Sen. Kevin Blackwell

Maddy summarySB 2192 would have created a new State Board of Health Professions to coordinate Mississippi's existing health regulatory boards (like medical, pharmacy, nursing, and dental boards). The board would include representatives from each existing board, five public members appointed by the governor, and the chairs of two legislative committees. Its duties would include evaluating which health professions need regulation, resolving conflicts between boards, advising the legislature on regulatory policy, and reviewing disciplinary processes. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2194 clarifies the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners' authority to regulate dental hygienists working under dentist supervision and sets specific record retention rules. It requires dentists to keep patient records (including X-rays) for 10 years (general records) or 3 years (X-rays and images), with exceptions for minors' records. The bill directly affects dentists, dental hygienists, and the Board by defining their regulatory responsibilities. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2200 would have revised Mississippi's definition of podiatric medicine to explicitly include treatment of the foot, ankle, and related structures (such as lower leg muscles and tendons up to the tibial tubercle). It would have clarified that podiatrists - defined as physicians specializing in this field - can prescribe certain medications (excluding general/spinal anesthesia) and perform both conservative and surgical treatments for these areas. The Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure would have been required to establish rules governing podiatrists' training standards. This bill would have directly affected licensed podiatrists and their patients receiving foot/ankle care in Mississippi. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.)

Maddy summarySB 2273 would amend Mississippi law to allow removal of appointed state officers for specific willful neglect, such as ignoring court subpoenas, failing to repay misspent funds, or missing three consecutive meetings without justification. The bill establishes a process where the Governor, State Auditor, or legislature can file a complaint with the Attorney General, who would investigate and petition a court for removal after a hearing. If removed, officers would be barred from future executive branch appointments requiring gubernatorial nomination. The bill, introduced in 2026, died in committee and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2450 amends Mississippi's nursing law to exempt certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists (all advanced practice registered nurses) from needing a collaborative relationship with a physician after completing 3,600 practice hours. The bill allows these nurses to count hours worked before the law's effective date toward the 3,600-hour requirement. It also updates definitions to include advanced practice registered nurses in the law's purpose, disciplinary actions, and scope of practice provisions. This change would reduce regulatory barriers for experienced advanced practice nurses in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2448 revises Mississippi's medical licensure laws and creates a new State Board of Health Professions. It updates procedures for obtaining, renewing, and retiring medical licenses (including electronic renewal notices), clarifies disciplinary actions (like probation or fines), and requires a 30-day hearing if a physician's practice poses immediate danger. The bill excludes midwives from medical licensure rules, adds behavioral health as a grounds for license restriction, and establishes the new Board of Health Professions with public members to oversee multiple health professions. These changes directly affect physicians, medical licensing boards, and healthcare systems in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2455, titled the "Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act," focuses on administrative and operational rules for medical cannabis establishments rather than removing potency limits as its title suggests. The bill requires background checks for all medical cannabis workers, sets age and felony restrictions for employees, and mandates facility security and record-keeping procedures. It maintains a 30% THC potency limit for cannabis products but adds labeling requirements for products exceeding this threshold (e.g., "extremely potent" labels) and specifies dispensing limits (24 MMCEUs per 30 days for cardholders). The bill directly affects licensed medical cannabis businesses, their employees, and patients using the state’s medical program.

Maddy summarySB 2407 establishes a committee to examine how Mississippi allocates sales tax revenue between the state Department of Revenue and local municipalities. The committee will review current practices, assess financial impacts on cities, analyze technology for accurate distribution, and evaluate oversight mechanisms. Composed of 11 members including state officials, municipal representatives, and business leaders, it must submit recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026. The bill creates a study body with no immediate policy changes, focusing solely on gathering data and developing potential reforms.

Maddy summarySB 2438 would expand Mississippi's medical cannabis program to allow patients with specific debilitating conditions (such as chronic pain, cancer, or PTSD) to use medical cannabis when conventional treatments have been ineffective, as certified by a doctor. The bill requires a formal doctor-patient relationship involving in-person assessments, documentation, and follow-up care before authorization. It revises definitions to clarify who qualifies as a "qualifying patient" and specifies what medical cannabis products are covered. This change would directly affect patients who have exhausted standard treatment options and seek alternative medical care.

Maddy summarySB 2572 (the "Mississippi Hemp Act") would have expanded hemp regulation to include consumable hemp products (excluding beverages), transferring oversight from the Agriculture Department to the State Health Department. Key provisions included setting a 0.3% THC limit for hemp products (down from 0.5%), requiring licenses for manufacturers and retailers, imposing a 3% excise tax on consumable hemp products, mandating product labeling and testing, and prohibiting sales to minors. The bill also created a public directory of approved hemp products and required clear safety notices at retail locations. The bill was referred to the Public Health and Welfare Committee but died there on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.