Maddy summaryHB 512 creates two new programs to help rural physicians and dentists repay student loans. It provides annual awards ranging from $7,500 to $50,000 per year (increasing with each consecutive year of service) for healthcare providers working in qualifying Mississippi rural settings, including hospitals in "super rural" ZIP codes, Critical Access Hospitals, specific counties (like Bolivar and Holmes), or communities with populations under 15,000. To qualify, applicants must be Mississippi residents, hold a valid medical/dental license, have qualifying student loans, and work at a licensed rural facility outside metropolitan areas. The program replaces previous scholarship programs and is administered by the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 560 (Mississippi) would require the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to develop performance standards for community mental health centers by June 2027 and conduct audits of all centers at least once every two years starting in fiscal year 2028. Centers failing to meet standards would enter a six-month probation period; repeated failures would trigger replacement of leadership with contractors until standards are met. The bill also exempts certain DMH contracts from public procurement review. This proposed law, which died in committee in February 2026, would directly affect community mental health centers and their leadership through new accountability measures.
Maddy summaryHB 554 would have allowed Mississippi's Department of Human Services (DHS) to combine different federal reporting systems used for the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) under USDA regulations. It required DHS to set its own combination of systems and submit an annual report by September 1 to specific legislative committees. The report would have needed to explain how the combined system worked, its effectiveness, and specifically track its impact on SNAP enrollment and DHS's error rate (as measured by the USDA). This bill directly affected DHS operations and how SNAP program data was reported, but it never became law after dying in committee.
Maddy summaryHB 564 renames Mississippi's Adolescent Opportunity Programs to Juvenile Justice Diversion Programs (JJDPS) and authorizes these programs to divert juveniles from detention both before formal charges (pre-petition) and after court adjudication (post-adjudication). The program must offer after-school and weekend alternatives to detention, including job readiness training, community service, restorative justice practices, and other structured activities like tutoring and counseling. This diversion approach aims to reduce juvenile detention by providing community-based alternatives, but its operation depends on available state funding. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 835 directs Mississippi's State Department of Health to issue certificates of need for home health agencies in Copiah and Stone Counties. It specifically applies to post-acute care providers participating in the CMS Guide Model who offer in-home care services. The bill amends existing law to require the health department to approve these certificates for agencies establishing operations in those two counties, streamlining the process for providers meeting the CMS Guide Model criteria. This is a procedural change affecting only home health providers in Copiah and Stone Counties.
Maddy summaryHB 834 establishes a certification system for medication aides working in Mississippi nursing facilities. It requires aides to complete a minimum 15-hour training program and pass an exam to be certified by the State Department of Health. Nursing facilities must implement written policies for medication aides, disclose their use to residents and families, and maintain accurate medication records. The bill specifies which medications aides may administer (oral, inhalation, topical, eye/ear/nasal sprays, insulin, and anaphylaxis treatments) but excludes other injections or routes. The State Department of Health will maintain a registry for certified aides and can deny, revoke, or refuse renewal for failing standards or violating the act.
Maddy summaryHB 833 creates Mississippi's participation in the Interstate Massage Compact, a multistate agreement allowing licensed massage therapists to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill amends Mississippi law to align with the compact's framework, establishing an Interstate Commission to oversee implementation and manage a shared data system for license status and disciplinary information. This directly affects licensed massage therapists seeking to work in multiple states, particularly supporting military members and their families who relocate. Key mechanisms include streamlined licensing pathways, enhanced information sharing between states to protect public safety, and provisions to prevent licensure fraud. The compact does not override individual state laws governing massage therapy practice.
Maddy summaryHB 1133 authorizes Mississippi's State Board of Health to create statewide standards for obstetrics care, directly affecting hospitals and health systems across the state. It requires the State Department of Health to lead development of these standards, including designating maternal/neonatal care centers, establishing protocols for patient transfers between facilities, and defining appropriate care levels based on each hospital's actual capacity (resources, staff, geography). The bill mandates that standards align with existing professional scopes of practice and hospital capabilities, ensuring patient safety while avoiding restrictions on licensed providers' legal roles. These rules would take effect July 1, 2027, after the Board consults with hospitals and health professionals.
Maddy summaryHB 1135 requires out-of-state applicants seeking behavioral health licensure in Mississippi (e.g., therapists, counselors, social workers) to pass criminal background checks, provide two forms of residency proof (like a driver's license or utility bill), and verify education/work history before receiving a license. It limits temporary licenses to 365 days, prohibits out-of-state recruiters from sponsoring more than five temporary licensees annually, and mandates re-attestation of residency before converting to full licensure. Misrepresenting residency, credentials, or criminal history can lead to license denial, revocation, or civil penalties. The bill aims to ensure licensed professionals meet Mississippi's standards while preventing out-of-state agencies from flooding the market with temporary licensees.
Maddy summaryHB 1134 creates a voluntary program allowing Mississippi pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with substance abuse or mental health impairments to avoid disciplinary action by entering an alternative program before a formal hearing. The program requires participants to cover costs for treatment, counseling, or education related to their impairment, with all program details kept confidential under state privacy laws. It applies specifically to licensees facing discipline for issues like addiction or mental health conditions under existing licensing rules. The bill does not change the grounds for disciplinary action but offers an alternative path focused on rehabilitation rather than penalties.