Category: Legislation

Ensuring Safety and Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Interpersonal Violence

Safe Leave Policies

Safe leave is a vital lifeline for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. Families—especially women—fleeing abusive relationships need the security of job protection as they seek safety, care for their children, and rebuild their lives. Without the guarantee of employment, survivors are often forced to choose between their safety and their livelihood, perpetuating cycles of abuse and insecurity. Safe leave policies ensure survivors can take the time they need to escape danger, access legal and medical resources, and protect their families without fear of losing their jobs.

Domestic Violence Review Teams

Domestic violence is a leading cause of female homicides in the United States, and Mississippi is no exception. To address this crisis and prevent further tragedy, creating a fatality review team is essential. Such a team would collect and analyze data on domestic violence-related homicides to identify patterns, gaps in resources, and opportunities for intervention. By understanding the systemic failures that lead to these tragedies, Mississippi can implement meaningful prevention strategies to protect families.

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Strengthening Families and the Economy Through Safety Nets

Ensure that program dollars reach families

Programs like SNAP, TANF, and Summer EBT are essential lifelines for families, providing critical support during times of need. These safety nets ensure that children have access to nutritious meals, parents can keep their families stable while navigating challenges, and households have a foundation to build brighter futures.

The impact of these programs extends far beyond individual families. SNAP and Summer EBT reduce food insecurity, helping children perform better in school and stay healthy, which supports their long-term success. TANF provides families with temporary assistance to meet basic needs, helping parents stay in the workforce and remain economically active. When families are supported, they can focus on education, job training, and other opportunities to break the cycle of poverty.

Safety nets also strengthen local economies by driving consumer spending. For example, every dollar spent through SNAP generates more than a dollar in economic activity, benefiting grocery stores, farmers, and local businesses. Investing in these programs uplifts families while stimulating growth in our communities.

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Fact Sheet

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Close the hidden loopholes that allow modern discrimination based on hair texture.

Pass the CROWN Act

Discrimination against hair texture in schools, athletics, and workplaces denies individuals the freedom to express their identity and thrive in their environments. Policies and biases that penalize natural hair—such as afros, locs, braids, and twists—disproportionately target Black individuals, creating unnecessary barriers to learning, participating in sports, and advancing in professional settings.

This form of racial discrimination doesn’t just harm individuals—it weakens communities and the economy by sidelining talented and capable people. Embracing and protecting the beauty and diversity of natural hair is essential for fostering equity, confidence, and productivity across all sectors.

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Ensure every eligible Mississippian can register and vote without facing unnecessary obstacles. 

End lifetime disenfranchisement

Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, yet too many Mississippians are denied the opportunity to participate in shaping our future. While 35 other states—a supermajority—have ended lifetime disenfranchisement for felonies, Mississippi continues to bar individuals from voting even after they have completed their debt to society. This policy leaves rehabilitation incomplete and silences voices that deserve to be heard. Restoring voting rights is not just about fairness—it’s a sacred obligation to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that every citizen has a voice in the electoral process.

Voting modernization and convenience

Ensuring safe and secure elections is vital to maintaining trust in our democratic systems. Policies that expand access to the ballot—such as early voting, same-day registration, and modernized voting systems—strengthen our democracy and empower all Mississippians, regardless of their background or zip code. Protecting the right to vote and ensuring secure elections go hand in hand. Together, these efforts safeguard the integrity of our elections and reinforce the promise of democracy for future generations.

Restoring voting rights and adopting equitable election policies can build a more inclusive and resilient democracy that works for all Mississippians.

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Protect working families facing serious illness and fulfill the promise of equal pay for Black women.

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Working women, especially mothers and caregivers, often face impossible choices when managing serious illness in themselves or their loved ones. Paid Family and Medical Leave would empower families to take the time to care for themselves and their loved ones without risking their income, savings, or economic stability. This program would also strengthen Mississippi’s economy by helping employers retain skilled workers, reducing turnover costs, boosting productivity, and improving workplace morale.

Salary History and Equal Pay

Mississippi women deserve fair wages that reflect their hard work, but current equal pay laws fall short. They fail to address wage and race discrimination tied to salary history, which is a significant barrier to pay equity, particularly for Black women and low-wage earning families. Supporting bills that close these gaps is critical to delivering on the promise of equal pay and ensuring all families in Mississippi have a fair shot at financial security and prosperity.

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Everyone deserves access to healthcare.

Mississippi has the opportunity to join 40 other states in accepting federal dollars to expand health coverage to working families, including Black women, who are the backbone of our communities. Expanding Medicaid will uplift everyone in our state: families juggling work and caregiving, pregnant mothers, hardworking parents, employers, medical providers, and entire local economies.

Access to doula and midwifery services is essential for expecting families. These services improve health outcomes for mothers and babies, reduce maternal mortality rates, and provide critical emotional and physical support during pregnancy and childbirth. Expanding licensures and access to trained doulas and certified midwives will ensure that more families can benefit from these vital services. Furthermore, doulas and midwives must receive fair insurance reimbursements to make their care accessible to all families, regardless of income.

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