AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "UNEMPLOYMENT" TO EXCLUDE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING VOLUNTARY PAYMENTS FROM EMPLOYERS IF THOSE PAYMENTS EQUAL THEIR REGULAR SALARY AND INDIVIDUALS ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE; TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "WAGES" TO INCLUDE PAYMENTS FROM EMPLOYERS THAT ARE IN LIEU OF THE EMPLOYEE'S REGULAR WAGES; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-365, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO DESIGNATE A DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN EMPLOYER REPORT ON CONTRIBUTIONS DUE IS INCORRECT OR SUFFICIENT, MAKE AN ASSESSMENT ON BEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE, ASSESS THE CONTRIBUTIONS DUE, AND ASSESS A PENALTY IF ONE IS NEEDED FOR NONCOMPLIANT EMPLOYERS; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-363, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO ABATE INTEREST ACCRUED ON PAST DUE CONTRIBUTIONS OR OVERPAYMENTS WHEN NEGOTIATING THE SETTLEMENTS OF SUCH PAST DUE AMOUNTS; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-389, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT TAX OFFSETS ARE FROM BOTH THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-355, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT A PERSON WHO ACQUIRES A BUSINESS SOLELY TO OBTAIN A LOWER RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS SHALL HAVE A TWO PERCENT INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE; TO CREATE THE "COMPREHENSIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION REFORM (CCATER) ACT"; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-15-38, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO ALL INCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS OF THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED BY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS; TO REQUIRE ALL STUDENTS TO TAKE THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT IS ADMINISTERED IN THE NINTH, TENTH OR ELEVENTH GRADE; TO REVISE THE CURRICULUM IN THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL BUSINESS OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HOLD AN ASSOCIATE OR BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN ORDER TO BE GRANTED AN EXPERT CITIZEN-TEACHER LICENSE; TO EXPAND THE EXPERT CITIZEN-TEACHER LICENSE FROM ONE YEAR TO FIVE YEARS; TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF EMPLOYED BY A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT OR NONPUBLIC SCHOOL ACCREDITED OR APPROVED BY THE STATE FOR A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS SHALL BE GRANTED A STANDARD TEACHER LICENSE; TO REQUIRE SUCH TEACHERS TO COMPLY WITH ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING TEACHERS, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND COMPLETION OF THE REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-17-6, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE ACCREDITATION SYSTEM SHALL INCLUDE STUDENT PERFORMANCE ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT, WHICH SHALL BE WEIGHTED IN THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS THE STANDARD ACT ASSESSMENT; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ACTING THROUGH THE COMMISSION ON TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE AND DEVELOPMENT, AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, TO REQUIRE EACH EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM IN THE STATE TO INCLUDE A PRAXIS CORE ACADEMIC SKILLS FOR EDUCATORS EXAMINATION AND A PRAXIS II EXAMINATION PREPARATORY REVIEW COURSE, AS PART OF ITS CURRICULUM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 71-5-11, 71-5-365, 71-5-363, 71-5-389, 71-5-355
Committee Substitute: 71-5-11, 71-5-365, 71-5-363, 71-5-389, 71-5-355, 37-15-38, 37-16-17, 37-3-2, 37-16-3, 37-17-6
As Passed by the House: 71-5-11, 71-5-365, 71-5-363, 71-5-389, 71-5-355, 37-15-38, 37-16-17, 37-3-2, 37-16-3, 37-17-6