Mississippi lawmakers are gathering today to reform the state’s youth court system, just 24 hours after Republican Gov. Tate Reeves summoned lawmakers to Jackson to address the issue.
“The special session is necessitated by the June 30 expiration of statutes relating to the disclosure of youth records and multiple lawsuits regarding the same,” Reeves said in his announcement Tuesday. “The agreed-upon solution (as proposed and agreed by House and Senate leadership) sets up a far better system for both kids who are abused and neglected, as well as those children facing delinquency proceedings. For the first time, children and families will have access to full-time judges and moves us toward a uniform youth court system statewide.”
The governor did not provide additional details. Democrats criticized the governor for the last-minute special session announcement. The party said that its members were not included in discussions and were left in the dark about the proposed legislation.
“Democracy depends on the ability to review, question, and debate policy before it becomes law,” Executive Director of the Mississippi Democratic Party Mikel Bolden said in a statement on Wednesday morning. “When a governor waits until the last possible moment to call a session, he isn’t creating urgency. He’s avoiding scrutiny. … Deadlines should never be weaponized to force policy through without oversight.”
Reeves said that House Speaker Jason White, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Sen. Briggs Hopson, Sen. Brice Wiggins and House Rep. Kevin Horan—all Republicans—were involved in the negotiations.
The special session is set to begin at 3 p.m. at Mississippi’s Old Capitol Building in Jackson. The Mississippi Capitol Building, where lawmakers normally meet, is undergoing rennovations.
