HB 986 renames Mississippi's existing "Insurance Department Fund" as the "Insurance Department Fraud Detection Trust Fund" and redesignates it as a dedicated special fund in the state treasury. The bill requires property/casualty insurers and life/health insurers/HMOs to pay annual assessments based on their Mississippi premiums (with a $100 minimum per company) into this fund, capping total annual contributions at $1 million. Funds must be used exclusively for fraud detection tools (including AI, cybersecurity, and arson investigations), and unspent balances or interest cannot revert to the general fund. This directly affects all insurance companies operating in Mississippi that sell property/casualty, life, health, or accident policies.
HB 914 requires Mississippi's State Department of Education to assign a qualified licensed dyslexia therapy teacher supervisor to every county. These supervisors must develop evidence-based reading interventions for students diagnosed with dyslexia, using strategies like the 3-Tier Instructional Model and accommodations under IDEA/504 Plans. The bill also mandates a program using "dyslexia data coaches" (experts in phonemic awareness and data analysis) to support teachers in improving literacy, with staff required to live in their assigned counties and be state employees. Implementation depends on legislative funding and takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 967 requires all Mississippi local law enforcement agencies to accept missing person reports in person without refusal for specific reasons (like the person being an adult, no apparent foul play, or short disappearance time). It mandates agencies to collect detailed information about the missing person - including photos, medical details, clothing, and transportation - within the initial report. If a person remains missing after five days (but no later than fifteen), agencies must input their details into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS). The bill also creates procedures for handling "high-risk" cases, requiring immediate notification to nearby agencies to aid in locating those at potential risk.
HB 886 allows year-round retail sale of fireworks in Mississippi, replacing previous seasonal restrictions. It requires fireworks sold at retail or wholesale to be stored and displayed within a permanent building (not temporary stands), with safety signs, fire extinguishers, and unopened packaging unless staff are present. The bill maintains existing rules: fireworks must be "Class C common fireworks" (like small fountains or sparklers), cannot be sold to anyone under 12, and cannot be ignited within 600 feet of schools, hospitals, or churches. It affects fireworks retailers, distributors, and consumers by changing storage requirements and enabling year-round sales while preserving safety zones and age limits.
HB 873 creates a new 21st Century Employment Grant Program administered by Mississippi's Community College Board. It requires community and junior colleges to partner with workforce organizations, manufacturers, healthcare providers, and local businesses to develop training programs that teach specific professional skills (like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving) and offer at least six industry-recognized certificates. Grant recipients must include a business contribution of up to 40% of project costs and detail how students will transition into jobs or further education. The program includes an advisory board with representatives from economic development, education, unions, and industry to oversee implementation.
HB 839 amends Mississippi law to give local governments (like cities or counties) discretion to suspend utility shutoffs during emergencies, rather than requiring the Governor to make that decision. It directly affects utility customers and local officials who manage emergency responses. The key change revises Section 33-15-11 by modifying the Governor’s emergency authority under subsection (b)(4)(d), shifting decision-making power from the Governor to local governing authorities regarding utility service suspensions. This change allows local officials to determine if suspending shutoffs is necessary for public safety during declared emergencies.
Mississippi's HB 872 requires the State Board of Education to develop mandatory curriculum components for all middle and high school students, including vocational/technical education, home economics, and character education, effective for the 2026-2027 school year. The home economics curriculum must include practical skills like cooking, budgeting, child development, and home management. Vocational courses must be integrated into existing school programs, with districts determining specific grade placements. The bill amends existing education codes to implement these requirements without changing funding structures. It directly affects all public school students in Mississippi's middle, high, and alternative education programs.
HB 871 prohibits Mississippi municipalities with populations over 145,000 (as of the 2020 census) from charging parking fees on public streets adjacent to county courthouses or other county government buildings. It specifically exempts individuals required to appear at these locations for official purposes - such as court appearances, subpoenas, or using public services - during the time they are there. The law applies only to parking near these buildings and covers the duration of the required visit. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects residents and visitors needing to access county government services in qualifying municipalities.
HB 948 expands Mississippi's Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship program to include students with dyslexia in kindergarten through 12th grade, previously covering only older students. The bill revises eligibility criteria to ensure children as young as kindergarten can access the scholarship for research-based dyslexia therapy. This therapy must be delivered by Mississippi Department of Education licensed therapists using structured, multisensory methods like Orton-Gillingham. The policy directly affects K-12 students diagnosed with dyslexia in Mississippi public schools seeking specialized reading intervention.
HB 949 requires that no ballot boxes be opened or votes counted until all polling places have closed, which occurs at 7:00 p.m. or after the last voter in line casts their ballot. Poll managers must wait for the registrar to confirm all polling places have closed and votes are fully tallied before opening ballot boxes or announcing results. Once notified, poll managers must simultaneously share their precinct's vote totals to prevent partial results from being released early. This bill standardizes the timing for vote counting and result announcements across Mississippi elections.
HB 838 allows Mississippi adoptees aged 21 or older to request a copy of their original birth certificate from the state's Bureau of Vital Records. Birth parents can file a contact preference form with the Bureau indicating whether they want to be contacted directly, through an intermediary, or not at all. The Bureau must provide this contact preference form to the adoptee when issuing the birth certificate copy. This policy change directly affects adoptees seeking their birth records, birth parents who specify contact preferences, and the Bureau of Vital Records, which must update its record-keeping procedures to include these forms.
HB 951 establishes the Mississippi Autism Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to access specialized educational environments and services. It directly affects Mississippi students aged 3-21 diagnosed with ASD (per DSM-5 criteria), enrolled in public schools, and maintaining an active IEP documenting ASD as their primary eligibility. Key provisions include mandatory autism screenings for school-age children (spring kindergarten through fall grade 1), requiring additional training for school diagnosticians, and authorizing the state to pay federal/state aid directly to participating schools. The program also mandates annual reporting to the legislature on student performance, funding, and program effectiveness.
