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Bill > HB72
MS HB72
MS HB72Mississippi Delta Medical Apprenticeship Program (MS DMAP); establish to provide health care career pathways for students in the Delta.
summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Require The State Board Of Education, In Conjunction With The State Board Of Medical Licensure, The Mississippi Board Of Nursing And The Mississippi Hospital Association, To Establish And Implement The Delta Medical Apprenticeship Program (ms Dmap) For Public School Students Enrolled In Grades 9 Through 12 In Schools Situated In Counties Of The Mississippi Delta For The Purpose Of Providing Career Pathways Into Health Care Professions; To Require The Apprenticeship Program To Be Conducted In Conjunction With Licensed Medical Facilities In Those Delta Counties Experiencing Critical Shortages In Health Care Professionals; To Prescribe The Eligibility Requirements For Participation In The Apprenticeship Program; To Prescribe The Components To Be Included In The Apprenticeship Program; To Require The Apprenticeship Program To Provide Academic And Practical Application Instruction During The Course Of The Program; To Require Participating Students To Complete Certain Tasks And Research Projects; To Limit Participation In The Apprenticeship Program To Residents Of The Counties Of The Mississippi Delta Entering Grades 9 Through 12 In A Public School; To Require Eligible Persons To Submit An Application For Participation To The State Department Of Education; To Require The Department To Make The Applications Available To Local School Districts By A Certain Date And To Establish The Deadline For Acceptance Of Applications; To Provide An Incentive In The Form Of A Reduced Tuition Rate For Students Participating In The Apprenticeship Program; To Establish The Mississippi Delta Medical Apprenticeship Program Trust Fund In The State Treasury To Provide Support To Local School Districts And The Board Of Medical Licensure For Start-up Costs And Costs Associated With Implementing And Operating The Apprenticeship Program; To Amend Section 37-71-7, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Make A Minor Nonsubstantive Change; To Bring Forward Sections 37-71-9 And 31-71-11, Mississippi Code Of 1972, For Purposes Of Possible Amendment; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Mississippi Delta Medical Apprenticeship Program (MS DMAP) to create health care career pathways for public school students in grades 9-12 residing in the eighteen counties of the Mississippi Delta, aiming to address critical shortages of healthcare professionals in the region. The program, to be implemented by the State Board of Education in collaboration with the State Board of Medical Licensure, Mississippi Board of Nursing, and Mississippi Hospital Association, will offer a full year of academic and practical instruction, including hands-on experience in participating licensed medical facilities, with the goal of preparing students for pre-medical or allied health studies. Eligibility requires a minimum 2.25 GPA, teacher or counselor recommendation, good attendance, positive character, a desire to pursue healthcare, residency in a participating Delta county, and proof of health insurance or Medicaid, with parental consent also being mandatory. The program will include orientation, ACT preparation, interaction with healthcare professionals, CPR certification, and fee waivers for certification assessments, with a dedicated summer component for intensive academic and career preparation. Students successfully completing the program and enrolling in a Mississippi public postsecondary institution with a declared health-related major will receive a tuition reduction of at least 30%. A dedicated Mississippi Delta Medical Apprenticeship Program Trust Fund will be established to support school districts and the Board of Medical Licensure with start-up and operational costs, funded by various grants and legislative appropriations. The bill also makes minor amendments to existing Mississippi law regarding extended learning opportunities and apprenticeship programs.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0072.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/0001-0099/HB0072IN.htm |
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