Appropriation: Child Protection Services, Department of.

This bill appropriates over $320 million in state and special funds to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services for the fiscal year 2025 to cover its operating expenses. The legislation authorizes the hiring of approximately 1,934 staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure salary funds are used only for new hires rather than raises or promotions for existing employees. Specific allocations within the budget support critical services, including a 24-hour hotline for trafficking victims, kinship care payments, foster home maintenance, and technology upgrades aimed at improving efficiency. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department give preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods and requires detailed accounting records for all expenditures.