HB 226 requires Mississippi Medicaid to reimburse Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural health clinics, and community mental health centers at the same rate for telehealth services as for in-person visits. This change directly affects these specific healthcare providers, ensuring they receive equal payment for virtual care compared to in-person appointments. The bill amends Medicaid reimbursement rules to eliminate rate disparities for telehealth under the Prospective Payment System. This policy aims to improve access to care, particularly in rural areas where telehealth is a critical service delivery method.
HB 1590, the "Blockchain Basics Act," prohibits Mississippi state agencies and local governments from accepting Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) payments or participating in federal CBDC tests. It protects individuals' rights to use digital assets for purchasing legal goods/services and exempts small transactions (under $200, adjusted annually for inflation) from capital gains tax. The bill also allows digital asset mining businesses in industrial zones with zoning protections and exempts home mining and certain service providers from licensing requirements under existing financial laws. These provisions directly affect state entities, consumers using digital assets, and businesses operating in the digital asset sector.
HB 384 creates a grant program administered by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to help public universities establish endowments for hiring professors specializing in quantum computing and artificial intelligence engineering. State institutions of higher learning must apply to the MDA, detailing their endowment plans, matching funds, and requested grant amounts. The bill establishes a dedicated "State Institutions of Higher Learning Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence Engineering Professors Fund" in the state treasury, with unspent funds rolling over annually. Grants are disbursed at the MDA's discretion after legislative appropriation, focusing solely on recruiting and employing professors in these two specific fields.
HB 731 requires businesses handling Mississippi residents' sensitive personal data (such as names combined with Social Security numbers or financial information) to report significant security breaches to the Attorney General when notifying over 100 affected individuals. Businesses must also notify affected individuals without unreasonable delay and provide the Attorney General with details like the breach scope, available support services, and contact information. Failure to comply would be treated as an unfair trade practice enforceable by the Attorney General. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.
SB 2456 would have updated Mississippi's notary laws to allow remote online notarization (RON), enabling notaries to legally notarize documents for people who are not physically present using approved technology. The bill defined key terms like "remote online notarization" and required documents created through RON to include specific language indicating this method was used. It also established rules for verifying identities remotely, setting requirements for electronic notarization systems, and updating journal entries for notaries. The bill directly affected notaries, individuals needing remote notarization (e.g., for real estate or legal documents), and businesses handling electronic records. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.)
SB 2066 would allow Mississippi voters to register online using a secure website that verifies their identity against state driver's license records. It also permits voting up to 21 days before an election at county registrars' offices, requiring voters to appear in person with ID and follow the same procedures as election day. The bill specifies that pre-election votes would be counted immediately alongside election day votes, with the same challenges and rules applying as at polling places. These changes directly affect voters seeking online registration and those wishing to vote early at county offices, while requiring county registrars to process applications and manage early voting locations.
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SB 2046 requires businesses handling Mississippi residents' personal data to report major security breaches to the Attorney General's office if over 100 people are affected. It defines a "breach" as unauthorized access to unencrypted personal information (like names combined with Social Security numbers, driver's license details, or credit card numbers). Businesses must notify affected individuals without unreasonable delay and provide written details to the Attorney General, including breach specifics and support services offered. The bill would have taken effect July 1, 2025, but died in committee before becoming law.
SB 2500, the Mississippi Consumer Data Protection Act, would have established state-level privacy rights for Mississippi residents by requiring businesses collecting personal data to provide clear privacy notices, allow consumers to access or delete their data, and implement security measures. It directly affects businesses operating in Mississippi that handle personal information, excluding healthcare data covered under HIPAA and de-identified information. Key provisions include mandating consumer requests be addressed promptly, requiring businesses to establish appeal processes for denied requests, and granting the Attorney General exclusive enforcement authority with civil penalties for violations. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.
SB 2032 requires Mississippi public defenders to have free access to the state's electronic court system records for cases involving indigent (low-income) defendants. This bill amends Section 9-1-59 of the Mississippi Code to mandate that court records be accessible without cost to public defenders handling indigent cases. The key provision removes a potential financial barrier, ensuring public defenders can efficiently review case materials for their clients. It directly affects public defenders and indigent defendants in criminal proceedings across Mississippi courts. The bill did not advance beyond committee in 2025.
SB 2796 creates a property right for every individual (living or deceased) in their name, photograph, voice, or likeness, prohibiting commercial use without consent. It directly affects anyone whose image or voice might be used for advertising, fundraising, or products without permission, including deceased individuals (with rights lasting 10 years post-death). Key provisions require prior consent for commercial exploitation, allow civil lawsuits for violations, and classify unauthorized use as a Class A misdemeanor. The law also specifies that using images of "definable groups" (like crowds at events) does not require individual consent, and courts can issue injunctions or seize violative materials.
