Rep. Omeria Scott

Maddy summaryHB 353 requires Mississippi's State Department of Mental Health (DMH) to convert 500 unused beds at intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) facilities into beds for alcohol and drug use prevention and treatment services. The bill directly affects the DMH, mandating it to repurpose beds not currently serving IDD patients. Key provisions include the specific conversion of 500 beds at IDD facilities to provide substance use treatment, with no new funding or facilities required. This policy change aims to redirect existing capacity toward addressing substance use disorders, benefiting individuals seeking treatment for alcohol or drug use.

Maddy summaryHB 520 would allow Mississippi parolees and probationers to earn up to 30 days off their supervision term for every 30 days participating in faith-based or faith-based sponsored activities. To qualify, offenders must have a faith organization leader submit a monthly participation report by the 15th of each month. This bill modifies existing earned-discharge rules to replace traditional compliance requirements with faith-based activity participation as a pathway to early termination of supervision. The bill was referred to the Corrections committee but died there on February 4, 2025, and never advanced further.

Maddy summaryHB 460 provides state funding for additional assistant teachers in Mississippi school districts rated "C," "D," or "F" (the lowest performance categories). It requires these districts to implement reading improvement programs and annual training for staff, with assistant teachers needing at least a high school diploma and proficiency in reading/writing. The bill mandates a minimum annual salary of $17,000 for assistant teachers and sets requirements for their classroom supervision and program evaluation. This policy directly affects low-performing school districts by increasing support staff for early-grade instruction.

Maddy summaryHB 30 reclassifies first-time simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana or 10 grams or less of synthetic cannabinoids from a criminal offense to a civil offense in Mississippi. This means individuals caught with these small amounts would face civil penalties like fines instead of criminal charges that could lead to jail time or a criminal record. The bill specifically targets these smallest quantities and does not change penalties for larger amounts or other controlled substances. It directly affects first-time offenders in Mississippi for these specific small amounts of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids.

Maddy summaryHB 194 requires Mississippi state agencies to publish detailed specifications for reverse auctions used in procurement. Specifically, agencies must post these specifications on their website for 30 days before the auction and in a local newspaper for three consecutive weeks. This applies to purchases over $75,000, aiming to increase transparency for businesses bidding on state contracts. The bill does not change procurement outcomes but mandates clearer pre-auction disclosure requirements for vendors.

Maddy summaryHB 28 allows first-time voters in Mississippi to register online using a secure state website. It requires applicants to provide a valid Mississippi driver's license or photo ID number, which the system verifies against Department of Public Safety records for name, date of birth, and citizenship. The bill affects Mississippi residents who are new to voter registration and need to use online tools instead of paper forms. It also updates election laws to require the Secretary of State and DMV to share data securely and handle rejected applications similarly to paper submissions.

Maddy summaryHB 286 allocates state funds through Mississippi's student funding formula to employ elementary professional school counselors in school districts with the highest documented need, prioritizing those with low accreditation, high crime/violence rates, free lunch participation, and dropout rates. It requires districts to hire at least one counselor per elementary school, with additional annual funding until every elementary school has one, maintaining a minimum 1:500 counselor-to-student ratio. The bill mandates that counselors spend at least 80% of their time providing direct student services like academic counseling, crisis intervention, and career planning, while limiting administrative duties to 20% of their workday. This policy directly affects Mississippi's elementary school districts, particularly those serving high-need communities, by requiring state-funded counselor positions based on specific equity metrics.

Maddy summaryHB 36 would allow Mississippi counties and municipalities to create summer youth work programs that employ high school students aged 16-19 in community-based jobs. Programs must list available positions by March 1 each year, including details like job duties, hours, and pay (at least minimum wage), and prioritize students from households with the greatest financial need when applications exceed openings. Counties and municipalities could use public or private funding to cover program costs and student wages, and would require parental consent and liability waivers from participants. The bill aims to connect unemployed youth with productive summer work opportunities while supporting community services like parks, recreation, and local nonprofits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires unemployed SNAP and TANF recipients aged 18+ to take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). If they score below 12th-grade level in any subject, they must enroll in a community college remedial program for those deficient areas and retake the TABE until they achieve the required level. The requirement applies to all such recipients who are not employed, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects Mississippi residents receiving these federal assistance programs who are not working.

Maddy summaryHB 311 requires all Mississippi public middle schools to establish programs preparing students for either college or career paths. For college-bound students, schools must provide coursework meeting minimum college entrance requirements. For career-focused students, programs must teach applied skills, industry certifications, and workplace readiness through partnerships with community colleges or career centers. Schools implementing STEM-focused programs with integrated academic and career training qualify for additional state funding starting July 2025. The bill directly affects middle school students and school districts across Mississippi.