TUPELO, Miss. —
The Mississippi House passed a bill that would require identifying by blood/DNA verification the identities of men who impregnate underage girls, with the goal of prosecuting them at least for statutory rape.
The bill, supported by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant and Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood, is a reasonable and necessary step in nailing criminals and, arguably in the long term, being able to demand child support payments.
Our state has a disturbing list of demographic pathologies related to babies, child bearing and individual reproductive behavior that is costly, sometimes criminal and often predictive of poor outcomes for children as they grow, mature and enter adolescence and adulthood.
House Bill 151 would require physicians or midwives to collect umbilical cord blood when a baby is born to a mother who’s younger than 16 and the mother doesn’t reveal the father’s name.
House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson said a DNA test, using the cord blood, could determine who the father is. He says if the father is an adult, authorities could pursue statutory rape charges. Adult men impregnating underage girls is a far too common behavior, and any measure that could discourage it and lead to prosecution for rape serves a good purpose.
Other facts about children, parenthood and the status of children in Mississippi suggests our poor state has deep-seated, widespread problems related to behaviors that are widely tolerated and, even worse, largely ignored...
The House bill is just one step. Many other pathologies... need to be addressed in some way.
Online:
http://www.djournal.com
Editorials
DNA testing needed to ID dads in teen pregnancy
- Editorials
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DOJ’s seizure of phone records is appalling
By The Vicksburg Post:
In today’s Department of Justice, the ends seem to justify the means.
And it is sickening. -
Bryant tantrum on education major standards was misguided
By the (McComb) Enterprise-Journal:
That was quite a tantrum Gov. Phil Bryant pitched at the College Board recently, criticizing its members for voicing concerns about his effort to increase standards for education majors. -
Legislature to City Hall not sure move
Five Mississippi House members are running for mayor this year, and while name recognition might provide some advantage, lawmakers have had a mixed record in trying to go from the Capitol to City Hall.
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Nation’s economy improving, but state’s still lagging
By The (Jackson) Clarion-Ledger
It’s been a long time coming, but finally there are bright economic signs nationally that seem here to stay a while. -
Armed teachers dangerous idea for school safety
By (Columbus) The Commercial Dispatch:
The Mississippi House of Representatives sent back to the Senate a bill that would arm teachers.
Before sending it over, the House, by a 70-46 vote, amended the Senate’s bill in two major ways. Actually, the House did more than amend it. They neutered it. -
Not every bill grabs headlines
The first two bills that Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed during the 2013 legislative session dealt with money.
House Bill 19 gave more cash to the agency that coordinates a program to put all emergency offices under the same digital communications system. House Bill 20 moved money from the car tag reduction fund to the Budget Contingency Fund. Lawmakers use the contingency fund to cobble together cash for the overall state budget. -
Transparency key to ‘best watchdogs’ oversight
By The (Tupelo) Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal:
Rep. Jerry Turner’s effort to require open meetings of water associations and notice of meetings in which members of boards of directors will be elected remains alive in the Legislature. It should be enacted in the interests of transparency in the running of the nonprofit associations providing water for a significant percentage of Mississippi’s population. -
Miss. makes news, good news, this time
By The (Columbus) Commercial Dispatch:
Generally, when Mississippi makes national news — especially of late — it is not the sort of notoriety we welcome. ...
So March 3, when Mississippi again made national news, we braced ourselves for the embarrassment that was sure to follow.
Only this time, it wasn’t anything to be embarrassed about.
Imagine that. -
Ag’s legal expenses top $2.4M for year
An ongoing lawsuit challenging Mississippi’s foster care system has cost the state at least $4.4 million in legal expenses and fees since 2008.
Expenses continue to rise as the plaintiffs and the state work toward a telephone status conference scheduled for April 25 with U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee. The price tag this year is $1.35 million. -
Ag’s legal expenses top $2.4M for year
An ongoing lawsuit challenging Mississippi’s foster care system has cost the state at least $4.4 million in legal expenses and fees since 2008.
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