Rep. Omeria Scott

Maddy summaryHB 1525 allows Mississippi counties to join group purchasing programs run by the Mississippi Association of Supervisors (MAS) for supplies, commodities, and equipment. County boards of supervisors can authorize participation via resolution if they determine it would promote economy, efficiency, or effectiveness in county operations. Purchases made through MAS programs are exempt from standard procurement rules in Sections 31-7-12 and 31-7-13 of Mississippi law. This bill directly affects all Mississippi counties seeking to use MAS’s group purchasing system for non-competitive procurement.

Maddy summaryHB 1678 establishes the Mississippi Youth and Family Systems Coordination Task Force to develop coordinated, research-based strategies for improving youth outcomes in juvenile justice and behavioral health systems. The task force, composed of 24 members including at least 12 youth or individuals with lived experience, will meet monthly and submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature starting December 1, 2027. It operates solely as an advisory body without regulatory authority, and the Department of Mental Health will provide administrative support. The bill does not change existing laws governing Youth Courts or state agency responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 430 requires Mississippi health insurers and group health plans to cover genetic testing for inherited cancer mutations (for people with personal or family cancer history) and evidence-based cancer imaging (for those at increased risk, per NCCN guidelines), with no out-of-pocket costs. It directly affects individuals at higher cancer risk who would otherwise face deductibles or copays for these preventive services. The bill mandates coverage for services recommended by healthcare providers and aligns with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) clinical guidelines. It also updates state employee health plan requirements under Section 25-15-9 of Mississippi law.

Maddy summaryHB 1553 names Alcorn State University's biotechnology building at 1000 ASU Drive in Lorman, Mississippi, as the "Willie L. Simmons Biotechnology Building." The bill requires the Department of Finance and Administration to create a plaque detailing Willie L. Simmons' contributions to Alcorn State University and Mississippi, and to install official signage on the building's exterior. This is a commemorative resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1694 revises the composition of the Inmate Welfare Fund Committee by adding the chairpersons of the House and Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committees as nonvoting members. The committee, which oversees the Inmate Welfare Fund used for inmate welfare programs like benefits and services, now includes these four new nonvoting members (the two Corrections Committee chairs and two Accountability Committee chairs) alongside existing members. The bill does not change the committee's requirement to meet at least quarterly or the fund's existing purpose of using inmate telephone commissions and other revenues.

Maddy summaryHB 28 allows Mississippi offenders on probation or parole to earn up to 30 days off their supervision term for every 30 days participating in approved faith-based or faith-based sponsored activities. It directly affects individuals under the state's probation, parole, or intensive supervision programs who complete qualifying faith-based activities. To qualify, offenders must provide monthly verification from a faith organization's leader, and credits will be applied within 30 days of the reporting month. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and adds this pathway to the existing earned-discharge program without changing eligibility for other credit types.

Maddy summaryHB 788 modifies Mississippi's election rules to allow voters who are not registered in the jurisdiction they are voting in (but are otherwise eligible) to cast an affidavit ballot. This ballot will be used as their official voter registration, adding them to the statewide voter rolls as if they had completed a standard registration form. The bill also allows the affidavit ballot to serve as a written request to transfer voting precincts or wards, and automatically reactivates voters who were placed on inactive status (due to a confirmation notice) after they cast such a ballot. These changes aim to streamline voter registration and address common issues at polling places.

Maddy summaryHB 424 authorizes assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) as a court-ordered alternative to hospitalization for Mississippi residents with serious mental illness who have a history of treatment non-adherence leading to hospitalization, arrest, or risk of harm. It requires courts to make specific findings before approving AOT, including evidence of a pattern of non-adherence, the individual’s ability to live safely with supervision, and the likelihood of benefit from outpatient care. Key provisions include a 90-day initial AOT order (renewable for up to 180 days each, max 12 months total), mandatory 60-day treatment plan updates, guaranteed legal representation for respondents, and county responsibility for community coordination and transportation services. The bill aims to provide structured outpatient support while prioritizing the least restrictive environment and public safety.

Maddy summaryHB 1320 allows Mississippi local school boards to provide bus transportation to students living within one mile of their assigned school if documented safety risks exist, such as lack of sidewalks, dangerous road crossings, or high-crime areas. It does not change the standard rule requiring transportation for students living more than one mile away. School boards must determine these safety risks themselves, and no state funds can be used for this transportation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to students living within one mile who face specific, documented safety hazards.

Maddy summaryHB 513 redirects 12.5% of annual fees and tax revenues collected under Mississippi's Medical Cannabis Act into the Mississippi Public Health Trust Fund for four years, ending July 1, 2030. The bill specifies that this amount equals the previous year's total cannabis revenue minus funds allocated for program administration. The remainder of these revenues continues to go to the State General Fund. This policy change directly affects how cannabis program funding is distributed, prioritizing public health initiatives during the four-year period.