Did not become law. It stopped in the House of Representatives's Education Committee on February 3, 2026.
2026 Regular Session
House Bill 618
Virtual public schools; authorize operation of by certain educational providers or locally sponsored virtual public schools.
What it does
The synopsis the Legislature published with the bill.
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-161-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE CREATION OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BE OPERATED BY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCIES OR LOCALLY SPONSORED VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS; TO DEFINE THE TERM "LOCALLY SPONSORED VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL"; TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED IN THE STATE TO THREE; TO REQUIRE ENROLLMENT IN A VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL TO BE FREE OF CHARGE AND OPEN TO STUDENTS FROM ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO TRANSFER, FOR EACH STUDENT ENROLLED IN A VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL OPERATED BY A DISTRICT OTHER THAN THAT IN WHICH THE STUDENT RESIDES, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE STUDENT'S HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT'S LOCAL OPERATIONAL TAX LEVY TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATING THE VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO WITHHOLD SUCH AMOUNT FROM THE TRANSFERRING SCHOOL DISTRICT'S JANUARY PAYMENT OF ADEQUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM FUNDS; TO REQUIRE LOCALLY SPONSORED VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ADOPT CERTAIN ENROLLMENT POLICIES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-179-1 AND 37-179-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ARE PROVISIONS RELATING TO DISTRICTS OF INNOVATION, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Sponsors
Who carried the bill in each chamber, and who signed on. Each name leads to the member's page.
In the House of Representatives
Sponsor
Its course
January 13 to February 3, 2026, on one scale. In the top row each mark is a day something happened; taller marks are busier days.
Each committee stop sits inside its chamber.
Every action2 actions on 2 days
In the House of RepresentativesJan 13 to Feb 3 · stopped21 days
EducationJan 13 to Feb 3 · stopped21 days
Text
Each version as the Legislature printed it.
l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.
What happened
In l9n's words, one line for each step. Every action as the Legislature published it is below.
In the House of Representatives Jan 13 – Feb 3
- Jan 13Referred to the House committees on Education and on Appropriations A
- Feb 3Died in committee in the House
All 2 actions, as published
- Jan 13Referred To Education;Appropriations AHouse of Representatives
- Feb 3Died In CommitteeHouse of Representatives