Initial public hearing dates are scheduled for Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann’s nine-member Senate Study Group on Women, Children, and Families.
General topics set for these dates include a statistical overview and maternal/child healthcare, adoption, foster care, child support, childcare availability, and early intervention.
“Testimony primarily from state agency heads and experts, and research following these hearings, will aid Senator Boyd and the study group members in forming policy proposals going into the 2023 Legislative Session,” Hosemann said.
In addition, the public is invited to present written testimony to WCFStudyGroup@senate.ms.gov, which will be shared with the entire study group.
“Many people have personal stories about these topics and written testimony provides an opportunity to share them with study group members and the Senate,” said Senator Boyd. “We are also encouraging legislators to reach out to their constituents and hold public hearings in their districts before the study group hearing dates in the fall.”
The study group is in charge of making legislative recommendations pertaining to families and young children (birth to three-years-old).
All four hearings will be chaired by Senator Nicole Boyd (R-Oxford). Other members of the study group include Senators Kevin Blackwell (R-Southaven), Hob Bryan (D-Amory), Dean Kirby (R-Pearl), Rod Hickman (D-Macon), Angela Hill (R-Picayune), Chad McMahan (R-Guntown), Angela Turner-Ford (D-West Point), and Brice Wiggins (R-Pascagoula).
Hearings will be held on September 27 and 28, and October 25 and 26 in Senate Room 216. They will be webcast and archived on the Legislature’s YouTube site for the convenience of those who are not able to attend in person.
