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Section 93-17-55 – Definitions

May 13, 2021 | Family Law, Mississippi

As used in Sections 93-17-51 through 93-17-67, the word “child” shall mean a minor as defined by Mississippi law who is:

(a) A dependent of a public or voluntary licensed child-placing agency, eligible for Supplemental Security Income prior to the finalization of the adoption, one (1) for whom supplemental benefits were paid pursuant to the aforementioned sections in a previous adoption that was dissolved or wherein the adoptive parents died, or is the child of a minor parent in foster care for whom the board payment was increased on account of the birth;
(b) Legally eligible for adoption; and
(c) In special circumstances whether:

(i) Because he has established significant emotional ties with prospective adoptive parents while in their care as a foster child and it is deemed in the best interest of the child by the agency to be adopted by the foster parents, or
(ii) Because he is not likely to be adopted because of one or more of the following special needs:

1. severe physical or mental disability,
2. severe emotional disturbance,
3. recognized high risk of physical or mental disease,
4. older than two (2) years of age,
5. a sibling group to be adopted together, or
6. any combination of these special needs.

Miss. Code § 93-17-55

Laws, 1979, ch. 510, § 3; Laws, 2007, ch. 337, § 1, eff. 7/1/2007.
Amended by Laws, 2019, ch. 464, SB 2840,§ 13, eff. 7/1/2019.