AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE EACH EMPLOYER IN THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM THAT CONTRACTS WITH INDIVIDUALS TO PERFORM SERVICES FOR OR ON BEHALF OF THE EMPLOYER AS A CONTRACT WORKER, CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEE OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR TO PAY INTO THE EMPLOYER'S ACCUMULATION ACCOUNT OF THE SYSTEM A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL COMPENSATION THAT IS PAID TO THE INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE CONTRACT, IF THE SERVICES CONTRACTED FOR ARE SERVICES THAT ARE TYPICALLY PERFORMED BY REGULAR EMPLOYEES OF THE EMPLOYER AND ARE STILL BEING PERFORMED BY OR WERE FORMERLY PERFORMED BY ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE SYSTEM FOR OR ON BEHALF OF THE EMPLOYER; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PERCENTAGE SHALL BE THE SAME AS THE EMPLOYER'S CONTRIBUTION RATE THAT IS PAID ON ACCOUNT OF EACH MEMBER WHO BECAME A MEMBER OF THE SYSTEM BEFORE MARCH 1, 2026; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO DEVELOP AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS LOCATED WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENT AGE-APPROPRIATE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE POLICIES RELATING TO STUDENT CELL PHONE POSSESSION AND USE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY DURING THE ACADEMIC SCHOOL DAY FROM BELL-TO-BELL; TO SPECIFY THE MINIMUM PROVISIONS TO BE CONTAINED IN EACH SCHOOL CELL PHONE-FREE EDUCATION POLICY APPLICABLE TO ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS; TO PRESCRIBE EXCEPTIONS TO POSSESSION; TO PROHIBIT STUDENTS FROM BEING SUSPENDED OR EXPELLED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF ANY VIOLATION OF SUCH POLICIES; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR OFF-SITE EVENTS; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO MAKE ITS POLICY PUBLICLY AVAILABLE AND POSTED PROMINENTLY ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WEBSITE; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS, WHEN DESIGNING ITS CELL PHONE-FREE EDUCATION POLICY, TO INCORPORATE SCHOOL-BASED EMERGENCY BEST PRACTICES IN ITS COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-11-55 AND 37-11-57, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS REGARDING THE PROHIBITION ON SUSPENDING OR EXPELLING STUDENTS FOR BEING IN VIOLATION OF THE CELL PHONE POSSESSION POLICY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION FOR FIRST-TIME VOTERS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-13, 23-15-35, 23-15-37, 23-15-39, 23-15-41 AND 23-15-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 23-15-45, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-365, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE BLANK SPACE FOR A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE AND PROVIDE THAT A SUPPLEMENTARY BALLOT MUST BE PRINTED AND USED IN THE EVENT A CANDIDATE DIES, RESIGNS, WITHDRAWS OR IS REMOVED AFTER THE BALLOTS HAVE BEEN PRINTED BUT BEFORE AN ELECTION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-333, 23-15-523 AND 23-15-551, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "CREATE A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORKPLACE FOR NATURAL (CROWN) HAIR ACT"; TO PROHIBIT CREATION OF WORKPLACE AND SCHOOL POLICIES THAT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF NATURAL HAIRSTYLES; TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION BY AN EMPLOYER, SCHOOL, SCHOOL DISTRICT OR ADMINISTRATOR ENGAGED IN COMMERCE ON THE BASIS OF HAIR TEXTURE; TO PROHIBIT TERMINATION, REDUCTION OF WORK HOURS, OR PAYING A REDUCED SALARY OR WAGE OR EXPULSION OR DISMISSAL BASED ON HAIR TEXTURE; TO PROVIDE THE REMEDIES FOR ANY PERSON WHO IS AGGRIEVED BY VIOLATION OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-9-149, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE STATE DISCRIMINATION POLICY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 89-9-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT CONDOMINIUM RESTRICTIONS SHALL NOT INCLUDE DISCRIMINATORY PROVISIONS IN CONFORMITY WITH THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 73-35-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES ARE GROUNDS FOR REVOCATION OF REAL ESTATE SALES AND BROKER LICENSES; TO AUTHORIZE COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO CREATE POLICIES THAT PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES IN CONFORMITY WITH THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-40, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT AN OFFENDER WHO IS ON PROBATION AND PAROLE MAY BE AWARDED EARNED-DISCHARGE CREDIT IF HE OR SHE PARTICIPATES IN FAITH-BASED ACTIVITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI RX KIDS PROGRAM AS A PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TARGETED TIME-LIMITED ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO ALL PREGNANT WOMEN IN THOSE COUNTIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING AN ACUTE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP DURING THEIR PREGNANCY AND FOR TWELVE MONTHS AFTER GIVING BIRTH; TO SPECIFY THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE PROGRAM AND AMOUNTS OF CASH PRESCRIPTIONS THAT THE WOMAN IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROGRAM IS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT COMBINES PUBLIC FUNDING FROM STATE AND FEDERAL SOURCES WITH PRIVATE FUNDING; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROGRAM SHALL BE BASED AT AND ADMINISTERED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER; TO PROVIDE UMMC SHALL CONTRACT WITH A NONPROFIT ENTITY TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE CASH PRESCRIPTIONS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE NONTAXABLE PRIVATE GIFTS MADE BY THE NONPROFIT ENTITY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE NONPROFIT ENTITY SHALL DISTRIBUTE THE PRESCRIPTIONS AS DIRECT DEPOSITS FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OR THROUGH RELOADABLE DEBIT CARDS; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL CASH PRESCRIPTIONS SHALL BE FUNDED USING A MIXTURE OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FUNDS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROGRAM SHALL USE TANF FUNDS THROUGH "NON-RECURRENT SHORT-TERM BENEFITS" (NRST) FOR THE PRENATAL TRANSFERS AND THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF INFANT TRANSFERS FOR ALL MEDICAID-COVERED PRENATAL CARE AND BIRTHS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROGRAM MUST USE OTHER PUBLIC NON-TANF FUNDS OR PRIVATE FUNDS FOR THE OTHER NINE MONTHS OF INFANT TRANSFERS AND FOR ALL PRENATAL CARE AND BIRTHS THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY MEDICAID; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AMEND THE STATE PLANS OF CERTAIN PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAMS TO EXCLUDE ALL CASH PRESCRIPTIONS UNDER THE PROGRAM FROM THE INCOME CALCULATORS FOR THOSE PROGRAMS AND TO APPLY FOR ANY NECESSARY FEDERAL WAIVERS, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THOSE PUBLIC BENEFITS FOR WHICH ELIGIBILITY IS INCOME BASED FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PILOT PROGRAM SHALL BE OPERATED FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS; TO PROVIDE THAT DURING THE PERIOD OF OPERATION AND AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM, UMMC SHALL MEASURE AND EVALUATE THE OUTCOMES OF BIRTHS IN THE COUNTIES IN THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDE SUCH INFORMATION TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-171, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IF VACANCIES OCCUR IN A MUNICIPAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF A MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION, THE STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL FILL THE VACANCIES; TO REQUIRE A PERSON APPOINTED TO A MUNICIPAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BY THE STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO REMAIN IN THAT POSITION UNTIL THE NEXT REGULAR ELECTION FOR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 23-15-309 AND 23-15-313, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE "ROBERT G. CLARK, JR., EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY" FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO QUALIFYING STUDENTS PURSUING A DEGREE IN EDUCATION, WHO WILL THEN COMMIT TO THE PRACTICE OF TEACHING IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE DESIGNATED AS GEOGRAPHICAL CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE AREAS BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEANS OF THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, RESPECTIVELY, SHALL ADMINISTER THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; TO CAP THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED ANNUALLY; TO LIMIT TO FOUR YEARS DURATION FOR WHICH A STUDENT MAY RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS; TO DEFINE TERMINOLOGY USED IN THE ACT; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEANS OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION OF EACH RESPECTIVE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING DESIGNATED HEREIN TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE RESPECTIVE PRESIDENTS OF ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; TO PRESCRIBE THE MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR RECEIPT OF SCHOLARSHIP, CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AND POST PROGRAM COMPLETION OBLIGATIONS AND PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO PERFORM THE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENT; TO AUTHORIZE THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGES OF EDUCATION TO ACCEPT GIFTS, DONATIONS, BEQUESTS, GRANTS AND ANY OTHER MONIES FROM ANY SOURCE WHATSOEVER TO BE USED FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE EACH DEAN TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT WHO RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE PROGRAM AND HOW MUCH EACH PERSON RECEIVED, AND THE AMOUNT OF ANY GIFTS, DONATIONS AND OTHER FUNDS RECEIVED AND HOW THOSE FUNDS WERE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "MISSISSIPPI GROCERY INITIATIVE ACT"; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SHALL, SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION, ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI GROCERY INITIATIVE TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS IN FOOD DESERTS IN MISSISSIPPI AND AREAS AT RISK OF BECOMING FOOD DESERTS BY PROVIDING GRANTS AND OTHER FORMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN FOOD RESOURCES; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MAY PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELING TO MISSISSIPPI GROCERY INITIATIVE PARTICIPANTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE A SECTION TO PROHIBIT THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FROM HOUSING OFFENDERS IN PRIVATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES UNLESS THE COMMISSIONER ALLOWS A CERTAIN NUMBER OF INMATES TO PARTICIPATE IN JOINT STATE-COUNTY WORK PROGRAMS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 47-4-1, 47-4-11, 47-5-471, 47-5-941, 47-5-943, 47-5-1211 AND 47-5-1213, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM WITH THE PRECEDING SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-5-32, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AGE PROVIDED IN THE DEFINITION FOR THE TERM "CHILD" FOR THE CRIME OF "GROOMING OF A CHILD"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-35-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE PERMANENTLY DISABLED PERSONS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF NURSING HOMES OR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES TO RECEIVE A PERMANENT STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD WITHOUT CHARGE OF A FEE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT CERTAIN INSURANCE POLICIES AND CONTRACTS SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR OBESITY TREATMENT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS A BODY MASS INDEX THAT IS THIRTY PERCENT OR MORE ABOVE HIS OR HER IDEAL BODY WEIGHT AND WHEN A WRITTEN ORDER IS PROVIDED BY A PHYSICIAN THAT STATES THE TREATMENT IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-7-191, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION TO THE MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF NEED FOR HOME HEALTH AGENCIES TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ISSUE UP TO FIVE CERTIFICATES OF NEED TO THE RECIPIENTS OF THE FIVE NEW HOSPICE LICENSES ISSUED UNDER SECTION 41-85-7(3); AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.