Bill Summaries

Written by Empower Mississippi House Bill 1476, sponsored by Rep. Becky Currie, would allow inmates at the Delta Correctional Facility (DCF), a women’s prison in Greenwood operated by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, to participate in a work release program similar to an existing program at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. Under this program, up to…

Written by Empower Mississippi House Bill 1001, sponsored by Rep. Becky Currie, would allow inmates in state prisons to sell crafts to the public through MS Prison Industries Corporation, known as MagCor. This would include crafts, artwork, photography, or other items suitable for sale in a physical or online store, or through other means. From the…

Written by Empower Mississippi House Bill 1434, sponsored by Rep. Rob Roberson, would establish specialized academic programs for high school students in grades 9-12, focusing on high-demand fields such as aeronautics, geospatial studies, engineering, nursing, and technical skills for high-demand jobs that require certification or other credentials. This program will focus on improving workforce readiness and…

Written by Empower Mississippi House Bill 1432, sponsored by Rep. Rob Roberson, would make several changes to Mississippi’s charter school law designed to expand the establishment of charters in the state.   Background Charter schools are public schools. Like other public schools, they don’t charge tuition. They must accept all students who apply, limited only by grades…

Written by Empower Mississippi House Bill 940, sponsored by Rep. Price Wallace, would automatically restore the voting rights of those who have served time for certain non-violent convictions.   Under the proposal, Mississippi’s long list of disenfranchising crimes would be narrowed and those who have been found guilty of non-violent offenses and completed their sentence will have…

Written by Empower Mississippi Senate Bill 2631, sponsored by Sen. Juan Barnett, would automatically restore the voting rights of those who have served time for certain non-violent convictions.   Under the proposal, Mississippi’s long list of disenfranchising crimes would be narrowed and those who have been found guilty of non-violent offenses and completed their sentence will have…

Written by Empower Mississippi Senate Bill 2248, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Sparks, expands the Fresh Start Act to make it possible for someone with a criminal record to be approved for an occupational license when the past crime doesn’t directly relate to the license for which the person is applying, or if the crime occurred long…

Written by Empower Mississippi Senate Bill 2536, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Tate, would require school districts across Mississippi to teach the success sequence.  For many years, the success sequence – graduate from high school, work full time, and don’t have kids until you’re married – has been identified as the tool to escape poverty and live…

Written by Empower Mississippi House Bill 857, sponsored by Rep. John Faulkner, would expand the state’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act from kindergarten through 3rd grade to students in grades 4 through 8. Based on the positive outcomes the state has seen through 3rd grade, this proposes to improve literacy outcomes among middle-grade students through evidence-based interventions, professional…

Written by Empower Mississippi Senate Bill 2240, sponsored by Sen. Juan Barnett, would require the Department of Corrections to make information easily available to the public and to legislators regarding people who are incarcerated, the crimes they committed, the length of time they serve, and the effectiveness of the education and job training programs provided in…