HB 1205 removes a requirement that parents sign a confidentiality pledge before mediation begins for disputes about special education services under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This change aligns Mississippi's state law with federal policy, directly affecting students with disabilities and their families who use mediation to resolve disagreements about educational evaluations, placements, or services. The bill modifies Section 37-23-141 to eliminate the pre-mediation signature step while keeping other mediation rules intact, such as voluntary participation, confidentiality during sessions, and state-funded costs. The change aims to streamline the process without altering the core mediation structure.
HB 1206 clarifies that teachers and assistant teachers working in prekindergarten or early childhood education programs within state-chartered schools (authorized by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board) are exempt from standard teaching qualification requirements. This exemption specifically applies to programs not granted by the Mississippi State Department of Education (SDE), meaning staff in these charter school programs do not need bachelor's or associate's degrees in early childhood education or related certifications. The bill does not change existing requirements for staff in SDE-funded programs but explicitly confirms the exemption for charter school employees in non-SDE programs. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2538 modifies Mississippi's health care Certificate of Need (CON) law by requiring parties who request a hearing on a CON application and lose the hearing to pay all related attorney, consultant, and other fees within 90 days of the hearing officer's decision. The bill also mandates that the party initiating a hearing must provide upfront security (e.g., a deposit) to cover potential costs, with the State Department of Health determining the security amount. This directly affects health care providers, opponents of new facilities, or other "affected persons" who request hearings but do not prevail. The law eliminates judicial review of hearing outcomes, making the State Department of Health's decisions final.
HB 1468 amends Mississippi's public records law to explicitly exempt "protected personally identifiable information" (PII) from disclosure requirements. It defines protected PII as sensitive details like Social Security numbers, home addresses, driver's license numbers, medical records, and financial account information. The bill directly affects public bodies (including law enforcement agencies and courts) that handle personal records, requiring them to withhold this specific information from public records requests. Key provisions clarify that such information - previously subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act - will now be exempt, while maintaining access to basic incident reports. This creates a clear legal standard for protecting high-risk personal data without altering access to non-sensitive public records.
HB 1035, the Mississippi Future Innovators Act, requires all Mississippi public high school students to earn one credit in a computer science course or a career and technical education (CTE) course with embedded computer science before graduation, starting with the 2029-2030 ninth-grade class. The bill mandates that these courses include instruction on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), covering what AI is, how it works, and its societal impact. Students can fulfill this requirement through either a dedicated computer science course or a CTE course approved by the State Board of Education, without increasing the total number of state-required graduation credits. This policy directly affects all Mississippi public high school students and aims to integrate foundational computer science knowledge into graduation requirements.
HB 351 designates June 3 as "Bobbie Gentry Day" in Mississippi to honor the singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry, born in Woodland, Mississippi, who gained international fame in the 1960s with hits like "Ode to Billie Joe." The bill amends Mississippi Code Section 3-3-7 to add this day as a commemorative observance, alongside existing days like Elvis Presley Day and Hernando de Soto Day. It specifies that June 3 will be a day of recognition and observation but explicitly states it is not a legal holiday, meaning it does not affect government operations, business closures, or work schedules. The bill has no regulatory or financial impact and serves solely as a symbolic tribute to Gentry's cultural contributions.
HB 1486 changes Mississippi's tax lien collection rules. It sets a 3-year limit for the Department of Revenue to collect on tax liens enrolled on or after July 1, 2026, and requires collection actions to stop by July 1, 2029, for liens existing as of that date. The bill defines "doubtful claims" as tax debts where collection is ineffective, and establishes that such claims can be settled: taxpayers pay 50% of the debt if the lien has been active 3-10 years, or the full amount is waived after 10 years. This directly affects taxpayers with unresolved tax debts and modifies how the state handles old tax liabilities.
HB 1442 allows Mississippi airport authorities, municipalities, and other government entities that own or operate airports to contract with private companies for financing, building, operating, or maintaining airport facilities - similar to how toll roads or bridges are handled under existing law. This bill exempts these airport contracts from standard state procurement bidding rules (Section 31-7-13), which typically require competitive bidding for purchases over $75,000. The law specifically amends Section 31-7-13 to clarify this exemption and states that these contracting powers supplement, rather than replace, existing airport authority powers under Section 61-3-15. The bill directly affects local governments and airport operators seeking to use private partnerships for airport projects.
HB 1112 exempts the Office of State Aid Road Construction (OSARC) from Public Procurement Review Board (PPRB) approval for personal service contracts. It also increases the number of passenger vehicles OSARC may own and operate from seven to thirteen. The bill requires counties that fail to spend allocated funds for bridge repairs over two consecutive fiscal years to forfeit unspent balances, with those funds reallocated to counties having ready-to-proceed bridge projects lacking funding. These changes streamline OSARC operations and aim to improve efficiency in using state bridge repair funds.
This bill authorizes Mississippi airport authorities to manage abandoned vehicles left on airport property. It requires authorities to make reasonable efforts to locate owners, send 30-day written notices (via certified mail and newspaper publication), and allow owners to reclaim vehicles by paying towing/storage fees. If unclaimed, authorities may sell the vehicle at public auction, dispose of it reasonably, or retain it for airport use (like maintenance or security). Proceeds cover costs first, with any remaining balance deposited into the airport’s general fund after 90 days if unclaimed.
HB 737 allows Mississippi Medicaid providers to repay overpayments through installment plans under specific conditions. It applies to providers who received incorrect Medicaid payments not caused by their fraud or abuse, and who cannot repay immediately or would face substantial financial hardship. The bill requires the Medicaid Division to permit repayment over up to 12 months (or longer per federal rules) after notification, replacing the previous requirement for immediate repayment. This change directly affects healthcare providers like clinics and hospitals that need flexibility to correct billing errors without immediate cash demands. The policy modifies existing repayment procedures without altering Medicaid eligibility or funding levels.
HB 1572 establishes a Rare Disease Task Force within Mississippi's existing Rare Disease Advisory Council to address barriers in care for patients with rare diseases. The task force will identify gaps in treatment access, evaluate insurance coverage practices (including "alternative funding programs" that may delay care), and recommend evidence-based solutions to ensure equitable access to therapies. It requires the task force to submit annual reports to state officials detailing findings on therapy access, insurance coverage trends, and the impact of alternative funding programs. This bill directly affects patients with rare diseases, their families, healthcare providers, and insurance plans operating in Mississippi by creating a structured process to improve treatment accessibility.
