Maddy summaryHB 1454 changes Mississippi's court timeline for permanency hearings for children in foster care due to abuse or neglect. It requires youth courts to hold the first hearing within 90 days (instead of 120 days) after a court finds a child was abused/neglected or after the child's removal from a parent/custodian, and then every 90 days afterward. This directly affects children in Mississippi's child welfare system who have been adjudicated abused or neglected, their parents/custodians, and the Department of Child Protection Services. The bill aims to ensure more frequent court reviews to determine a child's long-term living situation, such as returning to a parent, placement with relatives, adoption, or continued foster care. The bill was referred to committee but died in 2025 and was never enacted.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1248 updates Mississippi's court interpreter regulations to improve language access for Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals. It authorizes oral interviews for registered interpreters, requires courts to submit annual reports on language access services, and revises the interpreter oath to emphasize accuracy and confidentiality. The bill creates a centralized language access program under the Administrative Office of Courts and establishes clearer certification standards for interpreters. These changes directly affect courts, interpreters, and LEP individuals involved in legal proceedings. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.
Maddy summaryHB 1458 streamlines Mississippi's process for handling child abuse and neglect reports by requiring the Department of Child Protection Services (DCPS) to directly report to youth court intake units to establish court jurisdiction. The bill mandates DCPS to create triage procedures for quickly sorting reports and to notify youth courts within 72 hours (or 24 hours for child removals) about abuse or neglect cases. It also requires DCPS to inform youth court prosecutors and law enforcement about serious cases - including sexual exploitation, trafficking, or severe physical harm - and coordinate with military advocacy programs when a military parent is involved. This aims to improve coordination between DCPS, youth courts, and law enforcement for faster response.
Maddy summaryHB 1059 would authorize Mississippi's Capitol Police Chief or the Department of Public Safety Commissioner to create and employ a part-time reserve law enforcement unit. This reserve would specifically assist Capitol Police in carrying out their duties within the Capitol Complex Improvement District, including enforcing state laws on state-owned properties there. The bill amends existing law (Section 45-1-19) to formally establish this part-time reserve option, without changing current jurisdictional responsibilities or requiring new funding. It directly affects Capitol Police operations and their ability to manage security at state properties in the Capitol Complex.
Maddy summaryHB 1249 increases court filing fees for civil cases in Mississippi to fund two specific state funds. It adds a $25 fee per civil filing into the Comprehensive Electronic Court Systems Fund (for technology upgrades) and a $50 fee into the Judicial System Operation Fund (for court administration). These fees apply to all civil cases filed between 2024 and 2027, including common cases like divorces, property disputes, and adoptions (excluding those involving child protection services). The bill directly affects individuals and entities filing civil lawsuits in Mississippi chancery courts, with the funds supporting electronic court systems and judicial operations.
Maddy summaryHB 1265 creates a 13-member Sales Tax Diversion Study Committee to examine how Mississippi allocates sales tax revenue between the state Department of Revenue and local municipalities. The committee will review current practices, assess financial impacts on municipalities, and recommend reforms for the 2026 legislative session. It must report findings by December 1, 2025, and includes representatives from state agencies, large and small municipalities, and economic organizations. The bill itself does not change tax law but establishes a process to study revenue distribution.
Maddy summaryHB 1452 clarifies when Mississippi's youth court gains jurisdiction over children involved in delinquency or abuse/neglect cases. It specifies that jurisdiction attaches "at the time of the offense" for delinquency cases and "at the time the allegation is reported" for abuse/neglect cases, while ending youth court authority for new offenses after a child turns 18. The bill directly affects children under 18 facing these legal matters and ensures youth court handles cases until the child's 20th birthday, unless terminated earlier. The legislation died in committee in February 2025 and does not change criminal responsibility thresholds (e.g., no prosecution for children under 13).