Sen. Rod Hickman

Maddy summarySB 2216, the EASE Act, would create a program under Mississippi's Secretary of State to help people regain voting rights lost under the state's 1890 Constitution. It requires publishing clear criteria (like time served in prison, payment of fines, and completion of rehabilitation programs) and establishing a public portal for submitting applications to restore voting rights. The program would track application status, require applicants to work with a legislator to sponsor a "suffrage bill," and mandate a media campaign to raise awareness. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law, so it has not affected any voters.

Maddy summarySB 2217 would have allowed Mississippi voters who registered after the 30-day deadline but before election day to cast a ballot using an affidavit. The bill required voters to sign a written affidavit at the polls confirming their registration status, and provided a 5-day window after the election to resolve any issues (like providing ID or obtaining a voter ID card) to have the ballot counted. It also mandated specific procedures for poll managers to handle these ballots, including secure tracking and a public system for voters to check if their ballot was counted. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2462 would require Mississippi's Department of Human Services to transfer 30% of the state's annual Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) each fiscal year. This funding would specifically support child care vouchers through the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) for qualifying low-income families with children. The bill directly affects families eligible for TANF who need child care assistance, redirecting existing state TANF resources to expand access to subsidized child care. It does not change TANF eligibility rules or benefit amounts but alters how TANF funds are allocated. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2421, the "Mississippi Fair Housing Act," prohibits housing discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status in real estate transactions and financing. It directly affects real estate brokers, sellers, lenders, and property owners by banning discriminatory practices like refusing service, imposing different terms, or making misleading statements about housing availability. Key provisions include voiding discriminatory restrictions in property sales/leases, prohibiting biased financing applications, and protecting against retaliation for reporting violations. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

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 2461 requires Mississippi's Department of Human Services to provide childcare and transportation assistance to TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) applicants during mandatory initial meetings, including application processing, job-readiness classes, and orientation sessions. This directly affects low-income families applying for TANF benefits who face barriers like childcare costs or transportation expenses. The bill's key provision removes financial obstacles to attending these required meetings, ensuring applicants can participate without incurring additional costs. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was not enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2491 requires all Mississippi public schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) by the 2024-2025 school year, with specific provisions for athletic venues by 2026-2027. It mandates that schools place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) within three minutes of athletic venues, ensure staff have current CPR/AED training from recognized organizations, and integrate plans with local emergency services. The bill allocates $2.5 million in state funding specifically for CERP implementation, prioritizing high-needs schools (where at least 50% of students qualify for free/reduced meals) to purchase AEDs, training materials, and support maintenance. Schools may also accept donations for AEDs meeting FDA standards and related training costs.

Maddy summarySB 2488 would require Mississippi school attendance officers to complete annual, 12-hour training on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This training, sponsored by the state Department of Education's Office of Special Education, would cover legal rights of students with disabilities and proper procedures for reporting potential disabilities to school districts. School attendance officers would need to obtain a certificate of completion within their first year of employment to perform duties or receive pay. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, aimed to ensure officers understand federal and state requirements for identifying and supporting students with disabilities.

Maddy summarySB 2507 revises Mississippi's school discipline policies to better protect students with disabilities from being unfairly labeled "habitually disruptive." It requires schools to develop evidence-based behavior modification plans within two weeks of disruptive incidents, using positive interventions and input from a multidisciplinary team, before labeling a student as habitually disruptive. The bill prevents schools from considering a student habitually disruptive if they are already receiving special education services (IEP) or a 504 Plan, or if the school knew about a disability but hadn't evaluated the student. After a second disruptive incident, schools must conduct a psychological evaluation and consider special education eligibility, with students aged 13+ facing potential expulsion for non-compliance with a plan on a third incident (unless they have IEP/504 services). The bill aims to ensure appropriate support for students with disabilities rather than immediate disciplinary action.

Maddy summarySB 2506 would revise Mississippi's compulsory school attendance law to pause truancy proceedings when a student's absence might relate to a disability, requiring schools to assess eligibility under federal special education law (IDEA) and Section 504 before penalizing absences. It mandates evidence-based interventions for chronic absenteeism and requires school attendance officers to complete mandatory training on disability laws. The bill directly affects students with potential disabilities, their families, and school staff handling attendance cases. These changes aim to prevent misclassifying disability-related absences as truancy while aligning with federal education requirements.