Rep. Becky Currie

Maddy summaryHB 1739 establishes the Corrections Overview Task Force to replace Mississippi's existing Corrections and Criminal Justice Task Force. The 13-member task force includes legislative committee chairs, department commissioners, public defender representatives, judges, parole board members, sheriffs, and advocates. It will analyze inmate death/suicide data, track past reform recommendations, study parole effectiveness and rehabilitation programs, assess sentencing standards, and prepare annual reports with findings and recommendations to the Legislature, Governor, and courts. The bill repeals the old task force's structure (Section 47-5-6) and redirects its duties to the new body.

Maddy summaryHB 1744 requires Mississippi's Department of Health and the Department of Corrections' healthcare provider to create two specific treatment programs: one for Hepatitis C and another for HIV care, exclusively for state inmates. It directly affects incarcerated individuals diagnosed with these conditions, ensuring they receive targeted medical treatment. The bill also mandates the development of a separate plan to improve health outcomes for female inmates. These provisions are concrete policy changes focused on expanding healthcare access within the state prison system, with no additional implementation details provided in the bill text.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the physician, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), or physician assistant who primarily treated a patient before death to certify the cause of death and sign the death certificate, unless the death affects public health or safety (e.g., violence, infectious disease outbreaks). It directly affects healthcare providers who provided direct medical care to the decedent. The requirement applies to routine deaths not falling under public interest categories, which would still be handled by medical examiners. The bill amends existing Mississippi law to clarify this responsibility for treating providers.

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 1692 requires Mississippi's Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to manage all requests for bids for healthcare services provided to state prison inmates. This shifts procurement responsibility from other departments to the DFA for contracts related to inmate medical care. The bill directly affects how the state procures healthcare services for incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities. It changes the administrative process for these contracts but does not alter healthcare standards or access for inmates.

Maddy summaryHB 999 establishes the Mississippi Parkinson's Disease Research Registry within the State Department of Health to track the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease and related conditions (Parkinsonisms) across the state. It requires movement disorder centers and certified healthcare providers treating these conditions to submit patient data to the registry starting January 1, 2027, with patients able to opt out of data collection. The registry will collect epidemiological data while keeping all information confidential, and the Department must make anonymized data available to approved researchers. The bill also mandates public website updates, annual reports to health committees, and requires the State Health Officer to appoint an advisory committee with patient and medical expertise to guide the registry.

Maddy summaryHB 280 exempts sales of tangible personal property or services to the Lincoln Civic Center Foundation from Mississippi's sales tax. This directly affects the Lincoln Civic Center Foundation and businesses selling to it, as these transactions will no longer be subject to state sales tax. The bill amends existing tax exemption law by adding the foundation to the list of qualifying organizations, which already includes hospitals, schools, and nonprofits.

Maddy summaryHB 281 exempts sales tax on infant formula, baby food, diapers, diaper bags, diaper rash cream, baby wipes, baby powder, and nonprescription medical items for children in Mississippi. It directly affects parents, caregivers, and retailers selling these specific products by removing the state sales tax from purchases. The bill amends Mississippi's tax code (sections 27-65-111 and 27-65-17) to add these items to the list of exempt sales. This change provides immediate cost savings for families buying essential baby and children's products. The exemption applies to retail sales only and does not cover other items or services.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House Resolution (HR 23), not a law-changing bill. It formally commends the Brookhaven High School Panthers football team and head coach Darien Dorsey for winning the 2025 MHSAA Class 5A State Championship. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses legislative recognition of their achievement through a formal statement of praise. It does not alter any laws, allocate funds, or affect any individuals beyond the named team and coach.

Maddy summaryHB 1711 modifies Mississippi's Medical Cannabis Act to streamline access for patients with caregivers. It amends Section 41-137-23 to require criminal background checks for designated caregivers only once every five years (instead of more frequently) for registry card renewals. Additionally, it amends Section 41-137-39 to allow dispensaries to sell medical cannabis directly to a registered designated caregiver on behalf of a qualifying patient without the patient needing to be present. This directly affects registered qualifying patients, their designated caregivers, and dispensaries operating under the state's medical cannabis program.