HB 1730 prohibits the use of flat or gently sloping roofs (less than 3:12 slope) in new construction of publicly funded buildings in Mississippi, such as state offices, schools, and government facilities. It requires all new covered public facilities built with government funds to have primary roofs with a minimum slope of 3 inches rise per 12 inches horizontal. Limited exceptions apply for mechanical equipment areas, small accessory structures, or documented engineering constraints affecting no more than 10% of the roof area. Project entities must certify compliance before receiving funding, permits, or construction approval, with potential fund recovery for noncompliance. This applies to all new construction, not renovations or repairs.
SB 2072 changes the deadline for issuing procurement cards to Mississippi public school teachers and support staff from August 1 to July 15 each year. These cards, funded through the Education Enhancement Fund, allow teachers to purchase instructional supplies digitally at the start of the school year. Unspent funds on the cards roll over to the next year and combine with the new year’s allocation, with cards expiring no earlier than April 1. The bill also authorizes the Department of Finance and Administration to loan startup funds from education tax receipts to support this system. This directly affects classroom teachers, special education staff, and necessary support personnel in public and charter schools.
SB 2243, the "Don Triplett Act," creates a new Office of the Ombudsman for Parental Assistance within Mississippi's State Department of Education. This office directly helps parents, teachers, and school stakeholders resolve disputes with schools or districts by investigating complaints, mediating conflicts, and tracking systemic issues. Key provisions include requiring the ombudsman to have specific education/experience qualifications, mandating confidentiality for communications (exempting records from public disclosure), and authorizing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The office will operate independently, accepting grants for support, and must be implemented by December 2026.
SB 2236 requires Mississippi public schools and charter schools (including those with athletic programs) to update their emergency response plans to include procedures for choking emergencies using FDA-registered airway clearance devices (ACDs). Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, schools must develop "Cardiac and Choking Emergency Response Plans" (CCERPs) that specify ACD placement, staff training on ACD use, and integration with local emergency services. The bill defines ACDs as portable devices cleared by the FDA for removing airway blockages during choking incidents. Schools may accept donations to purchase these devices and cover related training costs. This affects all students and staff in Mississippi public schools who might experience choking emergencies on school grounds.
HB 571 prohibits foreign nationals from contributing money or making expenditures related to Mississippi state or local ballot measures. It directly affects non-U.S. citizens who might attempt to influence voter decisions on ballot initiatives. The bill defines "foreign national" according to U.S. law (excluding U.S. citizens and those lawfully admitted for permanent residence) and makes it unlawful for anyone to solicit, accept, or receive such contributions. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 1744 requires Mississippi's Department of Health and the Department of Corrections' healthcare provider to create two specific treatment programs: one for Hepatitis C and another for HIV care, exclusively for state inmates. It directly affects incarcerated individuals diagnosed with these conditions, ensuring they receive targeted medical treatment. The bill also mandates the development of a separate plan to improve health outcomes for female inmates. These provisions are concrete policy changes focused on expanding healthcare access within the state prison system, with no additional implementation details provided in the bill text.
SB 2613 creates a dedicated "PERS Tier 5 COLA Account" within Mississippi's public employee retirement system. It requires the State Treasurer to transfer $5 million annually from the State General Fund to this account on July 1 each year, beginning July 1, 2026, and continuing through July 1, 2035. The funds are designated for "additional annual benefit" payments specifically for Tier 5 retirees under the PERS system. This bill directly affects current and future Tier 5 public employee retirees by establishing a funding mechanism for their cost-of-living adjustments. The transfer schedule and account management are explicitly defined by the bill's provisions.
HB 1240 requires Mississippi circuit clerks to print a daily report at the close of business during in-person absentee voting, showing the total number of in-person absentee ballots cast that day using OMR equipment. This report must be made available to the public upon request. The bill directly affects local election offices (circuit clerks) and ensures transparency in absentee voting counts by mandating a public-facing daily tally. It does not change voting procedures but adds a reporting requirement for existing absentee voting operations.
SB 2659 creates a new "Lifetime Conservationist Legacy License" for Mississippi residents aged 65 or older. This license allows seniors who are already exempt from standard hunting and fishing license requirements (due to age) to pay a minimum $250 fee to support conservation efforts. The license serves as proof of their exemption while enabling them to contribute to the Mississippi Wildlife Endowment Fund. The bill specifically amends Sections 49-7-153 and 49-7-151 of the Mississippi Code to establish this new option.
HB 1736 requires the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) to study how common dyslexia is among inmates under its care. The MDOC must screen inmates using approved methods, collect anonymized demographic and educational data, and analyze links between dyslexia and factors like disciplinary history or recidivism. The study must comply with privacy laws (HIPAA/FERPA), allow inmates to opt out without penalty, and result in a 2026 report to the legislature with findings and recommendations for supporting inmates with dyslexia. This affects all inmates in Mississippi state prisons during the study period.
SB 2668, the "Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act of 2026" (PLUS Act), regulates paid assistance with veterans' benefit claims in Mississippi. It prohibits charging fees for such services unless the veteran signs a waiver acknowledging they’re within the one-year post-discharge period and choosing to deny free VA services. The bill requires written agreements with clear fee terms (capped at 5x monthly benefit increase or $12,500), bans upfront fees, mandates a specific disclosure about free VA services, and prohibits using veterans’ personal data without consent. It directly affects veterans seeking claim assistance and businesses/individuals offering paid services, while exempting VA-accredited representatives. Violations can result in civil penalties under Mississippi’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.
This bill requires the physician, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), or physician assistant who primarily treated a patient before death to certify the cause of death and sign the death certificate, unless the death affects public health or safety (e.g., violence, infectious disease outbreaks). It directly affects healthcare providers who provided direct medical care to the decedent. The requirement applies to routine deaths not falling under public interest categories, which would still be handled by medical examiners. The bill amends existing Mississippi law to clarify this responsibility for treating providers.
