Sen. Bradford Blackmon

Maddy summarySB 2065 authorizes Mississippi public school districts to hire licensed social workers and psychologists to provide student services, with districts meeting a 1:1,000 student-to-staff ratio eligible for 50% state reimbursement of their salaries. School boards set compensation, and the State Department of Education would reimburse eligible districts after application. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting school districts and their students by increasing access to mental health support. It focuses on concrete funding mechanics rather than outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 2051 would restore voting rights to Mississippi residents convicted of certain crimes (listed in the state constitution) once they complete their full sentence, including incarceration, probation, and parole. It directly affects people with past felony convictions who have finished their court-ordered sentences. The bill amends election laws to remove barriers to voter registration and participation, ensuring those who have completed sentences can register and vote without special approval. The legislation would have updated registration rules in Sections 23-15-11, 23-15-19, and 23-15-47 of Mississippi law. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2083 would allow Mississippi courts to review and potentially reduce criminal sentences deemed unnecessarily harsh, primarily affecting inmates serving long felony sentences (10+ years) who have served at least one-third of their term and meet specific eligibility criteria (e.g., not currently serving a violent offense sentence). The bill establishes a process where defendants can file motions for sentence modification based on rehabilitation progress, medical conditions, and successful participation in prison programs, with courts required to consider public safety and reintegration. Crucially, it prohibits defendants from waiving this right in plea agreements and mandates that motions be reviewed by the original sentencing judge. The bill died in committee in 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2064 requires Mississippi charter schools to compile and publicly release the same data as traditional public schools, including student performance metrics and school report card information. This bill directly affects charter schools by mandating transparency in the same data reporting that noncharter public schools must provide under existing law (specifically referencing Section 37-11-18.1 on the Mississippi Report Card). The key provision amends Mississippi Code §37-28-45 to remove an exemption allowing charter schools to avoid these reporting requirements. The bill would have required charter schools to share data on student achievement, graduation rates, and other metrics currently published by public school districts. Note: SB 2064 died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2085 would change Mississippi law to treat possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana as a civil penalty (a fine) instead of a criminal offense, removing the possibility of jail time for this amount. It also eliminates the option for courts to impose jail sentences for second convictions involving small amounts of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids (10 grams or less). Funds from these civil penalties would be directed to the local municipality or county where the fine was issued. The bill specifically targets low-level possession offenses, reducing criminal penalties for small quantities while redirecting penalty revenue to local governments.

Maddy summarySB 2084 amends Mississippi's sex offender registration law to require registration for individuals convicted of incest. It adds "incest" (specifically under Section 97-29-5) to the list of offenses that trigger mandatory registration under the state's sex offender registry. This change directly affects people convicted of incest in Mississippi or other jurisdictions, requiring them to register with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The bill does not alter existing registration requirements or penalties but expands which offenses qualify as "sex offenses" under the registry law.

Maddy summarySB 2088, titled the "Contraception Begins at Erection Act," would prohibit discharging genetic material (e.g., sperm) without the intent to fertilize an egg, imposing fines of $1,000 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second, and $10,000 for subsequent offenses. The fines would be paid to the woman whose egg was fertilized as a result of the act. Exceptions include using contraceptives (defined broadly to cover methods like condoms, birth control pills, and IUDs) or donating genetic material for future fertilization. The bill was introduced in 2026 but died in committee.

Maddy summarySB 2087, the "Mississippi Mandatory Bond Review Law," would have required courts to implement specific timelines for reviewing pretrial detention in Mississippi. It mandated an initial bond hearing within 72 hours of arrest, a first bond review within 14 days of detention, and subsequent reviews every 45 days for individuals held in custody. The bill required courts to consider specific factors (like flight risk and danger to the community) and created a presumption of release unless the court documented specific reasons for continued detention. Defense attorneys would have been notified and allowed to participate in all reviews, with written justifications required when bond was denied or not reduced. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2086 would require all Mississippi law enforcement agencies to create and publicly post a written policy by September 2026 that generally prohibits officers from wearing masks covering their face during routine duties, except in specific, limited situations like undercover operations, tactical safety needs, or health-related circumstances. The policy must emphasize transparency and accountability, banning opaque masks unless no alternative exists and the necessity is documented. Violating this rule could result in fines or misdemeanor charges, though clear face shields and medical masks (e.g., for disease protection) are permitted. This bill directly affects all local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies operating in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2055, the "Motor Voter Registration Act," would have allowed Mississippi residents to register to vote or update their registration when applying for, renewing, or changing the address on a driver's license or state ID card. It required the Department of Public Safety to collect specific voter registration details (like name, address, and date of birth) during these transactions and forward completed applications to county election officials, unless the applicant opted out. The bill included an opt-out procedure, ensured data confidentiality, and allowed automatic updates to existing registrations or address changes. The bill was referred to the Elections Committee but died there on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.