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S. B. No. 2731 *SS08/R1064* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
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To: Judiciary, Division A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Fillingane
SENATE BILL NO. 2731
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-27-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO RENAME THE "ADOLESCENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM" WITHIN THE DIVISION 2
OF YOUTH SERVICES TO THE "JUVENILE JUSTICE DIVERSION PROGRAM"; TO 3
REQUIRE THE JUVENILE JUSTICE DIVERSION PROGRAM TO OFFER 4
ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION DURING AFTER SCHOOL AND WEEKEND HOURS; 5
TO PROVIDE THAT SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS APPROPRIATED 6
THEREFOR BY THE LEGISLATURE, THE JUVENILE JUSTICE DIVERSION 7
PROGRAM MAY OPERATE AS PRE-PETITION DIVERSION AND AS A 8
POST-ADJUDICATION DIVERSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIVERTING JUVENILES 9
FROM DETENTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 10
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 11
SECTION 1. Section 43-27-201, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 12
amended as follows: 13
43-27-201. (1) The purpose of this section is to outline 14
and structure a long-range proposal in addition to certain 15
immediate objectives for improvements in the juvenile facilities 16
of the Division of Youth Services of the Mississippi Department of 17
Human Services in order to provide modern and efficient 18
rehabilitation facilities for juvenile offenders in Mississippi, 19
who are committing an increasing percentage of serious and violent 20
crimes. 21
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(2) The Division of Youth Services shall establish, maintain 22
and operate * * * a Juvenile Justice Diversion Program (JJDP) 23
throughout the state, which may include non-Medicaid assistance 24
eligible juveniles. Beginning July 1, 2016, subject to 25
availability of funds appropriated therefor by the 26
Legislature, * * * JJDP professional services, salaries, facility 27
offices, meeting rooms and related supplies and equipment may be 28
provided through contract with local mental health centers or 29
other nonprofit community organizations. Each * * * JJDP 30
participating organizations must incorporate evidence-based 31
practices and positive behavioral intervention that includes two 32
(2) or more of the following elements: academic * * * 33
tutoring * * * and literacy, mentoring, vocational training, 34
substance abuse treatment and education, individual counseling, 35
family counseling and social adaptability skills training to 36
include, but not limited to, conflict resolution and anger 37
management. Programs may include, but shall not be limited to, 38
after school and weekend programs, job readiness programs, home 39
detention programs, community service conflict resolution 40
programs, restitution and community service. 41
(3) The JJDP shall offer alternatives to detention during 42
after school and weekend hours to include, but not limited to, 43
job-readiness skills training, curfew and house arrest monitoring, 44
community service work hours, and restitution and restorative 45
justice practices. 46
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ST: Juvenile Justice Diversion Program;
authorize diversion within the Division of Youth
Services within DHS.
(4) Subject to availability of funds appropriated therefor 47
by the Legislature, the JJDP may operate as pre-petition diversion 48
and as a post-adjudication diversion for the purpose of diverting 49
juveniles from detention. The Division of Youth Services shall be 50
responsible for programmatic oversight, including placement and 51
services provided to juveniles diverted from the Youth Courts in 52
the pre-petition setting. The Youth Courts, in consultation with 53
the Division of Youth Services, shall be responsible for 54
overseeing placement and services to be provided to juveniles in 55
the post-adjudication setting. 56
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 57
and after July 1, 2026. 58