AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-4-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SHALL DEVELOP AND PROMULGATE A RATING SCALE WITH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS TO USE IN PERFORMANCE AUDITS OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP AND PROMULGATE THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS BY JUNE 30, 2027; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BEGIN CONDUCTING PERFORMANCE AUDITS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2028; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO PERFORM A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF EACH COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PLACE ON A SIX-MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD REGIONAL COMMISSIONS OR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS THAT DO NOT ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE ON A PERFORMANCE AUDIT; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER DOES NOT ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE ON THE PERFORMANCE AUDIT AFTER THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, THE REGIONAL COMMISSION SHALL REPLACE THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ANY OTHER OFFICERS IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT WITH CONTRACTORS; TO PROVIDE DUE PROCESS RIGHTS FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS FOUND TO BE IN NONCOMPLIANCE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE CONTRACTOR OR CONTRACTORS SHALL REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER HAS ATTAINED SUSTAINED COMPLIANCE WITH THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS; TO PROVIDE THAT NO RULES, REGULATIONS, OPERATIONAL STANDARDS, PERFORMANCE STANDARDS OR OTHER STANDARDS PROMULGATED BY THE BOARD OF MENTAL HEALTH OR THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO CREATE A CAUSE OF ACTION; TO AMEND SECTION 27-104-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT FROM THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF ANY PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT ENTERED INTO BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH IN CARRYING OUT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES SET FORTH IN SECTION 41-4-7(MM); TO REPEAL SECTIONS 41-20-1, 41-20-3, 41-20-5, 41-20-7, 41-20-9 AND 41-20-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION A POSITION KNOWN AS THE COORDINATOR OF MENTAL HEALTH ACCESSIBILITY; PROVIDE FOR APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS, EXPENSES AND SALARY FOR THE POSITION; ESTABLISH POWERS, DUTIES AND DISCRETIONARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION; REQUIRE INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION WITH THE COORDINATOR OF MENTAL HEALTH ACCESSIBILITY IN PERFORMING HIS OR HER DUTIES; SET FORTH DEFINITIONS AND RELATED PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "HEALING OUTREACH, PREVENTION AND EDUCATION (HOPE) ACT"; TO SET FORTH LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; TO REQUIRE THAT, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2027, EVERY NURSE UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF NURSING WHO APPLIES FOR A NURSING LICENSE OR LICENSE RENEWAL SHALL CERTIFY TO THE BOARD THAT HE OR SHE HAS COMPLETED ONE HOUR OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING THAT INCLUDES A TRAUMA-INFORMED CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO EDUCATE NURSES ON IDENTIFYING, RESPONDING TO AND REPORTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING; TO REQUIRE SUCH NURSES TO REPORT ANY SUSPECTED CASE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVOLVING A MINOR TO THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTIONS 43-21-353 AND 97-5-51, AND TO REPORT ANY SUSPECTED CASE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVOLVING AN ADULT TO APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES WHEN A VICTIM IS IN IMMINENT DANGER, AFTER CONFIRMING A VICTIM'S CONSENT, OR IN ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE WHEN DISCLOSURE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES IS REQUIRED BY LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 45-33-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION BY PERSONS CONVICTED OF HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE MISSISSIPPI FAMILY BUILDING ACT; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THIS ACT APPLIES TO A GESTATIONAL CARRIER OR GESTATIONAL SURROGATE AND APPLIES ONLY TO A GESTATIONAL CARRIER OR GESTATIONAL SURROGATE WHO IS NOT THE BIOLOGICAL MOTHER OF THE CHILD; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DONOR OF ANY EGG, SPERM OR EMBRYO, UPON WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF INTENT TO DONATE, OR ALTERNATIVELY, UPON CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE OF INTENT TO DONATE, SHALL RELINQUISH ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE DONATED EGG, SPERM OR EMBRYO AND ANY RESULTING CHILD OR CHILDREN; TO PERMIT REASONABLE COMPENSATION DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE DONATION OF EGGS, SPERM AND EMBRYOS; TO ALLOW A GESTATIONAL CARRIER AND THE INTENDED PARENT(S) TO ENTER INTO A GESTATIONAL CARRIER AGREEMENT; TO PROVIDE TERMS THAT MUST BE INCLUDED IN SUCH AGREEMENTS; TO REQUIRE A JUDICIAL DETERMINATION OF PARENTAGE BEFORE THE BIRTH OF A CHILD CONCEIVED BY ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY UNDER A GESTATIONAL CARRIER AGREEMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE BUILDING REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DIVERSE GROWTH IN EDUCATION (BRIDGE) ACT; TO ESTABLISH A UNIFIED STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL SPECIAL PURPOSE SCHOOLS IN MISSISSIPPI; TO CREATE TWO DISTINCT PROGRAMS ADDRESSING SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING; TO DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT STATEWIDE STUDIES, ISSUE GUIDANCE, AND REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE STUDENTS SAFE AT SCHOOL ACT; TO DEFINE TERMS UNDER THE ACT; TO OUTLINE STANDARDS; TO PROVIDE FOR STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROTOCOLS; TO SET FORTH NOTICE REQUIREMENTS; TO ADDRESS STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SHOOTER DRILLS; TO ADDRESS STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVE SHOOTER SIMULATIONS; TO REQUIRE VIOLENCE PREVENTION TRAINING; TO PROVIDE FOR STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SAFETY PLANNING; TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLICATION OF VENDORS; TO CREATE GUIDELINES TO MEASURE EFFECTIVENESS OF DRILLS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 1, CHAPTER 431, LAWS OF 