
amended as follows: 266
35-3-21. In order to maintain offices and pay personnel for 267
the purpose of assisting all residents of the State of Mississippi 268
who served in the military or naval forces of the United States 269
during any war, their relatives, beneficiaries or dependents, to 270
receive from the United States any and all compensation, 271
hospitalization, insurance or other aid or benefits to which they 272
may be entitled under existing or hereafter enacted laws of the 273
United States, the boards of supervisors in the various counties 274
in the state are hereby authorized and empowered, in their 275
discretion, to expend out of the general county fund, or special 276
veterans' fund herein authorized to be set up, or from both of 277
such funds, such monies necessary to defray the office operating 278
expenses and salary of the county veteran service officers. 279
Two (2) or more counties may, upon resolution duly adopted by 280
the board of supervisors of each of such counties, agree to 281
establish one (1) veteran service office for all of such counties. 282
When two (2) or more counties enter into such an agreement, each 283
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county shall pay such amount mutually agreed upon and duly adopted 284
by resolution of the respective boards of supervisors. 285
County veteran service officers shall be (a) honorably 286
discharged or honorably released veterans; (b) the surviving 287
spouse or child of any such veteran, living or deceased; or (c) 288
any person employed as a county veteran service officer in any 289
county of this state on March 30, 1990. From and after July 1, 290
1990, county veteran service officers shall be certified by the 291
Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board which, among any other 292
criteria it may establish, shall require such officers to (a) 293
attend one (1) of the annual training programs provided for such 294
officers by the Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board, (b) 295
successfully complete a written examination each year on the 296
duties and responsibilities of and assistance available to such 297
officers and veterans, (c) have certification and be accredited 298
according to 38 CFR Section 14.629 administered by the Mississippi 299
State Veterans Affairs Board, and (d) follow the rules and 300
regulations promulgated by the Mississippi State Veterans Affairs 301
Board. County veteran service officers who annually receive and 302
complete such instruction in a manner satisfactory to the Veterans 303
Affairs Board and in accordance with this section shall be 304
certified by the board. No county veteran service officer shall 305
be entitled to receive any compensation for his services, to which 306
he is otherwise entitled by law, unless he is annually certified 307
by the board. Persons who cannot meet the accreditation standards 308
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of hours worked for county veteran service officers may be 309
certified by the Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board as 310
Veterans Resource Advisors and be entitled to receive any 311
compensation for his services as authorized by law. 312
County veteran service officers may be employed, in the 313
discretion of the boards of supervisors, either full time or part 314
time. 315
County veteran service officers shall be authorized and 316
empowered to act for a veteran under a written power of attorney 317
authorized by the veteran for the purpose of assisting with 318
claims, benefits, and appeals in an administrative hearing before 319
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and any of its 320
boards or departments, and shall be immune from legal action only 321
for such actions except in cases of abuse, fraud or breach of 322
fiduciary duty. County veteran service officers are exempt from 323
the provisions of Section 2 of this act relating to improper 324
collection of fees in veterans benefits matters. 325
The boards of supervisors of the various counties are 326
authorized and directed to provide necessary office space and 327
communications connectivity for county veteran service officers. 328
The boards of supervisors of the various counties are further 329
authorized and empowered to pay all necessary and actual expenses 330
of county veteran service officers who attend a school of 331
instruction within the State of Mississippi for such county 332
veteran service officers. 333
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It shall also be the duty of the boards of supervisors to aid 334
the United States to defeat all unjust claims for aid or benefit 335
therefrom. 336
Such expenditures may be made by the several counties acting 337
alone, or in cooperation with other counties, and in cooperation 338
with any federal or state agency carrying out such purposes. 339
In the event that the general revenues of the county levied 340
under and within the limits of existing taxing statutes are not 341
sufficient to pay the expenses authorized herein, the board of 342
supervisors may, in its discretion, levy an additional tax not to 343
exceed one (1) mill on all taxable property in the county to 344
defray such expenses or any part thereof. Any tax levy made under 345
authority of this chapter shall not be considered in refunding 346
homestead exemption losses under Title 27, Chapter 33, Mississippi 347
Code of 1972. 348
SECTION 7. The following shall be codified as Section 349
43-17-41, Mississippi Code of 1972: 350
43-17-41. (1) For purposes of this section, the following 351
terms shall be defined as provided in this subsection: 352
(a) "Military" means the Armed Forces or Reserves of 353
the United States, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast 354
Guard, Air Force, and the reserve components thereof, the National 355
