HB372 • 2026

Employment; prohibit denial of solely because a person has been convicted of a felony.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON SHALL BE DENIED EMPLOYMENT SOLELY BECAUSE HE OR SHE HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime 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 bill did not include a definition of felony within the provided text; however, it is implied based on the context.

Ban on Employment Discrimination for Felony Convictions

This bill stops employers from refusing to hire someone or firing them just because they have a felony conviction.

What This Bill Does

Stops employers from not letting people apply for jobs if they have been convicted of a felony.
Prevents employers from rejecting job applications based solely on a person's felony conviction.
Forbids employers from dismissing or terminating employees just because they were convicted of a felony.

Who It Names or Affects

Employers who hire and fire people
People with felony convictions looking for jobs

Terms To Know

Felony: A serious crime that can result in a prison sentence of at least one year.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was stopped in committee.
It would have taken effect on July 1, 2026, but since it didn't pass, this date is no longer relevant.

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 Business and Commerce;Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

Official Summary Text

Employment; prohibit denial of solely because a person has been convicted of a felony.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 372 *HR43/R103* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R103
PAGE 1 (ELS\KP)

To: Business and Commerce;
Accountability, Efficiency,
Transparency
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Osborne

HOUSE BILL NO. 372

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON SHALL BE DENIED EMPLOYMENT 1
SOLELY BECAUSE HE OR SHE HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY; AND FOR 2
RELATED PURPOSES. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 4
SECTION 1. (1) Except as otherwise provided by law, no 5
person shall be denied employment solely because he or she has 6
been convicted of a felony by any of the following actions: 7
(a) Prohibiting the person from applying for an open 8
position; 9
(b) Disqualifying the person for an open position for 10
which he or she is otherwise qualified; or 11
(c) Dismissing or terminating the person from his or 12
her current position. 13
(2) For purposes of this section, a "felony" means a crime 14
that is a felony under the laws of this state or that is 15
punishable by imprisonment for one (1) year or more in a federal 16
court or a court of competent jurisdiction of any other state. 17
H. B. No. 372 *HR43/R103* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R103
PAGE 2 (ELS\KP)
ST: Employment; prohibit denial of solely
because a person has been convicted of a felony.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 18
and after July 1, 2026. 19