AN ACT TO REQUIRE DRUG TESTING OF PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GRADES SIX THROUGH TWELVE WHO HAVE BEEN DEEMED TRUANT IN VIOLATION OF ALLOWABLE ABSENCES UNDER THE "COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW"; TO DECLARE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS RELATING TO STUDENT DRUG USAGE AND THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS USED UNDER THE ACT; TO REQUIRE EACH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD TO ADOPT A POLICY REQUIRING DRUG TESTING STUDENTS IN GRADES SIX THROUGH TWELVE WHO ARE EXCESSIVELY ABSENT AND TO PRESCRIBE CERTAIN COMPONENTS THAT MUST BE IN THE POLICY, INCLUDING A PROVISION REQUIRING A STUDENT'S PARENT TO PAY THE COST OF THE DRUG TEST; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN A STUDENT'S DRUG TEST IS POSITIVE; TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENT DRUG TESTS WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND TO PRESCRIBE THE MANNER IN WHICH THE TESTING MUST BE PERFORMED; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISCLOSURE OF POSITIVE TEST RESULTS AND TO REQUIRE INFORMATION RELATING TO A STUDENT'S DRUG TEST TO BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND SEPARATE FROM THE STUDENT'S CUMULATIVE FOLDER; TO AUTHORIZE A STUDENT TO PRESENT EVIDENCE OF THE PROPER USE OF A PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION AS AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO A POSITIVE DRUG TEST; TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER IN-SCHOOL COUNSELING OR REFERRAL INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS TESTING POSITIVE FOR DRUGS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH AND DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, TO ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PREPARE A MODEL DRUG TESTING POLICY FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-91, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY TO INCLUDE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ENTITLED TO BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT OF 2010 (ACA), AS AMENDED; TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID UNDER THE FEDERAL PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT OF 2010 (ACA), AS AMENDED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID TO PREPARE A VIDEO PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT PROPER NUTRITION, HEALTHY EATING HABITS, PREVENTING AND REDUCING OBESITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAST-FEEDING INFANTS; TO REQUIRE THAT THE VIDEO BE OFFERED FOR PRESENTATION TO APPLICANTS FOR AND RECIPIENTS OF CERTAIN BENEFITS IN THE OFFICES OF THE AGENCY AND ON THE AGENCY'S WEBSITE; TO DESCRIBE THE TOPICS THAT MUST BE COVERED IN THE VIDEO; TO REQUIRE AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE VIDEO; TO AMEND SECTION 41-135-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS NOT REQUIRED TO OFFER A SEPARATE VIDEO ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING INFANTS FOR PRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OFFERED THE VIDEO DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-121, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIRECT THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID TO APPLY FOR NECESSARY WAIVERS AND EXPEND FUNDS APPROPRIATED AS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES TO PERSONS WHO ARE AGED/DISABLED, PHYSICALLY DISABLED OR RECIPIENTS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY/SPINAL CORD INJURY, TO ELIMINATE ANY WAITING PERIOD FOR SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE "DROPOUT PREVENTION AND STUDENT RE-ENGAGEMENT ACT"; TO DECLARE THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT TO DECREASE THE HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT RATE AND INCREASE THE GRADUATION RATE; TO DEFINE TERMS USED IN THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-80, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF DROPOUT PREVENTION TO USE CERTAIN FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACT; TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE TO COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES TO REDUCE THE STATEWIDE AND LOCAL STUDENT DROPOUT RATES AND TO INCREASE THE STATEWIDE AND LOCAL GRADUATION AND COMPLETION RATES IN THE STATE; TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES USED BY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES IN ANALYZING DROPOUT RATES AND GRADUATION AND COMPLETION RATES; TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE TO IDENTIFY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES FAILING TO MEET THEIR ESTABLISHED GRADUATION AND COMPLETION RATE EXPECTATIONS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES; TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE TO REVIEW THE EXISTING RESEARCH AND DATA AND COMPILE A REPORT OF EFFECTIVE DROPOUT PREVENTION AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND RE-ENGAGEMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED BY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES WITHIN THIS STATE AND IN OTHER STATES; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-85, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ENFORCEMENT TO ANALYZE DATA COLLECTED BY THE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES FOR PURPOSES OF COMPILING A REPORT TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD AND THE LEGISLATURE; TO REQUIRE HIGH PRIORITY AND PRIORITY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES TO CONDUCT A PRACTICES ASSESSMENT; TO REQUIRE HIGH PRIORITY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES TO ADOPT A STUDENT GRADUATION AND COMPLETION PLAN AND PRESCRIBE ITS REQUIRED COMPONENTS; TO REQUIRE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES TO NOTIFY A STUDENT'S PARENT IF THE STUDENT DROPS OUT OF SCHOOL; TO ESTABLISH THE STUDENT RE-ENGAGEMENT GRANT PROGRAM FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES FOR USE IN PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO STUDENTS AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS FUNDING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CREATE A SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) PILOT PROGRAM IN CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS PRIMARILY IN THE DELTA FOR HIGH PERFORMING STUDENTS IN GRADES 4 THROUGH 8; TO PRESCRIBE CERTAIN COMPONENTS OF THE STEM PILOT PROGRAM; TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PAY AN ANNUAL SALARY SUPPLEMENT TO A TEACHER SERVING AS THE ADVISOR TO THE STEM PILOT PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ANNUALLY SUBMIT DATA ON THE PILOT PROGRAM TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO COMPILE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DATA INTO A REPORT FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO DEVELOP AND USE A PROCESS TO HELP ENSURE THAT SUBGRANTEES THAT RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT SUFFICIENTLY REFLECT THE DEMOGRAPHIC MAKEUP OF THE ELIGIBLE POPULATION FOR THE PROGRAM FOR WHICH THE GRANTS ARE MADE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REINSTATE THE PROGRAM OF PROVIDING NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED MEALS TO OLDER INDIVIDUALS IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "FORMER COLLEGIATE ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM"; TO AUTHORIZE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FORMER COLLEGIATE ATHLETES WHO DID NOT COMPLETE A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE TO PURSUE A DEGREE IN EDUCATION OR ANOTHER DEGREE PROGRAM THAT ENABLES THE INDIVIDUAL TO BE LICENSED AS A TEACHER THROUGH AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE; TO AUTHORIZE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR UP TO THREE YEARS; TO REQUIRE A SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT TO RENDER SERVICE AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER IN EXCHANGE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO BE THE ADMINISTERING AGENCY OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-106-85, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN RESIDENT PHYSICIAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN PHYSICIANS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES IN UNDERSERVED MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES IN MISSISSIPPI; TO REQUIRE THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER TO ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT UPON ENTERING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, A PARTICIPANT IN THE PROGRAM MUST SERVE IN A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREA, MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREA, OR RURAL AREA OTHERWISE APPROVED FOR PRACTICE IN MISSISSIPPI FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS; TO REQUIRE THE PHYSICIAN TO REPAY IF THEY DO NOT FULFILL SUCH OBLIGATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 41-9-353, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE THE SPECIALTY DOCTORS TO RURAL HOSPITALS GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THE AVAILABILITY OF SPECIALTY DOCTORS IN RURAL HOSPITALS WHEN A MAJOR HOSPITAL INDICATES TO A RURAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DOCTOR THAT THE MAJOR HOSPITAL IS ON DIVERSION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL ADMINISTER AND DISTRIBUTE GRANT FUNDS TO RURAL HOSPITALS FOR SUCH PURPOSE; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE FOR ESTABLISHING A PAYMENT STRUCTURE; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 41-9-20, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PATIENT OF A RURAL HOSPITAL SHALL BE ADMITTED TO A MAJOR HOSPITAL WHEN A DOCTOR OF SUCH RURAL HOSPITAL DEEMS IT IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO TRANSFER SUCH PATIENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OF A MAJOR HOSPITAL; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL PRESCRIBE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT PROVIDE WHAT SITUATIONS SHALL BE CONSIDERED MEDICALLY NECESSARY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN PROVISIONS THAT THE DEPARTMENT MUST CONSIDER IN ADOPTING SUCH RULES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE RECIPIENTS OF BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) OR THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) PROGRAM TO TAKE THE TEST OF ADULT BASIC EDUCATION (TABE); TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE RECIPIENT SCORES BELOW THE 12TH GRADE LEVEL IN ANY CATEGORY OF THE TABE, THE RECIPIENT MUST ENROLL IN A PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE TABE AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO BECOME COMPETENT IN THOSE CATEGORIES IN WHICH THE RECIPIENT IS DEFICIENT, AND TAKE THE TABE AGAIN AFTER COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM OF STUDY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNDER 65 YEARS OF AGE, ARE NOT PREGNANT, ARE NOT ENTITLED TO OR ENROLLED FOR MEDICARE BENEFITS AND WHOSE INCOME IS NOT MORE THAN 133% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, AS AUTHORIZED UNDER THE FEDERAL PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI SMOKE-FREE AIR ACT OF 2026; TO EXPRESS CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS REGARDING THE EFFECTS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE AND OTHER RISKS OF SMOKING; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO PROHIBIT SMOKING IN ENCLOSED PUBLIC PLACES AND PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT, IN PRIVATE CLUBS, IN ENCLOSED RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND IN CERTAIN OUTDOOR PUBLIC PLACES AND PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT; TO AUTHORIZE PERSONS TO VOLUNTARILY DESIGNATE AREAS WITHIN THEIR CONTROL AS SMOKE-FREE PLACES; TO PRESCRIBE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS IN CONTROL OF AREAS TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ACT; TO REQUIRE PERSONS IN CONTROL OF AREAS TO POST "NO SMOKING" SIGNS AT ALL ENTRANCES TO AREAS WHERE SMOKING IS PROHIBITED; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH TO ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ACT; TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN OFFICIALS AND OTHER PERSONS TO APPLY FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF IN COURT TO ENFORCE THE ACT; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO ALLOW POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS TO ADOPT LOCAL ORDINANCES RELATING TO SMOKING THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THIS ACT; TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENGAGE IN A CONTINUING PROGRAM TO EXPLAIN AND CLARIFY THE PURPOSES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT TO CITIZENS AFFECTED BY IT, AND TO GUIDE OWNERS, OPERATORS AND MANAGERS IN THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH IT; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 29-5-160 THROUGH 29-5-163, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ARE THE MISSISSIPPI CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.