AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-29-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CRIMINALIZE THE SALE OF A DEAD BODY OF ANY HUMAN BEING OR ANY PART OF THE DEAD BODY OF A HUMAN BEING; TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL PENALTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-1-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL TWO-YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON CRIMES WILL NOT RUN AGAINST THE CRIME OF SEXUAL BATTERY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-15-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF A CHILD'S RESIDENCE CONSENT TO THE RELEASE OF THE STUDENT FOR TRANSFER TO ANOTHER DISTRICT; TO REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEREE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVE OR REFUSE THE TRANSFER OF A STUDENT AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD AFTER RECEIPT OF THE PETITION FOR TRANSFER; TO REQUIRE THE TRANSFEREE DISTRICT TO NOTIFY, IN WRITING AND WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THE DISTRICT FROM WHICH THE STUDENT IS TRANSFERRING OF THE APPROVAL OF A TRANSFER REQUEST; TO PROVIDE THAT, ABSENT GOOD CAUSE, A TRANSFER REQUEST MUST BE APPROVED, AND THE TRANSFEROR DISTRICT NOTIFIED, NOT LATER THAN MARCH 15 OF THE SCHOOL YEAR BEFORE THE TRANSFER IS TO OCCUR; TO AUTHORIZE A TRANSFEREE DISTRICT TO CHARGE A FEE IT DETERMINES TO BE REASONABLE FOR RECEIVING A STUDENT; TO PROVIDE THAT NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL PRECLUDE THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION OR ANY SUCCESSOR REGULATORY BODY FROM EXERCISING ITS AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE THE EXTRACURRICULAR ELIGIBILITY OF A TRANSFERRING STUDENT; TO PROVIDE THAT TRANSFER AUTHORITY OF A DISTRICT TO RECEIVE OR DENY THE ACCEPTANCE OF A STUDENT REQUESTING TRANSFER INTO THE DISTRICT SHALL NOT SUPERSEDE ANY PROVISION OF AN ENFORCEABLE DESEGREGATION ORDER OR A COURT-APPROVED DESEGREGATION PLAN; TO AMEND SECTION 37-15-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 69-1-1, 65-1-3, 25-31-1, 23-15-300, 19-21-103, 19-3-3, 37-5-1, 21-3-9, 21-5-5, 23-15-309, 37-7-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE, TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, SHERIFFS, CHANCERY CLERKS, CIRCUIT CLERKS, TAX ASSESSORS, TAX COLLECTORS, COUNTY COURT JUDGES, COUNTY ATTORNEYS, SURVEYORS, CORONERS, SUPERVISORS, JUSTICE COURT JUDGES, CONSTABLES, ELECTION COMMISSIONERS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, LEVEE COMMISSIONERS, MAYORS, ALDERMEN, COUNCILMEN, MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF MUNICIPAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES, TO BE NATURAL BORN CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE TO THE MINIMUM TEACHER SALARY SCALE; TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NO SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL REDUCE THE LOCAL SUPPLEMENT OR PAY AN INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANT TEACHER LESS THAN THE STATE MINIMUM SALARY IN A YEAR IN WHICH THE STATE MINIMUM SALARY IS INCREASED; TO PROVIDE FOR A REDUCTION IN FUNDS FOR DISTRICTS THAT VIOLATE THIS SECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT NO DISTRICT SHALL PAY ANY ASSISTANT TEACHER LESS THAN THE STATE MINIMUM SALARY UNLESS DONE SO BY A PRO RATA DAILY AMOUNT WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A REDUCTION IN ADEQUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS FOR SUCH DISTRICT IN SUCH YEAR OR IN THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO SUCH DISTRICT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR; TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE TO THE MINIMUM BASE SALARY FOR ASSISTANT TEACHERS; TO EXPRESS THE LEGISLATURE'S INTENT THAT EACH FULL-TIME PROFESSOR OR INSTRUCTOR AT A STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING OR COMMUNITY OR JUNIOR COLLEGE RECEIVE A SALARY INCREASE ABOVE EXISTING PAY; TO EXPRESS THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT ALL FULL-TIME PROFESSORS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS, ASSISTANT PROFESSORS AND COURSE INSTRUCTORS OF ANY INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING OR COMMUNITY OR JUNIOR COLLEGE RECEIVE A SALARY INCREASE OF $2,000.00 ABOVE THEIR CURRENT SALARIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE NOTICE OF CONVEYANCE OF AN INTEREST RELATING TO A CARBON CREDIT OR SEQUESTRATION BE RECORDED AS AN INTEREST IN LAND; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 89-5-1 AND 89-5-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATE TO THE RECORDING OF INSTRUMENTS, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 93-5-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT OF WILLFUL AND OBSTINATE FROM THE GROUND OF DIVORCE FOR DESERTION; TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL GROUND OF DIVORCE WHEN THE COURT FINDS THERE HAS BEEN AN IRRETRIEVABLE BREAKDOWN OF THE MARRIAGE AND THAT FURTHER ATTEMPTS AT RECONCILIATION ARE IMPRACTICAL OR FUTILE AND NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PARTIES OR FAMILY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-15-405, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CANCER BENEFITS UNDER THE "MISSISSIPPI FIRST RESPONDERS HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT" SHALL BE APPLICABLE TO ACTIVE FIRST RESPONDERS AND CERTAIN RETIRED FIRST RESPONDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-126, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REDUCE THE REQUIRED