HB 1296, known as "Maeghan's Law," requires Mississippi's State Department of Health to create educational materials about amniotic fluid embolism (a rare, serious obstetric emergency where amniotic fluid enters the bloodstream, causing cardiovascular collapse and other complications) for healthcare providers, patients, and the public. The bill mandates that the Health Department develop these materials and post them on its website, focusing on recognizing signs, symptoms, and management of the condition. This law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affects healthcare systems, pregnant individuals, and their families by improving awareness of a critical but uncommon medical risk.
HB 1133 authorizes Mississippi's State Board of Health to create statewide standards for obstetrics care, directly affecting hospitals and health systems across the state. It requires the State Department of Health to lead development of these standards, including designating maternal/neonatal care centers, establishing protocols for patient transfers between facilities, and defining appropriate care levels based on each hospital's actual capacity (resources, staff, geography). The bill mandates that standards align with existing professional scopes of practice and hospital capabilities, ensuring patient safety while avoiding restrictions on licensed providers' legal roles. These rules would take effect July 1, 2027, after the Board consults with hospitals and health professionals.
HB 142 establishes a licensing and regulatory system for professional midwives in Mississippi community settings. It requires midwives to obtain a license from the newly created State Board of Licensed Midwifery, defines their scope of practice (including pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care), and mandates that health insurance plans covering maternity care must also cover services provided by licensed midwives. The bill explicitly states that midwifery is a distinct profession separate from medicine and prohibits discriminatory language in health coverage plans regarding midwifery. It also creates oversight mechanisms, including mandatory board rules by 2027, confidentiality protections, and criminal penalties for violations.
HB 719 requires nurse practitioners to be present at every Mississippi county health department for at least one day weekly to provide free contraceptive supplies and prescriptions to anyone seeking them. This directly affects individuals accessing contraception at county health centers, including minors who are parents, married, have parental consent, or are referred by authorized providers. The bill amends state law to mandate this weekly service and expand access to contraceptive information and supplies under specific conditions. The legislation, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
HB 534 creates the Mississippi Health Information Exchange, a statewide system enabling real-time electronic sharing of patient data between licensed hospitals, clinics, insurers, and public health agencies. It requires all licensed hospitals and community mental health centers to connect to the system for sharing admission/discharge/transfer data and bed availability, while allowing other providers to join voluntarily. The exchange is managed by a nonprofit entity selected through a competitive bid, with a special fund covering participation costs, and ensures data sharing complies with privacy laws like HIPAA. The system aims to improve care coordination, reduce administrative costs, and support public health research on priority issues like maternal health and mental health outcomes.
The Fatherhood Engagement in Maternal Health Act would require Mississippi's State Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign about fathers' roles in maternal health during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. It directs the Department to post online resources for healthcare providers (including hospitals and clinics) on engaging fathers and screening for paternal depression as part of routine maternity care. The bill is based on legislative findings that father involvement can improve maternal outcomes, reduce risks like preterm birth, and support infant development. These provisions aim to integrate father engagement into standard maternal health practices without mandating specific provider actions.
SB 2708 requires healthcare providers in Mississippi to screen new mothers for postpartum depression within six weeks of birth. It mandates that health insurance issuers cover this screening without deductibles or copays and prohibits step therapy protocols for FDA-approved depression treatments. The bill also requires hospitals to provide educational materials about maternal mental health to new parents and mandates the state health department to develop resources for providers and patients. These provisions directly affect new mothers, healthcare providers, and insurers across Mississippi.
HB 1389 establishes a licensure and regulatory system for professional midwives in Mississippi under the State Department of Health, creating a Midwifery Advisory Council to develop rules by July 2027. It requires health insurance plans covering maternity care to also cover services provided by licensed midwives within their scope of practice (same as physician services), prohibits discriminatory language about midwifery in coverage plans, and clarifies that midwifery is not considered medical practice. The bill directly affects licensed midwives (who must obtain a license to practice), healthcare insurers (required to cover midwifery services), and patients seeking community-based birth care. Key provisions include mandatory licensure, standardized scope of practice, confidentiality protections, and mechanisms to increase access to midwifery care in Mississippi communities.
HB 1493, the Mississippi Maternal Health Momnibus Act, would establish a grant program to fund community-based organizations providing maternal health services specifically for Black women, focusing on reducing maternal mortality and severe complications. The bill requires health care professionals in perinatal care to complete implicit bias training and exempts baby products like diapers, formula, and wipes from sales tax. It also expands Medicaid coverage to include services from this program, addressing social determinants such as housing, nutrition, transportation, and mental health support. These provisions target communities with high rates of racial disparities in maternal health outcomes.
HB 35 creates a 3-year pilot program in Sunflower and Jones counties to provide cash assistance to pregnant women facing acute economic hardship during pregnancy and for 12 months after birth. It offers $1,500 in prenatal payments (in three $500 installments) and $500 monthly for the infant’s first year, funded through a mix of public (using TANF for Medicaid-covered cases) and private sources. The program ensures these payments are excluded from income calculations for other benefits like Medicaid or SNAP, and requires the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) to track health outcomes - including prenatal care rates, preterm births, and NICU admissions - over the pilot period. This is a targeted economic support initiative, not a broad policy change.
