Sen. Kathy Chism

Maddy summarySB 2036, the "No Patient Left Alone Act," requires healthcare facilities in Mississippi to allow in-person visits for patients under specific circumstances, such as end-of-life care, emotional distress, or need for family assistance with eating. It mandates facilities to develop alternative visitation plans during health/safety restrictions and submit annual visitation policies to the Department of Health for approval. Facilities failing to comply face administrative fines of at least $500 per violation, with the Department investigating reported violations within 30 days. The bill, referred to the Public Health and Welfare Committee in January 2025, died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 7) urges Allen Media Broadcasting, the owner of WTVA Channel 9 in Tupelo, Mississippi, to retain its local meteorology team. It does not create new law but requests the station maintain on-site weather forecasting, citing historical examples where local storm coverage saved lives during tornadoes in 2014 and 2023. The resolution emphasizes that community trust in WTVA’s local reporting cannot be replaced by remote weather updates. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal force but aims to influence the station’s operational decisions.

Maddy summaryThis Mississippi Senate resolution expresses the sentiment that former President Donald Trump is innocent of accusations regarding insurrection against the United States. The bill relies on specific arguments, including claims that the FBI unfairly targeted his campaign and that security footage from January 6 does not support the definition of an armed insurrection. It also cites external opinions suggesting that congressional investigations into the events were overreaching and that legal charges against Trump involve conflicts of interest. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws or policy but instead formally communicates this position to state officials, federal representatives, and the press.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new trust fund to provide death benefits to Mississippi law enforcement officers and firefighters who die or suffer fatal injuries while performing official duties. It increases the base death benefit payment to $150,000 and allows for an additional $25,000 per child, with a maximum total payout of $250,000, while also authorizing up to $15,000 for funeral expenses. The legislation creates a separate fund for training and equipment grants, directing any money remaining in the death benefits trust after maintaining a $4 million minimum balance to support enhanced training or safety gear for covered individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the legal authority for the Boards of Supervisors in Alcorn, Benton, Marshall, Prentiss, Tippah, and Tishomingo Counties to contribute up to $150,000 each to Northeast Mississippi Community Services, Inc. The funds provided by these county boards are intended to serve as matching contributions that allow the community action agency to secure additional grants from state or federal sources. By amending existing laws, the legislation updates the expiration date for this funding authority from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2028.