Rep. Kent McCarty

Maddy summaryHB 1585 requires all Mississippi public school districts and charter schools to evaluate long-term technology costs - including repair expenses, innovation flexibility, and resale value - before purchasing devices like computers, tablets, or interactive whiteboards. School boards must submit annual reports by August 15, detailing their "break/fix rate" (percentage of devices needing repair), total device inventory, repair costs, and replacement needs. The State Board of Education will then compile these reports into a summary for the legislature by November 15 each year, including recommendations to reduce repair rates. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with the first reports due for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1320 allows Mississippi local school boards to provide bus transportation to students living within one mile of their assigned school if documented safety risks exist, such as lack of sidewalks, dangerous road crossings, or high-crime areas. It does not change the standard rule requiring transportation for students living more than one mile away. School boards must determine these safety risks themselves, and no state funds can be used for this transportation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to students living within one mile who face specific, documented safety hazards.

Maddy summaryHB 1204 removes a restriction that previously limited Mississippi school districts' use of career and technical education (CTE) grant funds to only specific programs leading to industry certifications. The bill now allows districts to use these funds for equipment purchases in *any* CTE program that leads to a qualifying industry certification - defined as credentials linked to high-demand occupations with wages meeting 70% of median state income. It explicitly prohibits using these grants to replace basic program funding but maintains the $600 per student incentive for students earning such certifications. The change expands flexibility for districts to support CTE programs aligned with workforce needs, without altering the certification criteria or reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1606 creates Mississippi's "Excellence for All Pilot Program" to test evidence-based school staffing models in public school districts. It requires the Mississippi Department of Education to establish a voluntary pilot program for school districts to implement staffing redesigns featuring teacher-led teams, sustainable pay structures for educators, strategic scheduling, and targeted instructional support for students. The program specifically aims to improve student learning outcomes, boost educator retention and recruitment, and create financially sustainable models, with priority given to districts serving low-income, rural, or historically underserved communities. Participating districts must use proven approaches that extend high-quality teaching to all students while collecting data for annual evaluations.

Maddy summaryHB 865 would reclassify kratom as a Schedule III controlled substance under Mississippi's Uniform Controlled Substances Law, removing it from its current unregulated status. This change would allow kratom to be prescribed by doctors for medical use (as Schedule III substances have accepted medical uses) while still requiring prescriptions and regulating its distribution. The bill directly affects Mississippi residents who use kratom, pharmacies dispensing it, and law enforcement handling related cases. Note: The bill title incorrectly references marijuana; this bill specifically addresses kratom, not cannabis.

Maddy summaryHB 1208 revises Mississippi’s state and school employees’ health insurance plan to require the state to cover 50% of the health insurance cost for eligible dependents of all full-time employees, regardless of when they were hired. This applies to state employees, public school staff, library workers, and community college employees who work at least 20 hours weekly. The bill maintains the state’s 100% coverage for employees themselves but shifts the dependent coverage cost-sharing from employees to the state for all new hires (post-2006) and extends this requirement to all dependents. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1214 establishes a state credit enhancement program to guarantee Mississippi school districts' general obligation bonds, lowering their borrowing costs by leveraging state credit. It directly affects school districts issuing bonds after January 1, 2027, requiring them to obtain a state certificate for guaranteed bonds. Key provisions include the state covering principal and interest payments if tax collectors fail to transfer funds (with districts later repaying the state plus interest), while districts retain full debt responsibility. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and does not create state debt.

Maddy summaryHB 1217 proposes a statewide mentorship program for school business officials in Mississippi to improve their skills in managing school finances and operations. The program, to be run by the Mississippi Department of Education and the Mississippi Association of School Business Officials, would connect new or transitioning officials (mentees) with experienced mentors (requiring at least five years of experience) for an annual cycle. Mentors would commit 24 hours yearly to activities like in-person meetings or virtual consultations, while the Association would host annual workshops for mentors and the Department would submit yearly reports on program outcomes to the legislature. The bill aimed to enhance professional development but died in committee before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1213 requires Mississippi public schools to implement evidence-based literacy instruction for students in grades 4-8, directly affecting schools, teachers, and students with reading challenges. The bill mandates universal reading screenings three times yearly, prohibits teaching methods like "three-cueing systems," and requires structured literacy instruction aligned with the science of reading. It also demands hiring reading specialists, providing dyslexia screenings, creating individual reading plans for struggling students, and notifying parents about progress. Schools must use high-quality instructional materials and track student outcomes through annual reporting. The law aims to improve reading proficiency by focusing on proven methods rather than outdated approaches.

Maddy summaryHB 1209 proposes creating a grant program through Mississippi's Department of Mental Health to help local governments cover costs for crisis stabilization units (CSUs), which provide urgent mental health care during emergencies. It would allow counties, municipalities, and regional commissions to apply for grants up to $500,000 per project to pay for CSU services, facility operations, or facility repairs/renovations. The bill establishes a dedicated "Crisis Stabilization Unit Facilities Fund" in the state treasury, with unspent funds rolling over annually instead of returning to the general budget. This program, set to begin July 1, 2026, requires applicants to detail costs and other funding sources before receiving support.