Gov. Reeves calls special session to reauthorize youth courts

Gov. Tate Reeves announced Tuesday that he will call a special session Wednesday, July 15, at 3 p.m. to reauthorize the states youth courts, Reeves said.

Reeves said the session is needed after the June 30 expiration of statutes related to the disclosure of youth records and because of multiple lawsuits over those statutes. He said the lapse left the dispersal of state funding for youth courts in limbo.

Reeves said state funding for the youth court system was appropriated during this years legislative session, but inaction on a separate extension bill halted the Administrative Office of Courts from dispersing $2.5 million under Code Section 43-21-80. State Sen. Brice Wiggins was on the Senate floor introducing SB 2728 when the House adjourned, Reeves said; the bill was necessary to extend the program, he added.

Reeves said the proposal agreed to by House and Senate leadership “sets up a far better system for both kids who are abused and neglected, as well as those children facing delinquency proceedings.” He said it will give children and families access to full-time judges and move the state toward a uniform youth court system. Reeves said he is “hopeful – and even optimistic” that lawmakers from both parties will approve the measure and thanked Speaker Jason White, Rep. Kevin Horan, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Sen. Wiggins and Sen. Briggs Hopson for their work on the proposal.

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