Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB1206: Early childhood education employees; clarify qualifications exemption for those employed in programs not granted by SDE.
Status: Failed, March 3, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE QUALIFICATIONS EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS EMPLOYED IN A PREKINDERGARTEN OR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM, NOT GRANTED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY THE MISSISSIPPI CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZER BOARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend section 37-21-3, mississippi code of 1972, to clarify the qualifications exemption for persons employed in a prekindergarten or early childhood education program, not granted by the state department of education, in a charter school authorized by the mississippi charter school authorizer board; and for related purposes.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE QUALIFICATIONS EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS EMPLOYED IN A PREKINDERGARTEN OR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM, NOT GRANTED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY THE MISSISSIPPI CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZER BOARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 37-21-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 37-21-3. (1) No person shall act in the capacity of master teacher, teacher or assistant teacher in any federal or state-funded program of early childhood education or "Head Start," or perform any of the functions, duties or powers of the same, unless that person shall be qualified in the following manner: (a) A master teacher or any other employee or consultant receiving a salary or fee equivalent to that of a master teacher shall meet the qualifications of a teacher in this section, including the requirement that a teacher may be required to hold a state teaching license by the State Department of Education, and have demonstrated effectiveness as an early *HR43/R1509* H. B. No. 1206 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR43/R1509 PAGE 1 (DJ\KP) childhood educator. Effectiveness as an early childhood educator may be demonstrated by a rating of highly effective on a state evaluation of teaching, …
Sponsors
- McCarty, Kent (R, 101) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Died In Committee
- : Referred To Education
- : Transmitted To Senate
- : Passed
- : Title Suff Do Pass
- : Referred To Education
Votes
- Passed (February 5, 2026): 118 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Early childhood education employees
Common questions
- What is HB1206?
- HB1206 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Early childhood education employees; clarify qualifications exemption for those employed in programs not granted by SDE.
- What does HB1206 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend section 37-21-3, mississippi code of 1972, to clarify the qualifications exemption for persons employed in a prekindergarten or early childhood education program, not granted by the state department of education, in a charter school authorized by the mississippi charter school authorizer board; and for related purposes.
- What is the status of HB1206?
- Failed as of March 3, 2026. Latest action: Died In Committee (March 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1206?
- McCarty, Kent (R, 101).
- Where is the official record for HB1206?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1206.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.