Maddy summaryHB 376 creates the "Volunteer and Parents Incentive Program" under Mississippi's State Department of Education, requiring the department to develop and publish a "Parents' Bill of Rights" by January 1, 2026. This publication must inform parents of children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) about their specific educational rights under federal and state law, including rights to attend IEP meetings, request evaluations, review records, and participate in decisions. The document must be posted online, clearly state it is informational only, and include the department's contact information. It directly affects parents of students with IEPs in Mississippi public schools. The bill does not establish financial incentives but focuses on providing clear, accessible information about existing rights.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 380 reconstitutes Mississippi's Healthcare Coordinating Council and requires it to develop a comprehensive preventive health care plan with specific state goals. The council, composed of 15 members including legislators, state agency representatives, health advocates, and consumer voices, must report to the 2026 Legislature on goals like reducing infant mortality by 10% by 2034, lowering low-birth weight by 10%, ensuring annual WIC checkups for mothers/children, and increasing breastfeeding rates to the Southeast region's average. The bill mandates the council to consider these concrete targets when creating the plan, which covers the period from July 2025 to July 2035. This is a procedural bill focused on establishing a structured process for preventive health planning, not on direct funding or service changes.
Maddy summaryHB 62, the "Donald J. Trump Ban-the-Box Act," prohibits Mississippi public employers (like state agencies, universities, and hospitals) from asking job applicants about criminal history before an interview. It requires employers to consider specific factors - such as the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and relevance to the job - if a background check reveals a criminal history. The bill also bans disqualification based on unconvicted arrests and mandates that applicants be notified of potential hiring decisions based on background checks, with an opportunity to correct errors. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and would have taken effect July 1, 2025, if passed.
Maddy summaryHB 373 requires Mississippi public schools serving 8th and 10th graders to administer pre-ACT assessments (EXPLORE for 8th graders, PLAN or PSAT for 10th graders) starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill aims to help students avoid noncredit remedial courses in college by identifying readiness gaps early through these assessments. Schools must use the results to guide course selection, college planning, and academic support for students, with data collected to improve instruction and reduce remediation rates. The State Department of Education will track implementation and report annually to legislative education committees starting in 2028.
Maddy summaryHB 35 extends mandatory annual deposits of $5 million in interest earnings from Mississippi's Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund into the Ayers Settlement Fund through June 2035. It also eliminates future reductions to the Ayers Endowment Trust, which provides funding to historically Black universities. The bill directly affects Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, and Mississippi Valley State University by ensuring ongoing financial support through these funds. Key mechanisms include redirecting interest income (instead of allowing it to revert to the general fund) and maintaining the trust structure established for these institutions.
Maddy summaryHB 318 caps the fees and costs for confirming ownership (patent confirmation) and applying to purchase state-forfeited tax lands at the original purchase price paid by the buyer. This directly affects individuals or businesses that acquire land from the state after it was forfeited due to unpaid taxes. The bill amends Mississippi Code sections 29-1-33, 29-1-37, and 29-1-95 to ensure the state cannot charge more for these processes than the buyer paid for the land. This change streamlines the title confirmation process by limiting associated costs to the land's purchase amount.
Maddy summaryHB 315 requires all Mississippi state agencies, departments, institutions, and political subdivisions that provide services to children to create an annual, detailed list of their programs. The list must include program descriptions, funding sources (federal and state), costs, the number of children served, and performance metrics tracking outcomes. Agencies must submit these lists to the John C. Stennis Institute at Mississippi State University by September 1 each year, and the Institute must compile the data into a single report for relevant legislative committees by December 1. This bill directly affects all state entities delivering children's services by mandating standardized, transparent reporting to the Legislature.
Maddy summaryHB 282 automatically restores voting rights for Mississippi residents convicted of vote fraud, specific crimes listed in Section 241 of the state constitution (1890), or other crimes later deemed disenfranchising by the Attorney General. It affects people who have completed all sentencing requirements (like probation, fines, or incarceration) for these offenses. The bill changes existing law by removing the need for a separate application or court order to regain voting rights - rights are restored automatically upon full compliance with sentencing terms. This applies to all relevant convictions, streamlining the process for returning voters to the rolls.
Maddy summaryHB 377 establishes the "Mississippi Senior Cadets Program," requiring the State Department of Education to create a mentorship initiative for high school seniors. The program directly affects Mississippi high school seniors who must mentor younger students (5 hours weekly), collaborate with teachers (2 hours monthly), and maintain a "C" average. In return, participants earn preference for state scholarships, three high school elective credits, and three college credits at public Mississippi institutions. The bill mandates the Department of Education to develop rules and guidelines for administering the program.
Maddy summaryHB 168 extends the deadline for in-person absentee voting at Mississippi county registrar offices to 5:00 p.m. on the two Saturdays immediately before elections. This change affects voters who must visit the registrar's office to cast absentee ballots in person, rather than voting by mail. The bill modifies existing voting hours in sections of Mississippi law without altering mail-in ballot rules or eligibility criteria. It would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.