SB 2528, the "Mississippi Farmland, Migratory Bird, and Rural Protection from Industrial Wind Facilities Act," prohibits new industrial wind facilities (defined as those ≥1 megawatt) from being sited within two miles of prime or unique farmland or in Mississippi Flyway high-risk zones identified for migratory birds. It requires wind facilities to maintain decommissioning plans with financial assurance, comply with wildlife protections, and adhere to setbacks from agricultural aviation areas and FAA obstruction evaluations. The bill directly affects developers of new industrial wind projects by restricting locations, mandating environmental safeguards, and imposing operational requirements. It establishes statewide standards to protect agricultural lands, water resources, and wildlife, while preempting local governments from authorizing prohibited siting. The bill did not advance beyond committee in 2026.
SB 2520 requires Mississippi public school districts to adopt policies banning students from using cell phones and personal electronic devices (like tablets or smartwatches) on school campuses during instructional time (bell to bell) by July 1, 2027. The policy must include disciplinary procedures and allow exceptions for emergencies or health monitoring. School-issued devices used for instruction are exempt. The bill, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have required districts to submit policies to the state Department of Education by October 1, 2027, and annually thereafter.
The Mississippi Safe Schools Information-Sharing Act of 2026 would create a secure online system for Mississippi schools to track student safety risk assessments (like threat assessments) and share key information with law enforcement and juvenile courts. School districts would be required to enter notices of such assessments within 48 hours, and local law enforcement must notify schools within 24 hours of a juvenile felony arrest, with both entries flowing into the system. The bill restricts access to designated school staff (superintendents, principals), prohibits sharing medical details, mandates annual privacy training, and limits data retention to what’s necessary for safety. It aims to improve student safety coordination while maintaining strict privacy protections under state law.
SB 2489 would require Mississippi charter schools rated "D" or "F" under the state's accreditation system for two consecutive years to have their charters revoked or not renewed. This directly affects charter schools with sustained low performance, as the bill mandates automatic action by state education officials based solely on these accreditation ratings. The key mechanism is linking the existing school rating system to charter renewal decisions, eliminating discretion for repeated low ratings. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.
SB 2507 revises Mississippi's school discipline policies to better protect students with disabilities from being unfairly labeled "habitually disruptive." It requires schools to develop evidence-based behavior modification plans within two weeks of disruptive incidents, using positive interventions and input from a multidisciplinary team, before labeling a student as habitually disruptive. The bill prevents schools from considering a student habitually disruptive if they are already receiving special education services (IEP) or a 504 Plan, or if the school knew about a disability but hadn't evaluated the student. After a second disruptive incident, schools must conduct a psychological evaluation and consider special education eligibility, with students aged 13+ facing potential expulsion for non-compliance with a plan on a third incident (unless they have IEP/504 services). The bill aims to ensure appropriate support for students with disabilities rather than immediate disciplinary action.
SB 2513 would require Mississippi public school districts to provide every school bus driver - including temporary and substitute drivers - with an annual $5,000 salary supplement. This supplement would be paid from the district's existing transportation budget, which is allocated by the state based on factors like student enrollment and school district density. The bill does not change the current minimum monthly wage for drivers but adds this fixed annual payment as a new requirement. It would directly affect all school bus drivers employed in Mississippi's public school system.
SB 2514, the "Mississippi Open to Religion Act," would have required all Mississippi public school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy allowing daily voluntary prayer and Bible or religious text reading on school campuses starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The policy would mandate signed consent forms from students' parents/guardians or employees (including a waiver of legal claims related to religious expression), prohibit participation without consent, and require schools to avoid forcing non-consenting individuals to hear or participate. It also specifies that such activities cannot replace instructional time and must accommodate those who revoke consent. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
SB 2506 would revise Mississippi's compulsory school attendance law to pause truancy proceedings when a student's absence might relate to a disability, requiring schools to assess eligibility under federal special education law (IDEA) and Section 504 before penalizing absences. It mandates evidence-based interventions for chronic absenteeism and requires school attendance officers to complete mandatory training on disability laws. The bill directly affects students with potential disabilities, their families, and school staff handling attendance cases. These changes aim to prevent misclassifying disability-related absences as truancy while aligning with federal education requirements.
SB 2521 would require Mississippi public elementary schools to provide students with at least 20 minutes of daily physical activity, directly affecting all elementary students in public school districts. The bill specifies this must include unstructured outdoor play when weather permits (with indoor alternatives if needed), excluding time spent using electronic devices, during physical education classes, or walking between classes. It also prohibits withholding recess as punishment except for immediate safety threats. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and has not become law.
SB 2519, the "Mississippi Get to School and Stay Safe Act of 2026," would create a secure statewide online system for schools to track student safety risks. It requires school districts to enter risk assessments (e.g., threats or behavioral concerns) into the system within 48 hours, mandates behavioral threat assessment training for school leaders, and requires law enforcement to notify schools within 24 hours of a juvenile felony arrest. The system limits access to authorized school staff only, prohibits entry of medical details, and ensures privacy compliance under state law. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and would have affected Mississippi school districts, juvenile courts, and school attendance officers (who would receive a $10,000 pay increase).
SB 2496 extends the Mississippi K-12 and Postsecondary Mental Health Task Force's operation by one additional year. The bill requires the task force to submit its final report and recommendations to the legislature by October 1, 2026, after which the task force will dissolve. The task force was established to analyze student mental health challenges across schools and colleges, assess existing resources and training, and develop policy recommendations. This extension does not change the task force's purpose or membership but provides additional time for its work.
SB 2490 is a procedural bill that reorganizes an existing Mississippi code section (previously 37-28-55) about charter school funding into a new location within the statutes. It does not create new policies but clarifies how the State Department of Education and school districts must pay charter schools for student enrollment, transportation, classroom supplies, and federal program funds - matching the same rules applied to traditional public schools. The bill directly affects charter schools and local school districts in Mississippi, ensuring payments align with existing funding formulas. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.
