Rep. Sam Creekmore

Maddy summaryHB 669 amends Mississippi's architectural licensing laws to allow multi-disciplinary firms combining architects, landscape architects, and engineers to operate. The key requirement is that at least one active member or stockholder must hold a valid Mississippi architecture license, and firms including landscape architects must have at least two-thirds of ownership held by licensed architects or engineers. The bill also mandates that such firms disclose the name of a licensed architect and use accurate business titles (e.g., "architects and landscape architects") on all materials. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 922 modifies Mississippi's healthcare certificate of need (CON) law by removing specific services (chemical dependency facilities, intermediate care facilities, psychiatric residential treatment) from CON requirements. It increases the capital expenditure threshold needing CON approval, directs the health department to approve a Madison County nonprofit for expanding a developmental disability program (capping new beds at 10 per facility), and limits total beds for intellectual disability facilities to 80 across all licenses. The bill also adds reporting requirements for CON recipients, allows up to four 12-month extensions for projects, and repeals certain existing provisions. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 849 proposes changes to Mississippi nursing laws. It would exempt Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) from needing a collaborative agreement with a physician after completing 8,000 practice hours. The bill also creates a new licensure system for Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAs), requiring them to work under an anesthesiologist’s supervision and meet specific qualifications set by the State Board of Medical Licensure. These changes would directly affect APRNs, CRNAs, and future AAs practicing in Mississippi. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1400 requires health insurance plans (both group and individual) to cover two specific services: clinical genetic testing for inherited cancer risks (for people with personal or family cancer history, as recommended by doctors) and evidence-based cancer imaging (for those at higher cancer risk, per NCCN guidelines). It mandates that insurers provide these services without any out-of-pocket costs like deductibles or copays. The bill directly affects individuals with a family or personal history of cancer who need these preventive screenings. The legislation died in committee on March 4, 2025, and would have applied to all health insurance plans in Mississippi, including state employee plans referenced in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1064 exempts the Mississippi Department of Mental Health from standard public purchasing requirements for contracts and purchases made through December 31, 2031. Specifically, it removes the need for the department to use competitive bidding for purchases over $5,000 and eliminates the requirement for the Public Procurement Review Board to review and approve personal or professional services contracts. This exemption applies only to the Department of Mental Health and does not change procurement rules for other state agencies. The bill streamlines the department's purchasing process without altering broader state procurement laws.

Maddy summaryHB 675, the Mississippi Genetic Counselor Practice Act, requires genetic counselors to obtain a state license starting January 1, 2025, to legally practice in Mississippi. It directly affects current and future genetic counselors, prohibiting unlicensed individuals from using titles like "genetic counselor" or providing services without licensure. Key provisions include requiring certification from the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), a master’s degree, and passing an exam; allowing reciprocity for out-of-state license holders; and establishing oversight by the State Board of Health. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and never became law.

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 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 summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (HC 8) commending Ralph Null, a Mississippi-born floral designer with over 50 years of experience. It recognizes his internationally acclaimed "Naturalistic Organic Design" style, featured at venues like the White House, Smithsonian Institute, and global exhibitions, as well as his authorship of floral design books and leadership in the industry. The resolution directly honors Null for his professional achievements and contributions to floral arts education. As a concurrent resolution, it has no binding effect but formally acknowledges his lifetime accomplishments.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution (not a law) that establishes "Hubert Creekmore Day" in Water Valley, Mississippi, to honor the literary legacy of Hubert Creekmore (1907-1966). It commemorates his work as a Mississippi-born author, poet, and literary critic who addressed Southern history, racial discrimination, and LGBTQ+ themes in his novels and poetry. The resolution directs the state legislature to formally recognize his contributions and provides copies to his family and the press. It has no policy impact beyond this symbolic recognition.