Maddy summaryHB 1117, the "Creating Transparency and Accountability in Dental Services Act," requires dental insurance companies (dental carriers) to calculate and annually report their dental loss ratio (DLR) - the percentage of premium dollars spent directly on patient dental care versus administrative costs. Dental carriers must file these reports by June 30 each year, detailing how much was spent on clinical services, unpaid claims, and recovered payments, while excluding overhead like staff salaries or network development. The Commissioner of Insurance will make these reports publicly accessible on the department's website by December 1 each year and submit aggregated data to the Insurance Committees. This applies to all dental health plans sold in Mississippi but excludes Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, and other state-sponsored plans.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.
Maddy summaryHB 1713 establishes a state-sponsored life insurance program for Mississippi National Guard members, facilitated by the Mississippi Military Department and sponsored by the Adjutant General. The bill enables voluntary enrollment in coverage provided through the National Guard Association of Mississippi (NGAMS), allowing members to learn about, enroll in, or adjust their benefits during training events. It authorizes program representatives to conduct briefings and coordinates premium payments with federal systems (DFAS) for members who choose to participate. The program does not create new insurance but makes existing coverage accessible, with participation strictly optional for all National Guard members.
Maddy summaryHB 1085 creates a program to reimburse Mississippi National Guard members for costs of Tricare Reserve Select health coverage and Tricare Dental premiums. It directly affects Guard members who pay these premiums themselves and do not have health/dental coverage through a civilian employer. The Mississippi Military Department will administer the program, using funds approved annually by the legislature, and must report yearly on participation and program effectiveness to the legislature. The bill ensures state reimbursement only covers premiums not already covered by federal sources.
Maddy summaryHB 1084 increases the authorized military leave period for Mississippi state and local government employees who are members of reserve military units. It amends existing law to allow more than 30 days of paid leave for training, without loss of pay, annual leave, or job status. The bill requires employers to reinstate employees to their previous positions upon return from training, with protections against termination without cause for one year. This affects all officers and employees of state departments, counties, municipalities, or political subdivisions who serve in reserve components.
Maddy summaryHB 389 requires Mississippi schools to accept a parent's or guardian's current Mississippi automobile registration as proof of residency when enrolling students whose families are on active military duty. It specifically applies to military-connected students whose parents are stationed at or transferring to a military installation in Mississippi. If a parent does not own a vehicle, they must submit a signed affidavit affirming the student's residence at the enrolled school district's address. Schools may also request additional documents like utility bills or lease agreements for verification. The bill does not change enrollment rules for non-military students.
Maddy summaryHB 1597, the "Mississippi Fair Banking Standards Act," requires state banking regulators to prohibit financial institutions from closing customer accounts based on non-quantitative factors like political views or protected beliefs. It creates a formal complaint process for individuals or businesses denied banking services under these circumstances and mandates the Department of Banking and Consumer Finance to review agency guidance to align with federal "Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans" standards. The bill directly affects Mississippi banks, financial institutions, and their customers - particularly those in lawful industries or with protected affiliations who face potential account closures due to regulatory pressure. It also urges federal lawmakers to modernize anti-money laundering laws to better balance crime prevention with fair access to banking services.
Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 1072 creates a voluntary program allowing hiring parties (like companies or clients) to contribute funds to portable benefit accounts owned by independent contractors. These accounts fund specific benefits such as health, disability, or retirement insurance, with contributions either paid directly by the hiring party or withheld from contractor payments (with written opt-in consent). Hiring parties can deduct 100% of contributions as a business expense, and contractors can exclude those contributions from their taxable income. The bill explicitly states that these contributions do not change a contractor's classification as an independent worker under employment laws.
Maddy summaryHB 1310, the "Mississippi Open to Religion Act," requires public school districts and nonsectarian public charter schools to adopt policies enabling daily, voluntary prayer and Bible/religious text reading sessions for students and staff. These sessions must include written parental/student consent forms acknowledging choice, waiving legal claims (including Establishment Clause challenges), and prohibiting participation without consent. The bill mandates safeguards like no public address system broadcasts, no substitution of instructional time, and physical separation from non-consenting individuals, with schools able to schedule sessions before school or in fully consented areas. It clarifies the policy doesn’t restrict individual prayer outside designated times or conflict with existing religious expression protections under state law or the First Amendment. The Attorney General would provide legal defense and model consent forms for compliant schools.
Maddy summaryHB 610 requires Mississippi prosecutors to notify law enforcement officers before sending a "Giglio letter" (a notice to an officer's employer about credibility concerns) or adding an officer to a "Giglio list" (a compiled list of officers deemed unreliable for testimony). The bill mandates that prosecutors provide written notice detailing the issue, allow officers to review evidence and meet with prosecutors, and give officers 30 days to appeal the decision to a circuit court for a full review. This applies to all prosecutors, including district attorneys, county attorneys, and contracted private attorneys. The law aims to create a fairer process for officers facing credibility challenges that could prevent them from testifying in court.