HB366 • 2026

Criminal justice system; prohibit discrimination.

AN ACT TO DECLARE THAT ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE PROHIBITED; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE TRAINING IN ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAWS AND TO ADOPT POLICIES AND TAKE SUCH OTHER MEASURES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THEIR ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE FREE OF DISCRIMINATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Labor

Did Not Pass

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify penalties for violations or enforcement mechanisms, leaving these aspects unclear.

Stop Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System

This bill aims to prohibit all forms of discrimination within the criminal justice system and requires certain state and local government entities to train their employees on antidiscrimination laws.

What This Bill Does

Declares that all forms of discrimination in the criminal justice system are prohibited in Mississippi.
Requires specific state and local governmental entities, such as police departments, courts, prosecution offices, defense offices, corrections agencies, parole boards, mental health agencies, and other law enforcement-related bodies to provide employee training on antidiscrimination laws.

Who It Names or Affects

State and local government agencies involved in the criminal justice system.
Employees of these agencies who work with the criminal justice system.

Terms To Know

Protected class: Groups of people protected by antidiscrimination laws, such as based on race, gender, or religion.
Antidiscrimination laws: Laws that prevent unfair treatment based on certain characteristics like race, gender, or religion.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was stopped in committee.
It is unclear how the bill would be enforced or what specific penalties might apply for violations.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-09 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/09 (H) Referred To Judiciary B

Official Summary Text

Criminal justice system; prohibit discrimination.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 366 *HR26/R111* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R111
PAGE 1 (GT\KW)

To: Judiciary B
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Osborne

HOUSE BILL NO. 366

AN ACT TO DECLARE THAT ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE 1
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE PROHIBITED; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN STATE 2
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE TRAINING IN 3
ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAWS AND TO ADOPT POLICIES AND TAKE SUCH OTHER 4
MEASURES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THEIR ACTIVITIES 5
CONNECTED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE FREE OF 6
DISCRIMINATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 8
SECTION 1. (1) The Legislature declares that it is the 9
policy of this state that all forms of discrimination in the 10
criminal justice system are prohibited in the State of 11
Mississippi. 12
(2) In furtherance of this policy, the following state and 13
local governmental entities shall take such measures as may be 14
necessary to assure that the activities and environment of the 15
entity are free of discrimination: 16
(a) The Office of the Attorney General; 17
(b) The Department of Public Safety; 18
(c) Mississippi Department of Corrections; 19
(d) The State Parole Board; 20
H. B. No. 366 *HR26/R111* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R111
PAGE 2 (GT\KW)
ST: Criminal justice system; prohibit
discrimination.
(e) Other state agencies having employees vested with 21
the powers of law enforcement in conducting investigations and 22
making arrests for alleged violations of criminal offenses; 23
(f) All courts of this state; 24
(g) The offices of the district attorneys and other 25
prosecutors; 26
(h) The offices of public defenders; 27
(i) Law enforcement agencies; and 28
(j) Mental health agencies. 29
(3) The administrative head of each entity listed or 30
described under subsection (2) of this section shall ensure that 31
all employees of those entities are educated and provided proper 32
training in state and federal antidiscrimination laws so that 33
persons belonging to a protected class who are involved with the 34
criminal justice system are afforded equal treatment and 35
opportunities in a nondiscriminatory manner. Each entity shall 36
implement workplace policies prohibiting discriminatory actions 37
which set forth clear expectations of employees when interacting 38
with persons involved in the criminal justice system and 39
consequences for violations of those policies. 40
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 41
and after July 1, 2026. 42