SB 2549 revises Mississippi's licensing requirements for radiologist assistants, requiring them to be credentialed radiologic technologists with American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification and registration. It directly affects radiologist assistants and healthcare providers by clarifying communication protocols: assistants may notify providers when imaging is complete, share initial observations only with radiologists, and relay the radiologist's final or preliminary interpretations to other providers. The bill explicitly prohibits assistants from interpreting images, making diagnoses, or prescribing treatments. This legislation takes effect July 1, 2026, and aligns licensing rules with guidelines from major radiology professional organizations.
HB 1566 amends Mississippi law to include Hinshaw natural gas pipelines within the state's public utility regulatory framework. It defines "Hinshaw natural gas pipeline" as systems physically in Mississippi, engaged in interstate commerce, providing gas for consumption in Mississippi, and exempt from federal regulation under the Natural Gas Act of 1938. The bill requires these pipelines to seek Public Service Commission approval before constructing, extending, or operating systems (excluding minor work) and mandates filing all third-party contracts with the Commission. This directly affects Hinshaw pipelines operating in Mississippi by subjecting them to state oversight on rates, services, and facility operations.
SB 2522 creates the UPSKILL Mississippi Grant Program, providing tuition-free access to community college certificate or associate degree programs for Mississippi residents pursuing training in high-demand fields. The program targets occupations identified by Accelerate Mississippi (the state's workforce office) as critical for economic growth, requiring colleges to offer support services like academic advising and career planning. Administered by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, it will launch in phases starting with a 2027 pilot, covering tuition/fees after other aid, plus a $500 annual book stipend, for eligible residents meeting residency, education, and enrollment requirements.
HB 1294 revises Mississippi law to increase the age threshold for enhanced penalties when a person in a position of trust (such as a teacher, coach, or parent) commits child grooming. Currently, the law applies to children under 16 for general grooming offenses, but this bill changes the age to 18 for those in trusted roles. Under the amendment, individuals in such positions who groom children under 18 face felony penalties of 5-10 years in prison or fines up to $20,000 - up from 2-10 years for standard grooming. The bill does not alter the definition of "grooming" but strengthens consequences for trusted adults exploiting minors. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1458 modifies Mississippi's telephone solicitation law to allow calls about Medicare Advantage or Supplement plans under two specific conditions: (1) when a person has an established business relationship with the solicitor, or (2) when the person has previously requested contact about such plans. This change applies directly to insurance companies and their solicitors selling Medicare plans within Mississippi. The bill clarifies that these exceptions do not override federal preemption under 42 U.S.C. § 1395w-26(b)(3). Other sections of the bill make minor technical corrections to existing provisions but do not alter the core Medicare solicitation rules.
HB 1394 repeals the $10 fee for festival permits (currently listed as paragraph (y) in Section 27-71-5) effective July 1, 2026. This change directly affects event organizers and venues holding festival permits under Mississippi's alcohol licensing system. The bill reorganizes existing fee schedules for alcohol permits but does not alter most tax amounts or create new fees. It specifically removes the annual $10 charge for festival permits, which had been scheduled to expire on that date. This is a technical amendment to update the licensing code, not a substantive policy change to alcohol regulations.
HB 1234 establishes a standardized School Accountability Dashboard for Mississippi public schools, requiring school districts to publish clear, user-friendly data online starting in 2026-2027. The dashboard directly affects parents and communities by providing accessible metrics on student performance (like graduation rates, test scores, and absenteeism), teacher ratios, college/career readiness, and detailed annual school spending. Key provisions mandate that districts compile required data into a single-page graphic on their websites, include specific metrics aligned with the state’s accreditation system, and submit monthly financial reports showing exact expenditures and funding sources. The State Department of Education must provide a standardized template by August 2026, with a one-year grace period to identify additional data needed for the 2027-2028 dashboard.
HB 610 requires Mississippi prosecutors to notify law enforcement officers before sending a "Giglio letter" (a notice to an officer's employer about credibility concerns) or adding an officer to a "Giglio list" (a compiled list of officers deemed unreliable for testimony). The bill mandates that prosecutors provide written notice detailing the issue, allow officers to review evidence and meet with prosecutors, and give officers 30 days to appeal the decision to a circuit court for a full review. This applies to all prosecutors, including district attorneys, county attorneys, and contracted private attorneys. The law aims to create a fairer process for officers facing credibility challenges that could prevent them from testifying in court.
HB 910 removes the annual gross sales cap for Mississippi cottage food operations and permits them to sell products online directly to consumers within the state. It allows sales via mail order, wholesale, third-party retail, or through the producer's agent, with all products delivered directly to Mississippi residents. The bill requires all cottage food products to be prepackaged with specific labeling, including the business name, ingredients, allergen information, and the disclaimer "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Mississippi's food safety regulations." This change primarily affects small-scale home-based food businesses currently limited by sales volume and delivery restrictions. The policy update takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1611 allows justice court judges in Mississippi to set bail for defendants charged with capital offenses (serious crimes punishable by death), which they could not previously do. The bill amends existing law to authorize these judges to establish bail amounts while maintaining current requirements, such as considering public safety, the defendant’s ability to pay, and the need for appearance in court. It does not change bail amounts or procedures but expands the authority of justice courts to handle bail settings for these high-level cases. The law would take effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2238 amends Mississippi law to authorize the consolidation of Starkville School District and Oktibbeha County School District into a single "Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District" effective July 1, 2015. The bill requires transfer of all real and personal property, contracts, and staff obligations from the former Oktibbeha County School District to the new consolidated district, with specific governance rules for the new school board. It also establishes procedures for nonrenewing staff contracts and limits administrative leadership to three assistant superintendents. The bill does not create new university partnerships, as its focus is solely on the administrative consolidation of the two school districts.
SB 2011 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's Debt Management Services Act from an earlier date to July 1, 2030, preventing the law from automatically repealing before that date. It reorganizes the existing sections of the Act (81-22-1 through 81-22-28) to prepare them for potential future amendments. This change directly affects debt management service providers in Mississippi who must be licensed under the Act, as it preserves the current regulatory framework without altering licensing requirements or service definitions. The key mechanism is delaying the law's expiration, not modifying how debt management services operate.
