HB 403 would have created a state-funded grant program administered by Mississippi's Department of Employment Security to help municipalities pay for youth employment opportunities. It would have required municipalities to submit a detailed youth employment plan (including 10% life skills training) and provide 20% matching funds to receive grants. The program would have targeted youth aged 16-24 who are enrolled in school or planning to complete a high school diploma or college. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
HB 400 allows Mississippi residents to create legally valid wills using video recordings, directly affecting individuals drafting wills in the state. It requires spoken "nuncupative" wills to be video recorded with specific conditions: the testator must state their name, mental capacity, date, and location at the start and end; the recording must be continuous with clear facial visibility; and a disinterested witness must declare no financial interest. The bill repeals a previous requirement that nuncupative wills be written down later for validity. It takes effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
HB 394 amends a 2023 law to allow the Town of D'Lo to redirect funds originally designated for specific road projects to other streets within the town. This change provides the town with flexibility to address different street maintenance needs using the same allocated budget. The bill does not alter the funding amount but modifies how the funds can be spent. The amendment is part of a broader appropriations bill that also funds other local projects across Mississippi.
HB 408 would require Mississippi cities to provide body-worn cameras to police officers during patrols and counties to include funding for body-worn cameras in the sheriff's annual budget. The bill defines body-worn cameras as devices that record audio and video and mandates that deputy sheriffs wear them while on patrol. Failure to wear a camera would result in penalties for officers or deputies. This bill would directly affect police officers in cities and deputy sheriffs in counties across Mississippi.
HB 381 requires all motor vehicle liability insurance policies sold in Mississippi to include medical payment coverage of at least $10,000 per policy. This affects every driver purchasing auto insurance in the state, mandating coverage for medical expenses following accidents. The bill amends existing insurance law to explicitly require this provision in all certified policies. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
HB 399 authorizes Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) certified by Mississippi's State Department of Health and assigned to law enforcement agency Special Response Teams (SRT) or SWAT teams - after completing specialized Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) or Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training - to perform specific advanced medical procedures under medical control. Key provisions include airway management (using devices like BVM), chest needle decompression for tension pneumothorax, and IV access for fluid administration. The bill references updating existing statutes (Sections 41-60-11 and 41-60-13) to formalize these expanded EMT roles and requires the State Board of Health to establish implementation rules. The bill was referred to committee but died there on February 3, 2026, and did not advance to law.
HB 392 would require Mississippi school districts to schedule extracurricular activities so students attend all academic classes first and return to school by 10:30 p.m. on school nights (defined as nights before academic days). It exempts playoff events, championship competitions, and prearranged overnight trips. Districts must document and report any scheduling failures to the state education department quarterly, with reports shared with legislative committees. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.
HB 397 would require most Mississippi driver's license applicants to pass a practical road test demonstrating safe vehicle operation in real traffic conditions, replacing the previous optional requirement. It directly affects new license seekers (excluding those with valid out-of-state licenses) by mandating this test as part of the licensing process. Key provisions include requiring vehicle safety checks (horn, brakes, registration) before the test and allowing exemptions for those completing school driver education or with parent-certified driving experience. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and is not law.
HB 393 would give school district tax authorities (like county boards) discretion to approve or partially approve school board requests for property tax increases. If a requested tax rate exceeds 55 mills or the current rate, the bill requires a public referendum before implementation. Exceptions include districts already levying above 55 mills or those needing tax hikes after declared disasters. This bill directly affects how Mississippi school districts seek funding through property taxes.
HB 412 would require Mississippi Medicaid to cover newborn circumcision procedures for eligible infants. This bill directly affects Medicaid-eligible newborns and their families by making this routine medical procedure fully covered, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for parents. The key mechanism is amending Section 43-13-117 of the Mississippi Code to explicitly add neonatal circumcision to the list of covered services under Medicaid. This change would apply to all newborns in Mississippi enrolled in Medicaid, ensuring consistent coverage without additional authorization.
HB 413 would automatically restore voting rights to Mississippi residents convicted of certain non-violent felonies (excluding arson, armed robbery, carjacking, embezzlement over $5,000, murder, rape, or statutory rape) once they complete all sentencing requirements. It would also automatically expunge eligible felony records from state databases five years after completing all terms of conviction, without requiring additional applications. The bill mandates circuit clerks to notify the Mississippi Criminal Information Center of expungement orders, requiring the Department of Public Safety to remove related criminal history data within 45 days. This applies to individuals with specific felony convictions who have satisfied all court-imposed conditions.
HB 404 would add a second victim assistance coordinator position specifically for Mississippi's 16th Circuit Court District. This coordinator would help victims of crime understand and access their legal rights, working with prosecutors, law enforcement, and courts. The position would be funded jointly by counties in the district (paid pro rata), with salaries capped at the rate for criminal investigators. The bill aimed to expand victim support services in the 16th Circuit but died in committee before becoming law.
