Sen. Brice Wiggins

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending Mississippi's constitution to expand the state grand jury's authority. It would allow the grand jury to investigate and issue indictments for specific crimes - including officer-involved shootings, public corruption (like embezzlement and fraud), and drug-related offenses - regardless of where the crime occurred within the state. The amendment removes the current requirement that such crimes must have occurred across multiple counties or had significance in multiple districts. (Note: The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not advance to a vote.)

Maddy summarySB 2893 requires parental consent for most healthcare decisions involving unemancipated minors (under 18), directly affecting minors seeking treatment and healthcare providers. It repeals existing exceptions allowing minors to receive treatment for venereal diseases (Section 41-41-13) or mental health issues related to substance use (Section 41-41-14) without parental knowledge, and amends rules for contraceptive access to require parental consent. Key exceptions remain for medical emergencies, blood donation, infectious disease testing, and situations where parental rights have been terminated. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, if passed, but died in committee on February 4, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2745 would expand Mississippi's Medical Cannabis Act by adding anxiety disorders and sleep disorders to the list of qualifying medical conditions. This change directly affects patients with these conditions who currently cannot legally access medical cannabis under Mississippi's program. The bill amends Section 41-137-3 of the Mississippi Code to include these disorders as "debilitating medical conditions," allowing qualifying patients to obtain medical cannabis through the state's existing registry system. This is a straightforward policy update to the eligibility criteria, not a new program.

Maddy summarySB 2788 updates Mississippi's Commission on Judicial Performance by defining "judge" to include magistrates, arbitrators, and other judicial officers performing court functions. It requires commission members to disqualify themselves if they file a complaint against another member and grants the commission authority to subpoena records from Mississippi's youth court information system. The bill also clarifies procedures for handling complaints, including creating transcripts for supreme court proceedings and limiting retention of dismissed complaint records to 12 months. These changes directly affect the commission, judges, and youth court systems by refining oversight processes.

Maddy summarySB 2770 would have revised Mississippi law to clarify conflict of interest procedures when a guardian ad litem also serves as a child's attorney in abuse or neglect cases. It required courts to formally address any conflict before allowing dual representation. The bill also created a statutory fee structure for guardian ad litem services, directing the Department of Child Protection Services (CPS) to manage these payments instead of relying on court discretion. These changes would directly affect children in dependency cases, their parents, CPS, and court-appointed legal representatives. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2533 would lower the voter approval threshold for Mississippi school districts to issue bonds from three-fifths (60%) to a simple majority (over 50%) of qualified voters who cast ballots in the election. This change would make it easier for school districts to fund capital projects like building new schools or renovating facilities by requiring fewer votes to approve bond measures. The bill maintains the existing requirement that a petition signed by 20% of qualified electors can trigger a bond election. If an election is held, bonds can only be issued if a majority of participating voters approve them.

Maddy summarySB 2081 would amend Mississippi's divorce law by adding a new ground for divorce based on an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, allowing courts to grant divorce when they determine further reconciliation attempts are impractical or futile and not in the best interests of the parties or family. It would also remove the "willful and obstinate" requirement from the desertion ground, simplifying the process for proving desertion as a divorce cause. This bill would directly affect Mississippi residents seeking divorce by expanding no-fault options and streamlining one existing fault-based ground. The proposed changes were intended to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2400 would require most health insurance plans in Mississippi to cover genetic testing for inherited cancer risks and evidence-based cancer imaging for people with a personal or family cancer history or elevated cancer risk, as recommended by healthcare providers. This coverage would be provided without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) and must follow guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). The law would apply to plans delivered or renewed after July 1, 2025. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2316 would have revised assessment requirements for defendants convicted of crimes related to human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, directing funds to a dedicated victim support fund. It specified a $1,000 assessment for felony violations of relevant laws (including human trafficking statutes) and a $100-$1,000 assessment for misdemeanor violations of Section 97-3-7, with courts allowed to accept installment payments. These assessments would have been deposited into the "Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund" established under Section 97-3-54.11. The bill, introduced in 2025, died in committee without becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 2389 directs Mississippi's Division of Medicaid to seek federal waivers from CMS to cover medical costs for prison inmates who are 100% Medicaid-eligible during the 30 days before their parole release. It would extend Medicaid reimbursement for authorized services during this transition period, directly affecting recently released inmates who qualify for Medicaid. The bill references existing provisions about "special care facilities for paroled inmates" but focuses on securing federal funding through CMS waivers. This aims to ease prison overcrowding by supporting compassionate release programs for medically frail inmates. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.