AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FROM SEVERAL SPECIAL FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING GRANTS UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI HOSPITAL RECOVERY TRUST PROGRAM CREATED BY HOUSE BILL NO. , 2026 REGULAR SESSION, FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING UPON THE PASSAGE OF THIS ACT AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2027.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT STATE HEARING OFFICERS TO PROVIDE HEARING OFFICERS TO CONDUCT HEARINGS, COMPILE EVIDENCE AND RENDER DECISIONS ON MATTERS FOR PERSONS OR ENTITIES THAT HAVE ISSUES BEFORE STATE AGENCIES; TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE SHALL BE HEADED BY A DIRECTOR WHO IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR A TERM OF FOUR YEARS AND WHO MAY BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE ONLY FOR CAUSE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE SHALL BE HOUSED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION AND SHALL BE FUNDED FROM FUNDS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY APPROPRIATED TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THAT PURPOSE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR SHALL CONTRACT WITH AT LEAST FIVE PERSONS TO SERVE AS HEARING OFFICERS; TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN A PERSON OR ENTITY HAS AN ISSUE BEFORE A STATE AGENCY AND THE STATE AGENCY HAS ITS OWN HEARING OFFICER, THE PERSON OR ENTITY MAY ELECT AT ITS OPTION TO HAVE A HEARING OFFICER FROM THE OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT STATE HEARING OFFICERS HEAR AND DECIDE THE MATTERS AT ISSUE, AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO HAVING A HEARING OFFICER OF THE STATE AGENCY; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A PERSON OR ENTITY ELECTS TO HAVE A HEARING OFFICER FROM THE OFFICE, THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE SHALL ASSIGN ONE OF THE HEARING OFFICERS ON A ROTATING BASIS TO HEAR AND DECIDE THE MATTERS AT ISSUE; TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON OR ENTITY OR STATE AGENCY MAY APPEAL THE DECISION OF A HEARING OFFICER TO A PANEL OF THREE HEARING OFFICERS OF THE OFFICE WHO WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE HEARING AND DECISION; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON OR ENTITY OR STATE AGENCY AGGRIEVED BY A FINAL DECISION OF THE APPEALS PANEL SHALL BE ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE DECISION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE SMALL BUSINESS BRIDGE LOAN PROGRAM IN THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND CONSUMER FINANCE TO PROVIDE SHORT TERM BRIDGE LOANS TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNTIL THE OWNERS ARE ABLE TO SECURE OTHER FINANCING; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE SMALL BUSINESS BRIDGE LOAN PROGRAM REVOLVING LOAN FUND, WHICH SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, AND EXPENDED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LOANS TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DETERMINE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LOANS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND PROVISIONS FOR THE LOANS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI HOSPITAL RECOVERY TRUST PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO PUBLIC HOSPITALS AT HIGH FINANCIAL RISK TO HELP THOSE HOSPITALS BE MORE FINANCIALLY VIABLE SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY ARE LOCATED; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE MISSISSIPPI HOSPITAL RECOVERY TRUST FUND, WHICH SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND EXPENDED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING GRANTS TO PUBLIC HOSPITALS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT, A PUBLIC HOSPITAL MUST APPLY FOR THE GRANT AND INCLUDE SUCH DOCUMENTATION AS SPECIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT SHOWING THAT THE HOSPITAL IS AT HIGH FINANCIAL RISK; TO PROVIDE THAT THE AMOUNT OF EACH GRANT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WITH PRIORITY FOR LARGER GRANTS BEING GIVEN TO PUBLIC HOSPITALS THAT ARE AT IMMEDIATE RISK OF CLOSING AND WHOSE SURVIVAL IS CRITICALLY ESSENTIAL TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY ARE LOCATED; TO PROVIDE THAT WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF AN APPLICATION WITH THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION SHOWING THAT THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL IS AT HIGH FINANCIAL RISK, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL APPROVE THE APPLICATION AND DISTRIBUTE THE GRANT TO THE HOSPITAL; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COMMITTEE ABOUT EACH GRANT MADE UNDER THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE, THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF NURSING AND THE MISSISSIPPI HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, TO ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT THE DELTA MEDICAL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (MS DMAP) FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN GRADES 9 THROUGH 12 IN SCHOOLS SITUATED IN COUNTIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING CAREER PATHWAYS INTO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS; TO REQUIRE THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO BE CONDUCTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH LICENSED MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THOSE DELTA COUNTIES EXPERIENCING CRITICAL SHORTAGES IN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS; TO PRESCRIBE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM; TO PRESCRIBE THE COMPONENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTION DURING THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE PARTICIPATING STUDENTS TO COMPLETE CERTAIN TASKS AND RESEARCH PROJECTS; TO LIMIT PARTICIPATION IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA ENTERING GRADES 9 THROUGH 12 IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL; TO REQUIRE ELIGIBLE PERSONS TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE THE APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY A CERTAIN DATE AND TO ESTABLISH THE DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS; TO PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE IN THE FORM OF A REDUCED TUITION RATE FOR STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM; TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA MEDICAL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TRUST FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE FOR START-UP COSTS AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 37-71-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE A MINOR NONSUBSTANTIVE CHANGE; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 37-71-9 AND 31-71-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 85-7-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MECHANICS TO WHOM THE PRICE OF LABOR AND MATERIAL MAY BE DUE SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK