Mississippi Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Open Enrollment Flexibility: Mississippi Governor Signed Final Legislation

Demographic Data

State residents include:

11,527 active-duty service members
3,565 active-duty spouses
6,965 active-duty children
17,348 National Guard and reserve members
7,242 National Guard and reserve spouses
12,317 National Guard and reserve children

Data source: DMDC, Aug. 31, 2024.

Vacant

South Central Regional Liaison

South Central Region

AR, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX

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The Defense-State Liaison Office provides state policymakers with expert insight on priorities affecting military families and their quality of life.

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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Access to Quality Child Care

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts8/17 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

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

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

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

11/17/2020

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities Final Legislation

The attached report provides an overview of the barriers to professional licensure in MS, created by licensing regulations, as well as recommendations aimed at eliminating those barriers and facilitating the assimilation of military spouses into Mississippi’s workforce. The report was provided to all military installations for dissemination to arriving spouses to help them navigate aspects of applying to their respective professional boards.

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 Support for Military Families With Special Education Needs0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

Reduce Burdens

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.

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/12/2019HB 1117

03/12/2019HB 1117

03/21/2019

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Final Legislation

Child Abuse: require CPS to notify applicable military installation family advocacy program in certain cases.

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

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Recognize MPOs

Increase Peace Officer Responsibilities

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds

Military Community Representation on State Boards and Councils1/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Affairs

06/14/2024

Military Affairs 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.

Nutrition and Food Security

Economic and Workforce Development

Early Childhood Education and Childcare

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal1/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Driver's License

09/30/2024

Driver's License Final Legislation

Service members and dependents, holding a Mississippi driver’s license and being out of state due to military service at the time their license expires, may renew their license by mail, per the directions at the following link https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/Military.

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

Vehicle Registration

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/07/2023HB 1029

01/23/2023HB 1029

04/16/2023

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy Final Legislation

Updated Mississippi statutes to be inclusive of the United States Space Force.

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 2025

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2025

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