Maddy summaryHB 3 modifies Mississippi's certificate of need (CON) requirements for healthcare facilities. It removes Medicaid participation restrictions for a psychiatric facility in DeSoto County, requires a CON for a Madison County community living program, and allows Harrison County's long-term care hospital to join Medicaid as a "crossover provider." The bill grants the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) an academic exemption from CON requirements for certain Jackson-area services, provided proposed equipment or facilities serve a clear academic purpose. It also directs a study on exempting small hospitals from CON rules for dialysis units, geriatric psychiatric units, and requiring acute psychiatric units to treat uninsured patients or pay fees. These changes aim to reduce regulatory barriers for specific healthcare services and facilities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1061 requires most health insurance plans covering Mississippi residents to cover Cologuard colorectal cancer screening tests without additional out-of-pocket costs beyond standard deductibles or coinsurance. The bill mandates that insurers reimburse providers at rates equal to or higher than Medicare's rates for these screenings. This applies to individual and group health insurance policies issued after July 1, 2026, including the state and school employees' health insurance plan. The law ensures coverage for the screening itself and any resulting treatment at no extra cost to patients beyond what they would pay for similar services from participating providers.
Maddy summaryHB 1323 removes the exclusion of suicide as a covered cause of death for law enforcement officers and firefighters seeking death benefits. Currently, the Law Enforcement Death Benefits Fund does not cover deaths by suicide, but this bill amends the eligibility definition to include suicide as a covered cause. The policy change directly affects families of officers or firefighters who die by suicide while performing official duties, allowing them to receive the standard $150,000 base benefit plus up to $25,000 per child (capped at $250,000 total). The bill does not alter benefit amounts, fund structure, or other eligibility criteria - only expands the definition of covered causes of death. This change aligns Mississippi’s policy with federal standards under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Act.
Maddy summaryHB 1321 proposed renaming the Mississippi Department of Human Services to the Department of Youth Services in all state laws, updating references to align the department's name with its responsibilities. It would have amended multiple sections of the Mississippi Code (including duties, funding authority, facility management, and program oversight) to reflect this name change for future legislative amendments. The bill was referred to the Public Health and Human Services Committee but died there on February 3, 2026, without becoming law. This was a procedural renaming effort, not a substantive policy change.
Maddy summaryHB 1414 would require all Mississippi state agencies (excluding military departments, universities, and community colleges) to obtain approval from the Department of Finance and Administration's (DFA) Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management before leasing office space. The bill designates DFA as the central leasing agent to negotiate leases, prioritize state-owned buildings when available, and establish standard lease terms for all agencies. Agencies must submit 180-day advance requests detailing space needs, and DFA would handle lease solicitations, approve master leases for private buildings, and recommend consolidation opportunities to reduce costs. The law would have taken effect January 1, 2027, but the bill died in committee before becoming law.
Maddy summaryHB 1569 requires the Mississippi Department of Education to create guidelines and templates to help school districts improve efficiency in technology planning, nutrition programs, and transportation services. The bill mandates biennial surveys on school technology use, annual reviews of school district financial reporting, and establishes staggered terms for the Charter School Authorizer Board. It also allows the board to collect up to 3% of charter school funds for administrative costs and requires a peer committee to report on district cost-saving efforts by December 2026. These provisions directly affect school districts, charter schools, and the state education department in managing resources and operations.
Maddy summaryHB 1598 amends Mississippi law to allow juvenile courts to commit minors convicted twice of misdemeanor firearm possession to Oakley Training School. It directly affects minors under 18 who have been adjudicated delinquent for two or more misdemeanor firearm possession offenses. The bill adds Oakley Training School as a possible disposition option under Section 43-21-605, replacing the previous requirement that such minors could only be committed for felony offenses or specific circumstances. This changes the court's available options for handling repeat minor firearm possession cases, focusing on placement in a state training facility rather than other dispositions. The bill does not alter the definition of firearm possession by minors (covered under Section 97-37-14) but modifies court disposition pathways for repeat offenders.
Maddy summaryHB 1626 requires Mississippi's State Department of Education (SDE) to approve all online courses offered to public school students through its Mississippi Online Course Approval (MOCA) system. The bill prohibits using public funds to cover the cost of any online course that lacks accreditation, ensuring taxpayer money only supports courses meeting quality standards. It directly affects public school districts, online course providers, and students accessing distance learning programs. The law builds on existing distance learning rules by adding mandatory SDE oversight and funding restrictions for unaccredited courses.
Maddy summaryHB 1728 authorized Mississippi's Department of Finance and Administration to sell state-owned property at 1141 Bayview Avenue in Biloxi. The bill required the department to obtain appraisals from two certified appraisers to ensure the property sold for fair market value, and directed all sale proceeds (minus costs) into the State General Fund. It did not directly affect residents or businesses but concerned state asset management. The bill was referred to committee in January 2026 and died there on February 3, 2026, meaning it never became law.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) honoring Director John B. Miller for his 35 years of service with the Biloxi Police Department. It commends him upon his retirement, recognizing his roles as Police Director (appointed in 2009), his leadership in community organizations, and his awards including the Medal of Valor and Mississippi Crime Stoppers Lifetime Achievement Award. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' appreciation for his service.