Rep. Omeria Scott

Maddy summaryHB 865 would reclassify kratom as a Schedule III controlled substance under Mississippi's Uniform Controlled Substances Law, removing it from its current unregulated status. This change would allow kratom to be prescribed by doctors for medical use (as Schedule III substances have accepted medical uses) while still requiring prescriptions and regulating its distribution. The bill directly affects Mississippi residents who use kratom, pharmacies dispensing it, and law enforcement handling related cases. Note: The bill title incorrectly references marijuana; this bill specifically addresses kratom, not cannabis.

Maddy summaryHB 182 prohibits all Mississippi law enforcement officers from using, possessing, or deploying tasers or stun guns in their official duties, effective July 1, 2026. It requires law enforcement agencies to remove all such devices from active service by June 30, 2026, and transfer them to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for destruction or redistribution. Violations could result in officer suspension/termination or agency fines up to $10,000 per incident. The bill, which amended Section 97-37-1 of Mississippi Code to explicitly ban officer use of these devices, died in committee on February 3, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 170 would require school attendance officers to file a youth court petition after a student's third unexcused absence from school. The youth court could then order the student to complete 16 hours of community service within 30 days of being adjudicated. This bill directly affects Mississippi students aged 6-17 who repeatedly miss school without valid reasons (such as illness, authorized activities, or health orders). The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not advance.

Maddy summaryHB 154 creates Mississippi's College and Career Readiness Planning Program, requiring public schools to administer pre-ACT assessments (EXPLORE for 8th graders and PLAN/PSAT for 10th graders) starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates schools use these results to guide student course selection, college planning, and improve academic readiness, aiming to reduce college remediation needs. Data from the assessments will be collected by the State Department of Education to track progress on reducing remediation rates and inform school improvement. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, so these requirements have not taken effect.

Maddy summaryHB 176 would have required Mississippi public school districts to implement drug testing for students in grades 6-12 who receive in-school or out-of-school suspensions for disciplinary reasons. The bill mandated that schools adopt policies requiring parents to pay for the tests (administered by county health departments within 72 hours), with positive results triggering mental health referrals while maintaining confidentiality. It included provisions for students to present evidence of prescription medication as a defense and required school districts to provide counseling resources. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 171 requires all Mississippi 11th graders to take the GED or High School Equivalency Test before the end of their 11th-grade year. Students scoring below grade level on this test would lose eligibility for senior early release privileges (leaving school early during regular hours after finishing classes). The bill, which died in committee in 2026, aims to ensure academic readiness before granting senior benefits. It directly affects 11th-grade students in Mississippi public schools who seek early release privileges.

Maddy summaryHB 177 would have increased annual pay for Mississippi state employees based on their current salary brackets, effective July 1, 2026. Employees earning under $25,000 would receive a $2,500 raise, those between $25,000-$35,000 would get $1,500, those between $35,000-$50,000 would get $1,000, and those over $50,000 would get $500. The bill included two key limits: no employee could exceed their agency head’s pay, and the State Personnel Board would adjust job classifications if raises would push salaries beyond standard pay scales. It required legislative funding and died in committee in February 2026, so it never took effect.

Maddy summaryHB 157 would have required all Mississippi public school students in Grade 9 to take a comprehensive Mississippi History course covering the state's history from colonization to the present. The bill mandated specific curriculum content, including emphasis on 19th- and 20th-century political, social, economic, and cultural issues affecting Mississippi's diverse populations. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not become law. It directly affected all public high school 9th graders in Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 79, the "Mississippi Midwifery License Law," establishes a state licensing system for professional midwives practicing in community settings. It requires midwives to obtain a license from the newly created Mississippi State Board of Licensed Midwifery, defines their scope of practice (including antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care), and mandates that health insurance plans covering maternity benefits must also cover services provided by licensed midwives. The bill directly affects midwives seeking to practice legally, insurance companies, and patients seeking midwifery care, while exempting certified nurse midwives already regulated under separate medical licensing. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 192 requires Mississippi public schools to provide 20 hours annually of "healthy living" instruction for grades 9-12, focusing on nutrition, exercise, and behavior choices. This includes mandatory CPR/AED training using approved programs (like American Heart Association materials) starting with the 2015-16 ninth-grade class. Schools must adopt wellness plans promoting physical activity, healthy eating, and tobacco/drug avoidance, with local health councils advising on curriculum. The bill also establishes a state physical activity coordinator role with specific qualifications to support implementation.