AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE CREATING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN DENTAL SERVICES ACT; TO REQUIRE DENTAL INSURANCE CARRIERS TO PERFORM DENTAL LOSS RATIO CALCULATIONS AND FILE A DENTAL LOSS RATIO ANNUAL REPORT WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE; TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSIONER TO MAKE SUCH REPORTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THE WEBSITE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE; TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSIONER TO FILE A REPORT ON THE DATA COLLECTED PURSUANT TO THE REPORTS SUBMITTED BY CARRIERS WITH BOTH THE SENATE AND HOUSE INSURANCE COMMITTEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A $5,000 INCREASE TO THE TEACHER SALARY SCALE; TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL $3,000 ANNUAL SALARY SUPPLEMENT TO LICENSED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT ON A FULL-TIME BASIS TO PROVIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTION; TO PROVIDE AN $6,000.00 ANNUAL SALARY SUPPLEMENT TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST AND LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST EMPLOYED BY A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHO HAVE RECEIVED NATIONAL CERTIFICATION FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE CERTIFYING ENTITY, AND SERVING IN THE CAPACITY FOR WHICH THE CERTIFICATION HAS BEEN ISSUED; TO ESTABLISH A CAP ON THE MAXIMUM SALARY A SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT MAY EARN WHICH IS DIRECTLY CORRELATED TO HIS OR HER YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, CREDENTIALS AND CLASSIFICATION OF LICENSURE ENDORSEMENT IN RELATION TO 250% OF THE SALARY OF TEACHER WITH EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS, INCLUDING THE DISTRICT LOCAL SUPPLEMENT PAY; TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A $5,000 SALARY INCREASE FOR ASSISTANT TEACHERS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-11-103, 25-11-109, 25-11-111, 25-11-112, 25-11-114, 25-11-115, 25-11-117, 25-11-123 AND 25-11-147, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDERS WHO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM ON OR AFTER MARCH 1, 2026, SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE REGARDLESS OF AGE; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-126, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE CRITERIA AND SCALE OF COMPENSATION FOR ELIGIBLE RETIRED TEACHERS WHO RETURN TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION AS A CONTRIBUTIONS BUT NONBENEFIT ACCRUING MEMBER OF PERS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-151-203, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE BASE STUDENT COST; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 37-151-201, 37-151-203, 37-151-205, 37-151-207, 37-151-211, 37-151-213, 37-57-104, 37-57-105, 37-57-107, 37-61-33, 7-7-211, 19-9-157, 19-9-171, 27-39-317, 37-3-83, 37-15-38, 37-16-3, 37-17-6, 37-22-5, 37-28-55, 37-61-3, 37-61-5, 37-61-7, 37-61-35, 37-61-37, 37-151-81, 37-151-85, 37-151-95, 37-151-97, 41-79-5, 43-17-5, 27-104-351, 37-159-7, 37-23-31, 37-23-33, 37-23-35, 37-151-209, 37-151-215, 37-57-1, 27-65-75, 1-3-26, 25-4-29, 27-25-706, 27-33-3, 29-3-47, 29-3-49, 29-3-113, 29-3-137, 31-7-9, 31-7-10, 37-1-3, 37-3-11, 37-7-208, 37-7-301, 37-7-302, 37-7-303, 37-7-307, 37-7-319, 37-7-333, 37-7-419, 37-9-17, 37-9-23, 37-9-25, 37-9-33, 37-9-35, 37-9-37, 37-9-77, 37-11-11, 37-13-63, 37-13-64, 37-13-69, 37-23-1, 37-23-15, 37-23-69, 37-23-109, 37-23-179, 37-27-55, 37-27-57, 37-28-5, 37-28-53, 37-29-1, 37-29-272, 37-29-303, 37-31-13, 37-31-75, 37-35-3, 37-37-3, 37-41-7, 37-45-49, 37-47-9, 37-47-25, 37-47-33, 37-61-19, 37-61-29, 37-68-7, 37-131-7, 37-131-9, 37-131-11, 37-151-9, 37-151-87, 37-151-89, 37-151-91, 37-151-93, 37-151-99, 37-151-101, 37-151-103, 37-151-105, 37-151-107, 37-173-9, 37-173-13, 37-175-13, 37-179-3, 37-181-7 AND 65-26-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-13-80, 37-13-81, 37-13-83, 37-13-85, 37-13-87, 37-13-89, 37-13-91 AND 37-13-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE NAMES OF THE OFFICES OF DROPOUT PREVENTION AND COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE TO REFLECT NEW DESIGNATIONS AS