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H. B. No. 1734 *HR43/R2094* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
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To: Corrections
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Bell (65th)
HOUSE BILL NO. 1734
AN ACT TO CREATE THE CAPTAIN JUSTIN JAMES WHIPPS CORRECTIONAL 1
SAFETY AND WELLNESS ACT; TO REQUIRE MANDATORY WEAPONS SCREENING OF 2
EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEE VEHICLES AT STATE AND PRIVATE CORRECTIONAL 3
FACILITIES; TO REQUIRE MENTAL HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND LEADERSHIP 4
DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY 5
STAFF; TO REDUCE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AND CONFLICTS AMONG 6
CORRECTIONAL EMPLOYEES; TO PROVIDE ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS AND 7
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 8
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 9
SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the 10
"Captain Justin James Whipps Correctional Safety and Wellness 11
Act." 12
SECTION 2. (1) The Legislature finds that: 13
(a) The safety of correctional officers, staff, 14
inmates, and the public is a compelling state interest. 15
(b) Workplace violence within correctional facilities 16
poses a serious threat to life, morale, and institutional 17
integrity. 18
(c) Proactive safety screening, mental health support, 19
and leadership development reduce conflict, misconduct, and 20
violence. 21
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(d) The State of Mississippi has a duty to provide safe 22
working conditions for correctional employees. 23
(2) The purpose of this act is to: 24
(a) Prevent the introduction of unauthorized weapons 25
into correctional facilities by employees; 26
(b) Promote mental well-being, emotional regulation, 27
and professional leadership among correctional staff; and 28
(c) Reduce incidents of violence, retaliation, and 29
fatal conflict within correctional institutions. 30
SECTION 3. (1) All state-operated and privately operated 31
correctional facilities within the State of Mississippi shall 32
implement mandatory weapons screening procedures for all 33
employees, contractors, and volunteers entering secure areas of 34
the facility. 35
(2) Screening shall include, but not be limited to, the 36
following: 37
(a) Walk-through or handheld metal detection upon 38
entry; 39
(b) Bag and personal item inspections consistent with 40
constitutional standards; and 41
(c) Randomized secondary screening as determined by 42
facility administration. 43
(3) Screening procedures shall apply equally to all staff 44
regardless of rank, seniority, or position. 45
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SECTION 4. (1) Each correctional facility shall establish a 46
policy for random and reasonable inspection of employee vehicles 47
parked on correctional property. 48
(2) Inspections shall be: 49
(a) Conducted pursuant to written policy; 50
(b) Nondiscriminatory in application; and 51
(c) Limited to ensuring the absence of unauthorized 52
weapons or contraband. 53
(3) Refusal to comply with lawful inspection under this 54
section may result in administrative discipline, including 55
suspension or termination, consistent with due process 56
protections. 57
SECTION 5. (1) The Mississippi Department of Corrections 58
(MDOC) shall require annual mental health and wellness training 59
for all correctional officers and supervisory personnel. 60
(2) Training required under this section shall include the 61
following: 62
(a) Stress management and trauma-informed practices; 63
(b) Conflict de-escalation techniques; 64
(c) Emotional regulation and impulse control; 65
(d) Peer support and early intervention strategies; and 66
(e) Resources for confidential mental health support. 67
(3) Completion of such training shall be a condition of 68
continued employment. 69
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SECTION 6. (1) All supervisory and command-level 70
correctional staff shall complete annual leadership development 71
training. 72
(2) Training shall address the following: 73
(a) Ethical leadership and accountability; 74
(b) Managing conflict among staff; 75
(c) Preventing retaliation and abuse of authority; 76
(d) Professional communication and decision-making 77
under stress; and 78
(e) Creating a culture of safety and respect. 79
(3) Failure to complete required leadership training shall 80
result in administrative review and corrective action. 81
SECTION 7. (1) The Mississippi Department of Corrections 82
(MDOC) shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement 83
this act. 84
(2) MDOC shall submit an annual report to the Legislature 85
detailing the following: 86
(a) Compliance with screening and training 87
requirements; 88
(b) Reported incidents of staff-on-staff violence; 89
(c) Disciplinary actions related to weapons violations; 90
and 91
(d) Recommendations for improvement. 92
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ST: "Captain Justin James Whipps Correctional
Safety and Wellness Act"; create.
SECTION 8. This act shall apply to all state-operated 93
correctional facilities and all private correctional facilities 94
operating under contract with the State of Mississippi. 95
SECTION 9. This act shall take effect and be in force from 96
and after July 1, 2026. 97