Rep. Stacey Hobgood-Wilkes

Maddy summaryHB 1201 would require Mississippi school districts to permit students to leave campus for one hour each week to attend off-site religious instruction at their place of worship, provided they have parental consent. The bill mandates that schools cannot penalize students for missing class during this time, count it as an absence, or provide religious instruction on school property. It specifically applies to students enrolled in public schools who seek this religious instruction and ensures no cost to the school district. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1202 would remove a requirement in Mississippi law that professional school counselors must follow the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Code of Ethics. Currently, the law mandates counselors spend at least 80% of their time on direct student services as defined by the ASCA. The bill deletes this provision, eliminating the state mandate for counselors to adhere to the ASCA guidelines. This change would directly affect school counselors in Mississippi public schools by altering the regulatory framework for their professional practice. The bill was referred to the Education committee but died there on February 3, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1195 prohibits all advertising and marketing of medical cannabis in Mississippi through any media (including digital, print, or broadcast) or visible public spaces (like billboards). It directly affects businesses and individuals selling medical cannabis, though licensed medical cannabis establishments and those acting on their behalf are exempt from this specific advertising ban - though they remain subject to other restrictions. The Attorney General is tasked with receiving complaints, investigating violations, and pursuing legal action for enforcement. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1197 restructures the membership of Mississippi's Department of Archives and History Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2026. It changes the board from nine appointed members to a new structure: eight members (two from each of Mississippi's four congressional districts as of July 2026) plus one statewide appointee, all appointed by the Governor with Senate approval. Initial appointments will have staggered terms (1-5 years), with future members serving six-year terms. The bill does not alter the department's duties or funding, only the board's composition and appointment process. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1568 would create a new felony offense for therapists engaging in sexual contact with patients or former patients, regardless of consent. It specifically targets therapists - including psychologists, social workers, counselors, and clergy - defining "sexual contact" broadly to include kissing, touching, or encouraging such acts. Violators could face up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill also adds this conduct as grounds for professional disciplinary action across multiple licensing boards in Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 1594 authorizes the direct sale of raw milk to individual consumers from the farm where it is produced, for consumption only and not for resale. It affects small-scale dairy producers who meet specific conditions: selling only on-site, labeling products as unprocessed/unpasteurized, and adhering to hygiene requirements (e.g., clean milking areas, sterile containers, and for goat milk, no more than nine goats). The bill mandates labeling warnings about raw milk risks and requires compliance with clean milking standards, including enclosed areas and fly control. It does not change pasteurization rules for commercial sales but legalizes incidental farm sales under these defined conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 1712 would add kratom to Mississippi's Schedule III of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, classifying it as a regulated substance with moderate abuse potential and accepted medical uses. This change would directly affect anyone selling, buying, or using kratom products in Mississippi, subjecting them to state drug regulations. The bill amended Mississippi Code § 41-29-117 to include kratom within Schedule III's provisions, which governs controlled substances like certain stimulants and depressants. The bill was referred to relevant committees but died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 928 requires all Mississippi hospitals with emergency departments to have at least one qualified healthcare provider (physician, advanced nurse, or nurse practitioner) on duty during every shift who can conduct forensic exams and prepare evidence kits for sexual assault victims. The bill prohibits hospitals from refusing treatment to sexual assault victims and mandates they maintain sufficient evidence kits. It also specifies storage requirements for evidence kits in separate refrigeration units and allows hospitals to contract with forensic nurses for these services. This bill directly affects hospitals operating ERs and ensures timely, specialized medical care for sexual assault survivors in emergency settings.

Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHR 46 is a resolution passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives to commend the Poplarville High School Hornets football team and head coach Jay Beech for winning their first-ever Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State Championship. The resolution specifically recognizes their 29-28 victory over Louisville on December 7, 2024, which ended Louisville's two-year title streak and marked the school's first state championship in football history. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies - it solely honors the team's athletic achievement and the community's pride.