Education funding, child safety, health issues addressed by House

By District 56 Representative Clay Mansell

The sixth week of the 2026 Regular Session concluded on February 14. The House continued advancing major legislation as key floor deadlines approached, taking up measures related to public safety, healthcare, education funding and disaster response.
Some significant pieces of legislation the House has considered and passed include:

House Bill 424, “Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)” – Authorizes courts to order assisted outpatient treatment as a community-based alternative to inpatient commitment for individuals with serious mental illness.

House Bill 520, “Child Support Enforcement via Gaming Winnings” – Requires the Mississippi Gaming Commission to work with the Department of Human Services to withhold or encumber gaming winnings from individuals with outstanding child support arrears. The bill establishes procedures to secure payments and aligns related statutes to support collection efforts.

House Bill 525, “Mandatory Minimum for Sexual Battery” – Establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain sexual battery convictions, including a minimum of five years for specified first offenses and enhanced penalties for repeat offenders. Courts may issue criminal sexual assault protection orders prohibiting contact with victims, with penalties for violations.

House Bill 538, “Sanctuary Policies” – Expands the prohibition on sanctuary policies, requiring state and local governmental entities, including public colleges and universities, to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute violations and allows for waiver of sovereign immunity for noncompliance.

House Bill 571, “Foreign National Contributions”– Prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or expenditures in connection with any state or local ballot measure and bars the solicitation or acceptance of such contributions.

House Bill 669, “Direct Shipment of Distilled Spirits” – Authorizes direct sales and shipment of distilled spirits to residents of the state under specified regulations.

House Bill 672, “Sunday Alcohol Sales” – Allows counties, municipalities, tribes or state agencies in wet areas to permit package retailers to sell alcohol on Sundays between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Retailers are not required to open on Sundays, and all existing restrictions and penalties for alcohol sales remain in effect.

House Bill 788, “Affidavit Ballots” — Provides that an eligible voter’s affidavit ballot may be used as voter registration, allows a valid affidavit ballot to serve as a written request to transfer voting precincts or wards, and return inactive voters to active status upon casting an affidavit ballot.

House Bill 895, “Medical Cannabis”– Extends certification and registry card validity periods, removes the mandatory six-month follow-up visit, allows equal purchase limits for nonresident cardholders, and removes THC potency limits for certain cannabis products.

House Bill 908, “Absentee ballots” — Requires absentee ballots for federal elections to be received by the day before the election if federal law preempts state absentee voting rules.

House Bill 999, “Mississippi Parkinson’s Disease Research Registry” — Establishes a state registry under the Department of Health to track Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, collect data from healthcare providers, allow patient opt-out, ensure confidentiality, and provide researchers and the public with information to support research and awareness.

House Bill 1034, “Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act” or “Ryan’s Law” — Allows terminally ill patients in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice facilities to safely use medical cannabis, with secure storage and administration handled by the patient or their caregiver, while prohibiting smoking or vaping.

House Bill 1126, “Teacher Salary Increase” — Increases the teacher salary scale by $5,000 and maintains the assistant teacher program. Includes performance-based pay, mentor teacher supplements, and additional pay for nationally certified teachers, nurses, counselors, and speech-language pathologists.

House Bill 1224, “Mississippi Keeping Kids Safe Online Act” – Establishes requirements for online platforms to enhance protections for minors and improve parental oversight tools.

House Bill 1294, “Child Grooming and Sexual Battery Amendment Act” — Strengthens laws against child grooming and sexual battery, clarifying definitions, including electronic device use, and increasing penalties, especially for offenders in positions of trust.

House Bill 1310, “Mississippi Open to Religion Act” – Requires public schools and nonsectarian charter schools to offer a daily voluntary period of prayer and Bible or religious text reading. Participation requires written consent and waivers of legal claims, cannot replace instructional time, and may not be broadcast over school systems. The Attorney General may provide guidance and legal defense, and the act does not limit individual prayer or other religious expression.

House Bill 1404, “Fraudulent Utility Conversion”– Creates the crime of fraudulent utility conversion when a landlord fails to pay utilities after collecting payment from a tenant, establishes penalties based on the amount involved, and requires landlords to reimburse tenants for unpaid utilities.

House Bill 1577, “Willful False Reports of Child Abuse” – Clarifies that a report of child abuse is criminally false only when intentionally made without credible evidence. Authorizes restitution to law enforcement and the Department of Child Protection Services for investigative costs and establishes penalties of up to one year in jail, a $5,000 fine, or both.

House Bill 1581, “Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act” — Legalizes online sports pool and race book betting in Mississippi, establishes licensing requirements for platforms and gaming establishments, sets rules for age verification and geofencing, and allows the Gaming Commission to collaborate with DHS to withhold winnings for unpaid child support.

House Bill 1677, “Metro Jackson Water Authority Act” – Creates the Metro Jackson Water Authority and outlines governance, oversight and operational provisions.

The Capitol has been welcoming students, educators and community groups, including Mississippi Academy of Physicians, MHA Emerging Leaders, UMMC Medical Students, Mississippi Early Learning Alliance, St. Andrews Episcopal School, St. Augustine School, Girl Scout Troop 4775, 4-H State Officers, Mississippi Youth Challenge Academy, the National Association of Social Workers – Mississippi Chapter, and the Secretary of State Student Ambassadors.

I value your input for the issues and votes that we are addressing this year. Please follow me at “Clay Mansell – MS State Representative, District 56” on Facebook or at ClayMansell.com. You can reach me at 601-990-9511 or by email at ClayMansell@MansellMedia.net.