Guard of any state, the military reserves of any state, or the 356
naval militia of any state. 357
(b) "First responder" means a: 358
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(i) Firefighter; 359
(ii) Emergency medical technician; 360
(iii) Rescue squad member; 361
(iv) Law enforcement officer; 362
(v) Correctional officer; or 363
(vi) Sworn member of the State Fire Marshal's 364
office. 365
(c) "Nonprofit organization" means an entity described 366
in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 367
(2) Of the monies received by the state under the federal 368
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant during each 369
fiscal year, the State Department of Human Services shall, 370
consistent with federal law and subject to appropriation by the 371
Legislature, set aside a minimum of Ten Million Dollars 372
($10,000,000.00) of such monies to fund grants to nonprofit 373
organizations specifically working with military or first 374
responder families, or both, to provide marriage counseling, 375
preparation and support. The State Department is authorized to 376
implement policies to award such grants and is authorized to 377
implement those policies by rules promulgated pursuant to Section 378
43-17-7 and Section 25-43-1.101 et seq. 379
(3) It is the intent of the Legislature that funding 380
authorized under this section shall be used to supplement, not 381
supplant, other sources of revenue previously or hereafter used 382
for the purposes of this section. 383
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SECTION 8. Section 43-17-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 384
amended as follows: 385
43-17-5. (1) The amount of Temporary Assistance for Needy 386
Families (TANF) benefits which may be granted for any dependent 387
child and a needy caretaker relative shall be determined by the 388
county department with due regard to the resources and necessary 389
expenditures of the family and the conditions existing in each 390
case, and in accordance with the rules and regulations made by the 391
Department of Human Services which shall not be less than the 392
Standard of Need in effect for 1988, and shall be sufficient when 393
added to all other income (except that any income specified in the 394
federal Social Security Act, as amended, may be disregarded) and 395
support available to the child to provide such child with a 396
reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health. The 397
first family member in the dependent child's budget may receive an 398
amount not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per month; the 399
second family member in the dependent child's budget may receive 400
an amount not to exceed Thirty-six Dollars ($36.00) per month; and 401
each additional family member in the dependent child's budget an 402
amount not to exceed Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) per month. The 403
maximum for any individual family member in the dependent child's 404
budget may be exceeded for foster or medical care or in cases of 405
children with an intellectual disability or a physical disability. 406
TANF benefits granted shall be specifically limited only (a) to 407
children existing or conceived at the time the caretaker relative 408
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initially applies and qualifies for such assistance, unless this 409
limitation is specifically waived by the department, or (b) to a 410
child born following a twelve-consecutive-month period of 411
discontinued benefits by the caretaker relative. 412
(2) TANF benefits in Mississippi shall be provided to the 413
recipient family by an online electronic benefits transfer system. 414
(3) The Department of Human Services shall deny TANF 415
benefits to the following categories of individuals, except for 416
individuals and families specifically exempt or excluded for good 417
cause as allowed by federal statute or regulation: 418
(a) Families without a minor child residing with the 419
custodial parent or other adult caretaker relative of the child; 420
(b) Families which include an adult who has received 421
TANF assistance for sixty (60) months after the commencement of 422
the Mississippi TANF program, whether or not such period of time 423
is consecutive; 424
(c) Families not assigning to the state any rights a 425
family member may have, on behalf of the family member or of any 426
other person for whom the family member has applied for or is 427
receiving such assistance, to support from any other person, as 428
required by law; 429
(d) Families who fail to cooperate in establishing 430
paternity or obtaining child support, as required by law; 431
(e) Any individual who has not attained eighteen (18) 432
years of age, is not married to the head of household, has a minor 433
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child at least twelve (12) weeks of age in his or her care, and 434
has not successfully completed a high school education or its 435
equivalent, if such individual does not participate in educational 436
activities directed toward the attainment of a high school diploma 437
or its equivalent, or an alternative educational or training 438
program approved by the department; 439
(f) Any individual who has not attained eighteen (18) 440
years of age, is not married, has a minor child in his or her 441
care, and does not reside in a place or residence maintained by a 442
parent, legal guardian or other adult relative or the individual 443
as such parent's, guardian's or adult relative's own home; 444
(g) Any minor child who has been, or is expected by a 445
parent or other caretaker relative of the child to be, absent from 446
the home for a period of more than thirty (30) days; 447
(h) Any individual who is a parent or other caretaker 448
relative of a minor child who fails to notify the department of 449
the absence of the minor child from the home for the thirty-day 450
