Rep. Stacey Hobgood-Wilkes

Maddy summaryHB 1225 revises Mississippi's Paramedics Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Program to support EMTs pursuing paramedic certification. The bill provides full funding for tuition, fees, books, uniforms, and National Registry exam costs at accredited paramedic programs. To qualify, applicants must be certified EMTs, commit to working in Mississippi for three years after graduation, and meet additional criteria set by the Office of Workforce Development. The program would be funded through legislative appropriations, with no more than 5% of funds used for administrative costs. This change aims to address paramedic shortages by reducing financial barriers to training.

Maddy summaryHB 1605, the "Mississippi Safe Dorms Act," proposed requiring Mississippi's public universities and colleges to implement specific campus safety measures. It would have prohibited sex offenders from living in on-campus housing, banned faculty-student romantic relationships where authority exists, and mandated that all first-year students (under 21 and unmarried) reside in single-sex dormitories, with limited exceptions for family or emergencies. The bill also required institutions to develop education programs about sexual assault prevention and allow students to sue schools for violations within one year. This bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 1606 changes the membership rules for Mississippi's Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council, which advises the state on EMS policies. It specifies that 13 members (appointed by the governor) must include roles like EMS educators from different community colleges, ground/air ambulance operators, clinical paramedics at various levels, a consumer representative, and the Mississippi Fire Academy Director. The bill also establishes a trauma advisory committee under the council to support trauma care system development. The bill was referred to committee but died there on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1607 would have prohibited pharmacy benefit managers, insurers, and third-party administrators from basing health plan terms (like coverage or costs) on whether a patient has access to financial assistance for prescription drugs. It directly affects patients who rely on drug discounts or copay programs, as insurers could no longer use that information to deny coverage or change plan benefits. The bill’s key provision, if enacted, would have required these entities to set plan terms without considering available financial aid for medications. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1060 requires Mississippi public schools to notify parents or legal guardians in writing within three days if a student identifies at school with a gender, pronoun, or uses facilities that differs from their sex assigned at birth (as listed on their birth certificate or official records). It directly affects public school students in Mississippi, their parents/guardians, and school staff who would need to comply with the notification requirement. Key provisions include mandating written parental notification for gender/identity-related requests, prohibiting school discipline against staff who refuse to use preferred pronouns inconsistent with birth sex, and requiring parental written approval before using a student’s preferred pronoun. The bill, which died in committee on February 4, 2025, would have taken effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.

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 summaryThis resolution expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott's efforts to address border security. The text frames the situation as an invasion and calls for the transport of undocumented individuals back across the border to Mexico. It does not create any new laws or alter federal policy but serves as a symbolic statement of solidarity with Texas. The bill was referred to a committee and did not advance further.