Mississippi House Bill HB928

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Youth Employment Grant Program; create.

Impact

The bill's enactment is expected to enhance accessibility to youth employment by incentivizing municipalities to devise structured plans that address job creation. It acknowledges the necessity of providing working experiences that not only aim to employ youth but also enhance their life skills, including communication, leadership, and a basic understanding of work ethics. The creation of a designated fund will ensure that financial resources are consistently directed towards the initiatives proposed by local governments.

Summary

House Bill 928 establishes a Youth Employment Grant Program administered by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The program's primary goal is to assist municipalities in financially supporting employment opportunities for youth aged 16 to 24. To qualify for these grants, municipalities must submit a plan outlining their youth employment initiatives and provide matching funds equivalent to 20% of the grant amount. This initiative is aimed at enabling local governments to create productive work roles for young adults in their communities.

Contention

While the majority support this bill as a crucial step towards increasing youth employment, there are concerns regarding the fiscal implications of matching requirements on smaller municipalities that might struggle to provide funds beyond the grant. Additionally, the focus on grants may shift municipal attention away from developing more expansive and sustainable job creation strategies that don't solely rely on state support. Critics may argue that the matching fund requirement could inadvertently create disparities among municipalities based on their economic capabilities.