House Bill 1349 Summary

• Requires the Mississippi Gaming Commission to collaborate with the Department of Human Services to establish rules for withholding gaming winnings from persons with outstanding child support arrearages.

• Gaming licensees must withhold cash gaming winnings, progressive slot machine annuities, and other reportable winnings subject to Form W2-G reporting before payment to winners owing child support debt.

• Gaming licensees may deduct an administrative fee not exceeding $35 per payment and are granted civil and criminal liability protection for withholding actions taken in accordance with the law.

• Withheld funds must be forwarded to the Department of Human Services within 7 days, with obligees receiving release of funds after 30 days unless the obligor files a timely petition challenging the withholding based on mistaken identity or incorrect arrearage amounts.

• Implementation deadline is January 1, 2026, with amendments also made to state lottery and child support enforcement statutes to include gaming winnings and slot machine annuities as assets subject to interception for child support collection.