Rep. Kevin Felsher

Maddy summaryHB 1189 increases mandatory payments from individuals convicted of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation crimes into a dedicated victim support fund. For felony violations (e.g., under Sections 97-3-54.1, 97-3-65), courts must collect a $1,000 payment; for misdemeanor violations (Section 97-3-7), payments range from $100 to $1,000. These funds are deposited directly into the "Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund" established under Section 97-3-54.11. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with no changes to existing criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1066 corrects a reference in Mississippi's existing "Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children" to properly cite the relevant U.S. Code provisions regarding active duty orders. The bill does not change the compact's policy or create new requirements; it only updates a statutory citation to ensure legal accuracy. The compact itself helps military children transition between schools by addressing barriers like record transfers and enrollment delays during family relocations. This correction affects the legal implementation of the compact but does not alter the support provided to military-connected students or schools.

Maddy summaryHB 570 requires Mississippi government agencies employing full-time EMTs, paramedics, emergency medical responders, 911 dispatchers, and firefighters to provide evidence-based mental health first aid training approved by the state Department of Mental Health to all such personnel by July 1, 2031. This applies to all full-time staff certified by relevant state boards, including those working for local or state government entities. The bill mandates the training to help emergency responders recognize and appropriately respond to mental health crises during their duties. It does not create new penalties or funding but sets a compliance deadline for existing emergency response roles.

Maddy summaryHB 888 updates Mississippi's Burn Care Fund by expanding eligible recipients to include Baptist Medical Center and burn centers affiliated with Level I trauma centers, while removing the University of Mississippi Medical Center as a designated recipient. It increases the fee for distinctive license tags from $1.00 to $2.50 per tag or plate, and adds a $0.50 fee for commercial vehicle decals, with all new proceeds deposited into the Burn Care Fund. These changes direct funding toward specific burn care facilities within Mississippi's trauma system, shifting support from the University of Mississippi Medical Center to Baptist Medical Center and Level I-affiliated centers. The bill does not create new facilities but alters how existing funds are distributed. The fee increases take effect for vehicle registrations starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 670 would have created Mississippi's participation in the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing licensed social workers from Mississippi to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed social workers, military families, and healthcare providers seeking to offer services across state lines. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, streamlined disciplinary information sharing between states, and support for telehealth services. The bill, which passed the House but died in committee in March 2025, aimed to reduce licensing barriers and improve workforce mobility but did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 403, the "No Patient Left Alone Act," gives minors and adults in Mississippi healthcare facilities the right to designate a parent, guardian, spouse, family member, or caregiver to be physically present during their care. Healthcare facilities may limit visitation only for medical reasons, safety concerns, disruptive behavior, or policy violations, but cannot require patients to waive this right or terminate it. The Mississippi Department of Health must create informational materials for facilities and can impose fines (up to $10,000 per day) for violations. The law does not override medical emergencies or federal safety protocols and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 589 revises Mississippi's governance structure for the State Board of Mental Health and its Executive Director. It removes the requirement for Senate confirmation of the Executive Director (previously mandated under Section 41-4-7) and adjusts board appointment rules, including specifying qualifications for certain members and changing term limits. The bill affects the State Board of Mental Health, its members, and the Executive Director position by altering how they are selected and serve. The legislation died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1190 creates the Mississippi First Responder PTSD and Suicide Prevention Task Force to address mental health needs among first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers. The 21-member task force - comprising legislative representatives, state agency staff, and first responder organizations - will assess mental health gaps, develop prevention strategies, and recommend legislation by December 1, 2025. It requires the task force to identify accessible treatment options, reduce stigma, and propose sustainable funding solutions for mental health support. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

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 summaryHB 1853 authorizes Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to fund the construction, equipment, and upgrades of an infectious disease testing lab at the Mississippi Blood Services Building in Flowood. The funds would specifically support the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency in establishing this lab to handle infectious disease testing for organ recovery. The bill outlines bond issuance procedures, repayment terms using state funds, and specifies that proceeds must be used solely for the lab's construction and related costs. This is a funding mechanism, not direct appropriations, and the bill died in committee before becoming law.