HC26 • 2026

Constitution; amend to provide for the right to personal reproductive rights.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING TO AMEND THE MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890 BY CREATING A NEW SECTION ESTABLISHING THE RIGHT TO PERSONAL REPRODUCTIVE DECISIONS.

Abortion Healthcare

Did Not Pass

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

Sponsor: Banks
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: No Effecti

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the process of putting the amendment to a vote, only that it would follow standard procedures if passed by the legislature.

Mississippi Constitution Amendment for Reproductive Rights

This bill proposes an amendment to the Mississippi Constitution that would establish a fundamental right to personal reproductive decisions, including the right to obtain an abortion before viability or when necessary to protect health.

What This Bill Does

Proposes adding a new section to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890.
Establishes a fundamental right for individuals to make personal reproductive decisions without state interference.
Allows people to get abortions before a fetus can survive outside the womb or when necessary to protect their health.

Who It Names or Affects

People who live in Mississippi and are eligible to vote
Individuals seeking reproductive healthcare services

Terms To Know

viability: The point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb with medical assistance.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill did not pass and was not signed into law.
It is unclear how this amendment would affect existing laws or future legislation regarding reproductive rights in Mississippi.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-16 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/16 (H) Referred To Constitution

Official Summary Text

Constitution; amend to provide for the right to personal reproductive rights.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. C. R. No. 26 *HR31/R989* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G2/3
26/HR31/R989
PAGE 1 (MCL\JAB)

To: Constitution
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Banks

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 26

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING TO AMEND THE MISSISSIPPI 1
CONSTITUTION OF 1890 BY CREATING A NEW SECTION ESTABLISHING THE 2
RIGHT TO PERSONAL REPRODUCTIVE DECISIONS. 3
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF 4
MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendment to the Mississippi 5
Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the 6
state: 7
Amend the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 by adding a new 8
section to read as follows: 9
"Section ____. Every individual possesses a fundamental 10
right of privacy with respect to personal reproductive decisions, 11
which entails the right to make and effectuate decisions about all 12
matters relating to pregnancy, and the state is prohibited from 13
denying or interfering with a person's right to obtain an abortion 14
before viability of the fetus, or when the abortion is necessary 15
to protect the life or health of the person." 16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this proposed amendment shall be 17
submitted by the Secretary of State to the qualified electors at 18
H. C. R. No. 26 *HR31/R989* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR31/R989
PAGE 2 (MCL\JAB)
ST: Constitution; amend to provide for the
right to personal reproductive rights.
an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday 19
of November 2026, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution 20
and by general law. 21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of this proposed 22
amendment for the ballot shall read as follows: "This proposed 23
constitutional amendment states that every individual possesses a 24
fundamental right of privacy with respect to personal reproductive 25
decisions, and the state is prohibited from denying or interfering 26
with a person's right to obtain an abortion before viability of 27
the fetus, or when the abortion is necessary to protect the life 28
or health of the person." 29