Sen. Kevin Blackwell

Maddy summarySB 2545 aimed to update Mississippi's nursing practice law to better integrate advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse anesthetists. Key provisions included exempting nurse anesthetists with 8,000+ clinical hours from needing a collaborative relationship with a physician, revising definitions of advanced nursing practice, adding a nurse anesthetist to the Board of Nursing, and updating disciplinary rules to include APRNs. The bill also allowed retroactive credit for clinical hours toward the 8,000-hour requirement. However, it died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2539, a proposed Mississippi bill that died in committee in February 2026, would have granted the State Department of Health authority to direct medical air transport flights during specific health emergencies. It would have required the health department to coordinate air traffic for hospital transfers if ICU bed availability dropped below 10% during flu season (October 1-March 1 or designated periods) or at any time for burn victims requiring urgent transfer. The bill aimed to prevent delays threatening patient safety by enabling health officials to override standard air traffic protocols. It was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, but never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2547 is a procedural bill that reorganizes Mississippi's existing healthcare certificate of need law by splitting Section 41-7-191 into nine new, separate code sections (41-7-191.1 through 41-7-191.9). It does not change any substantive requirements for healthcare facilities - such as needing approval for new construction, bed count changes, or specific services like open-heart surgery - but instead clarifies the law's structure. The bill directly affects healthcare providers and facilities operating under Mississippi's certificate of need regulations. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2550 would revise Mississippi's rules for dental hygienists practicing under "general supervision" (where a dentist isn't physically present during treatment). It allows hygienists to provide noninvasive services like cleanings and fluoride treatments in nursing homes, senior facilities, and correctional settings - up to four consecutive visits per patient (previously limited to two) - and requires updated CPR certification and emergency training. The bill also sets a 5-year experience requirement (6,000 hours) for hygienists and prohibits charging exam fees during these visits. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2546 extends the validity of medical cannabis certifications from 12 to 24 months for patients with debilitating conditions and increases registry ID card expiration periods: from one year to two years for Mississippi residents, and from 15 days to 90 days for non-residents. The bill removes the requirement for an in-person follow-up visit after certification, allowing practitioners to request follow-ups at their discretion. It directly affects qualifying medical cannabis patients in Mississippi by reducing administrative burdens related to certification renewals and card validity. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2644 would cap fees homeowners associations can charge for issuing estoppel certificates - documents verifying a homeowner's paid assessments. Associations could charge up to $200 if no dues are overdue, or $100 if dues are delinquent, and must provide the certificate within 10 business days. The bill also sets specific content requirements for these certificates and prohibits additional fees for amendments. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2674 requires Mississippi Medicaid to reimburse hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities for outpatient vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) surgical implant procedures. The bill mandates specific reimbursement rates for these procedures and requires managed care organizations to comply with these rates in their contracts. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries needing VNS treatment (typically for epilepsy or depression) and healthcare providers performing these surgeries. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2757, the "Protecting Disabled Citizen Choice in Residential Access Act," ensures people with disabilities can live in single-family neighborhoods by requiring counties and municipalities to allow supervised living services homes (for up to four people with disabilities) in any area where single-family homes are permitted. The bill prohibits local zoning rules from banning these homes or applying stricter regulations than those for standard single-family dwellings, while mandating that such homes be certified by Mississippi's Department of Mental Health. It also sets placement criteria, requiring Department evaluation for suitability and excluding individuals in community corrections, on felony parole, or in state mental institutions under specific circumstances. This law directly affects people with disabilities seeking housing, local governments with zoning authority, and certified providers of supervised residential services.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 2), not a policy bill. It formally commends and congratulates the 2025 Jackson Academy Raider Football Team and Head Coach David Duggan for winning the MAIS 4A Division 1 State Championship. The resolution describes their championship game victory, key players, and team achievements without creating any new laws or funding. As a purely symbolic gesture, it has no direct policy impact or effect on any individuals or programs beyond expressing official recognition.