Rep. Daryl Porter

Maddy summaryHB 1101 requires foster parents in Mississippi to submit detailed monthly expense reports to the Department of Child Protection Services (DCPS) documenting all costs related to a foster child's care, such as food, clothing, and medical expenses. This bill directly affects foster parents caring for children under DCPS custody, mandating regular financial transparency. The key mechanism replaces current reporting practices with a standardized monthly requirement to ensure clear documentation of expenditures. The bill aimed to improve accountability in foster care funding but died in committee on February 4, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 87 would restore voting rights in Mississippi to individuals convicted of certain crimes upon completion of their full sentence, including incarceration, probation, and parole. The bill requires election officials to automatically reinstate voter registration for these individuals through electronic verification systems and mandates the Secretary of State to provide public resources explaining which crimes disqualify voters and the criteria for reinstatement. It directly affects people with past convictions who have finished their sentences but were previously barred from voting. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 574 establishes the Mississippi Community Schools Grant Program, providing funding to school districts approved as "districts of innovation" to develop community schools. These schools partner with community organizations to offer integrated health services, extended learning programs, and family engagement opportunities - such as after-school activities, mental health support, and adult education - while operating under state education department oversight. The grant distributes a minimum $200,000 per eligible district, plus additional funds based on student enrollment and free lunch eligibility, with all funding subject to legislative appropriation. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and remains unenacted.

Maddy summaryHB 82 requires licensed child care facilities in Mississippi to purchase and maintain at least $300,000 in liability insurance per incident and $500,000 in total coverage annually. This applies to most licensed facilities, but tax-exempt child care providers are exempt from the insurance requirement. Facilities must submit proof of insurance to the licensing agency each year, and failure to comply could lead to license denial or suspension under existing regulations. The bill directly affects licensed child care operators by adding a financial safeguard requirement, aimed at protecting children and families during care.

Maddy summaryHB 80 would allow Mississippi courts to skip appointing a conservator for minors receiving settlement funds, instead authorizing the person presenting the settlement (the petitioner) to manage the funds directly. The court must verify the settlement is fair, in the minor's best interest, and that a plan exists for the funds, while requiring the petitioner to use money only for the minor's support, education, health, and welfare. The petitioner cannot personally benefit from the funds except for necessary expenses, and any unused portion must be preserved for the minor's future or transferred at adulthood. This streamlines the process for minor settlements without standard conservatorship oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending Mississippi's constitution to adjust the signature requirements for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. It directly affects individuals or groups gathering signatures to place constitutional initiatives on the ballot. The key change updates Section 273 to require that signatures from any single congressional district cannot exceed the total required signatures divided by the *current* number of congressional districts at the time the petition is filed. This ensures the signature quota per district automatically aligns with the actual number of districts, avoiding outdated calculations from past redistricting.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 requires youth court informal adjustment counselors in Mississippi to obtain specific background information from a child's school before holding adjustment conferences. This includes family background, education records, prior services, and trauma-informed strategies. The bill directly affects youth court counselors, school personnel, and families involved in youth court cases. It aims to provide counselors with more comprehensive information to inform the informal adjustment process, which avoids formal court charges. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 577 authorizes Mississippi counties and municipalities to contract with other states for housing and care of juvenile offenders when local detention facilities reach capacity. It directly affects youth aged 10-18 who committed non-violent delinquent acts (not escapees or those facing life/death charges) and requires contracted facilities to meet American Correctional Association Standards and Mississippi's juvenile detention requirements. The bill mandates that juveniles housed out-of-state remain under Mississippi's court jurisdiction and references the Interstate Compact for Juveniles to govern such placements. This policy change would allow temporary out-of-state placement as a capacity solution, not a permanent shift in juvenile justice responsibility.

Maddy summaryHB 365, the "CROWN Act," would prohibit Mississippi employers and schools from banning natural hairstyles like afros, braids, twists, or locs in workplace or school policies. It bans discrimination in pay, promotions, discipline, or termination based on hair texture, specifically protecting Black and minority employees and students from unequal treatment. The bill allows affected individuals to file lawsuits seeking unpaid wages, damages, and attorney fees for violations. It aims to eliminate policies that disproportionately impact people of color by requiring inclusive dress codes and enforcement of equal treatment.

Maddy summaryHB 73 would require Mississippi driver's licenses, renewals, or permits to display a special designation for licensed firearm holders. Specifically, it would mandate that the state's driver's license department add "CCP" (for concealed carry permit) or "EHP" (for enhanced firearm endorsement) to licenses of individuals legally permitted to carry firearms under state law. This would apply to anyone presenting a valid concealed carry permit (Section 45-9-101) or firearm permit (Section 97-37-7(2)) when applying for or renewing their license. The bill would not change firearm laws but would add a visible identifier on licenses for those who legally carry concealed weapons.