SB 2243

AN ACT TITLED THE "DON TRIPLETT ACT"; TO ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN FOR PARENTAL ASSISTANCE WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE OMBUDSMAN BY THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE OMBUDSMAN SHALL REPORT TO THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION; TO ESTABLISH THE MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK EXPERIENCE, TOGETHER WITH KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, REQUIRED FOR THE OMBUDSMAN POSITION; TO PROVIDE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY OF OMBUDSMAN OFFICE RECORDS, AND TO EXEMPT SUCH RECORDS FROM THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT OF 1983; TO ALLOW THE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE TO SEEK AND ACCEPT CERTAIN GRANTS, GIFTS OR OTHER FUNDS TO SUPPORT ITS OPERATIONS; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT ANY RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.