Mississippi - Session 2026
Title: Released-time religious instruction; require school districts to allow off-campus during school day.
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO PERMIT THE RELEASED-TIME RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF PUPILS; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO ALLOW THOSE STUDENTS DESIRING RELEASED-TIME RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INSTRUCTION OFF-SITE FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR, ONE DAY EACH WEEK; TO PROHIBIT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM PROVIDING OR FACILITATING RELEASED-TIME RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION ON SCHOOL PREMISES; TO PERMIT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE PERSONS IN CHARGE OF THE RELEASED-TIME RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AS THE BOARD DEEMS NECESSARY AND ADVISABLE; TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS SHALL NOT BE PENALIZED OR CONSIDERED ABSENT FROM THE SCHOOL FOR PURPOSES OF ATTENDING RELEASED-TIME RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION; TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS WHO DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN RELEASED-TIME RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION SHALL CONTINUE IN THE REGULAR COURSE OF DAILY INSTRUCTION; TO PROVIDE THAT RELEASED-TIME RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION SHALL BE GIVEN WITHOUT EXPENSE TO ANY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-91, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
| Date | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-19 | Introduced | Bill introduced |
| 2026-02-03 | Status | failed |
| 2026-02-03 | Latest Action | (H) Died In Committee |
| Bill | Title | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HB 1488 | University of Southern Mississippi; authorize to sell or enter long term lease for use of university property. | enrolled |
| HB 1931 | Appropriation; Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and trial judges services. | unknown |
| HB 1935 | Appropriation; Education, Department of. | unknown |
| HB 1944 | Taxation; revise credits authorized for contributions to certain eligible charitable organizations. | enrolled |
| HB 4073 | Mississippi Work and Save Program; create; create Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act and provide funds for PERS. | unknown |
| HB 562 | Mississippi Career and Technical Education Employability (MissCATEE) program; establish to provide tuition-free community college. | enrolled |
| SB 2288 | Comprehensive Workforce Training and Education Consolidation Act; expand CTE incentive grant purposes, and extend repealer. | enrolled |
| SB 2401 | Workforce development; extend the date of repeal of certain sections and make technical amendments. | enrolled |