Mississippi House Bill HB1438

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/25
• Refer: 1/20/25
• Failed: 2/4/25

Caption

Contracts for incarceration of state offenders in county facilities; remove authority to have 3% annual increase in contract price.

Impact

If enacted, the bill will drastically influence how contracts are structured between the MDOC and county facilities. By eliminating the annual inflation adjustment, county facilities may face challenges in maintaining or improving their services without adequate financial support, potentially leading to budget constraints and impacting the quality of care and services provided to offenders. The shift could position the MDOC as having less flexibility in future contracting strategies, potentially affecting the long-term sustainability of these partnerships.

Summary

House Bill 1438 seeks to amend the Mississippi Code of 1972 regarding the contracting practices of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) as it pertains to the housing of state offenders in county regional correctional facilities. The primary change proposed by this bill is the removal of the authority for the MDOC to include a three percent annual increase in its contract price for housing offenders. This amendment is significant as it directly affects the financial agreements and responsibilities of the state towards county facilities managing state offenders.

Contention

The bill reflects an ongoing discussion about state budget management and cost control measures within the corrections system. Proponents of the bill may argue that removing inflation adjustments helps control state spending and allocate resources more effectively. However, there could be contention from stakeholders who believe this amendment risks underfunding county facilities that are essential for rehabilitating offenders, arguing that proper funding is necessary to ensure both humane treatment and effective rehabilitation programs in line with best practices in corrections.