Mississippi Child Poverty Task Force; create.

HB 596 creates the Mississippi Child Poverty Task Force to analyze and address child poverty in the state. The task force, composed of balanced legislative members, nonprofit representatives, and state agency officials, is required to study poverty’s root causes, evaluate existing efforts, and develop strategies to improve economic opportunities for affected families. It must submit final recommendations to the legislature by July 2027, including potential policy changes. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.