period specified in paragraph (g), by the end of the five-day 451
period that begins with the date that it becomes clear to the 452
individual that the minor child will be absent for the thirty-day 453
period; 454
(i) Any individual who fails to comply with the 455
provisions of the Employability Development Plan signed by the 456
individual which prescribe those activities designed to help the 457
individual become and remain employed, or to participate 458
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satisfactorily in the assigned work activity, as authorized under 459
subsection (6)(c) and (d), or who does not engage in applicant job 460
search activities within the thirty-day period for TANF 461
application approval after receiving the advice and consultation 462
of eligibility workers and/or caseworkers of the department 463
providing a detailed description of available job search venues in 464
the individual's county of residence or the surrounding counties; 465
(j) A parent or caretaker relative who has not engaged 466
in an allowable work activity once the department determines the 467
parent or caretaker relative is ready to engage in work, or once 468
the parent or caretaker relative has received TANF assistance 469
under the program for twenty-four (24) months, whether or not 470
consecutive, whichever is earlier; 471
(k) Any individual who is fleeing to avoid prosecution, 472
or custody or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the 473
jurisdiction from which the individual flees, for a crime, or an 474
attempt to commit a crime, which is a felony under the laws of the 475
place from which the individual flees, or who is violating a 476
condition of probation or parole imposed under federal or state 477
law; 478
(l) Aliens who are not qualified under federal law; 479
(m) For a period of ten (10) years following 480
conviction, individuals convicted in federal or state court of 481
having made a fraudulent statement or representation with respect 482
to the individual's place of residence in order to receive TANF, 483
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food stamps or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) assistance under 484
Title XVI or Title XIX simultaneously from two (2) or more states; 485
(n) Individuals who are recipients of federal 486
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) assistance; and 487
(o) Individuals who are eighteen (18) years of age or 488
older who are not in compliance with the drug testing and 489
substance use disorder treatment requirements of Section 43-17-6. 490
(4) (a) Any person who is otherwise eligible for TANF 491
benefits, including custodial and noncustodial parents, shall be 492
required to attend school and meet the monthly attendance 493
requirement as provided in this subsection if all of the following 494
apply: 495
(i) The person is under age twenty (20); 496
(ii) The person has not graduated from a public or 497
private high school or obtained a High School Equivalency Diploma 498
equivalent; 499
(iii) The person is physically able to attend 500
school and is not excused from attending school; and 501
(iv) If the person is a parent or caretaker 502
relative with whom a dependent child is living, child care is 503
available for the child. 504
The monthly attendance requirement under this subsection 505
shall be attendance at the school in which the person is enrolled 506
for each day during a month that the school conducts classes in 507
which the person is enrolled, with not more than two (2) absences 508
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during the month for reasons other than the reasons listed in 509
paragraph (e)(iv) of this subsection. Persons who fail to meet 510
participation requirements in this subsection shall be subject to 511
sanctions as provided in paragraph (f) of this subsection. 512
(b) As used in this subsection, "school" means any one 513
(1) of the following: 514
(i) A school as defined in Section 37-13-91(2); 515
(ii) A vocational, technical and adult education 516
program; or 517
(iii) A course of study meeting the standards 518
established by the State Department of Education for the granting 519
of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation. 520
(c) If any compulsory-school-age child, as defined in 521
Section 37-13-91(2), to which TANF eligibility requirements apply 522
is not in compliance with the compulsory school attendance 523
requirements of Section 37-13-91(6), the superintendent of schools 524
of the school district in which the child is enrolled or eligible 525
to attend shall notify the county department of human services of 526
the child's noncompliance. The Department of Human Services shall 527
review school attendance information as provided under this 528
paragraph at all initial eligibility determinations and upon 529
subsequent report of unsatisfactory attendance. 530
(d) The signature of a person on an application for 531
TANF benefits constitutes permission for the release of school 532
attendance records for that person or for any child residing with 533
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that person. The department shall request information from the 534
child's school district about the child's attendance in the school 535
district's most recently completed semester of attendance. If 536
information about the child's previous school attendance is not 537
available or cannot be verified, the department shall require the 538
child to meet the monthly attendance requirement for one (1) 539
semester or until the information is obtained. The department 540
shall use the attendance information provided by a school district 541
to verify attendance for a child. The department shall review 542
with the parent or caretaker relative a child's claim that he or 543
she has a good cause for not attending school. 544
