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MississippiSB 21032026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Education; provide pay increases, revise counseling ethical requirements, and reform school attendance law.

Sponsored By: Angela Burks Hill (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 4 mixed.

Qualified school staff get $2,000 supplements

Eligible public school special education teachers, occupational therapists, and school psychologists can receive $2,000 a year, plus fringe benefits. Special education teachers must be licensed, work full-time for a district, and provide qualifying instruction. Occupational therapists and school psychologists must meet certification and job requirements. Their documents are due before October 15 for the full supplement or before February 15 for a prorated amount starting in the second term. An employee can receive only one supplement under this rule, and districts cannot reduce local supplements because of the state payment.

Families face tighter school absence rules

A child generally may have no more than five excused absences per semester under listed categories. Extra absences need specific approval for extenuating circumstances. Covered families must return annual enrollment certificates by August 15, rather than September 15. Medical notes are required for illness or injury absences after the third and for medical or dental appointments. Starting July 1, 2026, schools must report certain cases by the next business day, and eight unlawful absences can support a preliminary case against a parent. An attendance officer must contact the home and give written notice before proceedings.

Assistant teachers get a $19,000 pay floor

Starting in school year 2026–2027, Mississippi districts must pay assistant teachers at least $19,000 a year. A district cannot cut an assistant teacher’s local supplement below the prior year’s state minimum when the minimum rises. A district may make a pro rata daily reduction if its state formula or federal funding falls from the prior year. Districts can still vary pay based on performance.

New school funding formula sets student amount

The state sets the base school funding amount at $7,201.77 per student for fiscal year 2027, up from $6,695.34 in fiscal year 2025. An inflation adjustment applies in fiscal year 2028. Starting in fiscal year 2029, the State Board of Education proposes a new calculation every fourth year. District and charter school funding depends on weighted enrollment, and the base amount may be lowered after notice of a state revenue shortfall. The state sends one-twelfth of formula funds each month, two business days before the month’s last working day. The usual schedule also applies in December, replacing the December 15 payment date.

Schools must support chronically absent students

A student is chronically absent after missing 10% or more of school days in a year. Excused and unexcused absences both count. Districts must track attendance, notify families when students are at risk, hold conferences, and connect students with support. Starting July 1, 2026, districts must use family-engagement strategies and make written plans when a school’s rate exceeds 10% for any grade or student group. The state education department must help districts and publish attendance data each year. Districts must adopt local attendance policies by November 1, 2026.

Retired teachers face changed return-to-work rules

Starting July 2, 2026, Mississippi repeals rules for retired teachers who return to work while receiving retirement benefits. The law does not explain the old rules or what replaces them, so the effect on an individual retiree’s work and benefits is unclear.

School staff paid only for time worked

Starting July 1, 2026, a Mississippi school employee whose job ends during a school term can be paid only for the part of the term worked. This applies regardless of why the employment ended.

Students get clearer attendance credit rules

A student who attends at least 66% of the school day counts as present for the full day. Missing more than 33% counts as a full-day absence for reporting, except for children in nonpublic schools. Absences for school-approved events, such as athletics, band, choir, and academic or club events, do not count toward a student’s absences.

New ethics rules for school counselors

The law removes the requirement that school counselors follow the American School Counselor Association’s ethics code. The state education department must set rules for counselor activities and create a model ethics code. Local school boards may adopt that model.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Angela Burks Hill

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 330 • No: 17

House vote • 4/1/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/1/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 52 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 122 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/4/2026

Passed

Yes: 35 • No: 17

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/8/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/6/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/6/2026Senate

  4. Unanimous Consent Granted

    4/1/2026Senate

  5. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2026Senate

  6. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2026House

  7. Unanimous Consent Granted

    4/1/2026House

  8. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2026Senate

  9. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2026House

  10. Recommitted For Further Conf

    3/31/2026Senate

  11. Recommitted For Further Conf

    3/31/2026House

  12. Conference Report Filed

    3/30/2026House

  13. Conference Report Filed

    3/30/2026Senate

  14. Conferees Named Roberson,McCarty,Owen

    3/25/2026House

  15. Conferees Named DeBar,Hopson,Boyd

    3/24/2026Senate

  16. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/24/2026Senate

  17. Returned For Concurrence

    3/6/2026House

  18. Immediate Release

    3/6/2026House

  19. Passed As Amended

    3/6/2026House

  20. Amended

    3/6/2026House

  21. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    2/18/2026House

  22. Referred To Education

    2/6/2026House

  23. Transmitted To House

    2/5/2026Senate

  24. Passed

    2/4/2026Senate

  25. Title Suff Do Pass

    1/22/2026Senate

Bill Text

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