THE OFFICE OF STUDENT SUCCESS AND GRADUATION AND THE OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL PARTICIPATION, RESPECTIVELY; TO ASSIGN THE NEW TITLE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVED IN THE ROLE OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS, TO NOW BEING REFERRED TO AS STUDENT SUCCESS AND GRADUATION COACHES, AND THEIR DISTRICT SUPERVISORS' TITLE BEING CHANGED TO STUDENT SUCCESS AND GRADUATION REGIONAL COORDINATORS; TO REVISE THE MINIMUM SALARY SCHEDULE FOR STUDENT SUCCESS AND GRADUATION COACHES BASED ON EDUCATION AND YEARS OF EXPERIENCE; TO REVISE EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS AND GRADUATION COACHES; TO REVISE THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF STUDENT SUCCESS AND GRADUATION COACHES; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-92, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT GIVE CONSENT TO A STUDENT BEING PLACED IN AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAM WHEN REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM BY A DISPOSITIVE ORDER OF A CHANCELLOR OR YOUTH COURT JUDGE; TO ESTABLISH THE DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT AND TEACHER STABILIZATION SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE PERFORMANCE-BASED AND NEED-BASED SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING TO CERTAIN UNDERPERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO PRESCRIBE DETAILED PROGRAM STRUCTURE, ADMINISTRATION, OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS; TO ESTABLISH CLEAR ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS, MEASURABLE BENCHMARKS AND PROPORTIONAL DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS; TO RESTRICT AND GOVERN THE USE OF FUNDS; TO REQUIRE TRANSPARENCY, REPORTING AND AUDIT CONTROLS; TO PROVIDE FOR A SUNSET AND LEGISLATIVE REVIEW; TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE TIME IN DECEMBER WHEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL PROCESS PAYROLL FOR ALL EMPLOYEES FROM THE LAST WORKING DAY TO A TIME CONSISTENT WITH OTHER MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING THE 45-DAY GAP BETWEEN TEACHER PAY PERIODS FROM THE DECEMBER PAY DATE TO JANUARY PAY DATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-41-3 AND 37-41-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD WITH THE DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO STUDENTS WHO LIVE WITHIN ONE MILE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO WHICH THEY ARE ASSIGNED IF CONDITIONS FOR WALKING TO SCHOOL PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE STUDENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-41-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PERMIT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS AND MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS AND OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCIES FOR THE USE OF SCHOOL BUSES UNDER CERTAIN EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCE; TO REVISE THE PROCEDURE AND AUTHORITY FOR THE USE OF PASSENGER CARS OR MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES OTHER THAN SCHOOLS BUSES TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-41-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE MAXIMUM SPEED THAT A SCHOOL BUS MAY TRAVEL WHEN TRANSPORTING CHILDREN ON AUTHORIZED TRIPS SHALL NOT EXCEED 65 MPH EVEN IF THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IS GREATER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-23-31, 37-23-33 AND 37-23-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY FUNDING ALLOCATIONS PROVIDED TO UNIVERSITY-BASED PROGRAMS UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI STUDENT FUNDING FORMULA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-13-63 AND 37-13-64, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION OF THE NUMBER OF DAYS SCHOOL DISTRICTS IMPACTED BY WINTER STORM FERN, WHICH WARRANTED THE GOVERNOR TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR SUCH PURPOSES, SHALL BE REQUIRED TO CONDUCT SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF THE REQUIRED 180 DAYS OF THE SCHOLASTIC YEARS BY GRANTING SUCH DISTRICTS WHICH CONTINUE TO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BEYOND THE EXPIRATION OF THE DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY ON JANUARY 27, 2026, NOT TO EXCEED FIFTEEN DAYS FOR PURPOSES OF THOSE SCHOOL BOARD'S ABILITY TO RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR PER PUPIL EXPENDITURE FOR PUPILS IN NET ENROLLMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-15-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE STATE AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN TO REQUIRE THE STATE TO PROVIDE FIFTY PERCENT OF THE COST OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN FOR THE ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS OF FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES; TO EXTEND THE REPEALER ON SECTION 25-15-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO MAKE GRANTS TO REGIONAL COMMISSIONS, COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING IN PAYING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SERVICES PROVIDED BY CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS, EXPENSES OF OPERATING CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT FACILITIES AND REPAIRING, RENOVATING, UPGRADING AND IMPROVING CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT FACILITIES; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY TO BE DESIGNATED AS THE "CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT FACILITIES FUND"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-153-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION GRANT FUNDS MAY BE USED TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT LEAD TO QUALIFYING INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS; TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF SUCH GRANT FUNDS TO SUPPLANT FUNDS FOR THE BASIC OPERATION OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-141, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALIGN STATE'S MEDIATION PROCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER IDEA WITH THE FEDERAL POLICY ON MEDIATION BY REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR CONFIDENTIALITY PLEDGES TO BE SIGNED BEFORE MEDIATION BEGINS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE QUALIFICATIONS EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS EMPLOYED IN A PREKINDERGARTEN OR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM, NOT GRANTED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY THE MISSISSIPPI CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZER BOARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO BEGIN A PHASED-IN EXPANSION OF EARLY LEARNING COLLABORATIVES EFFECTIVE WITH THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR THROUGH THE 2030-2031 SCHOOL YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A $4,000.00 ANNUAL SALARY SUPPLEMENT TO NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS WHO ARE EMPLOYED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN AREAS DESIGNATED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS GEOGRAPHICALLY CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE AREAS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 37-151-201, 37-151-203, 37-151-205, 37-151-207, 37-151-211, 37-151-213, 37-57-104, 37-57-105, 37-57-107, 37-61-33, 7-7-211, 19-9-157, 19-9-171, 27-39-317, 37-3-83, 37-15-38, 37-16-3, 37-17-6, 37-22-5, 37-28-55, 37-61-3, 37-61-5, 37-61-7, 37-61-35, 37-61-37, 37-151-81, 37-151-85, 37-151-95, 37-151-97, 41-79-5, 43-17-5, 27-104-351, 25-11-126, 37-159-7, 37-23-31, 37-23-33, 37-23-35, 37-151-209, 37-151-215, 37-57-1, 27-65-75, 1-3-26, 25-4-29, 27-25-706, 27-33-3, 29-3-47, 29-3-49, 29-3-113, 29-3-137, 31-7-9, 31-7-10, 37-1-3, 37-3-11, 37-7-208, 37-7-301, 37-7-302, 37-7-303, 37-7-307, 37-7-319, 37-7-333, 37-7-419, 37-9-17, 37-9-23, 37-9-25, 37-9-33, 37-9-35, 37-9-37, 37-9-77, 37-11-11, 37-13-63, 37-13-64, 37-13-69, 37-19-7, 37-21-6, 37-21-7, 37-23-1, 37-23-15, 37-23-69, 37-23-109, 37-23-179, 37-27-55, 37-27-57, 37-28-5, 37-28-53, 37-29-1, 37-29-272, 37-29-303, 37-31-13, 37-31-75, 37-35-3, 37-37-3, 37-41-7, 37-45-49, 37-47-9, 37-47-25, 37-47-33, 37-61-19, 37-61-29, 37-68-7, 37-131-7, 37-131-9, 37-131-11, 37-151-9, 37-151-87, 37-151-89, 37-151-91, 37-151-93, 37-151-99, 37-151-101, 37-151-103, 37-151-105, 37-151-107, 37-173-9, 37-173-13, 37-175-13, 37-179-3, 37-181-7 AND 65-26-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.