A school district shall provide information to the department 545
about the attendance of a child who is enrolled in a public school 546
in the district within five (5) working days of the receipt of a 547
written request for that information from the department. The 548
school district shall define how many hours of attendance count as 549
a full day and shall provide that information, upon request, to 550
the department. In reporting attendance, the school district may 551
add partial days' absence together to constitute a full day's 552
absence. 553
If a school district fails to provide to the department the 554
information about the school attendance of any child within 555
fifteen (15) working days after a written request, the department 556
shall notify the Department of Audit within three (3) working days 557
of the school district's failure to comply with that requirement. 558
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The Department of Audit shall begin audit proceedings within five 559
(5) working days of notification by the Department of Human 560
Services to determine the school district's compliance with the 561
requirements of this subsection (4). If the Department of Audit 562
finds that the school district is not in compliance with the 563
requirements of this subsection, the school district shall be 564
penalized as follows: The Department of Audit shall notify the 565
State Department of Education of the school district's 566
noncompliance, and the Department of Education shall reduce the 567
calculation of the school district's net enrollment that is used 568
to determine the allocation of total funding formula funds by the 569
number of children for which the district has failed to provide to 570
the Department of Human Services the required information about 571
the school attendance of those children. The reduction in the 572
calculation of the school district's net enrollment under this 573
paragraph shall be effective for a period of one (1) year. 574
(e) A child who is required to attend school to meet 575
the requirements under this subsection shall comply except when 576
there is good cause, which shall be demonstrated by any of the 577
following circumstances: 578
(i) The minor parent is the caretaker of a child 579
less than twelve (12) weeks old; or 580
(ii) The department determines that child care 581
services are necessary for the minor parent to attend school and 582
there is no child care available; or 583
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(iii) The child is prohibited by the school 584
district from attending school and an expulsion is pending. This 585
exemption no longer applies once the teenager has been expelled; 586
however, a teenager who has been expelled and is making 587
satisfactory progress towards obtaining a High School Equivalency 588
Diploma equivalent shall be eligible for TANF benefits; or 589
(iv) The child failed to attend school for one or 590
more of the following reasons: 591
1. Illness, injury or incapacity of the child 592
or the minor parent's child; 593
2. Court-required appearances or temporary 594
incarceration; 595
3. Medical or dental appointments for the 596
child or minor parent's child; 597
4. Death of a close relative; 598
5. Observance of a religious holiday; 599
6. Family emergency; 600
7. Breakdown in transportation; 601
8. Suspension; or 602
9. Any other circumstance beyond the control 603
of the child, as defined in regulations of the department. 604
(f) Upon determination that a child has failed without 605
good cause to attend school as required, the department shall 606
provide written notice to the parent or caretaker relative 607
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(whoever is the primary recipient of the TANF benefits) that 608
specifies: 609
(i) That the family will be sanctioned in the next 610
possible payment month because the child who is required to attend 611
school has failed to meet the attendance requirement of this 612
subsection; 613
(ii) The beginning date of the sanction, and the 614
child to whom the sanction applies; 615
(iii) The right of the child's parents or 616
caretaker relative (whoever is the primary recipient of the TANF 617
benefits) to request a fair hearing under this subsection. 618
The child's parent or caretaker relative (whoever is the 619
primary recipient of the TANF benefits) may request a fair hearing 620
on the department's determination that the child has not been 621
attending school. If the child's parents or caretaker relative 622
does not request a fair hearing under this subsection, or if, 623
after a fair hearing has been held, the hearing officer finds that 624
the child without good cause has failed to meet the monthly 625
attendance requirement, the department shall discontinue or deny 626
TANF benefits to the child thirteen (13) years old, or older, in 627
the next possible payment month. The department shall discontinue 628
or deny twenty-five percent (25%) of the family grant when a child 629
six (6) through twelve (12) years of age without good cause has 630
failed to meet the monthly attendance requirement. Both the child 631
and family sanction may apply when children in both age groups 632
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fail to meet the attendance requirement without good cause. A 633
sanction applied under this subsection shall be effective for one 634
(1) month for each month that the child failed to meet the monthly 635
attendance requirement. In the case of a dropout, the sanction 636
shall remain in force until the parent or caretaker relative 637
provides written proof from the school district that the child has 638
reenrolled and met the monthly attendance requirement for one (1) 639
calendar month. Any month in which school is in session for at 640
least ten (10) days during the month may be used to meet the 641
