Maddy summaryHB 371 establishes a four-year pilot program to place professional school counselors in three Mississippi school districts with high rates of teen pregnancy and school violence, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The program requires at least one counselor per school in participating districts, mandates annual evaluation of the program’s impact on reducing teen pregnancy and violence, and prohibits counselors from discussing abortion as a pregnancy prevention method. The state departments of education, health, and human services will select the districts based on specific criteria like pregnancy rates, violence statistics, and demographic factors. A final report assessing the program’s effectiveness and recommending permanent implementation must be submitted to legislative committees by January 1, 2030.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 463 allows Mississippi school districts to hire licensed social workers and psychologists to support students. School districts meeting a 1:1000 student-to-professional ratio qualify for 50% state reimbursement of their salaries through the Mississippi Department of Education. Districts must apply for reimbursement, and the state will cover half the salary cost for eligible staff. This bill directly affects public school districts and their students by increasing access to mental health services. The reimbursement program becomes effective July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 303 redirects unspent Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds from the previous fiscal year to cover education expenses and child care costs for Mississippi residents enrolled in nursing education programs as part of workforce training. The bill specifically requires that any leftover TANF funds be used first to pay for tuition, books, or other education-related costs for nursing students, as well as their child care expenses while they are in these programs. This policy directly affects low-income nursing students in Mississippi who qualify for TANF and are pursuing workforce training in nursing. The key mechanism is a mandatory reallocation of unused TANF funds to support these specific educational and family needs, rather than allowing funds to remain unspent.
Maddy summaryHB 27 removes an age restriction that previously prevented some individuals from having misdemeanor criminal records expunged in Mississippi. The bill amends Mississippi Code Section 21-23-7 to allow courts to expunge misdemeanor convictions regardless of the offender's age, directly affecting people with past misdemeanor convictions who were barred from record clearance due to age limits. Key provisions eliminate the age barrier mentioned in Section 99-19-71, enabling eligible individuals to legally respond as if they had no prior misdemeanor conviction. This change applies to all misdemeanors except traffic violations and does not affect law enforcement records or driving records.
Maddy summaryHB 25 would require Mississippi's State Department of Education to pay an additional salary supplement to licensed teachers teaching critical shortage subjects (such as math, science, or special education) in public school districts rated "D" or "F" for academic performance. This supplement would be paid on top of a teacher's regular salary, directly benefiting educators in schools facing significant staffing challenges. The bill aims to address teacher recruitment and retention in underperforming districts by providing targeted state funding for high-need subject areas.
Maddy summaryHB 26 would provide an annual $1,500 salary supplement to assistant teachers in Mississippi school districts rated "C," "D," or "F" under the state's accountability system. This supplement applies to all assistant teachers in those districts and continues even if a district later improves its rating. The bill sets a base minimum salary of $17,000 for assistant teachers, with the supplement adding $1,500 on top of that. It does not change the base salary requirement but specifically targets underperforming districts for the additional funding.
Maddy summaryHB 24 establishes Mississippi's Early Voting Act, creating a standardized 20-day early voting period (beginning 20 days before an election and ending at 5 p.m. five days before election day) for all primary, general, runoff, special, and municipal elections. Early voting must occur at county registrars' offices during regular business hours, with additional locations required for every 30,000 registered voters, and voters must present photo ID following the same procedures as election day. Early votes are counted simultaneously with election day votes and remain final, while public notice of voting hours must be posted in three locations at least eight days in advance. This bill directly affects all qualified Mississippi voters participating in statewide or local elections.
Maddy summaryHB 1793 provides $332,928 in state funding for the Mississippi State Board of Barber Examiners to cover its operational expenses for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill authorizes the hiring of four permanent staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure these funds are used only for new hires rather than salary increases or promotions for existing employees. It sets specific performance goals, such as completing 425 examinations and processing licenses within one year, while also requiring the agency to give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the board maintain detailed financial records and submit a budget report for the following year to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
Maddy summaryHB 1796 provides funding for the Mississippi State Department of Health for the fiscal year 2025, allocating money from both the State General Fund and various special funds to cover operational expenses. The bill specifies how millions of dollars will be distributed to support specific programs, including trauma care systems, maternal and child health services, tobacco control initiatives, and grants for qualified health centers. It also authorizes the creation of new permanent and time-limited positions within the department while establishing strict rules to ensure salary increases are used only for hiring new essential staff rather than raising pay for current employees.
Maddy summaryHB 1800 authorizes over $10 billion in funding for Mississippi's Division of Medicaid for the 2025 fiscal year to cover medical assistance for eligible residents and administrative costs. The bill allocates money from the State General Fund, the Medical Care Fund, and special source funds, while also permitting the use of recovered funds to offset audit expenses. Additionally, the legislation sets specific limits on hiring new staff and salary increases, requiring that general funds not be used to replace federal funding or pay for current employees' promotions. The act further mandates that the agency maintain detailed financial records and submit future budget requests with CHIP and home and community-based services separated from the main medical program. Finally, it establishes performance targets for the division, including goals for processing claims within 30 or 90 days and reducing third-party liability costs.