JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A Senate study committee emerging from the search for ways to best support women, children and families following the overturning of Roe v. Wade is still at work two years later.

“The one thing we know when we look at anything when it comes to state laws is that it’s never simple,” said Chair Sen. Nicole Boyd. “Everything is always in the nuances. You need to really dive into the details when you start considering changes because you want the impact and changes you make to be successful.

Finding ways to improve state child support collection is a point of discussion. The Department of Social Services is trying to find a way to maximize the amount families receive.

They will again ask lawmakers to approve more child support diversions, as they did with the lottery. They suggest making the same insurance recoveries and casino winnings.

“When a parent wins, the child wins by receiving a portion of those winnings,” said DHS Executive Director Bob Anderson. “Hopefully we can cross the finish line again in trying to find all the potential sources of recovery for children.”

Meanwhile, female state employees do not receive paid maternity leave.

“There were more options available to women than we really thought, but I think we’re going to continue to look at this issue and study it,” Senator Boyd noted.

There is now no limit on accrued leave time for employees and the addition of designated maternity or parental leave could impact what they will be paid once they retire.

“The biggest warning I would give you is that it’s more important that you talk to PERS about the impact on this as much as it is on the appropriations side,” said Kelly Hardwick, executive director of the State Personnel Council . .

A bill to add maternity leave was introduced but failed to pass in recent sessions.

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