Rep. Fred Shanks

Maddy summaryHB 944 extends and codifies Mississippi's existing law prohibiting health insurance plans from requiring "step therapy" (forcing patients to try less effective drugs first) for advanced, metastatic cancer treatments. It directly affects patients with advanced cancer and their doctors, ensuring insurers must cover FDA-approved drugs for these conditions without prior failed treatments. The bill requires insurers to quickly approve treatment overrides when doctors provide clinical evidence showing step therapy would be ineffective or harmful. It extends the law's expiration date from 2024 to July 1, 2029, maintaining protections for cancer patients facing coverage delays.

Maddy summaryHB 938 extends the deadlines for repealing several Mississippi youth court-related statutes. It delays the repeal of rules governing confidentiality of youth court records (Section 43-21-261), requirements for youth court staff to enter data into the MYCIDS system (Section 43-21-351), the Youth Court Support Program (Section 43-21-801), restrictions on sex offenders accessing MYCIDS (Section 45-33-61), and parental power of attorney rules (Section 93-31-3). The bill does not change current policies but postpones their expiration dates. This affects youth court operations, record handling, and access to the MYCIDS data system.

Maddy summaryHB 932 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's existing workforce development system established under the 2004 "Mississippi Comprehensive Workforce Training and Education Consolidation Act." It reenacts the original law's provisions, which created a consolidated statewide workforce system managed by the Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board and the Mississippi Office of Workforce Development. The bill does not create new policies or programs but maintains the current structure for delivering workforce training, job placement, and skills development services. This system directly affects state agencies, local workforce councils, employers, and job seekers who access these services across Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 937 extends the timeframe during which Mississippi's Department of Health can increase fees for water quality testing required by federal law. The bill changes the current rule limiting fee increases to one time between July 2025 and June 2029, allowing for more flexible adjustments to cover rising costs. Water suppliers (including municipalities and rural water systems) who pay these fees directly are affected, as the change impacts when fee hikes can occur. The amendment ensures the state can maintain funding for testing without violating federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 930 (Mississippi House Bill 930) allows Mississippi's State Registrar to issue a Certificate of Foreign Birth without court involvement for children adopted internationally by U.S. citizens who automatically gained U.S. citizenship under federal law. It directly affects foreign adoptees in Mississippi who meet specific criteria, including holding a federal Certificate of Citizenship and providing documents like their foreign birth certificate (with translation), certified adoption papers, social security card, and proof of parent residency in Mississippi. The bill eliminates the need for a judicial proceeding previously required under Sections 93-17-301-307 by establishing a streamlined administrative process. The State Registrar must issue the certificate upon receiving all required documents, with forms to be developed by the Registrar. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 967 requires all Mississippi local law enforcement agencies to accept missing person reports in person without refusal for specific reasons (like the person being an adult, no apparent foul play, or short disappearance time). It mandates agencies to collect detailed information about the missing person - including photos, medical details, clothing, and transportation - within the initial report. If a person remains missing after five days (but no later than fifteen), agencies must input their details into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS). The bill also creates procedures for handling "high-risk" cases, requiring immediate notification to nearby agencies to aid in locating those at potential risk.

Maddy summaryHB 940 extends the expiration date for Mississippi's Municipality and County Water Infrastructure (MCWI) Grant Program Act of 2022 and related exemptions. The bill directly affects municipalities, counties, and certain public utilities eligible to apply for grants to improve water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. It extends the program's deadline for projects funded using Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) and adjusts matching requirements for these grants. This extension ensures continued access to federal ARPA funds for eligible water infrastructure projects without creating new program provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 936 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's COVID-19 Hospital Expanded Capacity Program, which reimburses hospitals for pandemic-related infrastructure. The program provides grants to cover costs of creating ICU beds (up to $200,000 per bed) and negative pressure beds (up to $50,000 per bed) using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. This extension directly affects hospitals that applied for or may apply for reimbursement under the program, allowing them to continue accessing funds beyond the original deadline. The bill amends Section 41-14-31 of Mississippi law to delay the program's termination date without altering its funding structure or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHB 966, titled the "Mississippi Supremacy Clause Enforcement Act," prohibits Mississippi courts from applying foreign law - including Sharia law - in cases involving marriage, parent-child relationships, or contracts. It voids any contract provision attempting to use foreign law if it violates constitutional rights, and bans courts from enforcing judgments based on such foreign law. The bill also clarifies that Mississippi courts must rely solely on state/federal law, with specific provisions affecting family law, contracts, and landlord-tenant agreements (e.g., voiding lease terms applying foreign law). It does not ban personal religious practice but targets legal enforcement in court proceedings. The minor amendment to Section 99-19-301 (enhancing penalties for terroristic threats) is unrelated to the core foreign law provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 931 extends the exemption for Mississippi's Office of Workforce Development from Public Procurement Review Board requirements related to rental agreements and leases for agency operations. The bill specifically pushes back the expiration date of this exemption beyond its 2026 deadline. This change directly affects the Office of Workforce Development, allowing it to continue using standard lease agreements without public procurement review. The bill also corrects references in related laws and extends similar exemptions for other state entities set to expire in 2026.