2024, TO EXTEND THE OPERATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI K-12 AND POSTSECONDARY MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL DEVELOP AND REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2026; TO DISSOLVE THE TASK FORCE UPON PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT DUE ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2026; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-57-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A SALARY SUPPLEMENT OF $6,000.00 PER SCHOOL YEAR FOR CERTIFIED STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES MEETING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS; TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION OF CURRENT CERTIFICATION TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AFTER OCTOBER 15 BUT BY FEBRUARY 15 TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ONE-HALF OF THE SUPPLEMENT FOR THAT SCHOOL YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE UPSKILL MISSISSIPPI GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT UPGRADING PRIORITY SKILLS FOR KEY INDUSTRY LEARNING AND LABOR THROUGH TUITION-FREE ACCESS TO WORKFORCE-ALIGNED COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGE PROGRAMS; TO STATE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDING OF THE PROGRAM; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO STATE THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID IN ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SUPPORT SERVICES TO GRANT RECIPIENTS; TO REQUIRE ACCELERATE MS TO ANNUALLY PROVIDE A LIST OF ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS BASED ON PRIORITY SECTORS AND OCCUPATIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION ON A PHASED SCHEDULE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-101-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH PARAMETERS FOR A NEW, PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING MODEL FOR STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; TO REQUIRE THAT SUCH FUNDING MODEL BE USED TO DISBURSE 75% OF GENERAL FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR SUCH PURPOSE AND BE IMPLEMENTED BY JULY 1, 2029; TO PROVIDE FOR DISTRIBUTION OF REMAINING FUNDS; TO PROVIDE A 10% PERFORMANCE-BASED HOLDOUT; TO REQUIRE THE FUNDING MODEL TO INCLUDE A BASE APPROPRIATION AND A PERFORMANCE-BASED ALLOCATION; TO PROVIDE MEASURABLE OUTCOMES WHICH SHALL BE CALCULATED USING STANDARDIZED DEFINITIONS ADOPTED BY RULE; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO ESTABLISH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, SCORING THRESHOLDS AND VALUES FOR EACH METRIC IN A PUBLICLY NOTICED MEETING ON OR BEFORE JUNE 20, 2026; TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH STANDARDS, THRESHOLDS AND VALUES; TO PROVIDE FOR DEVELOPING, CALCULATING OR ADMINISTERING THE FUNDING MODEL; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR INSTITUTIONAL PERFORMANCE UNDER THE FUNDING MODEL; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO IDENTIFY INSTITUTIONS AT RISK OF FAILING TO MEET SPECIFIC STANDARDS; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS UPON A DETERMINATION THAT AN INSTITUTION IS AT-RISK; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE AND PUBLISH SUCH REPORT ON ITS PUBLIC WEBSITE; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO PROMULGATE RULES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACT; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO ADOPT AND PUBLISH THE FUNDING MODEL, INCLUDING ALL METRIC DEFINITIONS, BENCHMARKS AND WEIGHTS, NO LATER THAN JUNE 30, 2026; TO PROVIDE FOR APPLICATION OF THE FUNDING MODEL FOR THE INITIAL THREE FISCAL YEARS FOLLOWING ADOPTION AND PUBLICATION; TO REQUIRE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FUNDING MODEL BY JULY 1, 2029; TO PROHIBIT THE BOARD FROM PERMITTING A PERSON SUBJECT TO THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER SECTIONS 45-33-21 THROUGH 45-33-63 TO RESIDE IN A DORMITORY OR OTHER STUDENT LIVING ACCOMMODATION LOCATED ON THE CAMPUS OF OR MANAGED BY A STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 37-101-1, 37-101-2, 37-101-3, 37-101-4, 37-101-5, 37-101-7, 37-101-9, 37-101-11, 37-101-13, 37-101-16, 37-101-19, 37-101-21, 37-101-23, 37-101-25, 37-101-29 AND 37-101-30, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH GOVERN THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, FOR PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REPEAL SECTION 37-163-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES THE EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT COUNCIL; TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI POSTSECONDARY ATTAINMENT COUNCIL; TO NAME THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL; TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE COUNCIL; TO REQUIRE ANNUAL REPORTS AND PROGRESS REPORTS; TO PROVIDE FOR STAFFING OF THE COUNCIL; TO PROVIDE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR MEMBERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE "CREATING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN DENTAL SERVICES ACT"; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR TRANSPARENCY OF DENTAL PATIENT PREMIUM EXPENDITURES AND ANNUAL REPORTING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE FISCAL OFFICER TO TRANSFER $265,000,000.00 FROM THE CAPITAL EXPENSE FUND TO THE CAPACITY PROJECT FUND UPON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 65-1-141.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE A MINOR, NONSUBSTANTIVE REVISION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE "J.P. WILEMON, JR., FINANCIAL LITERACY ACT"; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO INCORPORATE FINANCIAL LITERACY COMPONENTS WITHIN THE EXISTING CURRICULUM TO BE TAUGHT IN GRADES 6-8 BEGINNING IN THE 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR; TO REQUIRE SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF THE STAND-ALONE ONE-HALF CARNEGIE UNIT PERSONAL FINANCE COURSE OR A FULL CARNEGIE UNIT COURSE WHERE AT LEAST ONE-HALF OF THE COURSE STANDARDS CONCERN FINANCIAL LITERACY AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-301, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM, AND TO SET CERTAIN TOPICS THAT SHALL BE REQUIRED FOR THE FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-345, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO SPECIFY THAT A REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY MAY ENGAGE IN BULK PURCHASING; TO REQUIRE THAT ALL SERVICES BE COMPETITIVELY BID; TO REQUIRE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS IN THE CASE OF PURCHASES OVER THE HIGHEST THRESHOLD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.