Rep. Zakiya Summers

Maddy summaryHB 1010 prohibits no-knock warrants in Mississippi by requiring law enforcement officers to provide notice of their identity, authority, and purpose before entering any residence or dwelling, and to read the warrant aloud while giving a copy to the occupant or person in control of the premises. The bill limits issuance of such warrants to specific judicial authorities (county courts, chancery courts, or the Supreme Court) rather than allowing general police discretion. It directly affects law enforcement officers executing search warrants and residents living in homes or dwellings. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 890 establishes the Downtown Jackson Revitalization Coalition to coordinate efforts among federal, state, and local stakeholders in developing a comprehensive revitalization plan for downtown Jackson. The coalition, composed of 21 designated members including federal officials, state leaders, city officials, and community representatives, must hold monthly meetings and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature by December 15, 2026. The report must detail existing resources, coalition activities, and specific recommendations for economic development, crime reduction, and infrastructure improvements. This bill creates a formal coordination mechanism but does not allocate new funding or mandate specific actions. It directly affects Jackson city stakeholders and state officials responsible for reviewing the coalition's recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, nail technicians, and instructors with at least 10 years of licensed experience to renew their expired licenses without taking an exam, provided the license expired within the last five years. Instead of taking an exam, these professionals must pay the standard renewal fee, any outstanding fines, and a late fee for each year the license was expired. The change modifies existing renewal rules that previously required an exam after three years of expiration. It applies only to those meeting the specific experience and expiration criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 897 creates the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness within Mississippi’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop strategies reducing homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization. The task force, composed of state agency leaders and legislative members, must create a state plan to improve housing stability and health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, recommend policy changes, and submit annual reports to the Governor and legislature. It also establishes a Community Advisory Council on Homelessness to advise the task force, with members including community advocates. The bill directly affects people experiencing homelessness by aiming to strengthen service coordination and housing support systems across state agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 1099, the Emergency Medical Care Clarity Act, requires hospitals to provide immediate medical screening and emergency care to anyone seeking treatment in an emergency department, regardless of their ability to pay, insurance status, immigration status, or pregnancy condition. It prohibits delaying or denying care for non-medical reasons, including pregnancy outcomes, and mandates that hospitals stabilize emergency medical conditions - such as active labor, preeclampsia, or complications from pregnancy - before transferring patients. The law explicitly states that hospitals cannot withhold necessary treatment (including pregnancy-related stabilization) based on staff or institutional beliefs, and it allows patients harmed by violations to seek civil remedies. Hospitals violating the act face investigations by the Attorney General and potential civil penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1483, the "Model Mississippi Hair Protection in Schools Policy Act," would have required Mississippi public and charter schools to adopt policies explicitly banning hairstyle-based discrimination against students. Key provisions include prohibiting discrimination against natural and protective hairstyles, removing rules disproportionately affecting certain racial groups, mandating staff training on mental health impacts, and creating clear reporting channels for discrimination without retaliation. The bill also aimed to eliminate suspensions for appearance rule violations that disrupt learning. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 1493, the Mississippi Maternal Health Momnibus Act, would establish a grant program to fund community-based organizations providing maternal health services specifically for Black women, focusing on reducing maternal mortality and severe complications. The bill requires health care professionals in perinatal care to complete implicit bias training and exempts baby products like diapers, formula, and wipes from sales tax. It also expands Medicaid coverage to include services from this program, addressing social determinants such as housing, nutrition, transportation, and mental health support. These provisions target communities with high rates of racial disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 1408 would have allowed Mississippi to issue an alternative state identification card to homeless individuals without requiring proof of a fixed address, which is often unattainable for this population. The bill defined "homeless" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate residence, including those living in shelters or temporary accommodations. It amended state law to exempt homeless applicants from standard ID documentation requirements and authorized the Commissioner of Public Safety to create rules for this alternative card. The bill was introduced in 2026 but died in committee and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1437 requires Mississippi's State Department of Health to annually identify food deserts and associated health issues through a report to the legislature by December 31 each year. A "food desert" is defined as an area with at least 20% poverty where over one-third of residents live more than a mile from a supermarket or healthy food provider, limiting access to fresh produce. The department may use existing federal data to meet this reporting requirement, avoiding redundant data collection. This bill aims to provide transparency on food access gaps and their health impacts, directly affecting communities in underserved areas and informing future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1420, the Spring-Step Teacher Pay Bridge Act, creates an automatic annual payment for Mississippi teachers and instructional staff (including librarians, counselors, and support roles) on January 7 each year for five years. It provides a payment equal to half their regular biweekly pay (or a fixed annual amount set by the state, whichever is greater) to address a six-week pay gap after the Christmas break, without reducing existing raises or step increases. The state funds this through annual appropriations distributed via school funding formulas, and requires an annual report on participation and impact. The program expires after five years, requiring legislative review for continuation.