HB 225 would require Mississippi public schools to administer drug tests to students in grades 6-12 who exceed allowable absences under the state's compulsory attendance law (Section 37-13-91). School districts must adopt policies by the 2026-2027 school year, mandating parents cover test costs and requiring county health departments to conduct tests. Positive results would trigger mental health referrals, while students could present proof of prescription medication as an affirmative defense. All test results must be kept confidential and separate from student records, with policies needing to detail parental notification, test refusal consequences, and available support services.
HB 245 would create the Mississippi Skill Standards Board, an advisory group appointed by the Governor to develop statewide skill standards and credentials for skilled jobs requiring less than a bachelor's degree. The board, composed of 13 members (including business representatives, workers, and education officials), would establish industry-recognized standards for occupations with strong local job opportunities and national recognition. It would validate existing standards, create new ones where needed, and work with employers to promote these standards for better workforce training alignment. The board would meet quarterly and provide annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, aiming to improve job readiness and economic opportunities in Mississippi.
HB 218 establishes a two-year pilot program at Coahoma Community College and Jones County Junior College to serve low-income youth who have dropped out of high school. The program provides integrated education (including high school equivalency courses) and construction training, with 50% of time spent on classroom instruction and 50% on hands-on housing rehabilitation projects for low-income households and special needs populations. Colleges must secure federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, with Mississippi’s Department of Human Services providing 25% matching funds. The program requires annual reporting to the legislature by 2029 to assess its effectiveness in improving participants’ economic self-sufficiency and community impact.
HB 209 proposes creating a 17-member Children's Resource Commission to coordinate Mississippi's child-focused services across state agencies. The commission would map all federal and state funding and programs supporting children (from birth to adulthood), identify overlaps or gaps in services, and assess program effectiveness. It requires agencies providing child services to submit annual lists of their programs, which the commission would compile with help from Mississippi State University's Stennis Institute. The commission must report yearly to the governor and legislature by December 1, detailing findings and recommendations for improving service efficiency.
HB 284 would automatically restore voting rights to individuals convicted of a felony once they complete all sentencing requirements, including fines, probation, or parole. It directly affects Mississippi residents with felony convictions who have satisfied all court-ordered obligations. The bill amends multiple election code sections to ensure their names are automatically removed from the voter suppression list upon completion of sentencing and restored to the voter rolls without requiring separate applications. This change applies to all felons regardless of the crime's nature, streamlining the process for re-enfranchisement.
HB 279 would require Mississippi to adopt year-round daylight saving time if federal law is amended to allow states to do so. Currently, Mississippi switches between standard time (winter) and daylight saving time (summer), but this bill would eliminate the fall time change if Congress permits it. The bill specifies that daylight saving time would become the permanent standard for the state, taking effect on July 1, 2026, contingent on a federal law change to 15 U.S.C. § 260a. This is a conditional policy change that depends entirely on future federal action, not Mississippi's current authority.
HB 293 delays the disclosure of specific sensitive medical test results to patients via their electronic health records (EHR) for 72 hours after finalization, unless a patient's healthcare provider directs earlier release. It specifically applies to pathology/radiology reports with a reasonable likelihood of showing cancer (malignancy) or genetic test results. The bill aims to prevent premature disclosure that could cause patient distress before providers can review and discuss results. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, but the bill died in committee in February 2026.
HB 292 requires Mississippi restaurant employees to complete food allergy awareness training that specifically covers gluten as a food allergen. The training must teach employees about gluten sources, symptoms of gluten intolerance and celiac disease, safe gluten-free food preparation, and cleaning methods to prevent cross-contamination. It applies to all restaurants defined under Mississippi law (businesses primarily selling ready-to-eat food with on-site kitchens and seating). The bill, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
HB 289 would require Mississippi courts to suspend a driver's license if someone misses their court date for a traffic citation. After a 30-day notice period, the court clerk must notify the Department of Public Safety to suspend the license. The license can only be reinstated once the driver appears in court, resolves their case, or receives court notification of resolution. This applies to all traffic citations, not just serious violations, and mandates specific notice and reinstatement procedures.
HB 278 creates the Mississippi Anti-Hunger and Anti-Food Insecurity Task Force to study food insecurity across the state, with a focus on rural and underserved communities. The 17-member task force - including health officials, university representatives, community leaders, and state agency staff - will examine causes of hunger, assess federal nutrition programs, and hold public meetings to gather input. It must submit two reports to the Legislature by January 2027 and January 2028, after which the task force dissolves. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not advanced further.
HB 287 requires drivers in Mississippi to slow down or move to a non-adjacent lane when approaching a disabled vehicle on or near the roadway, if safe and possible on multi-lane roads. It defines a "disabled vehicle" as any temporarily stopped vehicle (e.g., due to mechanical failure) using hazard lights or safety devices. The law applies to all drivers and prohibits passing such vehicles without caution, with violations punishable by fines up to $250 (or $1,000 if causing injury or damage). The bill, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026.
HB 291 prohibits texting while driving by making it a traffic violation (not a civil infraction) and imposes a $100 fine per offense. It specifically bans manually writing, sending, or reading text messages or accessing social media on handheld devices while operating a vehicle, excluding voice-operated or hands-free devices. The bill requires law enforcement to record the driver's age, race, and whether additional violations or crashes occurred during citations. This policy directly affects drivers who use handheld devices for texting or social media while driving, changing enforcement from civil penalties to traffic violations.
