Bill Text: MS HB1298 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi House Bill 1298 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Mississippi Advisory Council on Faith-based Initiatives; create.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Failed) 2017-02-09 - Died On Calendar [HB1298 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2017-HB1298-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 Regular Session

To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

By: Representatives Brown, Boyd, Eubanks, Hopkins

House Bill 1298

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI ADVISORY COUNCIL ON FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL; TO SPECIFY THE PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL; TO REQUIRE THE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO PREPARE AN ANNUAL REPORT CONTAINING A SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COUNCIL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The Legislature finds that:

(a) Compassionate groups of individuals have selflessly aided this state in serving our most vulnerable residents and our most debilitated neighborhoods.

(b) Inspired by faith and civic commitment, these organizations have accomplished much in changing the lives of thousands and resurrecting neighborhoods torn by the strife of crime and poverty.

(c) It is essential that this state cooperate with these organizations in order to provide an opportunity to participate on an equal basis, regardless of each organization's orientation, whether faith-based or secular.

(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to recognize the contributions of these organizations and to encourage opportunities for faith-based and community-based organizations to work cooperatively with governmental entities in order to deliver services more effectively. The Legislature further intends that the purpose of the Mississippi Advisory Council on Faith-Based Initiatives is to advise the Governor and the Legislature on policies, priorities and objectives to enlist, equip, enable, empower and expand the work of faith-based, volunteer and other community organizations to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(3) There is established within the Office of the Governor the Mississippi Advisory Council on Faith-Based Initiatives, hereinafter referred to as "Council."

(4) The council shall be composed of twenty-five (25) members, which may include, but are not limited to, representatives from various faiths, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, foundations, corporations and municipalities.

(5) The council shall be composed of the following members:

(a) Seventeen (17) members shall be appointed by the Governor;

(b) Four (4) members shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; and

(6) Members of the Council shall serve at the will and pleasure of their appointing authority.

(7) The Governor shall designate a member of the council to serve as the chair at the will and pleasure of the Governor. (8) (a) The heads of executive departments and state agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide the council with information it needs for purposes of carrying out its mission.

(b) The council may request and collect information, hold hearings, and establish task forces consisting of members of the council or other persons, as necessary to carry out its mission.

(9) The council may receive gifts, grants and donations from any public or private source. Members of the council may not be compensated for the performance of their duties except from funds that are specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature or from gifts, grants or donations.

(10) The principal functions of the council are to:

(a) Develop and coordinate activities of faith-based and community-based programs and initiatives, enhance such efforts in communities and seek such resources, legislation and regulatory relief as may be necessary to accomplish these objectives;

(b) Ensure that state policy decisions take into account the capacity of faith-based and other community-based initiatives to assist in the achievement of state priorities;

(c) Identify and promote best practices and successful modes of delivering social services through faith-based and community-based organizations;

(d) Recommend changes in policies, programs and practices that affect the delivery of services by such organizations and the needs of low-income and other underserved persons in Mississippi communities;

(e) Coordinate public awareness of faith-based and community nonprofit initiatives, such as demonstration pilot programs or projects, public-private partnerships, volunteerism and special projects;

(f) Encourage private charitable giving to support faith-based and community-based initiatives;

(g) Bring concerns, ideas and policy options to the Governor and Legislature for assisting, strengthening and replicating successful faith-based and other community-based programs;

(h) Develop and implement strategic initiatives to strengthen the institutions of families and communities in this state;

(i) Showcase and herald innovative grassroots nonprofit organizations and civic initiatives;

(j) Eliminate unnecessary legislative, regulatory and other bureaucratic barriers that impede effective faith-based and other community-based efforts to address social problems;

(k) Monitor the implementation of state policy affecting faith-based and other community-based organizations; and

(l) Ensure that the efforts of faith-based and other community-based organizations meet objective criteria for performance and accountability.

(11) The council may not make any recommendation that conflicts with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Section 18 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890.

(12) By December 1 of each year, the council shall prepare a written report containing a summary of activities and recommendations of the council and deliver the report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.