Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed multiple pieces of legislation Wednesday that provide support for mothers and babies, particularly in the areas of adoption, foster care, pregnancy care centers, and parental rights.
“The legislation strengthens Mississippi’s adoption system, increases support for pregnancy resource centers, establishes a foster parents bill of rights, creates a task force focused on improving adoption and foster care systems, improves the Department of Child Protection Services, and gives the agency the largest budget in its history,” a summary of the measures provided by Reeve’s office states.
Almost a year ago, Mississippi led the way to the greatest conservative win in a generation – the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
While I’m extremely proud of the role that Mississippi played in this monumental victory, winning a court case was never our true objective. Rather, it…— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) April 19, 2023
Mississippi sent the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade.
“Mississippi will always protect life,” the governor said. “Our state will continue to be a beacon on the hill, a symbol of hope for the country, and a model for the nation.”
Five of the bills concern adoption and foster care, while the others support babies and mothers during pregnancy and after birth.
Pro-life pregnancy resource centers provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, medical exams, counseling, parent classes, financial classes, and material resources such as food, diapers, and clothing, as well as financial assistance for housing and utilities.
The governor’s office explains each bill:
House Bill 510 establishes a foster parents bill of rights. The legislation increases transparency for foster parents, expands communication opportunities with professionals, and makes the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services personnel more readily available for foster parents. Additionally, it helps ensure that the educational needs of foster children are being met and provides access to available resources for parents.
House Bill 1671 expands the tax credit for pregnancy resource centers across the state from $3.5 million to $10 million.
Senate Bill 2696 creates an income tax credit for qualified adoption expenses. The program will cover a maximum of $10,000 worth of adoption expenses for those who adopt a child from Mississippi and $5,000 worth of expenses for children outside of Mississippi.
House Bill 1149 establishes the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services as its own agency separate from MDHS. This separation will give it the ability to draw down more federal funds to support Mississippi families. The legislation will also help improve the efficiency of CPS procedures including adoption cases.
House Bill 1625 gives the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services the largest budget in its history. This equips the agency with the resources needed to effectively carry out its mission and better support Mississippi children.
House Bill 1318 increases the opportunities available for parents to choose adoption by authorizing safe haven baby boxes across Mississippi. The legislation increases the age that children can be dropped off at these boxes, authorizes safety devices to be sponsored by emergency medical service providers, and authorizes any city or county to sponsor a baby safety device.
Senate Bill 2384 establishes the Mississippi Task Force on Foster Care and Adoption. The task force will study Mississippi’s laws regarding foster care, adoption, and other related areas and make recommendations for improvement to the legislature.
“Mississippi will be relentless in its commitment to life,” Reeves said. “We will be relentless in our support of mothers and children. And we will be relentless in our efforts to advance the New Pro-life Agenda. The legislation I signed today is further proof that when it comes to protecting life, Mississippi isn’t just talking the talk – we’re walking the walk.”
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Southern Regional Director Caitlin Connors said Mississippi was making significant pro-life news again.
“The state that restored the right of the people and elected leaders to protect unborn children makes history again today,” she said. “Through its Gestational Age Act, the life at conception protection that is now in effect, and more policies and programs that help families, it’s incredible to see how much ground Mississippi has covered in the course of a year to protect the unborn and serve their mothers in the Dobbs era.”
– – –
Susan Berry, PhD is national education editor at The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Image “Gov. Reeves Signs Bills” by Gov. Tate Reeves.
