AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-13-81, 37-13-83, 37-13-85, 37-13-87 AND 37-13-89, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE NAME OF THE OFFICE OF COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ENFORCEMENT AND DROPOUT PREVENTION WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION SHALL EMPLOY SUFFICIENT STAFF FOR THE OFFICE, WHO SHALL MEET QUALIFICATIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE STATE PERSONNEL BOARD, TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW, AND TO SUPPORT AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS; TO TRANSFER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYING AND ESTABLISHING THE DUTIES OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO ABOLISH THE THREE REGIONAL SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER SUPERVISOR POSITIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ON JULY 1, 2025, SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO EMPLOYMENT STATUS AS EMPLOYEES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH WORK LOCATIONS THEREIN AND SHALL ENFORCE ATTENDANCE AT CHARTER SCHOOLS LOCATED WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE SHARING OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND COSTS-SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES OF TWO OR MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH WERE SIMULTANEOUSLY SERVED BY THE SAME SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER; TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF ANY UNUSED ACCUMULATED LEAVE; TO REQUIRE THE STATE TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ONE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER FOR EVERY 3,000 COMPULSORY-SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN ENROLLMENT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF A COUNTY; TO ESTABLISH THE MINIMUM SALARY OF NEWLY HIRED SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, AND AUTHORIZE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO PAY ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION ABOVE THE MINIMUM SALARY ON A SCALE ESTABLISHED BY THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD; TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS SHALL NOT EXPERIENCE ANY INTERRUPTION OF SERVICE WITH THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE SCHOOL EMPLOYEES' HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN AS A RESULT OF THE TRANSFER OF EMPLOYMENT RESPONSIBILITY; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS TO PROVIDE A JOINT REPORT ON THE STATUS AND PROGRESS OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS IN THEIR CAPACITY AS EMPLOYEES OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE FULFILLMENT OF THEIR ASSIGNED DUTIES TO THE LEGISLATURE DURING THE 2027 REGULAR SESSION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-13-91 AND 37-13-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 37-13-81, 37-13-83, 37-13-85, 37-13-87, 37-13-89, 37-13-91, 37-13-107
Committee Substitute: 37-13-81, 37-13-83, 37-13-85, 37-13-87, 37-13-89, 37-13-91, 37-13-107
As Passed by the Senate: 37-13-81, 37-13-83, 37-13-85, 37-13-87, 37-13-89, 37-13-91, 37-13-107