attendance requirement under this subsection. This includes 642
attendance at summer school. The sanction shall be removed the 643
next possible payment month. 644
(5) All parents or caretaker relatives shall have their 645
dependent children receive vaccinations and booster vaccinations 646
against those diseases specified by the State Health Officer under 647
Section 41-23-37 in accordance with the vaccination and booster 648
vaccination schedule prescribed by the State Health Officer for 649
children of that age, in order for the parents or caretaker 650
relatives to be eligible or remain eligible to receive TANF 651
benefits. Proof of having received such vaccinations and booster 652
vaccinations shall be given by presenting the certificates of 653
vaccination issued by any health care provider licensed to 654
administer vaccinations, and submitted on forms specified by the 655
State Board of Health. If the parents without good cause do not 656
have their dependent children receive the vaccinations and booster 657
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vaccinations as required by this subsection and they fail to 658
comply after thirty (30) days' notice, the department shall 659
sanction the family's TANF benefits by twenty-five percent (25%) 660
for the next payment month and each subsequent payment month until 661
the requirements of this subsection are met. 662
(6) (a) If the parent or caretaker relative applying for 663
TANF assistance is work eligible, as determined by the Department 664
of Human Services, the person shall be required to engage in an 665
allowable work activity once the department determines the parent 666
or caretaker relative is determined work eligible, or once the 667
parent or caretaker relative has received TANF assistance under 668
the program for twenty-four (24) months, whether or not 669
consecutive, whichever is earlier. No TANF benefits shall be 670
given to any person to whom this section applies who fails without 671
good cause to comply with the Employability Development Plan 672
prepared by the department for the person, or who has refused to 673
accept a referral or offer of employment, training or education in 674
which he or she is able to engage, subject to the penalties 675
prescribed in paragraph (e) of this subsection. A person shall be 676
deemed to have refused to accept a referral or offer of 677
employment, training or education if he or she: 678
(i) Willfully fails to report for an interview 679
with respect to employment when requested to do so by the 680
department; or 681
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(ii) Willfully fails to report to the department 682
the result of a referral to employment; or 683
(iii) Willfully fails to report for allowable work 684
activities as prescribed in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this 685
subsection. 686
(b) The Department of Human Services shall operate a 687
statewide work program for TANF recipients to provide work 688
activities and supportive services to enable families to become 689
self-sufficient and improve their competitive position in the 690
workforce in accordance with the requirements of the federal 691
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 692
1996 (Public Law 104-193), as amended, and the regulations 693
promulgated thereunder, and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 694
(Public Law 109-171), as amended. Within sixty (60) days after 695
the initial application for TANF benefits, the TANF recipient must 696
participate in a job search skills training workshop or a job 697
readiness program, which shall include resume writing, job search 698
skills, employability skills and, if available at no charge, the 699
General Aptitude Test Battery or its equivalent. All adults who 700
are not specifically exempt shall be referred by the department 701
for allowable work activities. An adult may be exempt from the 702
mandatory work activity requirement for the following reasons: 703
(i) Incapacity; 704
(ii) Temporary illness or injury, verified by 705
physician's certificate; 706
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(iii) Is in the third trimester of pregnancy, and 707
there are complications verified by the certificate of a 708
physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or any other 709
licensed health care professional practicing under a protocol with 710
a licensed physician; 711
(iv) Caretaker of a child under twelve (12) 712
months, for not more than twelve (12) months of the sixty-month 713
maximum benefit period; 714
(v) Caretaker of an ill or incapacitated person, 715
as verified by physician's certificate; 716
(vi) Age, if over sixty (60) or under eighteen 717
(18) years of age; 718
(vii) Receiving treatment for substance abuse, if 719
the person is in compliance with the substance abuse treatment 720
plan; 721
(viii) In a two-parent family, the caretaker of a 722
severely disabled child, as verified by a physician's certificate; 723
or 724
(ix) History of having been a victim of domestic 725
violence, which has been reported as required by state law and is 726
substantiated by police reports or court records, and being at 727
risk of further domestic violence, shall be exempt for a period as 728
deemed necessary by the department but not to exceed a total of 729
twelve (12) months, which need not be consecutive, in the 730
sixty-month maximum benefit period. For the purposes of this 731
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subparagraph (ix), "domestic violence" means that an individual 732
has been subjected to: 733
1. Physical acts that resulted in, or 734
threatened to result in, physical injury to the individual; 735
2. Sexual abuse; 736
3. Sexual activity involving a dependent 737
child; 738
4. Being forced as the caretaker relative of 739
a dependent child to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts or 740
