MS HB1268

Creates the Mississippi Save Our Service Member Task Force composed of 15 members including legislators, mental health professionals, military officers, chaplains, and university/community mental health representatives to assess mental health needs and suicide prevention for veterans and National Guard members.

Requires the task force to review existing mental health resources, identify gaps in services, consult with university researchers on PTSD and traumatic brain injury, and develop recommendations on identifying PTSD and suicidal ideation in military members.

Directs the task force to formulate recommendations on law and policy changes to improve mental health identification and suicide prevention services, and to develop programs addressing mental health stigma at various military leadership levels.

Creates the Mississippi First Responder PTSD and Suicide Prevention Task Force composed of 21 members including legislators, state agency employees, law enforcement and firefighter representatives, and mental health professionals to address mental health needs of law enforcement, firefighters, 911 dispatchers, National Guard members, and emergency medical services.

Requires the Save Our Service Member Task Force to submit a final report by January 1, 2026, and the First Responder Task Force to submit a final report by December 1, 2025, both tasked with recommending legislation and identifying funding needs; both task forces dissolve after submitting reports.