Maddy summaryHB 348 establishes the MissHEALTH Pilot Program, providing financial grants to Mississippi law enforcement agencies for transporting individuals experiencing mental health or behavioral crises to hospitals or treatment facilities. The program requires participating agencies to contribute a 25% funding match, mandates coordination with mental health professionals to confirm hospital availability, and requires law enforcement to stay at facilities for up to two hours to ensure evaluation. It also authorizes telehealth assessments where available and specifies protocols for transporting individuals without arrests when crisis teams determine mental health needs. The program is jointly administered by the Departments of Finance, Mental Health, and Medicaid, with grants subject to annual appropriations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 317 would require all Mississippi public school districts to adopt and implement age-appropriate policies banning student cell phone use during the entire academic school day (from first bell to last bell), including classrooms, hallways, and lunch periods. The policies must prohibit suspensions or expulsions for violations, allow exceptions for students with health needs or Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and mandate that schools post the rules online. Elementary schools would generally ban phones entirely during school hours, while middle schools would require phones to be stored and turned off. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.
Maddy summaryHB 350 requires Mississippi school resource officers (SROs) to complete evidence-based Mental Health First Aid training approved by the Department of Mental Health. This applies to all SROs employed by school districts or law enforcement agencies, as part of their initial training and ongoing certification. The bill mandates this training to better equip officers to address student mental health crises and support school safety. It directly affects SROs across Mississippi schools, focusing on practical skills for student interactions rather than new funding or policy changes.
Maddy summaryHB 315 requires all licensed and non-licensed instructional staff and licensed administrators in Mississippi public schools to complete evidence-based mental health first aid training approved by the state Department of Mental Health before the 2026-2027 school year begins. School boards must develop policies for how often this training is repeated, and the Department of Mental Health will issue certificates of completion that staff can use to meet professional development requirements. The bill directly affects over 100,000 school employees across Mississippi’s public school districts. It establishes a concrete training mandate with a specific deadline and creates a standardized certification system for staff to document compliance.
Maddy summaryHB 353 amends Mississippi law to require a minimum of 12 continuous months of residency in Mississippi for out-of-state students to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. It also establishes that students who graduated from a Mississippi high school (completing their final year in-state) automatically qualify for in-state tuition without needing the 12-month residency. The bill directly affects students applying to Mississippi's public higher education institutions who previously did not meet residency requirements. The legislation died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
Maddy summaryHB 311 amends Mississippi law to remove a requirement that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) must consult with or collaborate with a physician anesthesiologist throughout every stage of a patient's anesthesia care. The bill specifically changes Section 73-15-20 to clarify that CRNAs are not obligated to work with physician anesthesiologists during the entire anesthetic period, including pre-operative, intraoperative, and post-operative phases. It also states that physicians or dentists working with CRNAs do not need to have their own separate collaborative relationship with a physician anesthesiologist. This change directly affects CRNAs, their supervising physicians/dentists, and healthcare facilities in Mississippi where CRNAs provide anesthesia services.
Maddy summaryHB 313 would allow Mississippi to grant provisional medical licenses to international physicians sponsored by in-state healthcare providers (like hospitals or clinics) or to physicians licensed in specific countries (including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and others). These provisional licenses would automatically convert to full licenses after three years of active practice in Mississippi, provided they maintain U.S. immigration status, pass the USMLE exam, and meet other standard requirements. The bill aims to address physician shortages, particularly in rural and primary care areas, by reducing redundant training barriers while maintaining all existing medical competency standards. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
Maddy summaryHB 344 would create a loan repayment program to help mental health employees in Mississippi's state mental health system repay student loans. Eligible employees - working full-time (30+ hours weekly for 12 months) in the state mental health system with qualifying educational loans - could receive up to $6,000 annually for up to three years. The program would be funded by a new excise tax on vapor products (e-cigarettes) and other designated sources, held in a special state fund. Loan repayment assistance would not count toward the recipient's state taxable income.
Maddy summaryHB 423 repeals Mississippi law creating the "Coordinator of Mental Health Accessibility" position within the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). The bill eliminates this specific role, including its duties, qualifications, and funding requirements as outlined in existing statutes. This change directly affects the DFA's organizational structure by removing a dedicated mental health coordination position. The bill does not create new programs or alter mental health services; it solely removes an existing administrative role. The repeal takes effect upon the bill's passage.
Maddy summaryHB 425 authorizes Mississippi residents to purchase distinctive motor vehicle license tags supporting the State Department of Health for an additional $30 annual fee on top of standard registration costs. The bill directs that $24 of each $30 fee goes to the Public Health Trust Fund, $1 to the Mississippi Burn Care Fund, $2 to the State Highway Fund for road maintenance, and $1 to another special fund. Vehicle owners must display these tags alongside their regular license plates and pay the fee annually when registering or renewing their vehicle. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all eligible vehicle owners in Mississippi.