AN ACT TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 97-3-54.1, 97-3-54.2, 97-3-54.3, 97-3-54.5, 97-3-54.6 AND 97-3-54.7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REGULATE HUMAN TRAFFICKING, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 97-29-49 AND 97-29-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REGULATE PROSTITUTION FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 97-3-54.4, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO UPDATE LANGUAGE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-301, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD SOCIAL SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL GROUP EMPLOYEES FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES TO THE ENHANCED PENALTY GROUP; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-15-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE INTENT AS AN ELEMENT FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS WHEN A CHILD IS LEFT IN A BABY SAFETY DEVICE; TO AMEND SECTION 43-15-203, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE A SHELTER HEARING WHEN THE DEPARTMENT HAS CONTROL OF A BABY THAT HAS BEEN DROPPED OFF; TO AMEND SECTIONS 43-15-205, 43-21-551, 43-21-603 AND 43-21-451, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 93-15-109, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD "SURRENDER TO A BABY SAFETY DEVICE" TO THE LIST OF WAYS TO SURRENDER A CHILD TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-7-187, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDES FOR AN ACADEMIC EXEMPTION FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED LAW FOR ANY ENTITY OR OTHERWISE EXEMPTS ANY PERSON OR ENTITY FROM HAVING TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF NEED FOR ANY ACTIVITY THAT WOULD OTHERWISE REQUIRE THE ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF NEED, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE A DETAILED EXPLANATION ON ITS WEBSITE OF THE REASONS FOR EXEMPTING THE PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF CERTIFICATE OF NEED LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 41-7-193, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT WHENEVER THE DEPARTMENT ISSUES A CERTIFICATE OF NEED THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE PROJECTION OF NEED IN THE APPLICABLE STATE HEALTH PLAN OR OTHERWISE DOES NOT FOLLOW THE STATE HEALTH PLAN WHEN ISSUING A CERTIFICATE OF NEED, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE A DETAILED EXPLANATION ON ITS WEBSITE OF THE REASONS FOR DEVIATING FROM THE STATE HEALTH PLAN WITH REGARD TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT INTERACTIVE COMPUTER SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM ENTERING INTO CONTRACTS WITH MINORS WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 11-79-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 11-79-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT INTERACTIVE COMPUTER SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM KNOWINGLY ALLOWING MINORS TO USE THE SERVICE TO ACCESS MATERIAL HARMFUL TO MINORS OR COMMUNICATE WITH ADULTS AND FROM ALLOWING OTHER PERSONS TO ACCESS THE PERSONA OF A MINOR; TO PROVIDE REASONABLE METHODS OF AGE VERIFICATION; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 11-79-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO PROSECUTE VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THE AMOUNT OF CIVIL PENALTIES IMPOSED FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 45-38-3, 45-38-5, 45-38-7, 45-38-9, 45-38-11, 45-38-13 AND 11-77-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 45-38-1, 45-38-3, 45-38-5, 45-38-7, 45-38-9, 45-38-11 AND 45-38-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ARE THE WALKER MONTGOMERY PROTECTING CHILDREN ONLINE ACT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "BAYOU CASOTTE INDUSTRIAL ZONE ESTABLISHMENT ACT"; TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; TO PROVIDE THAT A MUNICIPALITY MAY NOT ANNEX ANY PORTION OF THE AREA COMPRISING THE BAYOU CASOTTE INDUSTRIAL ZONE; TO AMEND SECTION 21-1-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 21-1-27, 21-1-29, 21-1-31, 21-1-33, 21-1-35, 21-1-37, 21-1-39 AND 21-1-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ARE SECTIONS OF LAW RELATING TO THE EXTENSION OR CONTRACTION OF MUNICIPAL CORPORATE BOUNDARIES, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-31-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH EXEMPTS VARIOUS TYPES OF PROPERTY FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 17-17-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE PROVISION THAT PROHIBITS DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE BY THE USE OF UNDERGROUND INJECTION METHODS; TO AMEND SECTION 17-17-151, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE PERMIT BOARD CONSIDER THE EXTENT TO WHICH PROPOSED COMMERCIAL HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES CONFORM WITH THE MISSISSIPPI CAPACITY ASSURANCE PLAN AND ANY INTERSTATE OR REGIONAL AGREEMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 17-17-153, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 17-17-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL PILOT PROGRAM; TO DEFINE THE TERM "SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL" AS USED IN THIS SECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH A HOSPITAL SHALL RECEIVE AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF NEED; TO PROVIDE THAT SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITALS WITHIN THE DELTA PUBLIC HEALTH REGION AS DESIGNATED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DEPARTMENT) SHALL RECEIVE TWO SUCH EXEMPTIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH EXEMPTION SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE MAIN BUILDING CAMPUS OF THE SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AND A FIVE-MILE RADIUS AROUND THE MAIN BUILDING CAMPUS; TO PROVIDE THAT AN EXEMPTION SHALL NOT EXTEND TO CLINICS OR OTHER FACILITIES OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL THAT ARE NOT LOCATED ON THE MAIN CAMPUS, AND SHALL NOT APPLY TO A SERVICE FOR WHICH THERE IS A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF NEED MORATORIUM OR TO APPLICATIONS THAT WOULD PLACE THE LICENSED HOSPITAL RECEIVING THE EXEMPTION WITHIN 35 MILES OF ANOTHER LICENSED HOSPITAL; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER