Mississippi Autism Scholarship Program Act; establish.

HB 1161, the "Mississippi Autism Scholarship Program Act," proposes a state-funded scholarship program for Mississippi students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who meet specific criteria, including a DSM-5 diagnosis, age 3-21, Mississippi residency, and an active Individualized Education Program (IEP) for ASD. The bill would allow families to use scholarship funds to enroll eligible students in participating public or nonpublic schools offering specialized autism services, covering tuition, fees, and therapy costs. It also mandates autism screening for all public school students in kindergarten through grade 1, requires school diagnosticians to receive additional autism training, and directs the state education department to report annually on program outcomes. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.