SB 2496 Mississippi Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Mississippi Earned Wage Access Services Act; enact.

SB 2496, the Mississippi Earned Wage Access Services Act, regulates companies that allow workers to access earned but unpaid wages before their regular payday. It directly affects Mississippi workers (referred to as "consumers") and businesses providing these services ("providers"). Key provisions require providers to clearly disclose all fees, allow consumers to cancel services anytime without fees, make tips voluntary with clear upfront disclosure, and reimburse overdraft fees caused by their payment attempts. The bill also prohibits providers from suing workers for unpaid amounts, using third-party collectors, or reporting non-payment to debt agencies.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 18, 2025 Last action Mar 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced Current version · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to pass the Senate with substantive additions to consumer protections and provider requirements, including new provisions about voluntary tips, debt collection restrictions, and fee disclosures. The effective date was also changed to make the law immediately ineffective as it was set to take effect and be repealed on the same day (July 1, 2025).
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include additional consumer protections regarding tips, gratuities, and debt collection practices, while also adding an exemption for state-chartered financial institutions.
REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for providers to clearly disclose that tips, gratuities, or donations are voluntary and may be zero before each transaction.

Added prohibition on providers reporting inability to collect outstanding proceeds to debt collectors.

Added prohibition on providers charging late fees, deferral fees, interest, or penalties for failure to repay.

Added exemption for state-chartered banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions from the act's provisions.

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from unspecified to July 1, 2025, with repeal on June 30, 2025, making the law immediately ineffective.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 13, 2025

How they voted

3218
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Feb 13, 2025
D Democratic16
6 Yea 9 Nay 1
56% Nay
R Republican35
26 Yea 9 Nay
74% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Feb 18, 2025
Committee
Referred To Banking and Financial Services
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced
Transmitted To House
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed As Amended
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass As Amended
upper
Jan 20, 2025
Committee
Referred To Business and Financial Institutions
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of John Polk
John Polk
RRepublican
MS
44