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Mississippi Code Title 97. Crimes § 97-3-54.12

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) To qualify for funds under the program authorized in Section 97-3-54.10, a shelter must meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Be incorporated in the state or recognized by the Secretary of State as a private or public nonprofit corporation. Such corporation must have a board of directors and/or an advisory committee that represents the racial, ethnic and socio-economic diversity of the area to be served, including, if possible, at least one (1) person who is or has been a victim of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation; and

(b) Have designed and developed a program to provide all of the following services to victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation and their children, if applicable:

(i) Shelter on a twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week basis;

(ii) A twenty-four (24) hours, seven (7) days a week crisis line for calls;

(iii) Temporary housing and food facilities;

(iv) Referrals to existing services in the community and follow-up on the outcome of the referrals, including, but not limited to, referrals for medical care, legal assistance and alcohol and drug treatment;

(v) Information regarding reeducation, trauma-informed therapy, job counseling, and training programs, housing referrals and other available social services; and

(vi) An available licensed therapist on a twenty-four (24) hours a day basis.

(c) Have established procedures for twenty-four-hour a day, seven (7) days a week admission of victims of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation who may seek admission to these shelters on a voluntary basis.

(d) In addition to the above requirements, all shelters and victim service providers, receiving funding under Sections 97-3-54.10 through 97-3-54.13 shall comply with minimum guidelines for services developed by the Office of the Attorney General, including, but not limited to:

(i) Provision of victim-centered, trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically appropriate care;

(ii) Utilization of evidence-based interventions;

(iii) Adequate safety and security for staff and clients;

(iv) Mandatory training for staff and volunteers;

(v) Adherence to ethical and professional standards;

(vi) Strict adherence to confidentiality;

(vii) Nondiscrimination;

(viii) Collaboration with other nongovernmental and governmental agencies; and

(ix) Maintenance of any required licensure and certification of staff and facility as required by the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Health, the Department of Child Protection Services or any other regulatory body.

(2) No human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation shelter shall qualify for funds under Sections 97-3-54.10 through 97-3-54.13 if it discriminates in its admissions or provision of services on the basis of race, religion, color, age, disability, marital status, national origin or ancestry.

(3) Any human trafficking shelter, commercial sexual exploitation shelter or victim service provider receiving funds under Sections 97-3-54.10 through 97-3-54.13 must show receipt of local funds in an amount not less than fifteen percent (15%). The local contribution may include in-kind contributions.

(4) A human trafficking shelter, commercial sexual exploitation shelter or victim service provider receiving funds under Sections 97-3-54.10 through 97-3-54.13 shall not be prohibited from accepting gifts, trusts, bequests, grants, endowments, federal funds, other special source funds or transfers of property of any kind for the support of that shelter program.

(5) Each human trafficking shelter, commercial sexual exploitation shelter or victim service provider receiving funds under Sections 97-3-54.10 through 97-3-54.13 shall:

(a) Perform background checks and maintain copies of such for each employee or volunteer; and

(b) Require employees and volunteers to maintain the confidentiality of any information that would identify individuals served by the shelter or victim service provider.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Mississippi Code Title 97. Crimes § 97-3-54.12 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-97-crimes/ms-code-sect-97-3-54-12/

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