Sen. Hob Bryan

Maddy summarySB 2795 updates Mississippi's Pharmacy Practice Act by extending the repeal date of the current law to 2029 and clarifying its structure. It affects pharmacists, pharmacies, pharmacy technicians, and related entities by expanding the Board of Pharmacy's authority to delegate tasks, discipline licensees (including interns and technicians), and regulate pharmacy services organizations. Key changes include increasing fees to fund impaired pharmacist programs, requiring confidentiality for investigations, and modifying prescription monitoring reporting to provide annual opioid data upon legislative request. The bill died on the calendar in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2864 proposed changes to Mississippi's mental health governance. It revised appointment rules for the State Board of Mental Health by removing the requirement for Senate confirmation of the Executive Director and adjusting term lengths for board members. The bill also specified professional qualifications for four state-at-large board members (including a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, and social worker). These changes would directly affect the Governor's appointment process for the Board and the Executive Director position. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2669 would establish a licensing system for anesthesiologist assistants in Mississippi, requiring them to complete accredited education, pass certification exams, and obtain a license from the State Board of Medical Licensure to practice. It mandates that assistants work exclusively under the direct supervision of a physician anesthesiologist, performing only duties delegated by that physician, and prohibits unlicensed practice with criminal penalties. The bill also outlines temporary licensing for those completing training but awaiting certification and grants the Board authority to issue disciplinary actions, including license revocation. This bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and would have directly affected anesthesiologist assistants, physicians, and the State Board of Medical Licensure.

Maddy summarySB 2740 increases Mississippi State Department of Health (MDOH) fees for drinking water quality analysis from $3.00 to $5.50 per water connection or $40,000 to $50,000 per water system (whichever is less), directly affecting water suppliers like municipalities and rural water systems. It grants MDOH authority to adjust fees annually using the Producer Price Index (with advisory committee approval), limiting fee increases to two times between July 2025 and June 2028. The bill also creates an advisory committee representing water associations to review program costs and recommend equitable fees, and establishes a $500,000 equipment account funded by up to 10% of excess fees for purchasing or repairing water testing equipment.

Maddy summaryMississippi's SB 2692 would create the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, allowing dentists and dental hygienists licensed in one participating state to more easily obtain licenses in other member states. The bill establishes a shared system for verifying credentials, sharing disciplinary records through a central clearinghouse, and eliminating duplicate application fees for professionals moving between states. It specifically includes provisions for military members and spouses to get expedited licensure without fees. This compact would affect dental professionals seeking to practice across state lines, aiming to increase access to dental care while maintaining each state's regulatory authority.

Maddy summarySB 2694 extends the repeal dates for key sections of Mississippi's Pharmacy Practice Act from 2024 to July 1, 2029. It specifically delays the automatic repeal of provisions governing the State Board of Pharmacy's authority (Section 73-21-69) and disciplinary actions for violations of patient rights (Section 73-21-97). The bill also makes minor grammatical corrections to other pharmacy licensing sections and reorganizes related provisions for future review. This extension affects Mississippi pharmacists, pharmacy licensees, and the State Board of Pharmacy by maintaining current regulatory frameworks until 2029.

Maddy summarySB 2693 would have extended the deadline for three state agencies (Finance, IT Services, and Personnel Board) to assist the State Board of Cosmetology and the Board of Barber Examiners in consolidating their operations. The bill aimed to delay the repeal of this assistance requirement, which was originally set to end on July 1, 2029. This procedural bill directly affected cosmetology and barber licensing boards and the assisting state departments. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 2739 brings forward existing Mississippi Code sections (41-19-33, 41-19-43, 41-21-63, etc.) related to regional mental health commissions for potential amendment. The bill focuses on administrative procedures, requiring regional commissions to submit annual operational plans to the Department of Mental Health for approval and face a six-month probation period if they miss minimum service standards. If commissions fail to meet standards after probation, they risk losing state funding eligibility for mental health services. This procedural bill directly affects Mississippi's regional mental health commissions and community mental health providers managing state-funded services.

Maddy summarySB 2726 would allow Mississippi to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers from Mississippi to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This would reduce the administrative burden of holding multiple state licenses, improve access to social work services across state lines, and establish a system for sharing disciplinary records between member states. The bill directly affects licensed social workers seeking to practice in multiple states and Mississippi's licensing authority, which would implement the compact by amending existing law to align with mutual recognition standards. Key provisions include requiring social workers to follow the laws of the state where the client is located during service and creating a framework for accountability across state lines.

Maddy summarySB 2461 would change Mississippi law to replace "durable legal custody" with "durable legal guardianship" as a permanency option for children in abuse or neglect cases. It specifically authorizes youth courts to grant durable legal relative guardianship to relatives or "fictive kin" (non-relatives with a parental role) who have cared for the child for at least six months, provided reunification is deemed inappropriate and the guardian commits to the child's care. The bill requires courts to consult children 12+ before granting this guardianship and mandates annual reviews to ensure it remains in the child's best interest. The legislation died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.