Maddy summaryHB 888 updates Mississippi's Burn Care Fund by expanding eligible recipients to include Baptist Medical Center and burn centers affiliated with Level I trauma centers, while removing the University of Mississippi Medical Center as a designated recipient. It increases the fee for distinctive license tags from $1.00 to $2.50 per tag or plate, and adds a $0.50 fee for commercial vehicle decals, with all new proceeds deposited into the Burn Care Fund. These changes direct funding toward specific burn care facilities within Mississippi's trauma system, shifting support from the University of Mississippi Medical Center to Baptist Medical Center and Level I-affiliated centers. The bill does not create new facilities but alters how existing funds are distributed. The fee increases take effect for vehicle registrations starting in 2025.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 928 requires all Mississippi hospitals with emergency departments to have at least one qualified healthcare provider (physician, advanced nurse, or nurse practitioner) on duty during every shift who can conduct forensic exams and prepare evidence kits for sexual assault victims. The bill prohibits hospitals from refusing treatment to sexual assault victims and mandates they maintain sufficient evidence kits. It also specifies storage requirements for evidence kits in separate refrigeration units and allows hospitals to contract with forensic nurses for these services. This bill directly affects hospitals operating ERs and ensures timely, specialized medical care for sexual assault survivors in emergency settings.
Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.
Maddy summaryThis bill would have updated Mississippi's rules for fantasy sports contests by clarifying the definition of "fantasy contest" (based on athlete statistics, not team scores) and adding new requirements for businesses operating them. Key provisions include restricting entries per player based on contest size (e.g., 1 entry for small contests, up to 3% for large ones), banning contests tied to youth/collegiate sports, mandating transparency about median winnings, and requiring businesses to protect player funds. It would have directly affected fantasy contest businesses and players in Mississippi. However, the bill died in committee on February 13, 2025, and did not become law.
Maddy summaryHB 875 would require businesses offering automatic renewals (such as streaming services, gym memberships, or subscription boxes) to clearly explain renewal terms before purchase, obtain explicit consent before charging, and provide an easy online cancellation method. Businesses must send advance notices for trials or price changes, include a prominent cancellation link or email option, and avoid obstructing cancellation with extra steps. This bill directly affects consumers in Mississippi who use subscription services and businesses selling those services. It aims to prevent surprise charges and make canceling subscriptions as simple as signing up. (Note: The bill died on the calendar in February 2025 and did not become law.)
Maddy summaryHB 873 would establish a state program requiring the Mississippi Department of Health to screen and approve the over-the-counter and retail sale of products containing substances with potential for recreational use or abuse, such as bath salts, kratom, and tianeptine. The State Health Officer would decide whether to allow such products to be sold based on available evidence, and manufacturers could appeal denials to the State Board of Health within 30 days. The bill ensures existing local ordinances restricting these products remain in effect and does not affect other state or federal regulations.
Maddy summaryHB 874 authorizes mobile sports wagering in Mississippi by defining "digital platform" as entities operating sports pools online via websites or mobile devices. It revises gaming laws to allow licensed operators to use these platforms, removes prohibitions on fantasy contests based on collegiate sports, and adjusts license fees based on platform revenue. The bill directly affects licensed gaming operators and mobile sports betting companies seeking to offer these services. It creates a legal framework for online sports wagering while updating existing definitions and fee structures in Mississippi's gaming code.
Maddy summaryHB 889 creates the "Mississippi Indigent Burn Care Support Fund" to reimburse hospitals for burn care provided to uninsured or underinsured Mississippi residents. It adds a $2 fee to distinctive vehicle license tags starting July 2025, with all proceeds deposited into this fund. The fund will cover costs for Mississippians treated at in-state burn centers and out-of-state burn centers affiliated with Level I trauma centers in Mississippi. This policy directly affects all vehicle owners purchasing specialty license tags and ensures hospitals receive reimbursement for uncompensated burn care.
Maddy summaryHB 1122 would classify kratom as a Schedule III controlled substance under Mississippi law, adding it to the state's list of regulated drugs. This change would subject kratom products to the same legal restrictions as other Schedule III substances, such as requiring prescriptions for medical use and imposing penalties for unauthorized possession or distribution. The bill directly affects Mississippi residents who use, sell, or distribute kratom products, as it would make their use subject to state drug laws. The key mechanism is amending Section 41-29-117 of Mississippi's Code to include kratom in Schedule III's list of controlled substances. This is a regulatory classification change, not a prohibition.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the time limit for filing criminal charges related to sexual battery against vulnerable individuals. It directly affects prosecutors and victims by allowing them more time to report these specific crimes than previously permitted. The key provision extends the statute of limitations, which is the legal deadline for initiating a prosecution, to ensure cases can be pursued even if significant time has passed since the incident occurred. This change aims to provide greater opportunities for justice in cases involving vulnerable populations without altering other aspects of the law.