SEPARATION PERIOD FOR RETIREES RETURNING TO WORK AS TEACHERS UNDER THE SECTION FROM 90 DAYS TO 45 DAYS; TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT OF A MINIMUM NUMBER OF YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE FOR SUCH A RETIREE TO RETURN TO WORK AS A TEACHER; TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT SUCH A RETIREE RETURNING TO WORK AS A TEACHER BE HIRED TO TEACH ONLY IN A DISTRICT HAVING A CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE OR CRITICAL SUBJECT-AREA SHORTAGE; TO ADJUST THE PENSION LIABILITY PARTICIPATION ASSESSMENT AND SUCH RETIREE'S SALARY FOR RETURNING TO WORK AS A TEACHER, AS DETERMINED IN SECTION 37-19-7; TO ALLOW LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES TO PAY, FROM LOCAL EDUCATION FUNDING, ALL OR A PORTION OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR SUCH RETIREES RETURNING TO WORK AS TEACHERS; TO ALLOW A MEMBER TO CONTINUE AS A LICENSED TEACHER IN AN INSTRUCTIONAL POSITION IF THE PERSON HAS REACHED THE AGE AND/OR SERVICE REQUIREMENT THAT WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED IN-SERVICE DISTRIBUTION AS DEFINED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, PROVIDED THAT THE PERSON ELECTS TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION AS PROVIDED FOR OTHER RETIREES RETURNING TO WORK AS TEACHERS UNDER THIS SECTION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-11-127 AND 25-9-120, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY PAY NO MORE THAN 65% OF A RETIRED TEACHER'S COMPENSATION AS SALARY, AND THE DISTRICT SHALL PAY TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF MISSISSIPPI A PENSION LIABILITY PARTICIPATION ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS ON THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE REGULAR COMPENSATION FOR THE POSITION HELD BY THE RETIRED TEACHER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO GRANT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AUTHORITY TO ADOPT REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF LARGE SOLAR PANELS; TO AMEND SECTION 49-2-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE "MISSISSIPPI ACT TO PROHIBIT THE CONTAMINATION OF CLEAN SOILS WITH SO-CALLED FOREVER CHEMICALS"; TO DEFINE RELEVANT TERMS; TO ALLOW THE MISSISSIPPI AIR AND WATER POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS LICENSED TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER TO SAMPLE THE WASTEWATER AND REPORT THE SAMPLE TO THE COMMISSION; TO PROHIBIT THE COMMISSION FROM ISSUING NEW LICENSES TO APPLY OR SPREAD SEPTAGE; TO ALLOW THE COMMISSION TO REVOKE LICENSES IF LEVELS OF PERFLUOROALKYL AND POLYFLUOROALKYL EXCEED ACCEPTABLE AMOUNTS; TO ESTABLISH PARAMETERS FOR THE APPLICATION OR SPREADING OF SLUDGE AND SEPTAGE; TO LIST EXCEPTIONS TO THE PARAMETERS ESTABLISHED; TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI AIR AND WATER POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR PROHIBITING THE LAND APPLICATION OF SEPTAGE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 83-9-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT AN INSURER, MANAGED-CARE COMPANY OR OTHER PAYOR FROM DISCRIMINATING AGAINST AN ACCREDITED DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER PROVIDING SERVICES PRESCRIBED BY A PATIENT'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER; TO PROVIDE THAT AN INSURER, MANAGED-CARE COMPANY OR OTHER PAYOR SHALL REIMBURSE DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT NO LESS THAN STATE MEDICAID RATES SET FOR THESE SERVICES ON A CONTINUOUS MONTHLY PAYMENT BASIS FOR THE DURATION OF THE MEDICAL NEED THROUGHOUT A PATIENT'S VALID PRESCRIPTION PERIOD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL'S QUALIFICATION AS A CANDIDATE FOR A PUBLIC OFFICE SHALL BE DEEMED A RESIGNATION AND VACANCY OF THE OFFICIAL'S CURRENT OFFICE IF THE TERM OF THE PUBLIC OFFICE THAT IS SOUGHT BEGINS DURING THE TERM FOR WHICH THE ELECTED OFFICIAL CURRENTLY SERVES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 83-9-36.3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN TO IMPLEMENT A CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS FOR A PARTICIPANT, BENEFICIARY OR THE PRESCRIBING HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ON BEHALF OF THE PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY, WITH CRF-COPD TO REQUEST AN EXCEPTION TO A STEP THERAPY PROTOCOL; TO SET CERTAIN PROCEDURES RELATED THERETO; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS TO A TREATMENT STEP THERAPY PROTOCOL FOR TREATMENT OF CRF-COPD; TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS TO MAKE CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING SUCH PROCEDURES AVAILABLE ON THEIR WEBSITE; TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS TO RESPOND TO A REQUESTING PRESCRIBER WITHIN SEVENTY-TWO HOURS AFTER RECEIVING AN INITIAL EXCEPTION REQUEST; TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS TO RESPOND TO SUCH A REQUEST WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY WHEN THE STEP THERAPY PROTOCOL MAY JEOPARDIZE THE LIFE OR HEALTH OF THE BENEFICIARY; TO AMEND SECTION 83-9-36, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE A STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE IMPACT AND SOCIETAL EFFECT OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT IN MISSISSIPPI; TO ESTABLISH THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE; TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR THE STUDY COMMITTEE; TO REQUIRE THE STUDY COMMITTEE TO FILE A REPORT WITH THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.