HB 95 establishes a 11-member study committee to examine how Mississippi can better support working parents through its Child Care Payment Program (CCPP). The committee will analyze existing federal and state funds that could be redirected to expand the program, focusing on current gaps like the number of children on waiting lists and the cost to serve all eligible families earning 85% or less of Mississippi’s median income. It will study funding streams, labor force impacts, and successful models from other states or employers to develop recommendations for increasing access to affordable child care. This study aims to help low- to moderate-income working parents participate in the workforce by improving the CCPP’s reach and efficiency.
HB 169 would require Mississippi school districts with the three lowest state accountability ratings to implement specific policies, including daily homework, handwriting instruction, reading assignments, mandatory parent volunteer hours, school uniforms, and a strict holiday calendar. It also mandates alternative schools in these districts to follow the same rules, including 16-hour school days (with Saturdays designated as "Attitude Adjustment Day" for community mentorship). Additionally, all districts must develop a career-focused curriculum using U.S. Department of Labor job market data to align with graduation requirements. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.
HB 16 requires Mississippi state agencies to include estimated annual costs in proposed rule notices. If a rule costs $200,000 or more per year or $600,000 over three years, agencies must send a copy of the notice and a summary of the economic impact statement to every legislator. The bill also mandates that such rules cannot take effect without the Governor’s approval, and agencies must consider any legislative objections or recommendations before finalizing the rule. This changes how agencies develop and implement rules that significantly impact state costs, affecting all state agencies proposing such rules.
HB 162 requires all Mississippi public middle schools to create two new programs: one to help students meet college entrance requirements, and another to provide career-focused skills training with industry certification preparation. Schools must collaborate with community colleges, career centers, or other districts to offer hands-on STEM learning aligned with college or career pathways. The bill mandates funding for approved programs and takes effect in 2026. It directly affects every public middle school in Mississippi by restructuring how math and science instruction supports future educational or work opportunities.
HB 39 authorizes judges in Mississippi to conduct certain court proceedings via video conference under specific conditions, directly affecting defendants, attorneys, and the public participating in civil cases, preliminary hearings, bail hearings, and criminal trial settings. Key provisions require 90 days' written notice to all parties, ensure real-time audio/video quality for all participants, maintain open court access for the public, and mandate written agreement from all parties for most criminal pleas (like guilty pleas) before video use. The bill also treats electronic signatures as legally valid for court documents and requires secure video facilities for attorney-client confidentiality. However, the bill "died in committee" on February 3, 2026, meaning it did not advance to become law.
HB 172 would require Mississippi to allocate state funds under the Student Funding Formula to hire elementary school counselors, prioritizing school districts with the highest documented needs (based on low accreditation, crime rates, free lunch participation, and dropout rates). It mandates that every elementary school must have at least one state-funded counselor by 2026-2027, maintaining a 1:500 counselor-to-student ratio, with counselors required to hold a Master's in counseling and spend 80% of their time directly serving students. The bill also authorizes the State Department of Education to hire a supervisor for school counselors and sets qualifications for the role. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
HB 52 would allow Mississippi pharmacists to dispense ivermectin (a medication) without a doctor's prescription, following state pharmacy board guidelines. Pharmacists must provide patients with usage instructions and act reasonably prudently to avoid legal liability, with immunity from criminal, civil, or professional penalties. The State Board of Pharmacy would establish specific implementation rules, and the bill was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.)
HB 21 revises Mississippi's process for appointing municipal election commissioners. It sets population-based commissioner counts (3, 5, or 7), requires appointments at least one year before elections, and mandates that appointees submit a signed acceptance letter to the Secretary of State. Commissioners must also complete training and a skills assessment. The bill allows municipalities to contract with county election commissions to handle local election duties instead of appointing their own commissioners. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
HB 46 requires Mississippi public school boards to create and implement age-appropriate policies banning cell phone use during all school hours ("bell-to-bell"), including classrooms and hallways. The bill mandates that elementary students (K-5) cannot have devices inside school buildings or on grounds, while middle school students (6-8) must store devices off during school hours. It prohibits suspensions or expulsions for violations and requires schools to use school-based communication tools for emergencies instead of student phones. The policy also specifies exceptions for students with health needs under special education plans.
HB 159 would provide state funding for additional assistant teachers in kindergarten through third grade within Mississippi's lowest-performing "C," "D," and "F" school districts. The bill requires districts to hire assistant teachers with at least a high school diploma, sets a $17,000 annual minimum salary, and mandates reading improvement plans and annual program evaluations. Districts could alternatively use the funds to hire licensed teachers if it reduced student-teacher ratios in grades K-3, but could not replace assistant teachers solely to use the funding for licensed staff. The bill also requires districts to submit specific accountability plans and training programs for staff. (Note: The bill died in committee in February 2026.)
HB 195 would have required Mississippi school districts to hold at least one mandatory parent meeting 30 days before each school year begins, covering academic goals, policies, and safety procedures. Parents or guardians would need to attend (or use videoconference options) and sign in, with districts offering make-up meetings. Non-attendance could result in a $100 fine, though exemptions exist for hardship cases, and collected fines would fund parental engagement programs. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, so it never became law and has no current effect.
HB 72 would have established the Mississippi Delta Medical Apprenticeship Program (MS DMAP) to create health care career pathways for high school students in 18 specific Delta counties facing critical shortages of health professionals. The program required public schools in those counties to partner with licensed medical facilities to provide students in grades 9-12 with academic and hands-on training, including reduced tuition for participants. Eligibility included a 2.25 GPA, teacher recommendations, residency in a Delta county, and health insurance, with parental consent required. However, the bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
