HB 1243 is a procedural bill that reorganizes Mississippi's code by moving specific sections related to mineral leasing on state-owned lands (including offshore areas) to new code sections. It preserves existing provisions that restrict offshore drilling near oyster reef leases (e.g., no drilling within one mile of such leases) and require royalty payments to the Education Trust Fund and a Gulf and Wildlife Protection Fund. The bill does not change current policy but updates the code structure for clarity and accessibility, affecting how the state manages mineral leases on coastal lands and waters.
HB 1259 would have allowed municipal police in Mississippi cities with populations of 2,000+ (or 15,000+ for highway enforcement) to use radar speed detection equipment to enforce school zone speed limits. It specifically defined "school zones" as roadway segments near schools where students gather or activities occur. The bill also required municipal law enforcement to notify the Highway Safety Patrol of emergencies on highways. This bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never took effect (despite a planned July 1, 2026, implementation date).
SB 2500 would provide a $6,000 annual salary supplement to certified strength and conditioning coaches in Mississippi public schools who meet specific requirements. This supplement applies to coaches certified by recognized organizations and employed in non-administrative roles, directly affecting eligible coaches in school districts. Coaches must submit certification documentation by October 15 for the full supplement or by February 15 for a prorated half-supplement. The bill amends Mississippi’s existing salary schedule to add this category, aligning with similar supplements already available for National Board-certified teachers, school nurses, and counselors.
SB 2512 requires Mississippi public schools (K-12) to implement a specific "success sequence" curriculum focused on finishing high school, working full-time, and marrying before having children, alongside 15 mandated character traits like trustworthiness, responsibility, respect for marriage, and patriotism. School districts must adopt this curriculum by the 2028-2029 school year, consulting parents, educators, and community members, while prohibiting religious or political indoctrination in regular classes (though after-school programs may include such content with parental consent). The State Department of Education must track implementation, report on impacts to student discipline and achievement, and may accept outside funding for support. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.
SB 2497 is a procedural bill that relocates Mississippi Code Section 37-57-107 to a new position in the code for potential future amendment. This section establishes a 7% annual limit on increases to school district property tax revenue (based on the prior three years' average), with exceptions for new construction, bond payments, and mandated programs like early childhood education. It also requires school districts to pay charter schools a pro-rata share of local property taxes (excluding bond payments) within three business days of receiving funds. The bill does not change current tax rules but moves the existing law to a new code location. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was not enacted.
SB 2516 expands Mississippi's William F. Winter and Jack Reed, Sr., Teacher Loan Repayment Program to include assistant teachers in public schools, who were previously excluded. The bill provides the same annual loan repayment awards for assistant teachers as for teachers - ranging from $1,500 to $6,000 per year - based on years served and whether they teach in areas designated as critical teacher shortage zones. To qualify, assistant teachers must hold a standard license, teach full-time in Mississippi public schools, and have qualifying student loans, while avoiding default on other loans. The program applies the existing structure, including priority for shortage-area schools and annual payments applied directly to outstanding loan balances. This bill aimed to support assistant teachers financially but died in committee in February 2026.
SB 2491 requires all Mississippi public schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) by the 2024-2025 school year, with specific provisions for athletic venues by 2026-2027. It mandates that schools place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) within three minutes of athletic venues, ensure staff have current CPR/AED training from recognized organizations, and integrate plans with local emergency services. The bill allocates $2.5 million in state funding specifically for CERP implementation, prioritizing high-needs schools (where at least 50% of students qualify for free/reduced meals) to purchase AEDs, training materials, and support maintenance. Schools may also accept donations for AEDs meeting FDA standards and related training costs.
SB 2508 establishes the "Student 24/7 Teletherapy Pilot Project" within Mississippi's State Department of Education to provide teletherapy services to students in grades 5-12 at public school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools. The bill requires vendors to meet strict qualifications (e.g., 10+ years in teletherapy, serving 50,000+ students) and provide 24/7 access with no cost or insurance barriers to students. Funding would come from the Education Enhancement Fund, with up to 10% of funds allowed for program administration. The Department must report participation rates, usage data, and student outcomes to the legislature by October 1, 2027. Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026.
SB 2488 would require Mississippi school attendance officers to complete annual, 12-hour training on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This training, sponsored by the state Department of Education's Office of Special Education, would cover legal rights of students with disabilities and proper procedures for reporting potential disabilities to school districts. School attendance officers would need to obtain a certificate of completion within their first year of employment to perform duties or receive pay. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, aimed to ensure officers understand federal and state requirements for identifying and supporting students with disabilities.
SB 2503 would have revised Mississippi's public school accountability system by requiring the State Board of Education to establish statewide educational goals and standards for all public elementary and secondary schools. It mandated annual evaluations of schools and districts, required three-year improvement plans, and specified curriculum content including Mississippi history, the U.S. Constitution, and cultural diversity. The bill also directed the superintendent to collect data on program effectiveness and student services like English language learning. However, this bill "Died In Committee" on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
SB 2509, the "Mississippi School Resource Officers Safety Act," proposes to create a state-funded program that reimburses local law enforcement agencies and school districts for hiring school resource officers (SROs) at all public and private elementary and secondary schools in Mississippi. It requires schools and police departments to jointly apply for funds, submit a written agreement outlining roles, and develop a school safety plan within 60 days of an SRO's hiring. The state would establish a special fund to cover SRO salaries, benefits, training, and equipment, aiming to place one SRO per school campus. This bill directly affects public school districts, accredited private schools (including those in the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools), and local law enforcement agencies. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
SB 2495, the Students Safe at School Act, requires Mississippi public schools to follow specific protocols for active shooter drills and simulations. It mandates that all drills for K-12 students be age-appropriate, trauma-informed, and include 24-hour parental notice with an opt-out option, prohibiting negative academic consequences for students who opt out. The bill bans all active shooter simulations during regular school hours (except optional for grades 9-12 with written parental permission) and requires schools to provide annual violence prevention training for grades 6-12 using evidence-based methods. Additionally, it prohibits combining drills with other emergency exercises and requires schools to offer alternative safety education for students who opt out.
