SB 2242 Mississippi Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Inmate work release program; authorize to perform services for MDOT.

SB 2242 creates a new work release program allowing eligible Mississippi state inmates to work for the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). It directly affects inmates serving sentences without violent crime convictions who have less than one year remaining, requiring them to work under MDOT supervision. Key provisions mandate that inmates earn at least the federal minimum wage, with wages allocated as follows: 25% toward court-ordered payments (like child support or fines), 50% saved for post-release use, 15% for facility costs, and 10% for personal expenses. The Mississippi Department of Corrections must establish eligibility rules and oversee the program, with potential collaboration with the prison industries corporation (MAGCOR).

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Feb 12, 2025 Signed Apr 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the upper → Current version · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to require inmates working for the Department of Transportation to use their wages for specific purposes including dependent support, savings, administrative fees, and incidental expenses. The changes also clarify eligibility criteria and adjust the effective date of the legislation.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include mandatory wage allocation requirements for inmates participating in the work program with the Department of Transportation.

REQUIREMENT

Added new subsections requiring work participants to allocate 25% of wages for dependent support and court-ordered fines, 50% for savings, up to 15% for administrative expenses, and 10% for incidental purchases.

Added requirement that inmate compensation must be no less than prevailing wage and federal minimum wage, with mandatory account maintenance and check stub provision.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility criteria by adding a new subsection allowing jail inmates sentenced for felonies to request work release program assignment, subject to sheriff discretion and sentence length limitations.

TIMELINE

Removed the repeal date of June 30, 2025, extending the bill's effective period indefinitely from July 1, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Changed bill status from 'As Passed the Senate' to 'As Sent to Governor' and adjusted section numbering formatting.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 10, 2025 · House Feb 27, 2025

How they voted

51–0

Passed

Total votes 51

Feb 10, 2025

D Democratic16

16 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican35

35 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 10, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

executive

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Report Adopted

lower

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference Report Adopted

upper

Mar 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference Report Filed

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

lower

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Referred To Corrections

lower

Feb 12, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed As Amended

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

upper

Jan 20, 2025

Committee

Referred To Corrections

upper

0 primary · 1 co-sponsor