Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB1205: Students with disabilities; remove requirement for signing of a confidentiality pledge before mediation begins in alignment with federal law.
Status: Failed, March 3, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-141, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALIGN STATE'S MEDIATION PROCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER IDEA WITH THE FEDERAL POLICY ON MEDIATION BY REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR CONFIDENTIALITY PLEDGES TO BE SIGNED BEFORE MEDIATION BEGINS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend section 37-23-141, mississippi code of 1972, to align state's mediation process for students with disabilities under idea with the federal policy on mediation by removing the requirement for confidentiality pledges to be signed before mediation begins; and for related purposes.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-141, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALIGN STATE'S MEDIATION PROCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER IDEA WITH THE FEDERAL POLICY ON MEDIATION BY REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR CONFIDENTIALITY PLEDGES TO BE SIGNED BEFORE MEDIATION BEGINS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 37-23-141, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 37-23-141. (1) The State Department of Education shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to establish a mediation system which, at a minimum, shall be available whenever a due process hearing under IDEA is requested. The mediation system shall allow parties the opportunity to resolve such disputes involving any matter relating to the identification, evaluation or educational placement of the child, or the provision of a free appropriate public education to such child. (2) The State Department of Education shall ensure that the mediation process *HR43/R1510* H. B. No. 1205 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR43/R1510 PAGE 1 (DJ\KP) (b) Not used to deny or delay a parent's right to a due process hearing under IDEA or to deny any other rights afforded under IDEA; and (c) Conducted by a qualified and impartial mediator who is trained in effective mediation techniques. (3) The State Department of Education may establish procedures to require parents who …
Sponsors
- McCarty, Kent (R, 101) · primary sponsor
- McLean, Dana (R, 39)
Latest actions
- : Died In Committee
- : Referred To Education
- : Transmitted To Senate
- : Passed
- : Title Suff Do Pass
- : Referred To Education
Votes
- Passed (February 11, 2026): 120 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Students with disabilities
Common questions
- What is HB1205?
- HB1205 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Students with disabilities; remove requirement for signing of a confidentiality pledge before mediation begins in alignment with federal law.
- What does HB1205 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend section 37-23-141, mississippi code of 1972, to align state's mediation process for students with disabilities under idea with the federal policy on mediation by removing the requirement for confidentiality pledges to be signed before mediation begins; and for related purposes.
- What is the status of HB1205?
- Failed as of March 3, 2026. Latest action: Died In Committee (March 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1205?
- McCarty, Kent (R, 101), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB1205?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1205.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.