Sen. Nicole Boyd

Maddy summarySB 2445 requires Mississippi's Department of Mental Health (DMH) to create performance standards for Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) by June 2027 and conduct audits of each CMHC at least once every two years starting in fiscal year 2028. CMHCs that fail an audit enter a six-month probation period; if they fail again, DMH must replace their leadership with contractors until standards are met. The bill also repeals outdated provisions about a "Coordinator of Mental Health Accessibility" position within the Department of Finance and Administration. This directly affects all 18 CMHCs and their regional commissions across Mississippi by establishing new accountability measures for service quality.

Maddy summarySB 2344 requires students at Mississippi's public colleges and universities to complete a financial literacy course (at least one credit hour) as a graduation requirement, starting fall 2027. The course must cover practical topics like budgeting, debt management, student loans, taxes, and retirement planning, using real-world simulations rather than commercial content. Institutions can deliver the course through various formats (online, embedded in other classes, etc.) and allow prior coursework to satisfy the requirement if it meets standards set by the Board of Trustees or Mississippi Community College Board. This applies to all state institutions of higher learning and community colleges, but does not automatically accept high school financial literacy courses unless they meet postsecondary standards. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2522 creates the UPSKILL Mississippi Grant Program, providing tuition-free access to community college certificate or associate degree programs for Mississippi residents pursuing training in high-demand fields. The program targets occupations identified by Accelerate Mississippi (the state's workforce office) as critical for economic growth, requiring colleges to offer support services like academic advising and career planning. Administered by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, it will launch in phases starting with a 2027 pilot, covering tuition/fees after other aid, plus a $500 annual book stipend, for eligible residents meeting residency, education, and enrollment requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2446, the HOPE Act, requires Mississippi nurses applying for or renewing licenses to complete one hour of human trafficking training with a trauma-informed curriculum by January 1, 2027. It mandates nurses to report suspected trafficking involving minors to Child Protection Services and suspected cases involving adults to law enforcement only when a victim is in imminent danger, after confirming consent, or as legally required. The bill directly affects all nurses licensed under the Mississippi Board of Nursing, aiming to improve identification and response to trafficking. It does not change existing sex offender registration requirements for human trafficking convictions, which are covered under a separate amendment in Section 4.

Maddy summarySB 2494 allows Mississippi Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) to engage in bulk purchasing for school districts they serve. It requires all RESA services to use competitive bidding and mandates a public request for proposals for purchases exceeding the highest threshold. This applies to school districts participating in RESAs, ensuring cost-effective procurement through transparent processes. The bill specifies that invite-only bids do not qualify as competitive, requiring public advertising of procurement opportunities.

Maddy summarySB 2708 requires healthcare providers in Mississippi to screen new mothers for postpartum depression within six weeks of birth. It mandates that health insurance issuers cover this screening without deductibles or copays and prohibits step therapy protocols for FDA-approved depression treatments. The bill also requires hospitals to provide educational materials about maternal mental health to new parents and mandates the state health department to develop resources for providers and patients. These provisions directly affect new mothers, healthcare providers, and insurers across Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2419 authorizes Mississippi's Office of Workforce Development to create and manage a childcare tuition assistance program for state employees. The bill directly affects state employees who need childcare, providing financial support to cover their children's childcare costs. Key provisions require the Office of Workforce Development to implement this program as part of its existing duties under workforce development law. The program aims to support state workers by reducing childcare expenses, aligning with broader workforce support initiatives. This is a concrete policy change focused on employee benefits, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summarySB 2940 appropriates $36 million from Mississippi's General Fund for fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Mental Health (DMH). The funds will directly support 2,850 additional ID/DD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) Home- and Community-Based Waiver program slots (increasing total slots to 4,600) and hire additional staff to manage these services. This funding, $35 million for slots and $1 million for staff, applies to residents in Mississippi who qualify for community-based waiver services instead of institutional care. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and is a direct funding allocation without new policy requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2851 expands Mississippi's income tax credit program by revising the definition of "eligible charitable organization" to include 501(c)(3) nonprofits that raise funds for Section 529 college savings programs specifically for children of Mississippi county sheriff's department or municipal police department employees. This change allows businesses making cash donations to these organizations to claim a tax credit against state income or property taxes, limited to 50% of their tax liability. The bill directly affects Mississippi businesses (corporations, LLCs, partnerships) donating to qualifying charities and benefits police/sheriff department employees by supporting their children's education through 529 plans. It does not alter existing tax credit rules for other charitable contributions or add new funding mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 2872 would exempt sales of feminine hygiene products, baby formula, baby wipes, children's and adult diapers, and diaper cream from Mississippi's state sales tax. This change adds these specific items to the existing list of tax-exempt goods under Mississippi law. Consumers purchasing these everyday essentials would no longer pay state sales tax on them at the point of sale. The bill directly affects shoppers buying these products, particularly those used for personal or infant care.