TO ISSUE A LICENSE TO OPERATE AN END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD) FACILITY FOR NOT MORE THAN EIGHT SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITALS; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER TO ISSUE A LICENSE TO OPERATE A GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC UNIT TO ANY SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DECISION OF THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER TO ISSUE A LICENSE UNDER THIS PROGRAM IS FINAL, AND NOT SUBJECT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW; TO SET FORTH LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AS TO THE CURRENT MORATORIA REGARDING MULTIPLE CERTIFICATE OF NEED SERVICE TYPES; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID, TO REVIEW AND REPORT BY DECEMBER 1, 2026, AND ON DECEMBER 1 OF EACH SECOND YEAR THEREAFTER, ON CAPACITY AND UTILIZATION DATA, MEDICAID EXPENDITURE TRENDS, EVIDENCE OF EXCESS CAPACITY OR UNMET NEED, FIVE-YEAR FISCAL PROJECTIONS UNDER CONTINUATION AND REMOVAL SCENARIOS, AND STATE FISCAL EXPOSURE RELATED TO HEALTH CARE; TO AMEND SECTION 41-7-191, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED BY HOUSE BILL NO. 3, 2026 REGULAR SESSION, TO EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF A CERTIFICATE OF NEED ANY ACTIVITY CONDUCTED OR UNDERTAKEN IN ISSAQUENA COUNTY OR HUMPHREYS COUNTY THAT WOULD OTHERWISE REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE OF NEED, EXCEPT THAT THE MORATORIA ON THE ISSUANCE OF CERTAIN CERTIFICATES OF NEED SHALL APPLY TO ACTIVITIES IN THOSE COUNTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 41-7-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PARTY AGGRIEVED BY THE FINAL ORDER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO APPROVE AN APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF NEED THAT EXERCISES THE RIGHT OF APPEAL SHALL BE REQUIRED TO REIMBURSE THE APPLICANT WHOSE APPLICATION WAS APPROVED FOR ALL ATTORNEY, CONSULTANT AND OTHER FEES RELATED TO THE APPEAL IF SUCH FINAL ORDER IS NOT VACATED OR SET ASIDE BY THE CHANCERY COURT OR BY THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI HBCU MATERNAL HEALTH WORKFORCE PIPELINE ACT; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MISSISSIPPI HBCUS MATERNAL HEALTH WORKFORCE PIPELINE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM AND SERVE AS CO-CHAIRS FOR THE PROGRAM; TO CREATE A MATERNAL HEALTH SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT PARTICIPATING HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCUS); TO CREATE THE MATERNAL HEALTH PIPELINE FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY FOR APPROPRIATIONS MADE BY THE LEGISLATURE TO FUND THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID TO BE THE ADMINISTERING AGENCY OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD STATE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SEAP) FUNDING; TO REQUIRE THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES TO THE STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FOR THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID RATHER THAN THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD; TO REQUIRE THE NATIONAL GUARD TO CERTIFY TO THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID THE NAMES OF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS AND THE INSTITUTIONS TO WHICH SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PAYABLE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSK CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT; TO PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM OPERATING A VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSK WITHOUT BEING LICENSED UNDER THE MONEY TRANSMISSION MODERNIZATION ACT; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN DISCLOSURES BY VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSK OPERATORS REGARDING THE RISKS OF VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSK TRANSACTIONS; TO IMPLEMENT CERTAIN FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES; TO REQUIRE VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSK OPERATORS TO PROVIDE RECEIPTS TO CUSTOMERS; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN TRANSACTION LIMITS FOR NEW CUSTOMERS AND FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 75-16-21 AND 75-16-69, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO APPROVE COURSES MADE AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH ONLINE CLASSES THROUGH THE MISSISSIPPI ONLINE COURSE APPROVAL (MOCA) IN THE OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION; TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO DEFRAY THE COST OF ONLINE COURSES THAT ARE NOT ACCREDITED; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 37-67-1, 37-68-7 AND 37-161-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO IS OTHERWISE A QUALIFIED ELECTOR AND HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF CERTAIN DISENFRANCHISING CRIMES, EXCEPT FOR ARSON, ARMED ROBBERY, CARJACKING, EMBEZZLEMENT, MURDER, RAPE, SEXUAL BATTERY, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, CHILD EXPLOITATION, COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY, OR STATUTORY RAPE, SHALL HAVE HIS OR HER RIGHT TO VOTE REVOKED, BUT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AUTOMATICALLY RESTORED AFTER HE OR SHE HAS SATISFIED ALL OF THE SENTENCING REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONVICTION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-19, 23-15-125, 23-15-151, 23-15-153 AND 23-15-165, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 97-39-3 AND 99-19-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-58.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT ANY REGISTRATION FEE FOR ANY ENCLOSURE CONTAINING WHITE-TAILED DEER THAT PREVENTS THE FREE EGRESS OF WHITE-TAILED DEER FROM THE ENCLOSED AREA; TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TESTING FOR DEER WITHIN SUCH ENCLOSURE; TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-58.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE PROVISIONS REGARDING SAMPLING DEER HARVESTED OR DYING FROM NATURAL CAUSES WITHIN AN ENCLOSURE; TO REPEAL SECTION 49-7-58.6, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH IS THE PROVISION OF LAW THAT REQUIRES WHITE-TAILED DEER HARVESTED WITHIN ANY ENCLOSURE TO BE TESTED FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.