Mississippi Senate Bill SB2771

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/26
• Refer: 1/19/26
• Failed: 2/3/26

Caption

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 73-77-1, 73-77-3, 73-77-5, 73-77-7 AND 73-77-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE FRESH START ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FRESH START ACT SHALL SUPERSEDE ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY; TO MAKE TECHNICAL, NONSUBSTANTIVE CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 19-5-353, 45-4-9, 45-6-11, 73-1-13, 73-3-339, 73-9-61, 73-11-57, 73-14-35, 73-15-29, 73-19-23, 73-21-97, 73-25-29, 73-27-13, 73-29-13, 73-29-31, 73-31-21, 73-34-109, 73-39-77, 73-42-9, 73-42-11, 73-53-8, 73-55-19, 73-65-13, 73-71-33, 73-73-7, 73-75-19, 75-76-131, 83-7-207, 83-39-15, 9-13-109, 21-27-131, 21-27-151, 27-109-5, 37-3-2, 41-29-303, 51-5-3, 67-1-57, 67-3-19, 73-2-7, 73-4-17, 73-6-13, 73-9-23, 73-11-51, 73-13-23, 73-13-77, 73-15-19, 73-15-21, 73-17-9, 73-17-11, 73-19-17, 73-21-85, 73-21-87, 73-21-111, 73-23-47, 73-23-51, 73-24-19, 73-24-21, 73-25-3, 73-26-3, 73-27-5, 73-27-12, 73-27-16, 73-29-19, 73-30-9, 73-31-13, 73-33-1, 73-38-9, 73-39-67, 73-39-71, 73-53-13, 73-54-13, 73-63-27, 73-67-21, 73-71-19, 75-27-305, 75-57-49, 75-60-31, 75-60-33, 75-76-67, 81-18-9, 83-17-75, 83-39-9, 73-69-7, 73-69-11, 75-67-323, 75-67-421, 75-67-509, 75-67-609, 27-115-55, 37-13-89, 37-9-17, 37-29-232, 73-3-41, 73-4-25, 73-6-19, 73-7-27, 73-17-15, 73-23-59, 73-30-21, 73-38-27, 73-53-17, 73-60-31, 73-67-27, 73-75-13, 75-60-19, 75-76-137, 77-8-25, 83-1-191, 83-17-71, 83-17-421, 83-17-519, 83-21-19, 83-49-11, 97-33-315 AND 73-66-17 MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 73-15-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Impact

If enacted, SB2771 would revise how licensing authorities assess applicants with a criminal history in Mississippi. The bill directs that licensing agencies must consider the nature and seriousness of the crime, time elapsed since the offense, and evidence of rehabilitation. This approach aims to provide a fairer opportunity for individuals seeking to reintegrate into the workforce after serving their sentences, addressing concerns about workforce shortages in several professions.

Summary

Senate Bill 2771 seeks to amend existing sections of the Mississippi Code to revise the 'Fresh Start Act.' A key goal of this bill is to ensure that individuals with prior criminal convictions are not automatically disqualified from obtaining professional licenses solely based on those convictions, unless the crimes directly relate to the duties of the profession they are pursuing. The bill emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation and offers a framework for evaluating the potential eligibility of applicants with criminal histories based on several mitigating factors.

Contention

However, the bill has faced scrutiny and contention, particularly regarding the definition of 'disqualifying crimes.' Those in favor argue that the bill promotes a second chance for rehabilitated individuals, while critics express concerns over public safety, suggesting that certain crimes, especially those related to moral turpitude, should remain barriers to licensure. Additionally, there are fears that the bill may compromise the standards expected in professions that directly impact public health and safety.