Sen. Hillman Frazier

Maddy summarySB 2121 requires Mississippi health insurers to cover standard fertility preservation services (like egg or sperm freezing) when a patient undergoes medically necessary treatment - such as cancer therapy - that may cause infertility, as defined by American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on prior health conditions, disability, age, gender identity, or other personal characteristics. The law applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed in Mississippi after July 1, 2026. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2120 would require most group health plans and insurers in Mississippi to cover annual prostate cancer screenings without any out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles or copays) for men identified as high-risk. This includes men with a family history of prostate cancer (first-degree relatives affected), men aged 40-49 with specific risk factors, and all men aged 50 and older, as defined by the bill. The screenings must follow the latest National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines and be medically necessary. The law would not apply to Medicare, Medicaid, or certain limited policies like accident-only insurance, and would take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2389 would expand Mississippi Medicaid eligibility to include low-income adults who qualify under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), specifically those with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level who are currently excluded from Mississippi Medicaid. The bill amends state law to automatically include these individuals in Medicaid coverage and requires that they receive essential health benefits. This change would allow eligible adults to enroll directly in Medicaid instead of navigating the ACA marketplace. The bill died in committee in 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2502 requires Mississippi public school districts to establish school-based clinics with at least one on-site nurse for every 750 students, beginning July 2026. It directs the State Department of Education to create minimum salary guidelines for school nurses based on their education and experience, which all districts must use when hiring. The bill also transfers administration of the school nurse program from the Department of Health to the Department of Education’s Office of Healthy Schools, standardizing clinic operations and nurse responsibilities. This directly affects school districts, nurses, and students by mandating consistent health services and compensation structures.

Maddy summarySB 2551 would require Mississippi hospitals to offer influenza vaccinations to two specific groups of inpatients during flu season (October 1 through March 1): all patients aged 65 and older, and patients aged 50 and older who are at an increased risk of flu complications. Hospitals must make this offer before discharge, unless the vaccine is unavailable or medically contraindicated for the patient. The bill also protects hospitals from civil liability for complying or not complying with this requirement, as long as the action wasn't willful misconduct or gross negligence. The legislation was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, but died in committee in February 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2552 establishes specific pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio requirements for all licensed pharmacies in Mississippi. Public pharmacies must maintain no more than 5 technicians per pharmacist on duty, while non-public pharmacies must maintain no more than 12 technicians per pharmacist. The bill excludes non-dispensing staff (like cashiers or administrators) from the ratio calculation and allows pharmacies to exceed the ratio if all additional technicians hold nationally recognized certifications. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2553 would have allowed certified nurse midwives (CNMs) in Mississippi to practice as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) without needing a written collaborative or consultative agreement with a physician. Currently, Mississippi law (Section 73-15-5(4)) requires all APRNs, including CNMs, to maintain such agreements with physicians. The bill specifically amended Section 73-15-20 to exempt CNMs from this requirement, permitting them to operate independently within their scope of practice. This change would directly affect licensed certified nurse midwives seeking to provide care without physician oversight agreements.

Maddy summarySB 2582, the "Robert G. Clark, Jr., Voting Rights Act of Mississippi," would establish statewide protections against voter suppression and vote dilution for Mississippi voters, particularly affecting protected classes defined as racial, ethnic, or language minority groups. Key provisions include creating the Mississippi Voting Rights Commission to review election changes (like district maps or voting locations) before implementation, requiring public notice of voting-related changes, and mandating accommodations for limited English proficient and disabled voters. The bill prohibits election policies that disproportionately harm protected class members or dilute their voting power, with enforcement through legal actions. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not advance to the full legislature.

Maddy summarySB 2649 repealed Section 61-3-6 of Mississippi’s code, which established the Jackson Metropolitan Area Airport Authority. It also amended Sections 61-3-3 and 61-3-5 to remove references to this authority, aligning the code with the repeal. The bill directly affected the governance structure of Jackson’s airport by eliminating its dedicated authority. It died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 2722 proposed creating Mississippi's Statewide Insurance Enrollment Assistance Program (SIEAP) within the Department of Insurance to provide free, unbiased help with health insurance applications and plan comparisons for Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP. The bill required the state to develop county-by-county uninsured data reports to target resources and simplify Medicaid renewal procedures to reduce coverage loss. It also directed the creation of a program to encourage small employers to participate in existing insurance programs through incentives. The SIEAP would train staff and partner with community organizations to offer personalized guidance at health fairs and enrollment events.