MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Business and Commerce; Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
By: Representative Osborne
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON SHALL BE DENIED EMPLOYMENT SOLELY BECAUSE HE OR SHE HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person shall be denied employment solely because he or she has been convicted of a felony by any of the following actions:
(a) Prohibiting the person from applying for an open position;
(b) Disqualifying the person for an open position for which he or she is otherwise qualified; or
(c) Dismissing or terminating the person from his or her current position.
(2) For purposes of this section, a "felony" means a crime that is a felony under the laws of this state or that is punishable by imprisonment for one (1) year or more in a federal court or a court of competent jurisdiction of any other state.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.