Rep. Kevin Felsher

Maddy summaryHB 702 designates October as Bullying Prevention Awareness Month in Mississippi, creating a month-long observance to educate the public about bullying and cyberbullying prevention. This designation applies statewide, encouraging schools, community organizations, and local governments to host awareness events and educational programs during October. The bill explicitly states this observance is not a legal holiday and does not alter existing school calendars or holiday schedules. It focuses solely on raising public awareness, with no new funding, regulations, or enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 585 establishes a three-year pilot program to license and regulate two types of adult mental health facilities in Mississippi: residential treatment facilities (providing intensive, 24-hour care) and supportive residential facilities (offering less intensive, structured care). The bill requires facilities to obtain state licenses and meet specific staffing, safety, and service standards, while mandating Medicaid coverage for services provided by these facilities. It also sets initial fee schedules for four care levels and directs Medicaid to seek federal waivers for implementation. The pilot is limited to 50 participants through Region 3 Community Mental Health Center.

Maddy summaryHB 808 requires Mississippi public school districts and charter schools to adopt internet safety policies that block student access to social media during instructional time (except when teachers direct it for lessons) and prohibit TikTok and similar platforms on school devices. It also mandates that schools provide curriculum for grades 6-12 about social media's impacts on mental health, misinformation, and online safety. The bill updates student conduct codes to explicitly ban wireless device use during class without teacher permission and requires schools to notify parents about available online safety resources. These changes directly affect all K-12 students, teachers, and school administrators in Mississippi public and charter schools.

Maddy summaryHB 921, the MS ROSS Act, would have created a state-funded program to help Mississippi public and accredited private elementary and secondary schools hire School Resource Officers (SROs). The Mississippi Department of Public Safety would have covered increasing percentages of SRO costs (starting at 30% in 2025-2026 and rising to 70% by 2029-2030), with local law enforcement and school boards responsible for the remaining portion, up to a $55,000 annual cap per SRO. Schools and local agencies would have needed to jointly apply for funding and establish agreements to participate. The bill, which died in committee in February 2025, was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 622 allows wineries and distilleries (with specific permits) to ship wine and distilled spirits directly to Mississippi residents aged 21 or older. It prohibits shipments of beer, light wines, or products already sold through state liquor stores, sets annual purchase limits per customer, and requires sellers to maintain records and verify buyer age. Sellers must obtain a "direct shipper" permit, report shipment details annually, and pay a tax on sales that funds mental health programs. The bill also creates new rules for shipping companies handling these deliveries.

Maddy summaryHB 592, the "No Patient Left Alone Act," would require Mississippi hospitals, nursing homes, and similar care facilities to establish visitation policies ensuring designated essential caregivers (family, friends, or guardians) receive at least two hours of daily in-person visits. The bill prohibits facilities from demanding visitor vaccination proof, mandates visitation in specific circumstances like end-of-life care or major medical decisions, and requires policies to allow consensual physical contact. It also mandates that facilities make policies publicly accessible online and submit them to the State Department of Health during licensing. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 889 creates the "Mississippi Indigent Burn Care Support Fund" to reimburse hospitals for burn care provided to uninsured or underinsured Mississippi residents. It adds a $2 fee to distinctive vehicle license tags starting July 2025, with all proceeds deposited into this fund. The fund will cover costs for Mississippians treated at in-state burn centers and out-of-state burn centers affiliated with Level I trauma centers in Mississippi. This policy directly affects all vehicle owners purchasing specialty license tags and ensures hospitals receive reimbursement for uncompensated burn care.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits sleeping, sitting, or storing personal items on public streets or sidewalks within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, hospitals, or critical infrastructure (like bridges or power lines). It classifies such encampments as public nuisances on public property and requires local authorities to provide 48 hours' written notice before enforcement, including information about shelter services. For private property, the bill adds homeless encampments to the public nuisance law, allowing property owners to request removal (with humane enforcement) and imposing cleanup costs as a lien on the property. Violations on public property may be charged as misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $5,000 or six months in jail.

Maddy summaryHB 1399 (Peer Helpers PLUS Act) establishes a voluntary school-based mental health program in Mississippi public schools for students in grades K-12. It requires schools to apply for funding to implement a multi-tiered support system including the PATH curriculum (addressing bullying, substance abuse, and mental health), peer-to-peer counseling, and staff training, using $4 million annually from the Opioid Settlement Fund. Participating schools must report student participation, referrals, and program impacts on behavior, attendance, and academics. The bill, which died in committee on February 4, 2025, mandates annual reporting by schools and the Department of Mental Health to the Legislature. It aims to improve student wellness and school safety through early intervention and prevention.

Maddy summaryHB 398, titled "The Ashley Henley Investigation Authority Act," amends Mississippi law to authorize the Department of Public Safety to investigate the death of any current or former local, municipal, county, or state official under certain circumstances. It directly grants the Department of Public Safety new authority to conduct such investigations, which it previously lacked. The bill does not specify the exact circumstances requiring an investigation but establishes a formal process for the Department to follow. The act is named in honor of Representative Ashley Henley.