Mississippi HB17: MS Childcare Teachers Shortage Task Force; create.

What the bill says

An act to create the mississippi childcare teachers shortage task force; to provide that the task force is to study the mississippi childcare worker shortage and how to increase the supply of affordable childcare seats while also recognizing educators for their ongoing efforts to improve mississippi's early education and care system; to provide the members of the task force; to provide what the task force shall review; to require the task force to report to certain officials by december 1, 2026; and for related purposes.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI CHILDCARE TEACHERS SHORTAGE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE IS TO STUDY THE MISSISSIPPI CHILDCARE WORKER SHORTAGE AND HOW TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE SEATS WHILE ALSO RECOGNIZING EDUCATORS FOR THEIR ONGOING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE MISSISSIPPI'S EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE THE MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE WHAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL REVIEW; TO REQUIRE THE TASK FORCE TO REPORT TO CERTAIN OFFICIALS BY DECEMBER 1, 2026; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Mississippi Childcare Teachers Shortage Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to study the Mississippi childcare worker shortage and how to increase the supply of affordable childcare seats while also recognizing educators for their ongoing efforts to improve Mississippi's early education and care system. (2) The Mississippi Childcare Teachers Shortage Task Force shall be comprised of the following members: (a) One (1) member of the Mississippi Senate, to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; *HR43/R56* H. B. No. 17 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR43/R56 PAGE 1 (ELS\KP) (b) One (1) member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; (c) The Executive Director of Human Services, or a …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Scoggin, Donnie (R, 89) · primary sponsor
• McLean, Dana (R, 39)
• Anthony, Otis (D, 31)
• Summers, Zakiya (D, 68)
• Scott, Omeria (D, 80)

Latest actions

1. March 3, 2026: Died In Committee
2. February 18, 2026: Referred To Economic and Workforce Development
3. February 12, 2026: Transmitted To Senate
4. February 11, 2026: Passed
5. February 2, 2026: Title Suff Do Pass
6. January 7, 2026: Referred To Youth and Family Affairs

Votes

• Passed (February 11, 2026): 119 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB17?

HB17 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): MS Childcare Teachers Shortage Task Force; create.

What does HB17 do?

In its own words: An act to create the mississippi childcare teachers shortage task force; to provide that the task force is to study the mississippi childcare worker shortage and how to increase the supply of affordable childcare seats while also recognizing educators for their ongoing efforts to improve mississippi's early education and care system; to provide the members of the task force; to provide what the task force shall review; to require the task force to report to certain officials by december 1, 2026; and for related purposes.

What is the status of HB17?

Failed as of March 3, 2026. Latest action: Died In Committee (March 3, 2026).

Who sponsored HB17?

Scoggin, Donnie (R, 89), with 4 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB17?

On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0017.xml