HB1483 • 2026

The "Model Mississippi Hair Protection in Schools Policy Act"; create.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "MODEL MISSISSIPPI HAIR PROTECTION IN SCHOOLS POLICY ACT"; TO REQUIRE PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO CREATE POLICIES WITH GUIDELINES THAT PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON HAIRSTYLES; TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM GUIDELINES FOR THE POLICIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Education

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Summers
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, so it has no effective date or further details on enforcement mechanisms.

Mississippi Hair Protection in Schools Act

This bill creates a policy that requires public and charter schools to protect students from discrimination based on their hairstyles.

What This Bill Does

Creates the 'Model Mississippi Hair Protection in Schools Policy Act'.
Requires public and charter schools to make policies against hairstyle discrimination.
Establishes guidelines for these policies, including prohibiting discrimination based on natural or protective hairstyles.
Removes any rules that unfairly target specific hair styles associated with certain racial or cultural groups.
Highlights the impact of hair-based discrimination on students' mental health and academic performance through staff training.

Who It Names or Affects

Public schools
Charter schools

Terms To Know

Protective hairstyles: Hair styles that protect natural hair, such as braids or twists.
Discrimination: Treating someone unfairly because of their race, culture, or other personal characteristics.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was not signed into law.
It does not specify what happens if schools do not follow the guidelines.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (H) Referred To Education

Official Summary Text

The "Model Mississippi Hair Protection in Schools Policy Act"; create.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 1483 *HR43/R1875.1* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R1875.1
PAGE 1 (DJ\KP)

To: Education
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Summers

HOUSE BILL NO. 1483

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "MODEL MISSISSIPPI HAIR PROTECTION IN 1
SCHOOLS POLICY ACT"; TO REQUIRE PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO 2
CREATE POLICIES WITH GUIDELINES THAT PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION BASED 3
ON HAIRSTYLES; TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM GUIDELINES FOR THE POLICIES; 4
AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the 7
"Model Mississippi Hair Protection in Schools Policy Act". 8
SECTION 2. Each school and school district may adopt a 9
policy to ensure that no student is discriminated against based on 10
his or her hairstyle choices. The policy shall be based on the 11
best practice models for protecting children against 12
discriminatory practices based on hairstyles. At a minimum, the 13
policies shall: 14
(a) Explicitly prohibit discrimination based on natural hair 15
and protective hairstyles; 16
(b) Remove any policies or punitive actions that have the 17
effect of restricting hairstyles that are disproportionately 18
associated with specific racial or cultural groups; 19
H. B. No. 1483 *HR43/R1875.1* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1875.1
PAGE 2 (DJ\KP)
ST: The "Model Mississippi Hair Protection in
Schools Policy Act"; create.
(c) Highlight the impact of hair-based discrimination on 20
students' mental health and academic performance through staff and 21
administration trainings; 22
(d) Establish clear, accessible channels for students and 23
families to report instances of hair-based discrimination; 24
(e) Refrain from suspensions and other forms of discipline 25
for violations of appearance rules that disrupt students' learning 26
time; and 27
(f) Maintain written procedures for students to report 28
concerns of potential discrimination in the enforcement of 29
appearance policies, with clear guidelines and assurances of no 30
retaliation for reporting such. 31
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 32
and after July 1, 2026. 33