Maddy summaryHouse Concurrent Resolution 5 (HC 5) proposes amending Mississippi's 1890 Constitution to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens may vote in state or local elections and referendums. The bill would replace existing language by removing the term "inhabitant" and specifying "citizens of the United States" as a requirement, while maintaining current residency, age, registration, and disqualification rules (e.g., for certain felony convictions). This change would directly affect non-citizen residents who currently have voting eligibility under Mississippi’s current constitution. The amendment would be submitted to voters in the November 2026 election, with the ballot explanation stating it "provides that only citizens of the United States are allowed the opportunity to vote."
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 616 would ban the mailing, selling, or distributing of medicines that cause abortions prohibited under Mississippi law. It directly affects pharmacies, mail-order services, and individuals seeking such medications, prohibiting activities like shipping, advertising, or possessing these medicines with intent to distribute. Key provisions include criminal penalties for violations: felony charges carrying fines of $1,000-$10,000 and 2-5 years in prison. The bill aims to prevent access to abortion-inducing medicines via mail, effective July 1, 2025, if passed. (Note: The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.)
Maddy summaryHB 1512 reorganizes Mississippi's adoption law by moving contested adoption procedures to a new section and updating references to the Department of Child Protection Services. It aligns youth court adoption sections with current statutes but makes no new policy changes. The bill directly affects courts and adoption agencies handling adoption cases in Mississippi. This is a technical correction to existing law, not a substantive policy change.
Maddy summaryHB 614, the "Mississippi Law Enforcement Interaction Course Act," would require Mississippi public schools to teach students in grades 9-12 about proper interactions with law enforcement during traffic stops and other encounters at least once before graduation. The bill mandates collaboration between the State Board of Education, law enforcement agencies, and associations to develop a curriculum covering topics like law enforcement roles, civilians' rights, appropriate behavior, relevant laws on questioning/detention, and how to file complaints. School districts could adapt the curriculum with input from local law enforcement and communities, starting for students entering grade 9 in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill did not advance past committee in 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 563 would exempt child care facilities operated as part of a local church ministry or religious nonprofit school from Mississippi's state child care licensing requirements, provided they don't receive state/federal funds or operate for profit. To maintain this exemption, facilities must conduct annual fire and health inspections, maintain staff background check records and insurance documentation, and provide parents with specific program details including religious teachings, staff qualifications, and discipline policies. The State Department of Health could inspect facilities if safety concerns arise or compliance is questioned, and facilities must post a visible notice stating they are not state-licensed.
Maddy summaryHB 1542 prohibits Mississippi public and charter schools receiving state funds from implementing any instruction, assessments, or employee training related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) based on race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation - except for activities required by court orders or anti-discrimination laws. The bill defines DEI to exclude legally compliant practices and requires schools to submit annual compliance reports to the legislature and state education board. It mandates state audits every four years to ensure no state funds are used for prohibited DEI activities, with penalties including loss of funding if violations persist after 180 days. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and has not become law.
Maddy summaryHB 1090 requires counties and municipalities using handheld traffic cameras (defined as "manually operated automated recording equipment") to confirm the driver's identity before issuing fines for traffic violations. It clarifies that officers must verify who was operating the vehicle to enforce traffic laws, such as speeding or signal violations. The bill also specifies that Mississippi will not recognize out-of-state fines from similar systems unless the issuing state participates in the Driver License Compact. These provisions aim to standardize verification processes for traffic enforcement fines.
Maddy summaryHB 562 would automatically restore voting rights to Mississippi residents convicted of felonies once they complete all sentencing requirements (such as probation, fines, or parole). This bill directly affects people with felony convictions who have finished their court-ordered terms. The key mechanism requires the Statewide Elections Management System to automatically reinstate their voter registration without needing to apply separately. It amends multiple election code sections to align with this automatic restoration process, removing the current need for manual re-registration after sentence completion.
Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 298 amends state law to permanently prohibit adverse possession claims from establishing legal ownership of land. The bill changes Section 15-1-13 to state that no one can gain title to property simply by occupying it without permission for a certain period. This directly affects landowners and individuals who might have attempted to claim ownership through long-term, unauthorized use of property. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1060 requires Mississippi public schools to notify parents or legal guardians in writing within three days if a student identifies at school with a gender, pronoun, or uses facilities that differs from their sex assigned at birth (as listed on their birth certificate or official records). It directly affects public school students in Mississippi, their parents/guardians, and school staff who would need to comply with the notification requirement. Key provisions include mandating written parental notification for gender/identity-related requests, prohibiting school discipline against staff who refuse to use preferred pronouns inconsistent with birth sex, and requiring parental written approval before using a student’s preferred pronoun. The bill, which died in committee on February 4, 2025, would have taken effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.