Sen. Theresa Gillespie Isom

Maddy summarySB 2543 enacts Mississippi's participation in the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, allowing dentists and dental hygienists to practice across participating states more easily. The bill creates a shared system where licensees pass a uniform national exam (ADEX) and maintain one set of documents for streamlined licensure in multiple states, eliminating duplicate fees. It specifically waives application fees for military members and their spouses seeking licensure in new states. Each participating state retains full authority to regulate dental practice within its borders while sharing information to protect public safety.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Milton Williams, Jr. for receiving the Northern Region Special Agent Citation. It recognizes his law enforcement career and community leadership, including founding the nonprofit organizations Men United and Women United to support youth in the Mississippi Delta. The resolution also highlights his family legacy in law enforcement and his service as a mentor and public servant. This is a ceremonial document that does not create new laws or change policy.

Maddy summarySB 2018 creates the Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program, which reimburses actively drilling Mississippi National Guard members for their Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The program applies to members eligible for Tricare Reserve Select coverage who are not covered by another employer, with reimbursements paid at the current "Tricare Reserve Select - Member only" rate. The Adjutant General administers the program, requiring legislative funding each year and annual reports starting in 2026 to assess its impact on medical readiness and participation. This policy directly affects National Guard members by reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, aiming to support retention and readiness.

Maddy summarySB 2032 amends Mississippi's child support guidelines to require courts to factor in the cost of health insurance coverage obtained by the noncustodial parent when calculating child support payments. If a court orders the noncustodial parent to provide health insurance for a child, the cost of that coverage must be subtracted from the parent's adjusted gross income before determining the support amount. This change directly affects noncustodial parents and Mississippi courts handling child support cases, ensuring health insurance costs are considered in the calculation. The bill does not alter existing child support percentage guidelines but adds a specific adjustment for health insurance expenses when applicable.

Maddy summarySB 2003 shortens the waiting period for retired Mississippi educators to return to teaching from 90 to 45 days. It removes requirements that retirees must have a minimum service history, teach only in districts with critical shortages, or work only in specific subject areas. The bill also sets a 65% cap on salary for returning retirees, adjusts pension liability payments, and allows school districts to cover health insurance premiums for these educators using local funds. These changes directly affect retired teachers seeking to return to classroom roles in Mississippi public schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the minimum salary for Mississippi public school teachers and assistant teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year, establishing specific pay scales based on experience and license type (e.g., $43,500 for entry-level teachers with certain licenses). It requires school districts to maintain or increase local supplements and not pay assistant teachers below the state minimum salary, with potential funding reductions for violations. Additionally, the bill mandates a $2,000 annual salary increase for all full-time faculty at Mississippi's state colleges and universities.

Maddy summarySB 2367 prohibits health insurance plans in Mississippi from requiring metastatic cancer patients to fail or prove failure on other drugs before accessing FDA-approved treatments for advanced cancer. It directly affects patients with advanced, metastatic cancer and their insurers by eliminating step therapy barriers for covered prescription drugs. The law applies only to drugs consistent with medical best practices, supported by evidence-based research, and approved by the FDA. This change ensures patients can receive necessary treatments without unnecessary delays imposed by prior authorization requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2243, the "Don Triplett Act," creates a new Office of the Ombudsman for Parental Assistance within Mississippi's State Department of Education. This office directly helps parents, teachers, and school stakeholders resolve disputes with schools or districts by investigating complaints, mediating conflicts, and tracking systemic issues. Key provisions include requiring the ombudsman to have specific education/experience qualifications, mandating confidentiality for communications (exempting records from public disclosure), and authorizing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The office will operate independently, accepting grants for support, and must be implemented by December 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2732 requires Mississippi consumer reporting agencies to place a free security freeze on a child’s credit report upon request from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The bill directs health care facilities to provide parents with a form (at their discretion) to authorize this freeze within 10 days of a child’s birth. This applies only to children born in Mississippi health care facilities, creating a new procedure to block access to a child’s credit report before identity theft could occur. The law uses existing federal credit freeze rules (15 USC § 1681c-1) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2886 requires licensed nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and correctional facilities in Mississippi to maintain a fully operational emergency power source with enough fuel to run for at least five days. This power must support medical devices like oxygen machines and maintain comfortable temperatures for residents during outages. The State Department of Health will create these rules and conduct unannounced inspections to ensure compliance, giving facilities 60 days to meet the new standards after rules are finalized. The bill directly affects all such facilities operating under Mississippi's licensing system.