MS HB589

Restructures State Board of Mental Health from 3 members per Mississippi Supreme Court district to 1 member per congressional district (as constituted January 1, 2025) plus 5 at-large members, for a total of 9 members appointed by the Governor with Senate approval.

Requires 4 of the 5 at-large board members to have specific qualifications: one psychiatrist, one licensed clinical psychologist with Ph.D., one medical doctor, and one licensed social worker with mental health experience.

Establishes staggered 7-year terms for board members with expiration dates between June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2032, with a 2-consecutive-term limit for reappointment.

Removes Senate confirmation requirement for the Executive Director of the Department of Mental Health and eliminates the mandatory 4-year term provision, allowing the board to appoint the director subject only to master's degree and 10 years mental health administrative experience requirements.

Effective July 1, 2025.