activities; 741
5. Threats of, or attempts at, physical or 742
sexual abuse; 743
6. Mental abuse; or 744
7. Neglect or deprivation of medical care. 745
(c) For all families, all adults who are not 746
specifically exempt shall be required to participate in work 747
activities for at least the minimum average number of hours per 748
week specified by federal law or regulation, not fewer than twenty 749
(20) hours per week (thirty-five (35) hours per week for 750
two-parent families) of which are attributable to the following 751
allowable work activities: 752
(i) Unsubsidized employment; 753
(ii) Subsidized private employment; 754
(iii) Subsidized public employment; 755
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(iv) Work experience (including work associated 756
with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing), if sufficient 757
private employment is not available; 758
(v) On-the-job training; 759
(vi) Job search and job readiness assistance 760
consistent with federal TANF regulations; 761
(vii) Community service programs; 762
(viii) Vocational educational training (not to 763
exceed twelve (12) months with respect to any individual); 764
(ix) The provision of child care services to an 765
individual who is participating in a community service program; 766
(x) Satisfactory attendance at high school or in a 767
course of study leading to a high school equivalency certificate, 768
for heads of household under age twenty (20) who have not 769
completed high school or received such certificate; 770
(xi) Education directly related to employment, for 771
heads of household under age twenty (20) who have not completed 772
high school or received such equivalency certificate. 773
(d) The following are allowable work activities which 774
may be attributable to hours in excess of the minimum specified in 775
paragraph (c) of this subsection: 776
(i) Job skills training directly related to 777
employment; 778
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(ii) Education directly related to employment for 779
individuals who have not completed high school or received a high 780
school equivalency certificate; 781
(iii) Satisfactory attendance at high school or in 782
a course of study leading to a high school equivalency, for 783
individuals who have not completed high school or received such 784
equivalency certificate; 785
(iv) Job search and job readiness assistance 786
consistent with federal TANF regulations. 787
(e) If any adult or caretaker relative refuses to 788
participate in allowable work activity as required under this 789
subsection (6), the following full family TANF benefit penalty 790
will apply, subject to due process to include notification, 791
conciliation and a hearing if requested by the recipient: 792
(i) For the first violation, the department shall 793
terminate the TANF assistance otherwise payable to the family for 794
a two-month period or until the person has complied with the 795
required work activity, whichever is longer; 796
(ii) For the second violation, the department 797
shall terminate the TANF assistance otherwise payable to the 798
family for a six-month period or until the person has complied 799
with the required work activity, whichever is longer; 800
(iii) For the third violation, the department 801
shall terminate the TANF assistance otherwise payable to the 802
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family for a twelve-month period or until the person has complied 803
with the required work activity, whichever is longer; 804
(iv) For the fourth violation, the person shall be 805
permanently disqualified. 806
For a two-parent family, unless prohibited by state or 807
federal law, Medicaid assistance shall be terminated only for the 808
person whose failure to participate in allowable work activity 809
caused the family's TANF assistance to be sanctioned under this 810
paragraph (e), unless an individual is pregnant, but shall not be 811
terminated for any other person in the family who is meeting that 812
person's applicable work requirement or who is not required to 813
work. Minor children shall continue to be eligible for Medicaid 814
benefits regardless of the disqualification of their parent or 815
caretaker relative for TANF assistance under this subsection (6), 816
unless prohibited by state or federal law. 817
(f) Any person enrolled in a two-year or four-year 818
college program who meets the eligibility requirements to receive 819
TANF benefits, and who is meeting the applicable work requirements 820
and all other applicable requirements of the TANF program, shall 821
continue to be eligible for TANF benefits while enrolled in the 822
college program for as long as the person meets the requirements 823
of the TANF program, unless prohibited by federal law. 824
(g) No adult in a work activity required under this 825
subsection (6) shall be employed or assigned (i) when any other 826
individual is on layoff from the same or any substantially 827
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equivalent job within six (6) months before the date of the TANF 828
recipient's employment or assignment; or (ii) if the employer has 829
terminated the employment of any regular employee or otherwise 830
caused an involuntary reduction of its workforce in order to fill 831
the vacancy so created with an adult receiving TANF assistance. 832
The Mississippi Department of Employment Security, established 833
under Section 71-5-101, shall appoint one or more impartial 834
hearing officers to hear and decide claims by employees of 835
violations of this paragraph (g). The hearing officer shall hear 836
all the evidence with respect to any claim made hereunder and such 837
additional evidence as he may require and shall make a 838
determination and the reason therefor. The claimant shall be 839
