Text of MS SB 2221 (2025)

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Universities and Colleges By: Senator(s) Williams Senate Bill 2221 AN ACT TO REQUIRE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO MAKE A REPORT TO EITHER THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING OR THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD ABOUT COEDUCATIONAL DORMITORIES ON THEIR CAMPUSES; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD TO MAKE A CONSOLIDATED REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT COEDUCATIONAL DORMITORIES ON ALL CAMPUSES UNDER THEIR PURVIEW; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. (1) For the purposes of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless context clearly requires otherwise: (a) "Public institution of higher learning" or "institution" means any public technical institute, public junior or community college, public senior college or university, medical or dental unit, law school, public state college, or other agency of higher learning as defined in this act. (b) "Dormitory" means a residence hall or other living facility owned, managed by or under the authority of a state institution of higher learning that is used as a residence or sleeping place by one or more students. (c) "Coeducational dormitory" means any dormitory as described in paragraph (b) that houses both male and female students in the same building. (d) "Common area" means any room or space in a dormitory shared by all students, including, but not limited to, kitchens, lounges, laundry rooms, study rooms and patios. (e) "Board" or "Boards" means the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, or both, as applicable. (f) "Student" means any person enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in a state institution of higher learning. (g) "Campus police" means any law enforcement office, department or entity that is tasked with protecting the people and property of an institution of higher learning, including, but not limited to, a department maintained and employed by the institution. (h) "Male" means an individual who has, had, will have through the course of normal development, or would have had, but for a developmental anomaly, genetic anomaly, disease or injury, the reproductive system that at some point produces sperm. (i) "Female" means an individual who has, had, will have through the course of normal development, or would have had, but for a developmental anomaly, genetic anomaly, disease or injury, the reproductive system that at some point produces ova. (2) By October 1, 2025, each public institution of higher learning shall present to either the Board of Trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, as applicable, a report containing the following: (a) The number of dormitories or other student living accommodations located on the institution's campus or managed by the institution; (b) The number of coeducational dormitories located on the institution's campus or managed by the institution, as well as: (i) Whether male and female students live on the same floor of the dormitory; (ii) Whether male and female students live on the same hall of the dormitory; (iii) Whether common areas in coeducational dormitories are shared by male and female students; and (iv) Whether bathrooms in coeducational dormitories are shared by male and female students. (c) Any existing curfews in dormitories located on the institution's campus, including, but not limited to, curfews for visitors to a dormitory; (d) Policies for guests and visitors to dormitories located on an institution's campus, including guests and visitors of the opposite sex and minimum age requirements; (e) Method of access to each dormitory located on an institution's campus, including, but not limited to, swipe cards or keys; (f) Whether students at each institution have an option to live in single-sex dormitories or other student housing; (g) Any policies created and used by campus police or law enforcement in monitoring coeducational dormitories; and (h) A comparison of the number of incidents that required a response by campus police or were reported to campus police in both coeducational dormitories and single-sex dormitories. (3) By December 1, 2025, the Board of Trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning and Mississippi Community College Board shall compile the reports submitted to them by individual institutions and submit a full report to the Legislature. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.