This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Mississippi state agencies to follow federal procurement laws when a Mississippi citizen receives a federal grant. It directly affects state departments and local governments that administer federal grant funds. The key provision mandates that all state entities must comply with federal procurement rules in such cases, rather than state-specific procedures. The amendment would only apply when a grant is awarded to a Mississippi resident, not for general state spending. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and is not active.)
HB 835 directs Mississippi's State Department of Health to issue certificates of need for home health agencies in Copiah and Stone Counties. It specifically applies to post-acute care providers participating in the CMS Guide Model who offer in-home care services. The bill amends existing law to require the health department to approve these certificates for agencies establishing operations in those two counties, streamlining the process for providers meeting the CMS Guide Model criteria. This is a procedural change affecting only home health providers in Copiah and Stone Counties.
HB 976 requires a minimum 30-day in-patient treatment period for individuals with substance use disorders under specific circumstances in Mississippi. It affects people charged with second or subsequent public intoxication offenses (who may be ordered to treatment instead of jail) and those admitted for emergency alcohol/drug treatment via court decree. The bill amends existing law to mandate this 30-day minimum duration for in-patient care, prohibiting judges from ordering shorter stays. It also updates involuntary commitment procedures (Sections 41-30-27 and 41-32-5) to align with this requirement. Financially able individuals must cover treatment costs, but the law itself focuses on setting the minimum treatment duration.
HB 980 changes Mississippi's child support calculation method from a percentage-based system to one that uses both parents' combined income. It replaces the previous percentage schedule with specific dollar amounts listed in a table, adjusted for the number of children and total household income. This bill directly affects parents involved in child support cases, as courts will now calculate payments using the new income-sharing formula. The change also incorporates additional court considerations from existing sections of Mississippi law regarding child support adjustments. The law applies to all child support awards and modifications in Mississippi.
HB 944 extends and codifies Mississippi's existing law prohibiting health insurance plans from requiring "step therapy" (forcing patients to try less effective drugs first) for advanced, metastatic cancer treatments. It directly affects patients with advanced cancer and their doctors, ensuring insurers must cover FDA-approved drugs for these conditions without prior failed treatments. The bill requires insurers to quickly approve treatment overrides when doctors provide clinical evidence showing step therapy would be ineffective or harmful. It extends the law's expiration date from 2024 to July 1, 2029, maintaining protections for cancer patients facing coverage delays.
HB 993 requires Mississippi's State Board of Education and State Department of Education to request a federal waiver from the annual testing requirement for grades 3-8 in reading and math under federal law. The state must submit this waiver request by March 1, 2026, including a plan to support student achievement without these tests and methods to monitor progress. Before submitting, the state must gather public input from stakeholders like parents and school districts and include their feedback in the federal application. If approved, the waiver would allow Mississippi to pause annual standardized testing for these grades while still reporting student performance data annually to the legislature.
HB 899 amends Mississippi's Employment Protection Act to strengthen enforcement by adding administrative dissolution or revocation of an employer's business license as a penalty for violations. It requires all Mississippi employers (including third-party staffing agencies) to verify employee work authorization using E-Verify, with deadlines based on business size (from 2008-2011). The bill authorizes the Department of Employment Security, Department of Revenue, and Secretary of State to create enforcement rules, and allows the Attorney General to pursue civil penalties. This directly affects all employers in Mississippi, particularly contractors working with public entities, by expanding consequences for noncompliance beyond fines. The changes align with existing verification requirements but significantly increase potential penalties for violations.
HB 1036 would amend Mississippi's retirement system to allow law enforcement officers and firefighters hired into the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) on or after March 1, 2026, to receive a retirement allowance after 25 years of service, regardless of age. The bill changes existing rules by replacing age-based retirement requirements with a fixed 25-year service threshold for these specific professions. This policy change would apply only to new hires after the effective date, not to current or past employees. The bill modifies sections 25-11-103, 25-11-109, and related PERS code provisions to implement this adjustment.
HB 1029 creates the Volunteer Firefighter Certification Act, enabling Mississippi volunteer firefighters who complete national-standard (NFPA 1010) training to receive state-issued Firefighter I and II certifications. The State Fire Academy, working with the State Fire Marshal, will verify training completion and maintain a free registry of certified volunteers. This certification does not change volunteers' employment status or pay but provides professional recognition and reciprocity with career firefighters. The bill aims to improve workforce development and public safety by aligning volunteer qualifications with state standards.
HB 840 increases penalties for defendants convicted of specific crimes when they knowingly used artificial intelligence to commit them. It applies to offenses like stalking, sexual extortion, child exploitation, and computer crimes. For misdemeanors, it adds 6-12 months in jail and up to $5,000 in fines; for felonies, it adds at least 2 years in jail and a minimum $5,000 fine. The bill also amends Mississippi’s child pornography law to prohibit distributing visual materials depicting children in sexually explicit conduct that would appear realistic to a reasonable observer.
HB 992 would have required all property insurance policies in Mississippi to include a mandatory appraisal process when insurers and policyholders disagree on the value of property damage or the amount of a loss. If invoked, an independent panel of appraisers (selected by each party, with an umpire if needed) would decide disputed issues like repair costs, damage scope, and building code compliance - though courts would still handle coverage or liability questions. The bill, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, was intended to take effect July 1, 2026, but never became law. It directly affects property insurance policyholders and insurers in Mississippi by establishing a standardized dispute resolution mechanism for loss valuation.
HB 979 requires Mississippi's Medicaid program to exclude any healthcare provider or organization that performs, refers for, or is connected through ownership, management, or common control with abortion services not permitted under state law. Providers must sign a sworn statement confirming they do not engage in such activities, and the Medicaid division must terminate contracts with non-compliant entities. This directly affects clinics, doctors, and healthcare organizations offering or affiliated with abortion services, potentially ending their Medicaid participation. The law updates Medicaid provider rules to align with state policy prohibiting public funding for abortion-related care.
