SB 2728 Mississippi Senate · 2026 Regular Session

The Mississippi Chancery Youth Court Act of 2026; enact to provide uniform youth court and extend automatic repealer on related sections.

SB 2728, the Mississippi Chancery Youth Court Act of 2026, standardizes youth court procedures across all Mississippi chancery courts and transitions the system from youth court referees to appointed judges by January 1, 2028. It defines key roles (like "youth court prosecutor," now the county prosecutor in delinquency cases), requires public access to hearings with limited exceptions, creates a new Family Services Forum for youth and families, and establishes a state-wide youth diversion program to reduce court involvement. The bill directly affects youth in delinquency and child welfare cases, county prosecutors, chancery court judges, child welfare agencies, and the Department of Human Services. Key changes include removing barriers to public court access, updating record handling rules, and requiring mandatory training for intake officers.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status died 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Governor

Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Last action Apr 1, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Substitute → Current version · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill title was updated to reflect that it has passed the Senate, replacing the 'Committee Substitute' designation. This indicates the bill has successfully moved through the legislative process and is now in its current form for the next stage of review.

Scope change

The bill's substantive scope and applicability remain unchanged; only the procedural status of the document was updated.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was changed from 'Committee Substitute' to 'As Passed the Senate' to accurately reflect its current legislative status.

As Introduced → Committee Substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally restructures Mississippi's youth court system by transitioning from a county court-based model to a unified Chancery Court system, establishing new roles like the Youth Court Prosecutor, and creating a new oversight body called the Family Services Forum. The changes aim to standardize procedures, improve data management, and increase public transparency in youth court hearings. Key updates include new definitions for terms like 'diversion' and 'data management system,' extended deadlines for repealing old sections, and the creation of a new forum to coordinate services for at-risk youth.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the youth court system by moving jurisdiction from county courts to Chancery Courts and creating new judicial positions. It also broadens public access to hearings and establishes a new collaborative body for service coordination.

SCOPE

Youth court jurisdiction is transferred from county courts to Chancery Courts, requiring the election of new Chancellors to serve as judges starting in 2028.

DEFINITION

New terms are defined including 'Youth Court Prosecutor' (the county prosecuting attorney), 'Intake Officer,' 'Diversion,' and 'Data Management System.'

The term 'Designee' is retained but with a sunset clause, scheduled for deletion after January 1, 2028.

REQUIREMENT

A new Family Services Forum is created to coordinate services, track outcomes, and develop strategies for preventing youth involvement in the justice system.

Public access to youth court hearings is expanded, with courts required to close hearings only after a specific finding and signed order stating the reasons.

TIMELINE

Several repeal dates for old sections are extended to January 1, 2028, or July 1, 2029, to allow for a phased transition to the new system.

ENFORCEMENT

New requirements mandate that the Youth Court Prosecutor represent the state in delinquency cases and that the Department of Child Protection Services represent the petition in child welfare matters.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2026 · House Mar 10, 2026

How they voted

36–15

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 52

Feb 12, 2026

D Democratic18

5 Yea 12 Nay 1

66% Nay

R Republican34

31 Yea 3 Nay

91% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference Report Filed

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Committee

Referred To Judiciary B;Appropriations A

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

upper

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

Referred To Judiciary, Division A;Appropriations

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors