House clears $9 million for youth diversion and $12 million for Oakley upgrades, plus $10 million for detention planning

The Mississippi House approved two appropriations measures to accompany the youth-court overhaul, allocating money for diversion programs and upgrades to youth facilities.

House Bill 1 amended an earlier appropriation of $1.5 million so those dollars may be used for a pilot youth-diversion program; the House recorded final passage on a roll call of 94 yays and 8 nays. The appropriation was described by the appropriations chair as a shift of existing funds to align with the diversion strategy discussed in SB2001.

The committee substitute for House Bill 2 passed on the floor after debate. The committee substitute directs $12,000,000 in capital expense funds to the Department of Human Services for renovations, upgrades and expansions at the Oakley Youth Development Center (the sponsor described bringing vacant buildings up to code and expanding capacity toward roughly 60 beds), and $7,500,000 in general funds to establish a statewide youth-diversion program for fiscal 2026–27. Appropriators noted the HB1 $1.5 million combined with HB2’s $7.5 million would create $9,000,000 for diversion programming. HB2 also includes $10,000,000 in capital funds for the Department of Public Safety to plan, acquire or renovate additional youth-detention facilities for North and South Mississippi. The transcript records final passage of HB2 with 83 yays and 21 nays.

A floor amendment was offered to withhold HB2 funds until the governor agrees to accept available federal Summer EBT benefits for children; proponents framed it as prioritizing nutrition for vulnerable children, but the amendment failed on roll call. Appropriators opposed conditioning the spending, saying the amendment would hamstring urgently needed funds to implement statutory reforms and facility fixes.

Appropriators were asked for more granular breakdowns. Members pressed for an itemized plan for Oakley expenditures (housing versus educational facilities) and for an explanation of how the $12 million would be allocated; the appropriations chair said staff would provide a breakdown and that Oakley’s buildings include vacant structures that need upgrades to meet code before additional beds are placed in service.

The funding approvals complete the House’s fiscal work tied to the youth-court rewrite; lawmakers recorded votes and instructed appropriations staff to track allocations and report details needed for county and facility implementation.