promptly notified of the decision of the hearing officer and the 840
reason therefor. Within ten (10) days after the decision of the 841
hearing officer has become final, any party aggrieved thereby may 842
secure judicial review thereof by commencing an action, in the 843
circuit court of the county in which the claimant resides, against 844
the department for the review of such decision, in which action 845
any other party to the proceeding before the hearing officer shall 846
be made a defendant. Any such appeal shall be on the record which 847
shall be certified to the court by the department in the manner 848
provided in Section 71-5-531, and the jurisdiction of the court 849
shall be confined to questions of law which shall render its 850
decision as provided in that section. 851
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(7) The Department of Human Services may provide child care 852
for eligible participants who require such care so that they may 853
accept employment or remain employed. The department may also 854
provide child care for those participating in the TANF program 855
when it is determined that they are satisfactorily involved in 856
education, training or other allowable work activities. The 857
department may contract with Head Start agencies to provide child 858
care services to TANF recipients. The department may also arrange 859
for child care by use of contract or vouchers, provide vouchers in 860
advance to a caretaker relative, reimburse a child care provider, 861
or use any other arrangement deemed appropriate by the department, 862
and may establish different reimbursement rates for child care 863
services depending on the category of the facility or home. Any 864
center-based or group home child care facility under this 865
subsection shall be licensed by the State Department of Health 866
pursuant to law. When child care is being provided in the child's 867
own home, in the home of a relative of the child, or in any other 868
unlicensed setting, the provision of such child care may be 869
monitored on a random basis by the Department of Human Services or 870
the State Department of Health. Transitional child care 871
assistance may be continued if it is necessary for parents to 872
maintain employment once support has ended, unless prohibited 873
under state or federal law. Transitional child care assistance 874
may be provided for up to twenty-four (24) months after the last 875
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month during which the family was eligible for TANF assistance, if 876
federal funds are available for such child care assistance. 877
(8) The Department of Human Services may provide 878
transportation or provide reasonable reimbursement for 879
transportation expenses that are necessary for individuals to be 880
able to participate in allowable work activity under the TANF 881
program. 882
(9) Medicaid assistance shall be provided to a family of 883
TANF program participants for up to twenty-four (24) consecutive 884
calendar months following the month in which the participating 885
family would be ineligible for TANF benefits because of increased 886
income, expiration of earned income disregards, or increased hours 887
of employment of the caretaker relative; however, Medicaid 888
assistance for more than twelve (12) months may be provided only 889
if a federal waiver is obtained to provide such assistance for 890
more than twelve (12) months and federal and state funds are 891
available to provide such assistance. 892
(10) The department shall require applicants for and 893
recipients of public assistance from the department to sign a 894
personal responsibility contract that will require the applicant 895
or recipient to acknowledge his or her responsibilities to the 896
state. 897
(11) The department shall enter into an agreement with the 898
State Personnel Board and other state agencies that will allow 899
those TANF participants who qualify for vacant jobs within state 900
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agencies to be placed in state jobs. State agencies participating 901
in the TANF work program shall receive any and all benefits 902
received by employers in the private sector for hiring TANF 903
recipients. This subsection (11) shall be effective only if the 904
state obtains any necessary federal waiver or approval and if 905
federal funds are available therefor. Not later than September 1, 906
2021, the department shall prepare a report, which shall be 907
provided to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Public Health 908
Committees and to any other member of the Legislature upon 909
request, on the history, status, outcomes and effectiveness of the 910
agreements required under this subsection. 911
(12) Any unspent TANF funds remaining from the prior fiscal 912
year may be expended for any TANF allowable activities. TANF 913
funds shall be set aside for making grants as provided in Section 914
7 of this act. 915
(13) The Mississippi Department of Human Services shall 916
provide TANF applicants information and referral to programs that 917
provide information about birth control, prenatal health care, 918
abstinence education, marriage education, family preservation and 919
fatherhood. Not later than September 1, 2021, the department 920
shall prepare a report, which shall be provided to the Chairmen of 921
the House and Senate Public Health Committees and to any other 922
member of the Legislature upon request, on the history, status, 923
outcomes and effectiveness of the information and referral 924
requirements under this subsection. 925
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(14) No new TANF program requirement or restriction 926
affecting a person's eligibility for TANF assistance, or allowable 927
work activity, which is not mandated by federal law or regulation 928
may be implemented by the Department of Human Services after July 929
