SB2130 • 2026

Mental examinations; require state to pay costs for indigent defendants where examination is court-ordered.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-13-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY COST OR EXPENSE IN CONNECTION WITH A MENTAL EXAMINATION OF AN INDIGENT DEFENDANT SHALL BE PAID BY THE STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime Healthcare

Did Not Pass

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, so there is no official text beyond the summary provided.

Mental Exams for Poor Defendants

This bill requires the state to pay for mental health exams when a poor person accused of a crime needs one.

What This Bill Does

Changes Mississippi law so that if someone who is indigent and ordered by a court to have a mental exam, the state will pay for it.

Who It Names or Affects

Poor defendants in criminal cases who might need a mental health examination ordered by the court.
The state of Mississippi, which would pay for these examinations.

Terms To Know

Indigent: A person who is very poor and cannot afford to pay for things like legal defense or medical care.
Mental examination: An evaluation by a doctor or psychologist to check if someone has mental health issues that might affect their ability to understand court proceedings.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was stopped in committee, so it didn't become law.
It only affects indigent defendants; other people who need a mental exam will still have costs covered by the county.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (S) Died In Committee
2026-01-13 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/13 (S) Referred To Judiciary, Division A;Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Mental examinations; require state to pay costs for indigent defendants where examination is court-ordered.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S. B. No. 2130 *SS36/R111* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS36/R111
PAGE 1 (ens\kr)

To: Judiciary, Division A;
Appropriations
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Blackmon

SENATE BILL NO. 2130

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-13-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO PROVIDE THAT ANY COST OR EXPENSE IN CONNECTION WITH A MENTAL 2
EXAMINATION OF AN INDIGENT DEFENDANT SHALL BE PAID BY THE STATE; 3
AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. Section 99-13-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 6
amended as follows: 7
99-13-11. (1) In any criminal action in which the mental 8
competency of a person charged with a felony is in question, the 9
circuit or county court or judge in vacation on motion duly made 10
by the defendant or the district attorney, or on the motion of the 11
court or judge, may order the person to submit to a mental 12
examination by a competent psychiatrist or psychologist selected 13
by the court to determine his ability to make a defense * * *. 14
(2) (a) For defendants who are not indigent, any cost or 15
expense in connection with such mental examination shall be paid 16
by the county in which the criminal action is pending. 17
S. B. No. 2130 *SS36/R111* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R111
PAGE 2 (ens\kr)
ST: Mental examinations; require state to pay
costs for indigent defendants where examination
is court-ordered.
(b) For indigent defendants, any cost or expense in 18
connection with such mental examination shall be paid by the 19
state. 20
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 21
and after July 1, 2026. 22