2024 Mississippi Legislative Session Recap

Mississippi has a long history of trying to restrict access to reproductive healthcare. This legislative session was no different. You’ll see the various bills that tried to limit our access to healthcare and access to our bodies. Some years lawmakers even tried to impede our access to contraceptives and family planning. We expect that with a Republican supermajority, we will continue to see attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, working people, women, and communities of color. 

Thankfully, this year, we were able to stop all attacks on reproductive healthcare and abortion access with many of those bills failing before the first committee deadline. We can celebrate some wins including presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant Mississippi residents and suffrage restoration for over 20 applicants. Still, we should always be vigilant and prepared to fight against bad bills.

Defeated Anti-abortion Bills:

HB31

This bill would prohibit the advertisement of abortion support and services.

HB641 

A bill that would prohibit the mailing of abortion medication that would further negatively impact women in a state where abortion is banned. 

HB713 and HB1005 

Intended to stop the support and navigation services minors can receive to access abortion care beyond state lines, this bill intended to create the crime of “abortion trafficking of minors.”

HB176 

This bill would require parental notification if a minor requests to “be referred to as a different gender.”

HB900 

This bill was meant to prohibit the state or any other governmental entity from substantially burdening a parent's fundamental right to direct the upbringing of his or her child. 

HB1100 

Meant to prohibit minors from receiving health care, including sexual and reproductive healthcare, without parental consent. 

While these bills failed, we do anticipate they will be reintroduced. 

While we were able to stop many pieces of harmful legislation, they’re sure to continue popping up in future legislative sessions. Staying informed and updated is very important. If your representatives are ever doing something that you don’t agree with, make your voice heard by contacting them and letting them know. As always, we appreciate your continued support.