HB 1037 Summary

• Establishes state minimum wage beginning January 1, 2023 at $7.50/hour, increasing to $10.00/hour by January 1, 2026, with automatic increases if federal minimum wage rises.

• Creates paid family leave program providing 12 workweeks of paid leave annually for employees with 12+ months tenure and 1,250+ hours worked for birth, adoption, serious health conditions, or family care.

• Requires state contractors with 20+ employees to obtain equal pay certificates demonstrating gender pay equity compliance; applies to contracts exceeding $100,000.

• Establishes Mississippi Higher Education Grant Program for single mothers with incomes at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines, providing minimum $1,500/year for tuition, books, meals, and childcare at public colleges and universities.

• Mandates minimum $20 million annual spending on Child Care Payment Program from TANF funds and requires paid sick and safe leave accrual of 1 hour per 30 hours worked (up to 56 hours/year) for employee health, family care, public health emergencies, and domestic violence situations.