Mental examinations; require state to pay costs for indigent defendants where examination is court-ordered.

SB 2130 would require the state of Mississippi to pay for court-ordered mental examinations of indigent defendants (those unable to afford legal costs) in felony cases, instead of having counties cover these costs. Currently, counties pay for non-indigent defendants' exams under Mississippi law, but this bill would shift that responsibility to the state for indigent defendants. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if passed. It directly affects indigent defendants in criminal cases where mental competency is in question.