Rep. Dana McLean

Maddy summaryHB 419 increases Mississippi's homestead property tax exemption for a specific group: unremarried surviving spouses of veterans who were honorably discharged and are 85 years or older. The bill amends existing law to grant these individuals a full exemption from all ad valorem taxes on their homestead property's assessed value, rather than a partial reduction. This expands the current homestead exemption program to include this veteran spouse demographic, providing complete tax relief on their primary residence. The exemption applies to the entire assessed value of their home, not just a portion of it.

Maddy summaryHB 723 increases Mississippi employers' income tax credit for providing dependent care during work hours. The bill raises the credit amount (from the current 75% rate) for employers offering on-site care, contracting with licensed child care providers, or providing stipends to licensed entities for employee children. Employers must certify employee names, stipend amounts, and provider licensing details to qualify. This directly affects Mississippi employers offering dependent care benefits, aiming to make such benefits more affordable by reducing their tax liability. The credit takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1389 establishes a licensure and regulatory system for professional midwives in Mississippi under the State Department of Health, creating a Midwifery Advisory Council to develop rules by July 2027. It requires health insurance plans covering maternity care to also cover services provided by licensed midwives within their scope of practice (same as physician services), prohibits discriminatory language about midwifery in coverage plans, and clarifies that midwifery is not considered medical practice. The bill directly affects licensed midwives (who must obtain a license to practice), healthcare insurers (required to cover midwifery services), and patients seeking community-based birth care. Key provisions include mandatory licensure, standardized scope of practice, confidentiality protections, and mechanisms to increase access to midwifery care in Mississippi communities.

Maddy summaryHB 752 establishes the Mississippi Young Readers Club (MYRC) as a one-year pilot program (starting 2026-2027) to provide age-appropriate books and literacy materials to students in participating public schools. It requires each participating student to receive at least twelve books per school year, with priority given to schools serving economically disadvantaged students, Title I schools, or those with high numbers of students needing literacy support. The program will be administered by the University of Mississippi's Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction (CELI), in consultation with the Mississippi Department of Education, to expand home libraries and support early literacy development. The pilot's success will determine potential future expansion, subject to legislative funding.

Maddy summaryHB 927 restructures the employment and governance of Mississippi's School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS). It transitions administrative and instructional staff to direct contracts with MSMS (replacing state employment), requires written contracts for these roles, and allows noninstructional staff to be hired or fired without cause by the Executive Director. The bill also exempts MSMS equipment purchases from public procurement rules, creates an 11-member advisory council to advise the State Board of Education on school planning, and expands 10th-grade enrollment options at MSMS when space is available. These changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1589 amends Mississippi law to prohibit teachers found guilty of sexual relations with students from resigning and instead mandates their termination. The bill specifically adds that if a school board finds an employee responsible for such misconduct, the employee must be terminated and cannot resign to avoid this outcome. This change applies within the existing disciplinary hearing process outlined in Section 37-9-111, where the school board reviews evidence and issues a final decision. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects teachers in Mississippi public schools who face termination for this specific violation.

Maddy summaryHB 865 would reclassify kratom as a Schedule III controlled substance under Mississippi's Uniform Controlled Substances Law, removing it from its current unregulated status. This change would allow kratom to be prescribed by doctors for medical use (as Schedule III substances have accepted medical uses) while still requiring prescriptions and regulating its distribution. The bill directly affects Mississippi residents who use kratom, pharmacies dispensing it, and law enforcement handling related cases. Note: The bill title incorrectly references marijuana; this bill specifically addresses kratom, not cannabis.

Maddy summaryHB 574 would increase the paid military training leave allowance for Mississippi state and local government employees who are reserve military members, raising the current 30-day limit. The bill requires employers to grant additional leave without loss of pay, time, annual leave, or efficiency rating, and mandates reinstatement to the employee's original position or an equivalent after training. It also establishes a process for enforcement through county or district attorneys if reinstatement is denied. This change would directly affect reserve members working for state agencies, counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions.

Maddy summaryHB 722 would require Mississippi Medicaid to cover neonatal circumcision procedures for eligible infants. The bill amends Section 43-13-117 of the Mississippi Code to add circumcision explicitly to Medicaid's list of covered services. This directly affects newborns enrolled in Medicaid in Mississippi who undergo circumcision, ensuring the procedure is paid for without additional approval. The change would remove out-of-pocket costs for families relying on Medicaid for this standard medical service.

Maddy summaryHB 721 amends Mississippi law to increase penalties for obstructing public streets, sidewalks, and roadways. It raises fines to a minimum of $1,500 and adds potential jail time of 1-2 years for intentionally blocking traffic or pedestrian pathways, including impeding, hindering, or restraining passage. The bill directly affects individuals or groups who obstruct public rights-of-way, such as protesters, vendors, or vehicles blocking roads. Key provisions specify that these penalties apply unless authorized under the Safe Solicitation Act for permitted activities. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.