Mississippi House Bill HB761

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Youth Employment Grant Program; create.

Impact

The bill creates a dedicated fund in the State Treasury known as the Youth Employment Grant Program Fund, which consists of the appropriations made by the Legislature and any other designated funds. The fund's purpose is to make grants to municipalities for youth employment projects, which includes monitoring and supervising the proper use of said funds by the Department of Employment Security. This bill thus modifies the funding structure for youth employment initiatives, empowering local governments to implement programs in alignment with state goals.

Summary

House Bill 761 establishes a Youth Employment Grant Program in Mississippi, aimed at assisting municipalities with their costs associated with providing employment opportunities for youth. This program will be administered by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Municipalities will be eligible for grants under the program if they propose a plan for employing youth and agree to contribute matching funds amounting to 20% of the grant. This initiative is designed to help youth between the ages of 16-24 who are in school or agreed to enroll for educational qualifications, ensuring they gain meaningful work experience in their communities.

Contention

There may be concerns regarding how municipalities will be able to effectively implement their employment plans and manage the required matching funds. The bill's stipulation that municipalities must provide a detailed plan may limit access for smaller municipalities that lack resources to create comprehensive proposals. Additionally, the focus on providing youth the combination of work experience and on-the-job training might lead to differing interpretations about the quality and type of jobs offered, which could affect program success and youth satisfaction.