Rep. Omeria Scott

Maddy summaryHB 285 modifies Mississippi's certificate of need law to allow the State Department of Health to approve up to 60 new or converted nursing home beds in Jones County without the usual review process. It directly affects nursing facilities in Jones County seeking to expand capacity or convert existing beds to nursing home use. The key provision creates a targeted exception to the standard certificate of need requirement for this specific location and size limit. This change streamlines approval for limited expansion in a county with identified nursing home needs. The bill does not alter statewide rules, only enabling this specific 60-bed project in Jones County.

Maddy summaryHB 369 establishes the Motivating Parents and Children (M.P.A.C.) Pilot Program within Mississippi's State Department of Education to provide grants to six selected school districts (three urban, three rural) for services supporting families of compulsory-school-age children. Participating districts must offer parental involvement services like parenting classes, home-school coordinators, and community-based support programs modeled after Communities In Schools. The bill also requires parents to attend school functions in these districts and allows for driver's license suspension for students under 18 who withdraw from school, while exempting them from reinstatement fees. The program will launch in the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 467 requires Mississippi's Division of Medicaid to seek federal waivers to eliminate waiting periods for home and community-based services. It directly affects three groups: aged/disabled individuals, physically disabled residents, and those with traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. The bill directs Medicaid to use existing state and federal funds to immediately provide these services once waivers are approved, removing current delays in access. This change applies to services already authorized under Medicaid, not new benefits. The legislation focuses on streamlining access for vulnerable populations without creating new financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 521 would automatically restore voting rights for Mississippi residents convicted of vote fraud or specific crimes listed in the state constitution (Section 241) or later interpreted as disenfranchising by the Attorney General. Once individuals complete all sentencing requirements - such as fines, probation, or prison time - their voting rights would be restored without needing to apply or seek court approval. The bill amends multiple election codes to ensure these voters are automatically reinstated in the statewide voter system once sentencing is fully satisfied. This affects people previously barred from voting due to certain criminal convictions, streamlining the restoration process. The bill died in committee in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 470 creates a grant program administered by Mississippi's Department of Health to help rural hospitals access specialty doctors when a major hospital redirects patients due to capacity issues. It directly affects rural hospitals with 50 or fewer general acute beds by providing funding to cover specialty doctor services during these emergencies. The program’s funding distribution will consider hospital size, distance from major hospitals, local health demographics, and specific specialty needs. The Department of Health must establish payment rules and regulations for the program, which takes effect July 1, 2025. This is a concrete policy change to improve specialty care access in rural areas during critical hospital diversion scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 306 creates a six-week summer program called the "Health Careers Academy" at the University of Mississippi Medical Center for Mississippi public school students in grades 9-12. Eligible students must maintain a 2.25 GPA, have teacher recommendations in science/math, show good attendance, and be Mississippi residents with health insurance. The program provides full-day, hands-on instruction in science, math, and health care careers, with a stipend for participants, and uses a random selection process based on nondiscriminatory criteria. The bill establishes a trust fund to cover startup and operational costs for school districts and the medical center, aiming to increase interest in health care professions and improve academic readiness.

Maddy summaryHB 308 requires Mississippi public school teachers to include daily written and reading homework assignments and weekly vocabulary/spelling lessons in their curriculum. It directly affects all teachers in public school districts across Mississippi, mandating specific assignment types for students. School boards must ensure teachers implement these requirements, with the policy taking effect July 1, 2025. The bill specifies concrete assignment formats without altering broader educational standards or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 469 increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals in Mississippi counties meeting two criteria: an average unemployment rate of 8% or higher (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) and a critical shortage of physicians/nurses (verified by a committee). Hospitals qualifying under these conditions receive an 80% reimbursement rate for both inpatient and outpatient services - matching the Medicare rate - effective September 1, 2025, with annual adjustments. This policy directly affects eligible hospitals in designated high-need counties, aiming to support facilities struggling with workforce shortages and economic challenges. The bill amends existing Medicaid reimbursement rules without altering eligibility for beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryHB 54 would change how Mississippi calculates second or subsequent drug offense convictions. It specifies that a prior conviction counts toward "second offense" status only if it was for a separate drug incident (not related to the current case) and resulted in a sentence of one year or more. If this applies, the person could face double the maximum prison term or fines for the current offense. The bill affects individuals convicted of repeat drug offenses under specific circumstances. It died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 280 requires all Mississippi 11th-grade students to take the GED or High School Equivalency Test by year-end. Students scoring below grade level on this test lose eligibility for senior early release privileges (such as leaving school early during regular hours after finishing classes). The bill applies to all public school districts in Mississippi and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects 11th graders' ability to access specific senior privileges based on test performance, not graduation requirements.