Maddy summaryHB 354 requires Mississippi public community and junior colleges to waive all tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, and required books for graduates of Mississippi high schools who enroll for the first time. To qualify, students must be Mississippi residents, graduate within two years, meet college admission standards, and enroll in an associate degree or certificate program. The bill mandates that colleges coordinate waivers with other financial aid to avoid exceeding actual tuition costs and requires the Mississippi Community College Board to create rules for implementation. Funding for waived tuition must be appropriated annually through specific line items in the state budget, based on projected enrollment and costs. This policy directly affects recent Mississippi high school graduates pursuing associate degrees or certificates at public community colleges starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 465 creates the Mississippi Tele-emergency Services Grant Program under the State Department of Health to fund rural hospitals lacking emergency specialists. The program provides grants for tele-stroke, tele-behavioral health, and tele-EMS services, enabling 24/7 virtual consultations between remote emergency departments and central care hubs. Eligible applicants must submit detailed proposals outlining networks, hub/remote ED connections, and community partnerships. Grant recipients must report annually on fund usage and program impact to state health officials and legislative committees. This initiative aims to expand access to emergency care, improve provider training, and enhance health information sharing in rural areas.
Maddy summaryHB 213 allocates $10 million from the state treasury to Mississippi's Department of Employment Security for summer youth employment programs during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directly funds state-run programs that provide temporary work opportunities for Mississippi youth. It specifies that funds must be paid to the Department of Employment Security via state warrants upon proper requisitions. This is a straightforward funding measure with no new policy requirements or eligibility rules defined in the bill text.
Maddy summaryHB 312 requires Mississippi's State Board of Education to adopt a rule creating "Vision 2030," a comprehensive education plan for public schools. The plan must include specific goals like raising student achievement above national averages (using tests such as NAEP and SAT), preparing all students for college or careers, and ensuring equitable opportunities. It also mandates a new accountability system for schools, a rigorous 21st-century curriculum, and a balanced assessment process using national benchmarks to track progress toward these goals. This rule will directly guide Mississippi's public education system, affecting all K-12 schools and their accountability measures.
Maddy summaryHB 374 establishes the Early Commitment to College Program for Mississippi schools with an "F" accountability rating (designated as "College Opportunity Zones"). It requires these schools to offer all 6th-9th grade students a "Save Me a Spot in College" pledge, committing to college preparation and financial aid support. Students who complete the program receive a fee waiver for two years of enrollment at Mississippi public community/junior colleges or four-year institutions, contingent on financial need. The program targets low-income students (eligible for free/reduced lunch) and mandates annual reporting to the legislature on participation and outcomes.
Maddy summaryHB 1595 would have required Mississippi public schools to conduct drug tests on students in grades 6-12 who exceed allowable absences under the state's compulsory attendance law (Section 37-13-91). School districts would have needed to adopt policies making parents responsible for test costs, directing positive results to county health departments for confirmation, and referring students to mental health services. The bill also mandated confidentiality of test results (separate from school records) and allowed students to present prescription medication as an affirmative defense. This legislation died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.
Maddy summaryHB 464 creates Mississippi's Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2025, establishing a publicly funded pre-K program for children aged 4 who haven't entered kindergarten. It requires school districts to provide at least 10 hours per week of pre-K education for 35 weeks annually, allowing parents to choose enrollment in their local public school, another public school district, or a prequalified private provider. Private providers must meet specific quality standards, including NAEYC accreditation, teacher qualifications, 1:10 adult-to-child ratios, and use of state-approved curricula and assessments. The program will be jointly administered by the State Board of Education and the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, with annual reports required for legislative review.
Maddy summaryHB 29, the Mississippi Fair Housing Act, prohibits discrimination in housing and real estate transactions based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status. It bans practices like refusing to sell or rent property, discriminatory advertising, and denying financing to protected groups, while voiding discriminatory conditions on property ownership. The law includes limited exceptions for small owner-occupied rentals (e.g., duplexes with owner residency) and religious organizations operating housing for members of their faith. It also protects individuals who oppose discrimination from retaliation by landlords, brokers, or lenders.
Maddy summaryHB 279 changes Mississippi's school enrollment rules to allow children who turn six on or before December 31 to begin first grade at the start of the school year in which they turn six. This directly affects Mississippi families with children born between January 1 and December 31, enabling them to enroll their child in first grade during the fall semester rather than waiting until the following year. The bill amends two sections of state law: it updates Section 37-15-9 (enrollment rules) and expands the definition of "compulsory-school-age child" in Section 37-13-91 to include these children. The key change is extending the age cutoff for first-grade enrollment from September 1 to December 31.
Maddy summaryHB 372 creates Mississippi's "High School Dropout Prevention Act of 2025," targeting school districts with the lowest graduation rates. It requires the State Department of Education to develop specific interventions for at-risk students - including early math support, dual enrollment programs, and specialized services for foster youth, English learners, and students with disabilities - and track data like suspension rates and Algebra I failures. The bill also restricts 17-year-olds from withdrawing from school without written agreements documenting hardship, illness, or court orders, plus requires warnings about reduced future earnings. These measures aim to improve graduation rates through targeted support and data-driven program adjustments, effective July 1, 2025.