Mississippi lawmakers push for PPE use by inmates handling cleaning supplies

The Mississippi Senate Corrections Committee has moved forward with legislation aimed at improving safety protocols for inmates handling cleaning supplies. The committee unanimously approved HB 1444, which mandates that the Mississippi Department of Corrections maintain written policies on providing personal protective equipment to inmates working with cleaning chemicals.

The bill, authored by State Rep. Justis Gibbs, D, passed the House of Representatives and would take effect upon signing into law. It applies to raw cleaning materials used by inmates. During a brief committee meeting Thursday, Vice Chair Sen. Lydia Chassaniol, R, noted there is still work to be done on the bill, standing in for Chair Sen. Juan Barnett, D, who was absent for medical reasons.

Sen. Joey Fillingane, R, proposed an amendment to add a reverse repealer, giving lawmakers more time to discuss the bill with committee leadership before a possible Senate vote. The committee also kept alive HB 1739, which would establish a Corrections Overview Task Force. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Becky Currie, R, aims to analyze inmate complaints, review past recommendations, and evaluate parole, drug use, and rehabilitative programs.

Fillingane also amended this bill to include a reverse repealer, allowing further examination before moving forward. The House previously approved the measure, and now both bills are headed to the Senate floor for consideration, according to committee members.

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