HB 45 would require Mississippi public employers to pay a percentage of the compensation paid to contract workers into the state's public employees' retirement system (PERS). This applies only when the contract work involves services typically performed by regular PERS-covered employees, such as roles previously filled by active system members. The contribution rate must match the employer's current rate for regular employees who joined PERS before March 1, 2026. The bill extends retirement system funding to certain contract workers without altering existing contribution rates for regular employees.
HB 30 creates a new criminal offense for "grooming of a child" in Mississippi, making it illegal for anyone over 21 to engage in a pattern of communication or conduct intended to prepare a child under 18 for sexual exploitation, trafficking, or sexual servitude. The bill defines key terms like "pattern of conduct" and specifies penalties: 2-10 years in prison or $10,000 fines for first offenses, with harsher penalties for those in positions of trust (e.g., teachers, coaches) or repeat offenders. It does not change the age definition for "child" (still under 18), but establishes new legal mechanisms to prosecute grooming behavior before sexual acts occur. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.
HB 80 increases Mississippi workers' compensation payments for disability or death cases from 66.67% to 100% of the state's average weekly wage. It directly affects injured workers and their dependents by raising benefit rates under disability and death provisions. Key changes include setting compensation at 100% of average weekly wage (capped at 450 weeks total), revising death benefit eligibility, and updating disability payment formulas for permanent/total, temporary, and partial injuries. The bill also modifies specific injury compensation tables (e.g., loss of limbs, vision) to align with the new 100% rate.
HB 167 proposed creating Mississippi's "ABC Program" to deliver prekindergarten instruction statewide via the internet. It would require daily real-time lessons by licensed teachers (with three scheduled time slots per day), downloadable curriculum-based materials, and a method to track student participation and progress. The State Department of Education would need to report on the program's success to legislative committees by January 2028. The bill, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, never became law and would have affected Mississippi's prekindergarten students and families.
HB 156 proposes creating Mississippi's "Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2026," establishing a publicly funded pre-K program for 4-year-olds not yet enrolled in kindergarten. The bill requires school districts to provide funding for up to 10 hours weekly over 35 weeks annually to eligible children, allowing parents to choose between public school programs in their district, other public schools, or prequalified private providers. It sets quality standards for providers, including teacher qualifications, curriculum requirements aligned with state learning standards, and minimum classroom ratios (1 adult per 10 children), with a statewide tuition rate determined annually. The program would be jointly administered by the State Board of Education and the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, requiring annual reports to the legislature. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
HB 135 proposed changing how members are selected for Mississippi's Child Care Advisory Council. It would have required child care providers across the state to recommend individuals for council appointments, rather than the State Health Officer appointing members directly. The council, which advises the state agency on child care licensing regulations, would still consist of 12 members with no more than four from any single Supreme Court district. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
HB 99 requires licensed residential builders and remodelers in Mississippi to provide customers with a detailed cost breakdown within 15 days of a request, including invoices, material receipts, and labor fees. It also mandates the State Board of Contractors to set clear fee limits: no more than 20% of construction costs for large projects, or $150 per hour for small projects. Contractors who fail to provide itemized statements or charge fees exceeding these limits face disciplinary action or consumer protection lawsuits. The bill directly affects residential contractors and their customers by increasing transparency and preventing excessive fees.
HB 186 reconstitutes Mississippi's Healthcare Coordinating Council, requiring it to develop a comprehensive preventive health care plan for the state. The council, made up of 15 appointed members including legislators, health experts, and community representatives, must report to the legislature by 2027 with specific goals like reducing infant mortality by 10% by 2035, increasing health insurance coverage by 25% by 2035, and lowering obesity rates to under 20% by 2030. The bill directly affects all Mississippi residents by setting measurable health objectives for state agencies to address maternal/child health, chronic disease, and access to care. It mandates the council analyze feasibility, costs, and benefits of each proposed strategy before making recommendations.
HB 106 creates the Mississippi Special Needs Housing Steering Council to develop a state program providing bridge funding and stable community housing for individuals with mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and other special needs (including those re-entering society after incarceration, people with HIV/AIDS, and homeless families). The council, composed of state agency leaders and community representatives, would collaborate with the Mississippi Home Corporation to design and administer this housing program. Funding would come from the Mississippi Affordable Housing Development Fund or a dedicated source, but the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.
HB 86 removes an age restriction that previously prevented some individuals from clearing misdemeanor criminal records. The bill amends Mississippi law to allow people convicted of misdemeanors (excluding traffic violations) to seek expungement of their records after two years of good conduct, regardless of age. This change directly affects eligible misdemeanor offenders who meet the rehabilitation and time requirements. The law does not apply to felony convictions or traffic violations and leaves existing expungement procedures unchanged beyond removing the age barrier.
HB 160 requires every Mississippi public school district to hire at least one vocal music instructor and one instrumental music instructor for elementary schools. If a district has multiple elementary schools, these instructors must rotate between sites to provide students with at least 40 minutes of music instruction weekly, based on state standards. The bill amends school board powers to ensure compliance with this requirement, directing boards to implement the rotation system when full-time staffing per school isn't feasible. This directly affects all Mississippi school districts and elementary students by guaranteeing regular music education access.
HB 92 increases Mississippi's workers' compensation maximum benefit period from the previous limit to 520 weeks for injured workers. It directly affects employees who suffer permanent total or partial disabilities, extending the time they can receive benefits (calculated as 66.67% of their average weekly wage) before reaching the cap. The bill amends key sections of Mississippi's workers' compensation law to set this 520-week maximum across all disability types, including permanent total, temporary total, and partial disabilities. This change does not alter weekly benefit rates but extends the total duration for which payments may be made. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
