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Read. Follow. Verify.Mississippi Legislature considers establishing state-level civil rights protections and remedies for discrimination
Last action · February 3, 2026: 02/03 (S) Died In CommitteeSponsor: Derrick Simmons
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What This Bill Proposed
Senate Bill 2359 establishes freedom from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, immigrant status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or as a recognized civil right in Mississippi. The measure authorizes individuals to file civil lawsuits in court to seek injunctions, , , and attorney fees for violations related to employment, public accommodations, housing, credit transactions, and education. The legislation is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
Creates new state-level legal remedies and causes of action for individuals claiming discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education across Mississippi.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Employers
Employers meeting the employee threshold are subject to new non-discrimination requirements and potential civil lawsuits for employment practices.
Educational institutions
Educational institutions are prohibited from discrimination and face potential civil actions by individuals alleging violations of public accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges.
Individuals seeking housing or credit
Individuals are granted the right to engage in property transactions, housing, and credit transactions without discrimination, along with the right to file civil lawsuits for violations.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What characteristics are protected from discrimination under the proposed act?
Which employers are covered by the employment discrimination provisions?
What remedies are available for individuals who experience employment discrimination?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died in committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 3, 2026Senate02/03 (S) Died In Committee
- Jan 19, 2026SenateCommittee01/19 (S) Referred To Judiciary, Division A
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
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Connected Entities
Sources
billstatus.ls.state.ms.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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