Rep. Grace Butler-Washington

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 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 1373, "Alyssa's Law Pilot Program," would have required selected Mississippi public and charter schools (one per Supreme Court district) to implement silent panic alarm systems by the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandated wearable alert devices for all school staff, direct emergency alerts to law enforcement, system integration with existing safety protocols, and annual reporting to the state education department. It also established a state grant program to fund system installation and training, while exempting security data from public disclosure under certain conditions. The bill was introduced in 2026 but died in committee without becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1374, a proposed Mississippi bill, would require every public school district to employ at least one School Resource Officer (SRO) who would serve as a peace officer on all school properties. The bill mandates that school boards establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with local law enforcement and ensure SROs complete basic law enforcement training within two years of hire. It also references the existing MCOPS grant program, which provides state funding to help districts cover SRO costs through a 50/50 local-state match. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 1454, titled "The Buyer Accountability Program," would have required courts to order individuals convicted of procuring, patronizing, or promoting prostitution (or related human trafficking offenses) to complete an educational program. Participants would have been required to pay a $1,000 assessment fee. The program, to be managed by the Attorney General in partnership with the Administrative Office of Courts, would have covered topics like the causes of prostitution, health risks, legal consequences, and human trafficking impacts. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1453 establishes a two-year pilot program within Mississippi's Department of Health to provide remote health monitoring for pregnant women with hypertension or diabetes. It targets eligible participants enrolled in Medicaid who are members of participating managed care organizations. The program uses FDA-approved technology to track blood pressure, glucose levels, and other health data remotely, with a clinical care team offering support and an escalation pathway for concerning readings. The pilot will enroll up to 300 participants across multiple counties and require a report within two years evaluating outcomes and recommending potential statewide expansion.

Maddy summaryHB 1549, "Alyssa's Law," requires all public and charter schools in Mississippi to install silent panic alarm systems by the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates that schools provide staff with wearable alert devices to immediately contact law enforcement during emergencies and establish coordination protocols with local police. It also creates a state grant program to help school districts cover costs, requires annual reporting on system use and compliance, and protects school security data from public disclosure under certain conditions. The law directly affects every public and charter school in Mississippi, focusing on enhancing emergency response capabilities through technology and training.

Maddy summaryHB 1446, the "Robert G. Clark, Jr., Voting Rights Act of Mississippi," would create a Mississippi Voting Rights Commission to prevent voter suppression and protect voting rights. It prohibits political subdivisions (like counties and cities) and state agencies from implementing election policies that disproportionately affect racial, ethnic, or language minority voters, requiring such policies to be reviewed by the Commission before implementation. The bill also mandates protections for limited English proficient voters and voters with disabilities, requires advance notice of election policy changes, and establishes a statewide voting database with universities. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1445 would create Mississippi's "Gold Alert" system to address missing persons aged 18 to 23, a group the legislature identified as often overlooked despite being legally adults but still under family financial care. The bill requires law enforcement to immediately report cases meeting specific danger criteria (like imminent harm) to a central hub, triggering public alerts via media, electronic signs, and emergency networks to aid in rapid recovery. This system would bypass standard waiting periods for reports and coordinate a tiered response involving local agencies, first responders, and the public.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House resolution (HR 11), not a bill with policy changes. It formally commends the Reimagine Prep Lions Football Team and Coach Jamye Horton for winning back-to-back Little SWAC Football Championships in 2024 and 2025. The resolution highlights the team's athletic achievement, dedication, sportsmanship, and academic excellence under Coach Horton's leadership. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - only expressing legislative recognition.