Rep. Dana McLean

Maddy summaryHB 1586 would have required Mississippi retailers and restaurants to label the country of origin for farm-raised and wild fish (excluding catfish and processed foods) sold directly to consumers. It mandated visible labels, signs, or menu disclosures at the point of sale for imported seafood, specifying display size and placement. The State Health Officer would have enforced compliance and imposed civil penalties for violations. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1587 would create legal immunity for individuals who report sexual offenses or seek medical assistance during such incidents, protecting them from criminal charges related to minor drug possession or use. Specifically, it prevents prosecution for drug violations (like small-scale possession under certain limits) when someone calls for help due to a sexual offense or drug overdose, provided they are not alleged to have committed the offense. The bill also prohibits revoking probation, parole, or pretrial release for these incidents and expands Mississippi’s "Good Samaritan" law to explicitly include sexual offense reporting. It applies only to those acting in good faith to report or seek help, not to alleged perpetrators. (Note: This bill died in committee and did not become law.)

Maddy summaryHB 926 would increase penalties for intentionally obstructing public streets, sidewalks, or roadways in Mississippi. It amends two statutes to raise fines to a minimum of $1,500 and impose jail terms of 1-2 years for criminal offenses involving obstruction. The bill directly affects individuals who willfully block traffic or pedestrian pathways, such as through protests or deliberate roadblocks. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 1225 revises Mississippi's Paramedics Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Program to support EMTs pursuing paramedic certification. The bill provides full funding for tuition, fees, books, uniforms, and National Registry exam costs at accredited paramedic programs. To qualify, applicants must be certified EMTs, commit to working in Mississippi for three years after graduation, and meet additional criteria set by the Office of Workforce Development. The program would be funded through legislative appropriations, with no more than 5% of funds used for administrative costs. This change aims to address paramedic shortages by reducing financial barriers to training.

Maddy summaryHB 862 would prohibit law enforcement officers, correctional staff, and others with custodial authority from engaging in sexual acts with incarcerated individuals, people on probation/parole, or those in custody - even with their consent. It directly affects incarcerated people, those under correctional supervision, and law enforcement/correctional personnel. The bill defines violations as felonies punishable by up to five years in prison or a $5,000 fine. This legislation, which died in committee on February 4, 2025, aimed to eliminate consent as a defense for such misconduct.

Maddy summaryHB 858 would have allowed Mississippi to join a multi-state agreement (the Dietitian Licensure Compact) enabling licensed dietitians to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each. This compact would grant qualified dietitians a "compact privilege" equivalent to a license in any member state, directly affecting licensed dietitians seeking to work in multiple states - particularly supporting military families relocating. Key provisions include standardizing requirements for practice, reducing administrative burdens for both professionals and states, and requiring states to share disciplinary information. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 866 expands the reasons Mississippi state employees can use major medical leave. It adds "domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking" as authorized purposes, allowing leave to seek medical care, victim services, or psychological help for the employee or their family member. This affects all state employees (excluding certain university faculty) who have accrued major medical leave, permitting use without prior personal leave for these specific situations. The bill amends Section 25-3-95 of Mississippi Code to include these new provisions, clarifying that leave can cover necessary medical attention, victim services, or psychological support related to these incidents.

Maddy summaryHB 925 would allow attorneys licensed in other states to practice in Mississippi without taking the state bar exam, provided they establish Mississippi residency for 12 consecutive months, have practiced law for at least five years in good standing in their home state, and provide proof of their qualifications. This bill directly affects out-of-state lawyers seeking to relocate to Mississippi for work. The key provision removes the mandatory bar exam requirement for qualifying applicants, streamlining the licensure process while maintaining standards through residency and practice history verification. (Bill: HB 925, Section 73-3-25, Mississippi Code of 1972)

Maddy summaryHB 1327 would amend Mississippi's sex offender registry law to require individuals convicted of indecent exposure (specifically under Section 97-29-31) to register as sex offenders. This change directly affects people convicted of indecent exposure in Mississippi, adding it to the list of offenses that trigger mandatory registration under Section 45-33-23. The bill’s key mechanism is updating the legal definition of "sex offense" to include indecent exposure, requiring registrants to provide address, fingerprints, and photographs to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 859 would have created Mississippi's participation in the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing licensed social workers in Mississippi to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects social workers, military families, and communities in underserved areas by reducing licensing barriers and enabling easier cross-state practice. Key mechanisms include mutual recognition of licenses, standardized disciplinary processes, and telehealth access for regulated social workers across member states. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.