SB 2291 is titled to update Mississippi's education funding formula by revising multipliers for gifted education and including seventh and eighth graders in Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding. The bill text states it will amend Section 37-151-205 to increase funding weights for gifted students and adjust CTE multipliers, but the provided context does not include the specific language of these revisions. Instead, the truncated bill text details unrelated provisions about rehiring retired teachers (amending Section 25-11-126), which is inconsistent with the bill's stated purpose. Without the full text of the funding formula changes, a complete summary of the policy impact cannot be generated. The bill died in committee in February 2026.
SB 2303, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have required Mississippi public schools to include a specific video or animation showing human fetal development stages in science classes for grades 6-12. The bill mandated that schools provide written parental notification one week before showing the material and allow parents to opt their children out. It specified the content must cover cell growth and organ development at each pregnancy stage, while requiring compliance with federal and state laws. The bill never became law and remains inactive.
HB 1104 requires law enforcement officers to positively verify a driver's identity at the time of a traffic violation when using hand-held automated recording devices (e.g., handheld cameras). This applies to counties and municipalities enforcing traffic laws on public roads, ensuring due process before imposing fines. The bill also clarifies that Mississippi will only recognize out-of-state traffic fines from states participating in the Driver License Compact. These provisions define "manually operated automated recording equipment" and update enforcement rules for traffic violations.
HB 1102 requires the Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance to request a $1 million transfer from the Annual Fire Fund to the City of Ocean Springs specifically for purchasing a fire truck during fiscal year 2027. The bill does not create new policy but mandates a targeted fund allocation for Ocean Springs' fire department equipment needs. It references existing fire truck funding mechanisms (Rural Fire Truck Fund, Municipal Fire Protection Fund) for potential future amendments but focuses solely on this one-time transfer. The bill directly affects Ocean Springs' ability to acquire fire truck equipment through state funds.
This bill requires healthcare professionals and students to obtain specific written consent before performing intimate exams (like pelvic or breast exams) on sedated, anesthetized, or unconscious patients, with exceptions for medical emergencies, court-ordered exams, or sexual assault forensic exams. It mandates clear consent forms detailing the exam's purpose, who will perform it, and whether students will observe or participate, plus patient notification before discharge. Violations or retaliation against reporters could lead to professional discipline by licensing boards. The law directly affects patients under sedation/anesthesia and healthcare providers in Mississippi, taking effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2285 prohibits Mississippi counties, municipalities, and school districts from enforcing foreign laws (including laws from other countries or jurisdictions) that violate rights guaranteed by the U.S. or Mississippi Constitutions. If a local government unit violates this rule, the associated school district loses funding under Section 37-151-93 for the following school year. The bill amends this funding provision to link compliance with receiving transfer student funding. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not become law.
HB 1095, the "Fair Payment Protection Act," bans businesses from adding extra fees (surcharges) for using credit or debit cards. Instead, businesses may offer discounts for cash, check, or debit card payments - but must clearly disclose these discounts in-store, online, or verbally before transactions. The law applies to all businesses (retailers, service providers, etc.) and defines key terms like "surcharge" and "transaction" to prevent deceptive practices. Violations would be considered unfair trade practices, subjecting businesses to $500 civil penalties per violation.
HB 1098 proposed renaming Mississippi's Ross Barnett Reservoir to "B.B. King Reservoir," affecting areas spanning Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Scott, and Leake counties. The bill required the Department of Finance and Administration, with the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, to install signage and plaques highlighting B.B. King's background and service to the state. It also mandated updating signage at the reservoir's control tower using existing legislative funds. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
Mississippi's SB 2289 revises the legal definition of "dyslexia" to include specific neurological and educational characteristics, such as difficulties with word reading, spelling, and phonological processing that persist despite effective instruction. The bill establishes a scholarship program allowing students in grades 1-12 diagnosed with dyslexia to access licensed dyslexia therapy at public or approved nonpublic schools. Therapy must be delivered by Mississippi Department of Education-licensed professionals using evidence-based, Orton-Gillingham methods in small groups, focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, and multisensory instruction. This policy directly affects students with dyslexia and their families by creating a new pathway for accessing specialized reading support through state-funded scholarships.
SB 2297 would have required all Mississippi children who turn 5 by August 1st each year to attend a licensed kindergarten program (public, private, parochial, or homeschool) starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It would have extended Mississippi's compulsory school attendance law to include kindergarten-age children, previously only covering ages 6-17. Parents would have needed to submit a "certificate of enrollment" by September 15th each year, detailing the child's education setting. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
SB 2298, the "I Believe Act," would have required Mississippi school districts to adopt policies allowing students to voluntarily participate in prayer or Bible reading during school events. It would have updated existing law (Section 37-12-9) to mandate a "limited public forum" for student religious expression, including neutral selection of student speakers, disclaimers stating the school doesn’t endorse such speech, and prohibiting discrimination based on religious viewpoint. The policy would apply to student-initiated expressions at events like football games or assemblies, not school-led activities. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.
SB 2290 would have allowed Mississippi school boards to provide bus transportation to students living less than one mile from school when demonstrable safety risks exist (e.g., lack of sidewalks, heavy traffic, crime hotspots). It also permitted temporary emergency transportation for students who normally wouldn’t qualify if new safety threats were documented. The bill required smaller vehicles (10-15 passengers) transporting students to meet federal school bus safety standards but did not require commercial licenses for these vehicles. Additionally, it allowed school buses to be used in declared emergencies (like natural disasters) without interfering with student transportation. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
