Mississippi House Bill HB1670

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/26
• Refer: 1/19/26
• Failed: 2/3/26

Caption

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-5-91, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE CHANCERY CLERKS TO PREPARE CERTAIN DOCUMENTS IN ALL CASES, NOT JUST CONTESTED CASES, WHERE GUARDIAN AD LITEM FEES EXCEED A CERTAIN AMOUNT; TO AMEND SECTION 9-5-165, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST REMOVING CERTAIN YOUTH COURT DOCUMENTS FROM THE CHANCERY CLERKS OFFICE; TO AMEND SECTION 9-21-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN FUNDING FOR THE MISSISSIPPI YOUTH COURT INFORMATION DELIVERY SYSTEM (MYCIDS); TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE TERM "DESIGNEE" FROM THE YOUTH COURT LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE CERTAIN REVISIONS CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTAKE UNIT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT IN ALL DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS THE YOUTH COURT PROSECUTOR REPRESENTS THE STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-119, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE YOUTH COURT JUDGE, NOT A DESIGNEE, SHALL APPOINT CERTAIN PERSONNEL; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-121, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEMS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-203, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST THE GENERAL PUBLIC ATTENDING CERTAIN HEARINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-251, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE GENERAL DOCKET BE INDEXED IN THE ALPHABETICAL ORDER OF THE NAME OF THE PARTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-257, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES MAINTAIN A CERTAIN STATE CENTRAL REGISTRY; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-261, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE WHO MAY RECEIVE CERTAIN YOUTH COURT RECORDS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 43-21-263, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PERTAINS TO SEALING AND UNSEALING OF YOUTH COURT RECORDS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-307, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY A JUDGE, NOT HIS DESIGNEE, MAY AUTHORIZE TEMPORARY CUSTODY; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-311, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY A JUDGE, NOT HIS DESIGNEE, MAY HANDLE CERTAIN MATTERS CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF A CHILD IN CUSTODY; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-351, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOURS OF ANNUAL TRAINING THAT AN INTAKE OFFICER MUST RECEIVE; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-357, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER THE FILING OF THE INTAKE RECOMMENDATION, THE PROSECUTOR MUST TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-405, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A JUDGE, NOT HIS DESIGNEE, SHALL APPOINT AN INFORMAL ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-407, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT AN INTAKE OFFICER, RATHER THAN THE INTAKE UNIT, IS PRECLUDED FROM REINSTATING THE INFORMAL ADJUSTMENT PROCESS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-451, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT THE YOUTH COURT PROSECUTOR SHALL DRAFT PETITIONS FOR DELINQUENCY CASES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES SHALL DRAFT PETITIONS FOR CHILD WELFARE CASES; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-501, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A JUDGE, NOT HIS DESIGNEE, SHALL ORDER THE YOUTH CLERK COURT TO ISSUE A SUMMONS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-609, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE SEQUENCE OF DISPOSITION ALTERNATIVES IN NEGLECT AND ABUSE CASES; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-613, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE A YOUTH COURT JUDGE TO CONDUCT A SHELTER REVIEW HEARING WITHIN A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS IF THERE HAS BEEN NO ADJUDICATION; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-621, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE CERTAIN OBSOLETE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS TO THE LEGISLATURE; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-625, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO DEVELOP A WILDERNESS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN YOUTH OFFENDERS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-801, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE YOUTH COURT SUPPORT PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 43-27-20, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE CERTAIN OBSOLETE LANGUAGE CONCERNING THE DIVISION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES; TO AMEND SECTION 93-15-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IN INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS CASES WHERE A GUARDIAN AD LITEM IS NOT APPOINTED B THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS, THEN THE FEES SHALL BE ASSESSED TO THE COUNTY; TO AMEND SECTION 93-31-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE FILING OF POWER OF ATTORNEY IN YOUTH COURT; TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATEWIDE YOUTH DIVERSION PROGRAM; TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A YOUTH DIVERSION PROGRAM; TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FAMILY SERVICES ROUNDTABLE FOR MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES; TO PROVIDE THE COMPOSITION AND DUTIES OF SUCH ROUNDTABLE; TO REPEAL SECTION 43-21-111, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR REGULAR AND SPECIAL REFEREES IN YOUTH COURT; TO REPEAL SECTION 43-21-125, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES THE MISSISSIPPI COUNCIL OF YOUTH COURT JUDGES; TO REPEAL SECTION 43-21-267, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR CERTAIN SANCTIONS IN THE YOUTH COURT RELATED TO DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN RECORDS; TO REPEAL SECTION 43-21-305, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR CERTAIN QUESTIONING A CHILD BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN A PUBLIC PLACE; TO REPEAL SECTION 43-21-703, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES THE DUTIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON A UNIFORM COURT SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 43-21-751, 43-21-753 AND 43-21-755, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES THE TEEN COURT PILOT PROGRAM ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Impact

The implications of HB1670 could lead to significant changes in how juvenile cases are handled across the state. The bill is likely to foster a stronger focus on restorative justice practices, which could contribute to lower recidivism rates among youth offenders. Additionally, the revisions may empower judicial officers and court officials to implement more tailored interventions that consider the individual circumstances of each juvenile, potentially leading to better outcomes both for young offenders and society as a whole.

Summary

House Bill 1670 aims to revise various provisions related to the youth court system. The primary goal of this bill is to enhance the functionality and effectiveness of youth courts in addressing the unique needs of juvenile offenders. By updating the legislative framework surrounding youth courts, HB1670 seeks to promote rehabilitation over punitive measures, aligning with contemporary approaches in juvenile justice that prioritize the welfare of young individuals within the legal system.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB1670 may involve differing opinions on the efficacy of revisions to the youth court system. Proponents are expected to argue that the bill's enhancements will provide essential resources and frameworks for dealing with juvenile delinquency, while opponents may express concerns about the practicality and implementation of these changes. There may also be debates regarding the balance between rehabilitation and accountability, as some stakeholders may worry that a focus on softer measures could undermine consequences for repeated offenses.