The Overview
Mississippi is putting money behind keeping kids out of the justice system. House Bill 1, signed by Gov. Tate Reeves on July 17, funds a youth diversion program at the Department of Human Services. Juvenile crime in the state has fallen, but disparities in who gets punished have persisted.
What the Law Does
The law allocates $1.5 million to the Mississippi Department of Human Services to establish and run a statewide youth diversion program. Youth diversion programs typically route young people away from formal court proceedings and toward services such as counseling, community service, or family support although the bill text does not specify which services the program must include.
The goal is to keep young people out of the formal justice system at the earliest possible point. "" The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) urged a more developmentally appropriate approach to young people in Mississippi's youth legal system in a 2023 report.
The bill passed both chambers on July 16, 2026, and the governor approved it on July 17, 2026. The law does not specify a date by which the Department of Human Services must have the program running.
By the Numbers
Mississippi has a total population of about 2.9 million people across roughly 1.1 million households, according to the 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates, which cover all ages. About 19 percent of residents — nearly one in five — live below the poverty line, and the median household income is $56,447. The unemployment rate stands at 5.8 percent, and 17.8 percent of residents of all ages have a disability.
Legislative Status
Rep. Kevin Horan (R-MS-34) is the bill's lead sponsor. The bill passed both the House and the Senate on July 16. Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed the bill on July 17, 2026. Reeves said the reform would let the state "help youths who are able to be helped."
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