HB 1535 establishes Mississippi's Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AIR) Task Force to study AI's impact on state operations and develop policy recommendations. The task force, composed of state officials and sector experts (including IT, homeland security, healthcare, and private industry representatives), must annually evaluate AI risks, government use, and ethical frameworks by December 1. Key provisions require the group to review other states' AI policies, assess privacy and bias concerns, and propose funding strategies for responsible AI adoption across state agencies. This bill directly affects Mississippi state government departments and agencies using AI tools, aiming to balance innovation with public safety through structured oversight.
SB 2894 adds cybersecurity insurance to Mississippi's Insurance Guaranty Association (MIGA) coverage by defining it to include first- and third-party claims for data breaches, ransomware, and similar cyber incidents. The bill sets a $300,000 maximum payout per policy for all cyber claims arising from a single event, regardless of how many claims or claimants are involved. This affects Mississippi insurers offering cybersecurity coverage, policyholders with such policies, and the MIGA, which will handle claims if an insurer becomes insolvent. The law applies to claims filed under MIGA’s existing framework for insolvent insurers.
SB 2508 allows mortgage originators working for licensed companies to perform loan origination work remotely (e.g., from home or other off-site locations) under specific security and supervision rules. It requires mortgage companies to implement strict safeguards, including secure digital connections (like encrypted VPNs), annual security audits, breach reporting within three business days, and compliance with federal privacy laws like the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The bill defines "remote location" and clarifies that remote work must follow company policies, with originators’ NMLS records designating the company’s main office as their registered location. This directly affects mortgage companies and their originators in Mississippi by expanding work locations while maintaining data security standards.
HB 960 extends the requirement that health insurance plans and employer health benefit plans in Mississippi cover telemedicine services (like virtual doctor visits) at the same level as in-person care, keeping this policy in effect beyond July 1, 2028. The bill ensures patients pay no more for telemedicine than for in-person visits (same deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance) and requires out-of-network telemedicine providers to be reimbursed at the same rate as out-of-network in-person providers. It also specifies billing procedures for telemedicine services using correct medical codes and clarifies that the requirement does not change medical care standards for telemedicine.
HB 993 allows mortgage lenders and brokers in Mississippi to permit loan originators to process mortgage applications remotely (e.g., from home or other off-site locations) under specific security and supervision rules. The bill requires licensees to implement digital safeguards - including secure system access via encrypted networks, regular security audits, and protocols to protect customer data - to ensure compliance with privacy laws like the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. It directly affects mortgage brokers, lenders, and their originators by expanding where they can legally conduct business while mandating strict data security measures. The bill also updates definitions (like "remote location" and "branch") in Mississippi’s mortgage licensing law but does not change core licensing requirements beyond these remote-work provisions.
HB 1621 removes a restriction preventing Mississippi school districts from using Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant funds to purchase equipment for programs leading to industry certifications. It also eliminates a prohibition on using these grants to replace regular operating funds for CTE programs. The bill expands how CTE grant money can be used - specifically for equipment, exam fees, and teacher training - to support programs earning "qualifying industry certifications" (those tied to high-demand jobs or meeting wage standards). This directly affects Mississippi public schools and students enrolled in CTE programs seeking industry credentials. The bill died in committee in March 2025 and did not become law.
SB 2821, the "Law Enforcement Anti-Doxxing Act of 2025," exempts home addresses, phone numbers, and other private information of Mississippi law enforcement officers, judges, district attorneys, and their spouses or children from public disclosure under the state's public records law. Public bodies must redact this information from their records upon written or online request from affected individuals and provide a dedicated request form. The exemption does not apply to court transcripts, incident reports, or victim information, which remain public under existing rules. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Mississippi's SB 2220, the "Mississippians' Right to Name, Likeness and Voice Act," establishes that every resident (living or deceased) has a property right in their name, likeness, and voice. It requires explicit consent for commercial use of these elements, especially for digital replicas created via AI or digital technology (like voice clones or image simulations), and sets penalties: $50,000 per violation for unauthorized digital cloning services and $5,000 for other unauthorized uses. The law allows heirs to enforce these rights for 10 years after death but requires written consent from individuals aged 18+ (or court-approved for minors) for new commercial uses. This bill directly affects all Mississippi residents and businesses or entities using personal identity commercially, particularly in digital advertising or media.
SB 2450 would allow Mississippi counties to use court fee funds for technology at public law libraries and courtrooms. Specifically, it permits spending on computers, software, legal research tools, internet access, and courtroom equipment like audio systems or digital evidence displays. Funding would come from additional court fees: $2.50 per case in chancery/circuit courts and $1.50 per case in justice courts. The bill aims to modernize legal resource access and court operations through technology, expanding existing library funding rules. (Note: This bill died in committee in March 2025 and did not become law.)
SB 2202 would criminalize sharing digitally altered or AI-generated images/audio (including deepfakes) depicting someone in intimate situations without their consent, when shared with intent to cause emotional, financial, or physical harm. It directly affects victims of non-consensual image sharing and perpetrators who create or disseminate such content, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors for under-21 offenders to felonies for adults (up to penalties similar to voyeurism laws). Key provisions include defining "digitization" broadly to cover AI tools, requiring intent to cause harm, and listing exceptions for law enforcement, journalism, and public exposure. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and never became law.
