2026 Legislative Agenda | Mississippi Center for Justice

MCJ Advocacy and Policy

The Mississippi Center for Justice’s 2026 Legislative Agenda is rooted in the voices and lived experiences of the communities we serve. Shaped by years of direct legal work and community collaboration, our priorities reflect the real challenges facing Mississippians and our commitment to advancing lasting policy change.

EDUCATION EQUITY: Preventing School Choice Bills

On February 3, Mississippi stood with public schools, avoiding what would have inevitably become the “MS Mistake." The Senate Education Committee unanimously voted NO on HB2, the "school choice" bill. This is what positive change looks like. This is what happens when we Take A Stand. MCJ and countless others took a stand for Mississippi's children, and now public funds will not be going to private schools.

THE ISSUE

Taking money away from public schools to fund the so-called “school choice” program.

MCJ’s ADVOCACY

MCJ is actively involved in educating legislators and the community about the negative impacts of this proposed policy. We want to avoid the Mississippi Mistake. See our presentation to legislators here.

IMPACT TO MISSISSIPPI

So-called “school choice” proposals would drain critical resources from Mississippi’s public schools by diverting taxpayer dollars without guaranteed replacement funding. Mississippi spends approximately $12,175 per student, and a universal voucher program would cost nearly $600 million—yet almost 74% of those funds would go to families already using private schools, largely benefiting higher-income households rather than expanding educational opportunities.

The harm would be greatest in rural communities, where public schools are economic anchors and major employers. Cuts would lead to job losses and weakened local economies, while many families would still have no real choice. Private schools are not required to serve all students, rural areas often lack nearby options, and rising tuition would price out lower-income families—leaving Mississippi students with fewer opportunities, not more.

RESOURCES:

Read our letter to Caucus Members detailing the impact here.

Read “School Choice” bill here.

Read MCJ’s Legislative Hearing Presentation here.

HEIRS' PROPERTY: Preventing Black Land Loss Through Tax Sales

THE ISSUE

Black families are losing homes and land due to unclear titles, heirs’ property disputes, natural disasters, and tax sales. The legislature wants to make it impossible for someone who has lost their home through a tax sale to redeem it. This legislation would harm low-income individuals and heirs without clear title to their land. Currently, they have two years to redeem the home, and strict notice provisions

MCJ’s ADVOCACY

We are working to fight attempts to weaken redemption protections while simultaneously trying to strengthen the laws and ensure that individuals are able to preserve and protect their homes and family land for generations to come.

IMPACT TO MISSISSIPPI

This new law would remove this option. Also, the current proposed legislation restricts notification. While some suggest this as a way to get rid of blight and abandonment in communities, the problem is others will be at a disadvantage when trying to keep their homes and family land.

HOUSING LAW: Repair and Deduct

THE ISSUE

Although current laws in Mississippi protect renters regarding unforeseen repairs to rental properties, these laws state that the cost of repairs cannot exceed one month’s rent. However, repairs often exceed this limit, and the additional costs may be passed back to the tenant.

Additionally, tenants are allowed to report only one incident per year, even if there are multiple issues with the property. This requirement can leave tenants in undesirable living conditions with no way to repair their homes if the landlord fails to act.

MCJ’s ADVOCACY

MCJ has proposed legislation to increase the amount a renter can deduct from their rent even if it is more than their rent.

IMPACT TO MISSISSIPPI

Our proposed legislation is a way to address poor housing conditions and give more ownership to renters.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE / HOUSING LAW: Rent to Own

THE ISSUE

The unregulated rent-to-own home ownership model in Mississippi and around the country has created a landscape ripe for fraud and taking advantage of our most vulnerable community members.

People who enter rent-to-own contracts, enters it with one entity, and it is not recorded anywhere which leaves the renter in position to lose resources and the home.

MCJ’s ADVOCACY

We seek to amend the Residential Landlord Tenant Act to address this issue, and introduce the Rental-Purchase for Real Property Act to mandate contract recording for rent-to-own agreements.

IMPACT TO MISSISSIPPI

If landlords are required to enter rent-to-own contracts in the land records, this will increase protection for individuals in rent-to-own contracts.

Watch a video here that shows why this matters.

HEALTH JUSTICE: HIV Decriminalization

THE ISSUE

Current HIV laws criminalize HIV and are outdated and not scientifically correct. HIV criminalization prolongs stigma and discourages people from seeking testing and treatment, undermining public health efforts.

MCJ’s ADVOCACY

Through our year-long work and our advisory council made up of individuals with HIV, we have learned the devastating and chilling effect criminalization laws have on individuals with HIV. Eliminating these laws and bringing them in line with current science will make sure that individuals are not criminalized for their illness.

IMPACT TO MISSISSIPPI

Our proposed legislation will reduce stigma against people with HIV.

IMPACT LITIGATION: Mississippi Voting Rights Act

THE ISSUE

There are many barriers that Mississippians face during election times, and federal protections are being threatened.

MCJ’s ADVOCACY

MCJ has proposed legislation to create a state Voting Rights Act. Read the details of this proposed act here.

IMPACT TO MISSISSIPPI

A Mississippi Voting Rights Act can fill gaps left by federal court decisions that have reduced the power of the federal Voting Rights Act, giving communities a stronger, more immediate way to protect their right to vote within Mississippi.

IMPACT LITIGATION: Mississippi's Maternal Health Crisis

THE ISSUE

An outdated Mississippi law prevents certified nurse midwives from practicing unless they secure a physician collaborator—an arrangement that is often unavailable or prohibitively expensive. This restriction is exacerbating Mississippi’s maternal health crisis by limiting access to qualified prenatal and delivery care.

MCJ’s ADVOCACY

MCJ is taking legal action to challenge a Mississippi law that unnecessarily restricts certified nurse midwives from practicing, limiting access to prenatal and maternal care across the state. This lawsuit is about ensuring qualified professionals can serve families and that Mississippi’s laws reflect the urgent needs of mothers and babies.

Proposed bills have been filed in the legislature to eliminate the collaboration requirement for CNMs. The passage of such a bill would lead to withdrawal of the lawsuit.

IMPACT TO MISSISSIPPI

By removing this barrier, Mississippi could expand access to safe, cost-effective maternal health care, increase the number of providers serving pregnant women, and help address the state’s ongoing maternal and infant health crisis, especially in unserved, underserved, and rural communities.

RESOURCES:

Read full complaint here.

Read press release here.