Rep. Lee Yancey

Maddy summaryHB 120 requires Mississippi healthcare providers to give parents or guardians a written notice at each minor's visit, explaining their right to block others from consenting to treatment and allowing them to designate specific adults who may consent. It prohibits healthcare providers from treating unemancipated minors (under 18) without parental consent or consent from a parent-designated adult, unless exceptions apply (like emergencies, mental health care for minors 16+, or CPS cases). The bill repeals existing exceptions allowing doctors to treat minors for STDs or substance abuse issues without parental consent. It also creates legal recourse for parents to sue providers who violate these consent requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1486 would require businesses selling flavored nicotine vapor products in Mississippi to obtain an annual $250 license from the Department of Revenue by July 2025. The bill mandates clear signage prohibiting sales to anyone under 21, age verification for all customers, and bans on packaging appealing to minors (like candy designs or cartoon characters). It also prohibits sales within 1,000 feet of schools or churches (with exemptions for pre-2025 businesses) and authorizes the Department of Revenue to conduct inspections and impose fines for violations. The law directly affects retailers and wholesalers selling flavored nicotine products, while focusing on preventing underage access and reducing youth appeal.

Maddy summaryHB 709 would have required Mississippi public and charter school boards to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom by January 2026, using a specific text and format (11x14 inch framed poster with a context statement about historical educational use). The bill mandated that displays include a historical explanation noting the Ten Commandments' role in early American textbooks and education. It also allowed school boards to choose additional historical documents for display and directed the state to provide free resources for compliance. This bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 1160, the "Transparency and Accountability of Patient Premiums Invested in Dental Care Act," requires dental insurance plans in Mississippi to spend at least 83% of premium funds on actual patient dental care instead of administrative costs. If a plan fails to meet this 83% threshold, it must issue rebates to enrollees based on the shortfall. The bill mandates that dental insurers file annual reports with the Mississippi Department of Insurance, organized by plan type, detailing how premiums were spent. This applies to all dental insurance plans (excluding Medicaid and state health programs) that offer dental coverage, ensuring greater transparency in how patient premiums are used.

Maddy summaryHB 119 requires Mississippi health insurers to reimburse pharmacists at least the same rate paid to other nonphysician healthcare providers for services within a pharmacist's scope of practice (as defined in §73-21-73) that would otherwise be covered if provided by any healthcare provider. This applies to all insurance policies, medical service plans, or hospital contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill aims to ensure pharmacists receive equitable payment for services like medication therapy management or immunizations, directly affecting insurers and pharmacists. The bill was referred to the Insurance Committee but died there on February 4, 2025, and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 122 would require Mississippi public schools to provide parents (or students aged 18+) with information about local water safety courses and swimming lessons that lead to certification, including free or low-cost options. This information must be delivered electronically or in print during initial enrollment for new students, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill defines "water safety" as age-appropriate education to reduce drowning risks in and around water. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1155 requires healthcare providers in Mississippi to obtain parental consent (or consent from an adult designated by a parent) before treating unemancipated minors (under 18) for most medical care. It mandates that providers give parents a written notice at each visit explaining their right to restrict consent to others, including the option to name specific adults authorized to consent. The bill repeals existing exceptions allowing minors to consent to STI treatment (Section 41-41-13) or mental health care related to substance use (Section 41-41-14) without parental input. Exceptions include emergencies, court-ordered care, mental health treatment under specific statutes, and cases involving child protective services. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 678, the Mississippi Doxxing Prevention Act, prohibits intentionally sharing restricted personal information (like home addresses, phone numbers, or email) of specific protected individuals with the intent to harass or threaten them. It directly affects law enforcement officers, government employees, jurors, witnesses, and informants (defined as "covered persons") by creating criminal penalties: first offenses are misdemeanors (up to 6 months jail or $2,000 fine), while repeat offenses or cases involving violence become felonies (up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fine). The bill also amends Mississippi’s public records law to exempt the restricted personal information of these covered persons from public disclosure. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee but died there on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1156 would require insurers to reimburse healthcare providers at the higher reimbursement rate from the state where an out-of-state health policy was issued (if that rate is higher than Mississippi's), removing an exemption for ERISA and self-funded health plans. This directly affects healthcare providers treating patients covered by out-of-state policies, particularly those under ERISA/self-funded plans currently exempt from this rule. The bill mandates that reimbursement rates match the issuing state's rate when higher, and benefits provided in that state must also be available in Mississippi. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1159 prevents Mississippi state officials and entities from enforcing federal guidelines (like those in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act) that allow medical, mental health, or sexuality education services for minors without parental notification or consent. It upholds existing Mississippi laws requiring schools to provide one week’s written notice to parents about human sexuality instruction (allowing parents to opt their child out) and mandating parental consent for medical care of unemancipated minors. The bill creates a legal pathway for parents to sue schools or health providers who violate these consent requirements. It directly affects K-12 schools, healthcare providers, and parents of minors in Mississippi.