Universities and colleges; require to provide mental health assessments to members of school athletic teams.

HB 77, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, proposed requiring all Mississippi public universities and colleges to conduct annual mental health assessments for every member of school-sponsored athletic teams governed by national or regional sports associations. The bill also mandated assessments for any enrolled student with an arrest record, administered by licensed professionals (like doctors or psychologists) using cognitive and behavioral criteria, with results kept confidential. Institutions would need to partner with local behavioral health specialists to provide follow-up care and could consult the Mississippi Department of Mental Health for resources. The bill was never enacted, as it failed to advance beyond committee review.