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To: Education
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Faulkner
HOUSE BILL NO. 1605
AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND 1
STEM EDUCATION INNOVATION ACT; TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL 2
INTELLIGENCE TO SUPPORT STEM INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS; TO 3
CREATE PILOT PROGRAMS FOR AI-ASSISTED LEARNING, TEACHER SUPPORT, 4
AND CAREER PATHWAYS; TO PROVIDE SAFEGUARDS FOR STUDENT DATA 5
PRIVACY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 7
SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "The 8
Mississippi Artificial Intelligence and Stem Education Innovation 9
Act." 10
SECTION 2. (1) The Legislature finds that: 11
(a) Mississippi faces persistent challenges in STEM 12
achievement, workforce readiness, and access to high-quality 13
instructional supports, particularly in rural and underserved 14
communities; 15
(b) Artificial intelligence technologies, when used 16
responsibly, can enhance—not replace—educators by personalizing 17
instruction, supporting teachers, and expanding access to 18
high-quality STEM learning; 19
(c) Mississippi employers increasingly require skills 20
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in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, data analysis, 21
automation, and applied technology; 22
(d) Strategic, ethical deployment of artificial 23
intelligence can strengthen Mississippi's education pipeline and 24
economic competitiveness. 25
(2) The intent of the Legislature to authorize a structured, 26
ethical, and accountable use of artificial intelligence to improve 27
STEM education outcomes in Mississippi public schools. 28
SECTION 3. The following words shall have the meanings 29
described herein: 30
(a) "Artificial intelligence" (AI) means computer 31
systems or software capable of performing tasks that typically 32
require human intelligence, including learning, pattern 33
recognition, adaptive feedback, and data analysis. 34
(b) "STEM" means science, technology, engineering, and 35
mathematics instruction aligned with Mississippi College- and 36
Career-Readiness Standards. 37
(c) "AI-assisted learning tool" means an educational 38
technology platform that uses artificial intelligence to 39
personalize instruction, assess learning progress, or support 40
teachers. 41
(d) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of 42
Education (MDE). 43
(e) "Local education agency" (LEA) means a public 44
school district or charter school authorized under Mississippi 45
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law. 46
SECTION 4. (1) The Department of Education is authorized to 47
establish the Mississippi AI and STEM Education Pilot Program. 48
(2) The program shall allow participating LEAs to implement 49
AI-assisted learning tools in STEM subjects for Grades 6 through 50
12, with priority given to: 51
(a) Schools identified as underperforming in math or 52
science; 53
(b) Rural school districts; 54
(c) Schools serving a high percentage of economically 55
disadvantaged students. 56
(3) Participation in the pilot program shall be voluntary. 57
SECTION 5. AI-assisted tools approved under this act may be 58
used for the following purposes: 59
(a) Personalized tutoring and supplemental instruction 60
in STEM subjects; 61
(b) Diagnostic assessments to identify learning gaps; 62
(c) Teacher planning support, including lesson 63
development and formative assessments; 64
(d) Virtual labs, simulations, and project-based STEM 65
learning; 66
(e) Career exploration and workforce pathway guidance 67
related to STEM fields. 68
SECTION 6. (1) The department shall provide or approve 69
professional development to ensure educators understand how to 70
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effectively and ethically integrate AI tools into instruction. 71
(2) AI tools authorized under this act shall not be used for 72
teacher evaluation or employment decisions. 73
SECTION 7. (1) All AI-assisted learning tools must comply 74
with: 75
(a) The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 76
(FERPA); and 77
(b) Applicable Mississippi student data privacy laws. 78
(2) Student data shall not be sold, shared, or used for 79
noneducational purposes. 80
(3) The department shall develop guidelines addressing: 81
(a) Algorithmic bias; 82
(b) Transparency of AI systems; and 83
(c) Appropriate human oversight of AI-generated 84
recommendations. 85
SECTION 8. The department, in coordination with the 86
Mississippi Development Authority and institutions of higher 87
learning, may encourage partnerships between LEAs and Mississippi 88
employers to: 89
(a) Align AI-supported STEM instruction with workforce 90
needs; 91
(b) Support internships, apprenticeships, or 92
project-based learning; 93
(c) Promote high-demand STEM career pathways within the 94
state. 95
96
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ST: MS Artifical Intelligence and Stem
Eduaction Act; create.
SECTION 9. (1) By December 1 of each year, the department 97
shall submit a report to the Legislature detailing: 98
(a) Student academic outcomes; 99
(b) Teacher feedback and usage data; 100
(c) Cost effectiveness; 101
(d) Recommendations for expansion or modification. 102
(2) The pilot program shall sunset on June 30, 2030, unless 103
reauthorized by the Legislature. 104
SECTION 10. The department is authorized to promulgate rules 105
and regulations necessary to implement this act. 106
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 107
and after its passage. 108