1, 2004, unless such is specifically authorized by an amendment to 930
this section by the Legislature. 931
SECTION 9. Sections 9 through 14 of this act shall be known 932
and may be cited as the "Mississippi Veterans Claims 933
Representation Protection Act." 934
SECTION 10. For the purposes of this act, the following 935
terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context 936
clearly requires otherwise: 937
(a) "Veterans Affairs ("VA") claims representative" 938
means any person who, on behalf of a veteran or his or her 939
dependents, prepares, submits or otherwise assists in filing 940
claims for benefits with the United States Department of Veterans 941
Affairs. 942
(b) "Accredited representative" means an individual who 943
is officially recognized or accredited by the United States 944
Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 5902 and 38 945
C.F.R. § 14.629. 946
(c) "Unaccredited representative" means any individual 947
or entity acting as a VA claims representative in the State of 948
Mississippi who does not meet the accreditation requirements 949
described in paragraph (b). 950
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SECTION 11. No unaccredited representative shall: 951
(a) Represent, advise or otherwise assist any veteran 952
or dependent in preparing or filing claims for VA benefits within 953
the State of Mississippi; or 954
(b) Advertise or hold himself or herself out as capable 955
of providing VA claims assistance unless accredited by the United 956
States Department of Veterans Affairs. 957
SECTION 12. (1) Any person who knowingly violates this act 958
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be 959
fined up to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per violation or 960
imprisoned for up to one (1) year, or both. 961
(2) The Mississippi Attorney General may bring civil actions 962
to enjoin violations of this act, including seeking injunctive 963
relief and civil penalties. 964
SECTION 13. (1) The Mississippi Department of Veterans 965
Affairs, in coordination with the Attorney General, shall maintain 966
a registry of accredited VA claims representatives authorized to 967
operate in the State of Mississippi. 968
(2) The Department shall provide public notice and resources 969
to assist veterans in identifying accredited representatives. 970
SECTION 14. If any provision of this act is held invalid, 971
the remaining provisions shall not be affected and shall continue 972
in full force and effect. 973
SECTION 15. (1) In general. Not later than ninety (90) 974
days after the date of the enactment of this act, the Mississippi 975
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Adjutant General shall enter into an agreement with an independent 976
and objective organization outside the Mississippi Department of 977
Veterans Affairs under which that organization shall: 978
(a) Conduct a study on the quality of care 979
difference between mental health and addiction therapy care under 980
the laws administered by the Adjutant General provided by health 981
care providers of the department compared to nondepartment 982
providers across various modalities, such as telehealth, 983
in-patient, intensive out-patient, out-patient, and residential 984
treatment; and 985
(b) Submit the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 986
Senate and the Committee on Veterans Affairs of the House of 987
Representatives and publish on a publicly available website a 988
report containing the final results of such study. 989
(2) Timing. The Adjutant General shall ensure that the 990
organization with which the Adjutant General enters into an 991
agreement pursuant to subsection (1) of this section is able to 992
complete the requirements under such subsection by not later than 993
eighteen (18) months after the date on which the agreement is 994
entered into. 995
(3) Elements. The report submitted pursuant to subsection 996
(1)(b) of this section shall include all assessment of the 997
following: 998
(a) The amount of improvement in health outcomes 999
from start of treatment to completion, including symptom scores 1000
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and suicide risk using evidence-based scales, including the 1001
Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. 1002
(b) Whether providers of the department and 1003
nondepartment providers are using evidence-based practices in the 1004
treatment of mental health and addiction therapy care, including 1005
criteria set forth by the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 1006
(c) Potential gaps in coordination between providers 1007
of the department and nondepartment providers in responding to 1008
individuals seeking mental health or addiction therapy care, 1009
including the sharing of patient health records. 1010
(d) Implementation of veteran-centric care, 1011
including the level of satisfaction of patients with care and the 1012
competency of providers with the unique experiences and needs of 1013
the military and veteran population. 1014
(e) Whether veterans with co-occurring conditions 1015
receive integrated care to holistically address their needs. 1016
(f) Whether providers monitor health outcomes 1017
continually throughout treatment and at regular intervals for up 1018
to three (3) years after treatment. 1019
(g) The average length of time to initiate services, 1020
which shall include a comparison of the average length of time 1021
between the initial point of contact after patient outreach to the 1022
point of initial service, as measured or determined by the 1023
Adjutant General. 1024
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ST: "Mississippi Veterans Mental Health and
Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act of 2026";
enact.
SECTION 16. This act shall take effect and be in force from 1025
and after July 1, 2026. 1026