JACKSON —Bills introduced by Lincoln County Rep. Becky Currie, Rep. Vince Mangold and Sen. Jason Barrett advanced along the legislative process Tuesday. 

House Bill 177 was passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives to create a dietitian licensure compact. Currie’s legislation states the goal is to increase public access to dietetics service and provide opportunities for interstate practices meeting uniform requirements.

Dietitians are already required to have a license but this bill would allow for dietitians licensed in a different state to be able to practice in Mississippi. 

The bill was referred to the Mississippi senate committee on public health and welfare Tuesday. 

Currie’s House Bill 37 was passed by the house and referred to the senate committee on public health and welfare Wednesday. The legislation would delete the requirement for a referral from a physician or doctor before a physical therapist may provide therapy services to a patient. 

Lincoln County Rep. Vince Mangold had a piece of legislation he co-authored move along the process. House Bill 873 would create a Purple Alert as a way to search for missing persons with cognitive disabilities not including dementia. The bill passed out of the house and was referred to senate committee Judiciary B Tuesday. 

Lincoln County Sen. Jason Barrett had a few bills advance along the legislative process Monday. Senate Bill 2311 would revise the salary cap on annual salary supplements for sheriffs. The salary supplement cap would be set at $35,000. Salary supplements are at the discretion of the county board of supervisors. It passed out of the senate and was referred to the house committees on county affairs and accountability, transparency and efficiency. 

Senate Bill 2606 would revise the way DUI suspensions of 120 days are counted. The bill states the suspension begins on the day the judge signs the order. The bill passed out of the senate and was referred to the house judiciary B committee. 

Check back for updates on the 2024 Mississippi Legislative Session.