HB 1401 creates a state certification program for community health workers (CHWs) in Mississippi, requiring all CHWs to be certified by the State Department of Health by January 1, 2026. It directs Medicaid to seek federal approval for reimbursing providers who employ certified CHWs for specific services like health education, chronic disease prevention, communication assistance across cultural barriers, and patient self-management support. The law establishes rules for certification requirements, training programs, continuing education, and the scope of practice for CHWs. This affects CHWs (who must now be certified), Medicaid providers (who can bill for these services), and patients in underserved communities by standardizing the profession and expanding access to community-based care.
SB 2247 allows school boards in a specific redevelopment area (near I-59 and U.S. Highway 49 in Mississippi) to extend long-term leases for 16th section land (land historically set aside for public schools) held by lessees who are "in good standing" (no outstanding financial obligations and less than 30 years remaining on their original lease). The bill authorizes extensions of up to 25 years, subject to terms acceptable to the school board, with the extension serving as an addendum to the original lease. It applies only to leaseholders meeting these specific conditions within the designated Broadway-West Pine redevelopment zone. The bill amends existing law to provide this extension option without altering standard lease terms for other land types or locations.
SB 2303 authorizes Mississippi's Department of Public Safety to purchase a specific building and land at 152 Watford Parkway in Canton from the Madison County Economic Development Authority. The department must pay no more than fair market value, determined by two appraisals (one selected by the department), and may negotiate closing costs. The property will be used exclusively for state office space and parking. This bill directly affects the Department of Public Safety, Madison County Economic Development Authority, and public funds.
This bill modifies Mississippi law to clarify how federal and state governments share authority over certain lands, primarily affecting federal properties like military bases within Mississippi. It requires the federal government to provide written notice to the Mississippi Governor specifying the exact land boundaries, types of cases (including juvenile matters), and whether future land expansions are included. The Governor can then accept or reject this shared jurisdiction through an Executive Order, with agreements between state and federal agencies needing to be formalized via Memorandums of Understanding. The bill also updates existing law to confirm Mississippi state laws, including those for juveniles, remain fully applicable on these lands even when jurisdiction is shared.
HB 1262 allows U.S. Army Combat Medic Specialists, U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsmen, and U.S. Air Force Aerospace Medical Service Specialists to take Mississippi's Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) exam after completing their military training and two years of direct patient care experience. The bill amends Mississippi's nursing licensing law to create a specific pathway for these military medics, recognizing their existing training without requiring additional nursing education. It does not change other standard LPN requirements, such as a high school diploma or passing the exam. This bill directly affects eligible military medics seeking to work as LPNs in Mississippi.
HB 1211 removes two procedural requirements for Mississippi municipalities when granting utility franchises or street usage rights. Specifically, it eliminates the need for municipal ordinances on these matters to receive voter approval (a majority of qualified electors) and removes the requirement that such ordinances be read by the municipal clerk before final passage. This change directly affects local governments in Mississippi that issue utility franchises or permit street usage, streamlining their ordinance process. The bill simplifies administrative steps without altering the substantive authority of municipalities to grant such franchises. The law took effect after being signed by the governor on March 6, 2025.
SB 2050 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's intensive supervision program and electronic home detention system, delaying its automatic repeal until after June 30, 2029. This bill affects offenders currently in or eligible for the program (excluding those convicted of sex crimes or violent offenses) and the Mississippi Department of Corrections, which administers the program. Key provisions include clarifying consent requirements for electronic monitoring, defining program terms like "participant" and "approved devices," and specifying rules for participants' movements and program violations. The bill maintains the existing structure of the program without introducing new eligibility criteria or operational changes.
SB 2412 updates Mississippi's Insurance Holding Company Act to require insurance holding companies operating in the state to comply with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) Group Capital Calculation and Liquidity Stress Test Framework. This affects insurers within holding company systems, particularly internationally active groups meeting specific thresholds (e.g., $50 billion in assets or $10 billion in annual premiums). The bill mandates that these companies conduct capital and liquidity stress tests as defined by the NAIC, aligning Mississippi's regulations with national standards. It amends registration and reporting requirements for insurers within holding company systems to include these new testing obligations. The law was enacted after passing the legislature and receiving the governor's signature in March 2025.
SB 2434 allows Mississippi counties and municipalities to form agreements with U.S. military branches to provide services supporting military bases within the state, such as maintenance or security. These agreements must align with federal law under the National Defense Authorization Act (10 U.S.C. § 2679). The bill directly affects local governments and military installations by enabling formal partnerships for operational support. It creates a legal pathway for communities to collaborate with bases but does not establish new services or funding.
SB 2359 revises Mississippi's definition of "technical violation" for parole supervision. It specifically excludes pleas or sentences in intervention courts (like drug or mental health courts under Chapters 23, 25, or 27 of Title 9) from being counted as a violation. This means parolees who participate in these specialized court programs will not face parole revocation for their involvement. The bill directly affects individuals on parole who engage with intervention courts as part of their supervision. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 2360 requires immediate notification to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MDI) and local law enforcement whenever an inmate or detainee escapes from a correctional facility. Specifically, sheriffs must notify authorities if an escape occurs at a local jail or regional prison, while the Mississippi Department of Corrections must do so for state prison escapes. The law defines "local law enforcement" as the sheriff and police chiefs from both the county where the escape happened and the county where the original crime occurred. This bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and directly affects correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies across Mississippi.
SB 2049 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's Prison Overcrowding Emergency Powers Act from 2029 to a future date, ensuring the existing framework remains in effect. The bill directly affects the state's prison system and inmates eligible for parole, by allowing the Governor to advance parole eligibility dates (by 30-90 days) when prison populations exceed 95% of capacity for 30 consecutive days. Key mechanisms include requiring the Corrections Commissioner to notify the Governor and Parole Board when overcrowding occurs, and mandating that the Governor verify all other population-reduction efforts (like earned time or parole reviews) were fully utilized before declaring an emergency. This procedural extension preserves the state's legal ability to temporarily reduce prison overcrowding through parole adjustments without creating new policy.
