Read the full stored bill text
H. B. No. 1391 *HR26/R2275* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R2275
PAGE 1 (RF\KW)
To: Public Health and Human
Services
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Arnold
HOUSE BILL NO. 1391
AN ACT TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE PRACTICE OF ADDING 1
OF FLUORIDE IN WATER SYSTEMS FOR THE PROTECTION OF ORAL HEALTH TO 2
DETERMINE IF THERE ARE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES TO COMMUNITY WATER 3
FLUORIDATION AND WHETHER THEY OUTWEIGH THE POSITIVE EFFECTS; TO 4
PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE 5
TASK FORCE SHALL COMPLETE ITS STUDY AND PRESENT ITS CONCLUSIONS, 6
TOGETHER WITH ANY RECOMMENDED LEGISLATION, TO THE LEGISLATURE NOT 7
LATER THAN DECEMBER 1, 2026, AT WHICH TIME THE TASK FORCE WILL BE 8
DISSOLVED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 9
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 10
SECTION 1. (1) There is created a task force to study the 11
practice of adding of fluoride in water systems for the protection 12
of oral health to determine if there are negative consequences to 13
community water fluoridation and whether they outweigh the 14
positive effects. 15
(2) The task force shall be composed of the following 16
members: 17
(a) Three (3) members of the House of Representatives 18
appointed by the Speaker of the House, and three (3) members of 19
the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; 20
H. B. No. 1391 *HR26/R2275* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R2275
PAGE 2 (RF\KW)
(b) The Executive Director of the State Department of 21
Health or his or her designee; and 22
(c) Two (2) members appointed by the Executive Director 23
of the State Department of Health. 24
(3) Appointments to the task force shall be made within 25
thirty (30) days after the effective date of this section. Within 26
fifteen (15) days thereafter on a day to be designated jointly by 27
the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Lieutenant 28
Governor, the task force shall meet and organize by selecting from 29
its membership a chair and a vice chair. The vice chair shall 30
also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all 31
records of the task force. A majority of the members of the task 32
force shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of its officers 33
and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative 34
vote of a majority of the task force shall be required. All 35
members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, and those 36
notices shall be mailed at least fifteen (15) days before the date 37
on which a meeting is to be held. 38
(4) The task force shall meet at least once quarterly, and 39
shall complete its study and present its conclusions, together 40
with any recommended legislation, to the Legislature not later 41
than December 1, 2026, at which time the task force will be 42
dissolved. 43
(5) Members of the task force shall receive no compensation 44
for their service on the task force, but members of the task force 45
H. B. No. 1391 *HR26/R2275* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R2275
PAGE 3 (RF\KW)
ST: Community water fluoridation; create task
force to study the practice of.
who are not state employees may receive reimbursement for mileage 46
and actual expenses as provided in Section 25-3-41 to the extent 47
that funds are available for that purpose. 48
(6) The State Department of Health shall provide the staff 49
and other support necessary for the task force to perform its 50
duties. 51
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 52
and after its passage. 53