Mississippi Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers (Clarify JROTC Eligibility, Ensure Extracurricular Access): Mississippi Bill Introduced

Demographic Data

State residents include:

11,302 active-duty service members
3,756 active-duty spouses
7,071 active-duty children
- 4,193 children in K-12
17,668 National Guard and reserve members
6,954 National Guard and reserve spouses
12,090 National Guard and reserve children
- 7,723 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2025

Jon Arnold

South-Central Regional Liaison

South Central Region

AR, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became South Central region liaison in 2025. Prior to joining the DSLO, he served as a political-military advisor at the Air Force’s largest training wing. Earlier in his career, he was the director of constituent services for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, and he has also served as an advocate with the Army Wounded Warrior, or AW2, program. Mr. Arnold is a proud Army combat veteran, a parent of an active-duty naval officer and a graduate of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts10/19 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

02/03/2022HB 424

03/01/2022HB 424

03/23/2022

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

TO ENACT INTO LAW THE AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY INTERSTATE COMPACT AND PROVIDE THAT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI ENTERS THE COMPACT WITH OTHER STATES THAT JOIN IN THE COMPACT

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

Dietitian Licensure Compact

02/12/2025SB 2664

02/26/2025SB 2664

03/21/2025

Dietitian Licensure Compact Final Legislation

This bill enacts the Dietitian Licensure Compact in Mississippi. The Dietitian Licensure Compact was developed under the DoD-CSG Cooperative Agreement to provide seamless license portability for all practitioners of the occupation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

03/30/2017

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact Final Legislation

MS becomes member state in the Recognition of Emergency Medical Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

01/16/2026HB 833

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

04/09/2024HB 1450

03/06/2024HB 1450

05/12/2024

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Final Legislation

Gov Reeves signed HB 1450, signing the Interstate Teacher Compact. Significant amendments to the bill may be of such significance that the Interstate Teacher Compact Commission may make a decision to disallow MS to join as a member state.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

02/03/2022HB 1056

03/07/2022HB 1056

03/16/2022

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

ENACT INTO LAW THE PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING COMPACT AND PROVIDE THAT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI ENTERS THE COMPACT WITH OTHER STATES THAT JOIN IN THE COMPACT

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

03/20/2017

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

MS becomes a members state in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

02/01/2023HB478

03/07/2023HB 259

03/22/2023

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Mississippi joined the Occupational Therapy Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

03/13/2017

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Mississippi becomes a Member State in Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

03/27/2024SB 2157

03/06/2024SB 2157

04/07/2024

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

On 7 April, 2024, Gov Reeves signed SB 2157, joining Mississippi to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT).

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

02/12/2025SB 2727

02/26/2025SB 2727

03/28/2025

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

This bill enacts the Social Work Licensure Compact in Mississippi. The Social Work Licensure Compact was developed under the DoD-CSG Cooperative Agreement to provide seamless license portability for all practitioners of the occupation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Athletic Trainer Compact

Esthetics Licensure Compact

Military Spouse Employment Preference0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

Employment Preference - Public Sector

Employment Preference - Procurement

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

Ensure Extracurricular Access

01/21/2026HB 2

01/08/2026SB 2070

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

01/21/2026HB 2

01/08/2026SB 2070

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

Reduce Burdens

Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements1/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment

Military Student Identifier (MSI)

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children

Purple Star Schools Program

10/01/2025

Purple Star Schools Program Final Legislation

Executive Order 1561 established the Mississippi Military Star School Program to recognize schools demonstrating a sustained commitment to military-connected students and families. The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) administers the program statewide through defined designation standards, formal application requirements, and required Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) training for designated School Military Points of Contact. In 2025, MDE updated implementation procedures to formalize a two-year designation cycle, clearly communicate recertification deadlines, require schools to reapply for continued designation, and differentiate training pathways for new and returning applicants.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/05/2025HB 809

03/12/2024HB 1341

04/17/2025

Open Enrollment Flexibility Final Legislation

This provision adds children of active Guard or Reserve members to existing Open Enrollment statute.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/04/2025SB 2297

02/10/2025SB 2297

03/06/2025

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction Final Legislation

SB 2297 updated already existing MS retrocession statutes to eliminate gaps identified in Knowledge Development Report, specifically including juveniles, mandating the Governor's written acceptance is necessity, establishing authority to enter into MOUs with installations, and providing a specific description of the property for any jurisdictional change.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

06/14/2024

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils Final Legislation

The MS Defense Communities Development Council (DCDC) was established in February 2022 as a state-level advocacy organization for military and defense entities in Mississippi. DCDC members are focused on providing state and federal entities with information and opportunities to strengthen the military installations in their communities. The Installation Commanders Council (ICC) is composed of commanders from installations in Mississippi. In Feb 2024, the DCDC changed their by-laws, making the ICC Chair or Vice Chair or their designee an ex-officio member of the DCDC for the purpose of ensuring that the unique operational requirements and military family priorities are considered across pertinent policy areas. In June 2024, the ICC accepted this position.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

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