SB 2113, the "Persistent Domestic Violence Offender Registry Act," would create a public online registry for individuals convicted of domestic violence with at least one prior conviction. It directly affects repeat offenders who have been convicted of domestic violence at least twice (once for the current offense and one prior). Key provisions include requiring courts to send offender details to the Department of Public Safety for registry inclusion (with public access to names, birthdates, and photos but not addresses), setting removal timelines based on prior convictions (5 to 20 years after the most recent conviction), and imposing a $150 fee per offender with $100 directed to the Victims of Domestic Violence Fund. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and is not currently law.
SB 2105 would have allowed Mississippi defendants to post 10% of their total bail amount in cash instead of using a surety bond or property bond, provided they met eligibility requirements and signed a sworn affidavit. The bill required courts to provide defendants with a specific notice form detailing bail options, including the choice to use a professional bail agent (who would charge a non-refundable premium). Funds collected through this cash bail option would have been deposited into a "Cash Bail Fund" managed by the county treasurer. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was not enacted, though it was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
SB 2102, a bill that died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have required all Mississippi public and charter high school students to pass the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) civics test as a graduation requirement starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The bill specified students must answer 12 out of 20 randomly selected questions correctly (from a pool of 128) on the test, which schools would administer four times yearly under standard conditions. It gave schools flexibility in how students learn the material but mandated the test must be taken during the school year before graduation. The bill did not become law, as it was referred to the Education Committee and died there.
SB 2100 would require Mississippi public schools to provide free admission for each teacher and one guest to attend any school-sponsored extracurricular event. The bill defines such events to include athletic games, school plays, band competitions, and club activities. It applies to all voluntary school-sanctioned activities and would take effect on July 1, 2026. This policy change directly affects teachers and their invited guests at Mississippi public schools.
SB 2101 requires Mississippi public school districts to create policies allowing students to be excused from school for up to three class periods weekly (max 125 annually) to attend off-campus religious or moral instruction courses. It mandates parental consent, prohibits school funding or resources for the instruction, and requires schools to award elective credit based on secular criteria like course syllabi and instructor qualifications - not religious content. The bill explicitly excludes charter and virtual schools from its requirements and protects school districts from liability for student participation outside school supervision. This policy directly affects public school students seeking credit for off-campus moral or religious education under strict administrative guidelines.
SB 2106 would require Mississippi courts to make a specific finding before granting bail to defendants charged with violent crimes (as defined in Section 97-3-2), ensuring bail won't endanger others or compromise public safety. It also removes justice court judges' authority to set bonds for felony offenses, transferring that power to higher courts. The bill directly affects defendants charged with violent crimes and justice court judges handling felony cases. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
SB 2097 would designate Mississippi's Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) as the sole leasing agent for all state agencies requiring office space. It requires agencies to obtain DFA approval before leasing private buildings and mandates prioritizing state-owned buildings first. The bill establishes standard lease agreements, allows DFA to consolidate agencies into shared spaces for cost savings, and sets requirements for lease requests and approvals. This affects all state agencies (excluding military, universities, and community colleges) needing office space, aiming to streamline leasing and reduce costs.
SB 2109 prohibits the use of any manual, electronic, or mechanical device that hides or obscures a license plate on vehicles in Mississippi. It directly affects all drivers and vehicle owners who might use such devices, including stickers, covers, or brackets that block plate visibility. The bill amends existing law to explicitly ban these devices, stating that license plates must remain fully visible at all times without obstruction. Violations would be punishable as misdemeanors with a maximum fine of $25.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Mississippi legislators to two consecutive terms in either the House or Senate, with a four-year break allowed before seeking the other chamber. It also sets a lifetime cap of 16 total years serving in both chambers combined. The amendment would be submitted to voters in the November 2026 election, with a ballot explanation stating the term limits. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and is not currently moving forward.
HB 344 would create a loan repayment program to help mental health employees in Mississippi's state mental health system repay student loans. Eligible employees - working full-time (30+ hours weekly for 12 months) in the state mental health system with qualifying educational loans - could receive up to $6,000 annually for up to three years. The program would be funded by a new excise tax on vapor products (e-cigarettes) and other designated sources, held in a special state fund. Loan repayment assistance would not count toward the recipient's state taxable income.
HB 402 raises Mississippi's threshold for public purchases requiring competitive bidding from $5,000 to $15,000. This change directly affects state agencies, local governments, schools, and community colleges when purchasing goods or services under $15,000. The bill modifies two state code sections to allow these entities to make such purchases without competitive bidding, while maintaining existing requirements for larger purchases ($15,000-$75,000) and above. The key provision is simply increasing the dollar limit for simplified purchasing procedures.
HB 411 revises Mississippi's driver's license requirements by requiring additional training for license personnel and allowing applicants without a Social Security number to use a sworn affidavit instead. It updates the acceptable documents for proving residency when applying for a license and creates a new "Certificate for Driving" as an alternative to a standard license. These changes aim to adjust administrative procedures for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, specifically addressing accessibility for individuals without Social Security numbers and streamlining residency verification.
