Bill Summaries

Senate Bill 2689, sponsored by Sen. Dennis DeBar, would remove the public school graduation requirement that students must pass certain standardized end-of-course tests created by the state Department of Education. Instead, they would be required to pass a nationally recognized exam, such as the ACT.   The bill would call upon the Mississippi Department of Education…

House Bill 1609, sponsored by Rep. Kabir Karriem, 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 their voting rights…

Senate Bill 2574, sponsored by Sen. John Horhn, expands the Fresh Start Act to make it easier 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 ago.     The Fresh…

House Bill 1303, sponsored by Rep. Shanda Yates, expands the Fresh Start Act to make it easier 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 ago.    The Fresh…

Senate Bill 2442, sponsored by Sen. Juan Barnett, would create the post-release service pilot program designed to reduce recidivism by providing a variety of support services to people who leave prison.  The program will offer help provide connections to employment, housing, drug and alcohol counseling, family reunification guidance, anger management counseling, personal finance and budgeting,…

House Bill 1683, sponsored by Rep. Jansen Owen, would make several changes to Mississippi’s charter school law designed to expand the establishment of charters in the state.   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 served, space available, and…

House Bill 1600, sponsored by Rep. Becky Currie, would create the post-release service pilot program designed to reduce recidivism by providing a variety of support services to people who leave prison.   The program will offer help provide connections to employment, housing, drug and alcohol counseling, family reunification guidance, anger management counseling, personal finance and budgeting,…

Senate Bill 2597, sponsored by Sen. Juan Barnett, would require the Department of Corrections to procure a data collection and reporting system that allows the department to collect and make public detailed information.   Under this proposal, MDOC would be required to gather and maintain various information, including detailed inmate profiles, offense specifics, probation or parole supervision…

House Bill 1599, sponsored by Rep. Becky Currie, would require the Department of Corrections to procure a data collection and reporting system that allows the department to collect detailed information to, among other purposes, enable officials to accurately determine what combination of punishment, training, and other assistance is most likely to result in reducing the…

House Bill 1490, authored by Rep. Becky Currie, would provide full practice authority to nurse practitioners in Mississippi.   Currently, a nurse practitioner is required to enter into a collaborative agreement with a physician. This bill would exempt nurse practitioners from that requirement after completing between 5,000-10,000 hours of practice.  Under this proposal:  APRNs would need…