Rep. John Hines

Maddy summaryHB 143 would have changed Mississippi's licensing rules for birthing centers by removing the requirement for a written agreement with a specific hospital. Instead, it would have mandated centers to create a written transfer plan meeting American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) standards - including coordination with emergency services, regular hospital notifications, and staff training on transfer protocols. The bill aimed to standardize emergency care transitions without tying centers to individual hospitals. The proposed changes would have applied to all licensed birthing centers in Mississippi. The bill died in committee in February 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires health care providers to give people free copies of their medical records while they are applying for disability benefits through insurance, public assistance, or retirement programs. This applies until the disability eligibility decision is made. After the decision - regardless of outcome - providers may charge state-set fees for record copies, but not more than specified in law. The bill directly affects individuals seeking disability benefits by reducing upfront costs during their application process. It takes effect July 1, 2026, but died in committee before passing.

Maddy summaryHB 70 would have created Mississippi's Small Business Bridge Loan Program, providing short-term loans (up to $250,000 for 90-180 days) to small businesses operating in Mississippi for at least one year. The program would have established a revolving loan fund starting with $6 million over three years ($3M in 2027, $2M in 2028, $1M in 2029), funded by state appropriations and other sources, to help businesses access immediate financial assistance until they secure longer-term financing. Loans would require repayment into the fund to support future borrowers, with strict use limitations and department-determined terms. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 147 revises Mississippi's minimum weekly unemployment compensation benefits based on prior earnings. It sets new minimum weekly amounts: $250 for workers earning $25,000 or less annually, $500 for $25,001-$50,000, $650 for $50,001-$75,000, $750 for $75,001-$100,000, and $1,000 for earnings over $100,000. These changes apply to individuals receiving benefits starting July 1, 2026, and directly affect unemployed Mississippi workers qualifying for state unemployment compensation. The bill modifies Section 71-5-503 of Mississippi Code to establish these revised minimums, while Section 71-5-505 remains unchanged for now.

Maddy summaryHB 134 would establish a program to help rural Mississippi counties with unemployment rates over 10% and current shortages of health care workers (including doctors, nurses, EMTs, and social workers) and teachers attract professionals. The program would provide a minimum of $5 million annually from the Mississippi Works Fund, requiring counties to apply with a detailed plan, adopt a resolution, and contribute 30% of the funds they receive. Counties must demonstrate both past unemployment above 10% and current shortages of targeted professionals to qualify. The bill was referred to committee but died in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 71 creates the Mississippi Hospital Recovery Trust Program within the Department of Finance and Administration to provide grants to public hospitals facing severe financial distress. The program establishes a special fund to award grants to eligible hospitals that submit documentation proving they meet the defined "high financial risk" criteria (such as poor profits, high debt, or large uninsured patient volumes). Grants must be approved and distributed within five business days of application, with priority given to hospitals at immediate risk of closing. Hospitals receiving grants must report how funds were used annually to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. This bill directly affects Mississippi public hospitals, aiming to prevent closures and maintain community healthcare access.

Maddy summaryHB 76 would allow Mississippi's Lottery Corporation to authorize video lottery terminals (VLTs) under strict limits: $0.01 per play, $750 maximum payout per play, and only in truck stops (with a cap of five per congressional district). It directly affects truck stop businesses and the Lottery Corporation by modifying how VLTs can operate, while excluding them from general lottery definitions except under these specific rules. Key provisions clarify that VLTs are prohibited elsewhere and amend lottery code to define terms like "video lottery" and restrict terminal use to the specified locations and limits. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and does not change existing casino gaming operations.

Maddy summaryHB 97 requires health insurers operating in Mississippi to follow Medicare's "Two-Midnight Rule" when deciding if a hospital stay is necessary. This means insurers must approve inpatient admissions only if a patient is expected to stay overnight twice (e.g., admitted one evening and staying through the next midnight), aligning their standards with Medicare. The bill applies to all health insurers licensed by Mississippi’s Insurance Department. It aims to create consistency for hospitals, insurers, and patients in coverage decisions, with implementation scheduled for July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 96 creates an exception to Mississippi's moratorium on new home health agency certificates of need. It allows the State Department of Health to issue up to five certificates of need specifically for hospice providers who received new licenses under Section 41-85-7(3). This directly affects those five hospice licensees, enabling them to operate home health services without waiting for the general moratorium to end. The bill modifies existing law to prioritize these new hospice licensees for home health certification. The exception applies only to the five hospice providers receiving new licenses under the referenced section.

Maddy summaryHB 93 establishes a framework for creating specialized domestic abuse courts in Mississippi. It allows county and chancery courts to set up these courts (with municipal courts able to participate), requiring standardized operations focused on victim safety and offender accountability through coordinated services. The bill creates a dedicated Domestic Abuse Court Fund to finance these programs, funded by court assessments and state appropriations, and mandates uniform operational standards for case management and service referrals. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.