Key legislation that just become law in Mississippi

The new fiscal year for the state of Mississippi began Monday, July 1. Along with that comes some new laws enacted by the 2024 legislative session and signed by Gov. Tate Reeves.

Here are some of the key pieces of legislation that just became law.

New education funding formula

The Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) has been replaced by the Mississippi Stu-dent Funding Formula as the method by which public schools will receive annual funding. The MSFF and the appropriated total for education provides nearly $230 million more for public K-12 schools, raising the total to approximately $2.96 billion.

The new formula provides base student funding of $6,695 in the first year, and increases annu-ally through 2028 based on inflation. Beginning with 2029, and once every four years thereaf-ter, the State Board of Education (SBE) will recommend a new base student funding amount based on a new “objective formula” that factors in instructional, administrative, and facility costs.

The law also increases the amount of funding available to students in certain categories deemed more expensive to educate, such as special needs, low income, and English language learners.

Sign language now a foreign language option

Students in Mississippi’s high schools now have a new option to meet foreign language curricu-lum requirements, in sign language. The new law directs the SBE to develop an appropriate curriculum.

“Any such class developed by the board may count as an academic credit for foreign languages for the purpose of high school graduation requirements,” the law states. A growing number of states are adding sign language as a foreign language option.

Election runoffs push back one week

Runoff elections are now four weeks after the initial Election Day, instead of only three. The bill’s author, Sen. Jeremy England, said the main reason was to give Circuit Clerks and election officials more time to properly prepare. Many people who handle elections statewide requested the move, England said.

Squatted vehicles no longer allowed on roads

The bill authored by Brookhaven’s Sen. Jason Barrett outlaws the “Carolina Squat” which lifts the front axle of a vehicle higher than the rear axle. The modification causes a visibility problem and creates a hazard during collisions, according to Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell.

“The reality is, it is a public safety issue and one in which those trucks, in the way that they are operating and being modified, created a dangerous condition,” said Tindell. “And there is no manufacturer that would build a vehicle in that manner because of the safety concerns.”

Squatted vehicle owners will be issued warnings until Jan. 27, 2025, then tickets will be issued. First offenses carry a $100 fine, second offenses $200, and third and subsequent offenses will levy a $300 fine and result in a one-year driver license suspension.

Protecting women in vulnerable spaces

The SAFER Act provides protections for women within single-sex spaces such as restrooms, changing facilities, and public student housing. The definitions of a woman and a man have also been codified in Mississippi law based on biological sex.

Medicare for pregnant mothers presumed

Pregnant women now have a presumptive eligibility for Medicaid, granting benefits to those who may qualify before eligibility is verified.

Statistics show that two-thirds of pre-term births in the state are to mothers on Medicaid. But gaining approval for coverage can take time. Presumptive eligibility allows them to receive care within a 60-day window prior to approval.

The legislation could cost the state up to $567,000 annually. However, when compared to the costs accumulated from a pre-term birth, lawmakers believe it will promote a cost-saving measure for the state as care for just one child in a pre-term birth can cost the state up to $1 million at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Governor vetoes

Eight bills saw vetoes from Gov. Tate Reeves — six in their entirety and two in part. The partial vetoes focused on line-item appropriations. The complete vetoes dealt with restoring the vot-ing rights of felons, making the office of election commissioner nonpartisan and barring politi-cal parties from endorsing or contributing to the candidates, and providing additional resources for the Capitol Police to assist with enforcement of Jackson city ordinances within the Capitol Complex Improvement District.

Total laws

According to the Senate Legislative Services Office, 176 Senate bills and 209 House bills were approved to become law by the signature of the governor. Another five Senate bills and 16 House bills were allowed to become law without his signature.

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