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SB2041 • 2026

Study on Dyslexia among inmates; authorize MDOC to conduct.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF INMATES UNDER ITS JURISDICTION TO DETERMINE THE PREVALENCE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DYSLEXIA AND MAKE A REPORT THEREON TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime Privacy
Did Not Pass

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

Sponsor
Hickman, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th)
Last action
2026-03-26
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify the exact methods or tools to be used for screening.

Study on Dyslexia Among Inmates

This bill directs the Mississippi Department of Corrections to study inmates for dyslexia and report findings to the legislature.

What This Bill Does

  • Directs the MDOC to conduct a comprehensive study on dyslexia among inmates under its jurisdiction.
  • Includes screening for dyslexia using approved methods and collecting demographic data while protecting privacy.
  • Analyzes how dyslexia correlates with educational attainment, disciplinary history, and recidivism rates.
  • Requires the department to submit a report with findings and recommendations by December 31, 2026.
  • Allows MDOC to seek funding from grants or partnerships for the study.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Mississippi Department of Corrections
  • Inmates in Mississippi prisons

Terms To Know

Dyslexia
A learning disorder that affects reading and writing skills.
Recidivism rates
The rate at which people who have been released from prison are arrested again.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill did not pass during the session.
  • It is unclear how much funding will be available for conducting the study.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-26 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    03/26 (S) Died On Calendar

  2. 2026-03-05 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    03/05 (H) Returned For Concurrence

  3. 2026-03-04 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    03/04 (H) Passed As Amended

  4. 2026-03-04 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    03/04 (H) Amended

  5. 2026-02-25 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/25 (H) Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

  6. 2026-02-06 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/06 (H) Referred To Corrections

  7. 2026-02-05 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/05 (S) Transmitted To House

  8. 2026-02-04 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/04 (S) Passed

  9. 2026-01-29 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/29 (S) Title Suff Do Pass

  10. 2026-01-08 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/08 (S) Referred To Corrections

Official Summary Text

Study on Dyslexia among inmates; authorize MDOC to conduct.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
S. B. No. 2041 *SS08/R428* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS08/R428
PAGE 1 (rdd\kr)

To: Corrections
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Hickman, Simmons (12th),
Simmons (13th)

SENATE BILL NO. 2041

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF 1
CORRECTIONS TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF INMATES UNDER ITS 2
JURISDICTION TO DETERMINE THE PREVALENCE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH 3
DYSLEXIA AND MAKE A REPORT THEREON TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR 4
RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:6
SECTION 1. Study on Dyslexia among inmates. (1) The 7
Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) shall conduct a 8
comprehensive study of inmates under its jurisdiction to determine 9
the prevalence of individuals with dyslexia. 10
(2) The study shall include, but not be limited to: 11
(a) Screening for dyslexia using evidence-based tools 12
and methods approved by qualified experts in the field of dyslexia 13
diagnosis and education. 14
(b) Collection of demographic and educational 15
background data, including the inmate's age, gender, race and 16
prior access to educational resources, provided that such data is 17
collected in a manner that protects individual privacy. 18
S. B. No. 2041 *SS08/R428* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS08/R428
PAGE 2 (rdd\kr)

(c) An analysis of how dyslexia correlates with 19
educational attainment, disciplinary history and recidivism rates. 20
SECTION 2. Protection of confidential information. (1) All 21
data collected pursuant to this study shall comply with the 22
requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and 23
Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, the Family Educational Rights 24
and Privacy Act (FERPA), and any other applicable federal or state 25
laws regarding the privacy and confidentiality of health and 26
educational records. 27
(2) Inmates shall be informed of their rights and shall have 28
the opportunity to opt out of participation in the study without 29
fear of reprisal or negative consequences. 30
SECTION 3. Report to the Legislature. (1) The Mississippi 31
Department of Corrections shall compile the findings of the study 32
and submit a report to the Legislature no later than December 31, 33
2026. 34
(2) The report shall include: 35
(a) The prevalence of dyslexia among inmates under the 36
jurisdiction of the MDOC. 37
(b) Demographic data and trends associated with the 38
findings, presented in aggregate form. 39
(c) Recommendations for programs, policies or 40
legislation to address the needs of inmates with dyslexia and 41
improve educational and rehabilitation outcomes. 42
S. B. No. 2041 *SS08/R428* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS08/R428
PAGE 3 (rdd\kr)
ST: Study on Dyslexia among inmates; authorize
MDOC to conduct.
SECTION 4. Implementation and funding. (1) The Mississippi 43
Department of Corrections may seek grants or other funding sources 44
to assist with the costs of conducting the study. 45
(2) The MDOC is authorized to partner with educational 46
institutions, nonprofit organizations or other qualified entities 47
with expertise in dyslexia to conduct the study. 48
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from 49
and after July 1, 2026. 50