Rep. Kent McCarty

Maddy summaryHB 1137 would provide National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) working in Mississippi public schools with a $4,000 annual salary supplement if they are employed in areas designated by the State Board of Education as having critical teacher shortages. This new supplement would be in addition to teachers' regular salaries and any other existing benefits. The bill amends Mississippi Code Section 37-19-7 to establish this provision for NBCTs in designated shortage areas. The State Board of Education would determine which geographic areas qualify as "geographically critical teacher shortage areas" for the purpose of this funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1136 creates a grant program through Mississippi's Department of Mental Health to help local governments cover costs for crisis stabilization units (CSUs). It provides funding for CSU services, facility operations, and facility repairs/upgrades, with a maximum $500,000 grant per project per year. The bill establishes a dedicated "Crisis Stabilization Unit Facilities Fund" in the state treasury, which can carry forward unspent funds annually. Local entities (counties, municipalities, regional commissions) must apply with detailed cost proposals to receive grants. The program takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 574 establishes the Mississippi Community Schools Grant Program, providing funding to school districts approved as "districts of innovation" to develop community schools. These schools partner with community organizations to offer integrated health services, extended learning programs, and family engagement opportunities - such as after-school activities, mental health support, and adult education - while operating under state education department oversight. The grant distributes a minimum $200,000 per eligible district, plus additional funds based on student enrollment and free lunch eligibility, with all funding subject to legislative appropriation. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and remains unenacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1134 requires Mississippi's State Department of Education to expand early learning collaboratives to every school district, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and fully implementing by the 2029-2030 school year. These collaboratives are district or countywide councils that coordinate preschool services, including public schools, Head Start, private schools, and licensed childcare centers. The bill mandates that each collaborative must develop a plan aligned with state early learning standards and use evidence-based curricula for preschool children. This phased expansion directly affects all Mississippi school districts and aims to improve coordination and quality of early childhood education programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1118 requires the Mississippi Legislature to annually appropriate sufficient funds to the State Department of Education for the Mississippi Teacher Residency Program. This bill mandates that the state must provide consistent yearly funding to support the program, which assists new teachers through structured residency experiences. The legislation does not alter the program's design but ensures its financial sustainability through mandatory annual appropriations. The bill was referred to committees but died in committee in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1119 (the "Representative Andy Stepp Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act") requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to reimburse pharmacies at least the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) for drugs plus a standard dispensing fee, ensuring pharmacies are paid fairly for medications. It prohibits PBMs from charging patients more than the amount retained by the pharmacy and bans PBMs from penalizing patients for choosing specific pharmacies or favoring certain pharmacies in networks. The bill also mandates clear appeal processes for pharmacies disputing low reimbursements and prohibits PBMs from retaliating against pharmacies for exercising rights under the law. These provisions directly affect PBMs, pharmacies, and patients in Mississippi by setting fair reimbursement standards and protecting patient choice.

Maddy summaryHB 1135 requires the state to cover 50% of the health insurance cost for eligible dependents of full-time state and school employees, including those hired before or after January 1, 2006. Employees will pay the remaining 50% through payroll deductions, with the state covering its share directly from state funds. This applies to full-time employees in state agencies, public schools, colleges, universities, community colleges, and public libraries, as well as their dependents. The bill clarifies that the state’s 50% contribution for dependents is consistent across all employee groups, replacing prior varying arrangements.