Section 93-21-303 - Declaration of policyThe Legislature of the State of Mississippi finds and declares the policy of this state as follows:
(a) The children of Mississippi are its single greatest resource and our children require the utmost protection to guard their future and the future of this state;(b) Child abuse and neglect are a threat to the family unit and impose major expenses on society in addition to the individual and collective damage on the children of this state;(c) There is a need to assist private and public agencies in identifying and establishing community-based educational and service programs for the prevention of child abuse and neglect;(d) An increase in educational, service and prevention programs will assist in breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect and will assist in reducing the breakdown of families and thus reduce the need for state assistance and intervention and state expenses; and(e) Programs to prevent child abuse and neglect should be partnerships between citizens, local communities and the State of Mississippi.Laws, 1989, ch. 509, § 2, eff. 7/1/1989.