Rep. John Hines

Maddy summaryHB 513 would increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals in Mississippi counties with both high unemployment (average ≥8% unemployment over the prior year) and a critical shortage of physicians and nurses. Specifically, eligible hospitals would receive at least 80% of the Medicare reimbursement rate for inpatient services, starting September 1, 2025, with annual adjustments. This policy directly affects hospitals in qualifying counties by providing higher payments to offset financial pressures from workforce shortages and economic hardship. The bill does not change Medicaid eligibility for patients but aims to support hospital stability in underserved areas.

Maddy summaryHB 455 requires healthcare providers to give applicants free copies of their medical records while they are awaiting a disability benefits determination (from insurance, government programs, or retirement plans). After the disability determination is made (whether approved or denied), providers may charge a fee for copies, but only up to rates set in existing law (Section 11-1-52). This applies to all providers examining or treating applicants for conditions supporting their disability claim. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1061 requires Mississippi Valley State University (MV State), in collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Transportation and Leflore County officials, to conduct a study assessing the feasibility of building an elevated pedestrian crossing or skybridge at the U.S. Highway 82 and Sunflower Road intersection in Itta Bena. The study must evaluate funding sources, cost-benefit analysis, examples from other locations, community benefits, and potential constraints like highway expansion plans. It directly affects MV State students, faculty, staff, and visitors who would use the proposed crossing. The bill mandates a report to the legislature by December 2025 but died in committee on February 4, 2025, meaning no construction or policy change was enacted. This is a procedural study request, not a funding or construction bill.

Maddy summaryHB 408 establishes the Mississippi Delta Medical Apprenticeship Program (MS DMAP) for public high school students in grades 9-12 across 18 designated Mississippi Delta counties (including Bolivar, Leflore, and Sunflower) facing critical healthcare worker shortages. The program requires partnerships between schools, medical facilities, and state education/licensing boards to provide hands-on clinical training, academic instruction, and research projects during the apprenticeship. It mandates a stipend for participating students and creates a state trust fund to cover startup costs and operational expenses for school districts and medical facilities. The program aims to build a pipeline of healthcare professionals by connecting students directly to career pathways in underserved Delta communities.

Maddy summaryHB 446 requires Mississippi to stop funding a private contractor for child support collection and enforcement by October 1, 2025. After that date, the Department of Human Services (DHS) must take over all child support enforcement functions previously handled by the private entity, terminate the contract, and avoid paying any penalties or compensation to the contractor. The bill also prohibits DHS from entering future contracts with private entities for these specific services, amending Mississippi Code Section 43-1-3 to reflect this change. This directly affects DHS operations, private contractors, and the child support system, shifting responsibility entirely to state management.

Maddy summaryHB 448 requires residents aged 60 or older in Mississippi nursing homes, assisted living facilities, personal care homes, or adult foster care facilities to obtain a prepaid contract for funeral or burial arrangements within six months of admission. Existing residents aged 60+ already in these facilities as of July 1, 2025, must secure such a contract by December 31, 2025. If a resident fails to obtain the contract, the facility must purchase it and add the cost to the resident’s regular charges. The bill prohibits facilities from denying admission or taking adverse actions against residents for not having the contract, with the State Department of Health enforcing this provision.

Maddy summaryHB 452 authorizes Mississippi's Lottery Corporation to allow video lottery terminals in specific locations under strict limits. The bill permits terminals only at truck stops, with a maximum $0.01 per play cost and $750 payout per game, and caps terminals at five per congressional district. It amends Mississippi Code to define "video lottery" and explicitly restricts terminals to these conditions, overriding prior prohibitions against such devices. This directly affects truck stop operators seeking to offer these terminals and sets clear operational boundaries for the Lottery Corporation. The policy change creates a limited, regulated form of video lottery access within existing state gambling frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 1386 establishes a licensure and regulatory framework for professional midwives in Mississippi community settings. It requires midwives to obtain a license from the newly created State Board of Licensed Midwifery, defines their scope of practice (including antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care), and mandates that health insurance plans covering maternity care must also cover services provided by licensed midwives. The bill directly affects midwives seeking to practice legally, healthcare insurers required to provide coverage, and patients accessing community-based birth care. Key policy changes include removing midwifery from the medical practice definition and prohibiting health plans from using discriminatory language against midwifery services.

Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 454 establishes a framework for creating domestic abuse courts in chancery or county courts, allowing municipal and justice courts to participate. These courts would coordinate criminal, civil, and social services for domestic violence cases, linking victims and offenders to appropriate programs through standardized protocols. The bill creates a dedicated Domestic Abuse Court Special Fund, funded by court assessments, and requires the Administrative Office of Courts to set uniform operational standards covering funding, referrals, and case management. This directly affects courts handling domestic violence cases and aims to improve victim safety, offender accountability, and resource coordination across multiple court proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 444 establishes a program to help rural counties in Mississippi with unemployment over 10% and shortages of healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, EMTs, social workers) or teachers attract professionals. It allocates at least $5 million annually from the Mississippi Works Fund, disbursed by the Department of Employment Security to participating counties. To receive funds, counties must adopt a resolution, submit a detailed plan for using the funds, and provide 30% matching funds. The program targets rural areas specifically to address workforce gaps in critical sectors.