TITLE OF A VEHICLE FROM A TITLE LOAN COMPANY AFTER NONPAYMENT OF SERVICES, IF THE PERSON WHOSE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACQUIRED A TITLE LOAN ON THE VEHICLE AFTER THE MECHANIC BEGAN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-3-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH THE WISEWOMAN AND WISEMAN PROGRAMS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCES OF CERTAIN CHRONIC DISEASES AMONG MISSISSIPPIANS THROUGH EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND EARLY SCREENING AND DETECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROGRAMS SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED IN EACH COUNTY THAT IS LOCATED WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY WEST OF INTERSTATE 55; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN A PERSON IS SEEKING DISABILITY BENEFITS, THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WHO EXAMINE THE PERSON TO DETERMINE THE PERSON'S ELIGIBILITY FOR THE BENEFITS BEING SOUGHT SHALL PROVIDE THE PERSON WITH COPIES OF HIS OR HER MEDICAL RECORDS AT NO CHARGE UNTIL AFTER THE APPLICABLE DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY HAS BEEN MADE; TO PROVIDE THAT AFTER SUCH DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY, THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WHO PROVIDED COPIES OF MEDICAL RECORDS TO THE PERSON MAY CHARGE THE PERSON FOR THE COST OF PROVIDING THOSE MEDICAL RECORDS, AT RATES NOT EXCEEDING CERTAIN STATUTORY AMOUNTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI LOTTERY CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO AUTHORIZE VIDEO LOTTERY AND VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS WITH LIMITATIONS ON TRANSACTION COSTS, MAXIMUM PAYOUTS AND LOCATIONS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-115-5, 27-115-17, 27-115-69 AND 27-115-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE TO PROVIDE ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS TO ALL MEMBERS OF EACH SCHOOL SPONSORED ATHLETIC ORGANIZATION GOVERNED BY THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF A NATIONAL OR REGIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATION OR CONFERENCE; TO PRESCRIBE THE MANNER BY WHICH THE ASSESSMENT MAY BE ADMINISTERED, THE TOOLS USED IN THE ASSESSMENTS AND BY WHOM THE ASSESSMENT MAY BE ADMINISTERED; TO REQUIRE EACH UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE TO PARTNER WITH A LOCAL OR REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST TO ASSIST IN ADMINISTERING THE REQUIRED ASSESSMENTS OR SCREENINGS AND TO PROVIDE BACKEND COUNSELING SERVICES AND COURSE OF CARE PLANS; TO PERMIT UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES TO CONSULT THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE THROUGH STATE PROVIDERS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES; TO REQUIRE EACH UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS TO MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL STUDENT POPULATION WHO HAVE AN ARREST RECORD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF BIRTH DOULAS BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH THE COMPETENCY-BASED REQUIREMENTS THAT A BIRTH DOULA MUST MEET TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATION; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH CERTIFICATION AND RENEWAL FEES, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES, DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES, CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND FORMS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACT; TO CREATE IN THE STATE TREASURY A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE BIRTH DOULA CERTIFICATION FUND, AND PROVIDE THAT MONIES IN THE FUND SHALL BE EXPENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THIS ACT DOES NOT PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM PRACTICING AS A BIRTH DOULA WITHOUT OBTAINING CERTIFICATION UNDER THIS ACT; TO PROHIBIT PERSONS FROM USING THE TITLE "STATE-CERTIFIED BIRTH DOULA" IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERSON'S NAME TO INDICATE OR IMPLY THAT THE PERSON IS A STATE-CERTIFIED BIRTH DOULA WITHOUT BEING CERTIFIED AS A BIRTH DOULA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFERY; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE ACT; TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS TO THE APPLICABILITY OF THE ACT; TO PROVIDE THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR LICENSED MIDWIVES; TO PROVIDE MANDATORY PROCEDURES FOR LICENSED MIDWIVES; TO PROHIBIT LICENSED MIDWIVES FROM CERTAIN ACTIONS; TO CREATE THE STATE BOARD OF LICENSED MIDWIFERY AND PROVIDE FOR ITS COMPOSITION, APPOINTMENT AND POWERS AND DUTIES; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO PROMULGATE RULES NOT LATER THAN JULY 1, 2027; TO REQUIRE A LICENSE FROM THE BOARD TO PRACTICE PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFERY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY PERMITS TO PRACTICE PENDING QUALIFICATION FOR LICENSURE; TO PROVIDE EXEMPTIONS FROM LICENSURE FOR CERTAIN PERSONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION MAINTAINED BY THE BOARD; TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; TO PROHIBIT TERMINOLOGY IN ANY HEALTH COVERAGE PLAN, POLICY OR CONTRACT THAT IS DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFERY; TO REQUIRE HEALTH COVERAGE PLANS THAT PROVIDE MATERNITY BENEFITS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY A LICENSED MIDWIFE; TO PROVIDE WHENEVER A HEALTH COVERAGE PLAN PROVIDES FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF ANY SERVICES THAT ARE WITHIN THE LAWFUL SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF LICENSED MIDWIVES, THE PERSON ENTITLED TO BENEFITS UNDER THE PLAN SHALL BE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE SERVICES, WHETHER THE SERVICES ARE PERFORMED BY A PHYSICIAN OR A LICENSED MIDWIFE; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DEVELOP AND INSTITUTE A SAFE PERINATAL TRANSFER CERTIFICATION FOR THE FACILITIES THAT IT REGULATES; TO AMEND SECTION 73-25-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT THE PRACTICE OF MIDWIFERY IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 71-3-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION ALLOWED FOR DISABILITY OR DEATH CASES FROM SIXTY-SIX AND TWO-THIRDS PERCENT TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE FOR THE STATE PER WEEK; TO AMEND SECTIONS 71-3-17 AND 71-3-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 71-3-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A DEATH BENEFIT AMOUNT AND PAYMENT; TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-653, 23-15-637 AND 23-15-715, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE TO REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 5:00 P.M. ON THE TWO SATURDAYS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE ELECTION FOR ABSENTEE VOTING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING 122 SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE RURAL PHYSICIANS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027.