State Sponsored Life Insurance Program; provide for National Guard members., the official text

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Military Affairs; Insurance

By: Representatives Ford (54th), Foster, Hall, Turner

House Bill 1713

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI MILITARY DEPARTMENT TO
FACILITATE AND ADMINISTER A STATE SPONSORED LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS
OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD; TO DESIGNATE THE ADJUTANT GENERAL AS THE
OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE PROGRAM; TO AUTHORIZE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVES TO
CONDUCT BRIEFINGS DURING TRAINING PERIODS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 25-15-201,
MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR
RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1.  (1)
As used in this section, the following words have the meanings as defined in
this subsection:

(a)  "State
Sponsored Life Insurance Program" or "program" means the life
insurance program offered exclusively to the members of the Mississippi
National Guard through the National Guard Association of Mississippi (NGAMS),
as authorized under 37 USC Section 707.

(b)  "Member"
means any commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted member of the
Mississippi Army National Guard or the Mississippi Air National Guard.

(2)  The Adjutant General of
Mississippi shall serve as the official sponsor of the State Sponsored Life
Insurance Program and, in coordination with the National Guard Association of
Mississippi, shall:

(a) Facilitate and
coordinate all efforts to make the program available to all members of the
Mississippi National Guard;

(b)  Provide
opportunities for members to purchase, enroll in, or modify coverage under the
program, including the designation or change of beneficiaries;

(c)  Allow program
representatives to provide information and briefings on the program during
annual training, drill weekends, and other scheduled events to educate members

and their families on program
benefits; and

(d) Facilitate and
coordinate requested allotments for the payment of premiums with the
appropriate United States Property and Fiscal Office, consistent with federal
regulations

governing the Defense Finance and
Accounting Service (DFAS).

(3)  Participation in the
State Sponsored Life Insurance Program shall be voluntary.  Nothing in this
section shall require any member of the Mississippi National Guard to purchase
or

maintain coverage.

(4)  The National Guard
Association of Mississippi shall select the insurer or insurers used to provide
coverage under the State Sponsored Life Insurance Program and shall administer
the program in compliance with applicable federal and state law.

(5)  The purpose of this
section is to ensure that every member of the Mississippi National Guard is
afforded the opportunity to learn about, enroll in, and benefit from the

protections offered by the State
Sponsored Life Insurance Program as part of the Military Department's ongoing
efforts to support service members and their families.

SECTION 2.  Section
25-15-201, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-15-201.  The Military
Department is authorized and empowered to procure and pay for group death and
dismemberment insurance coverage to protect members of the National Guard and their
estates, or their named beneficiaries, to the extent of Twenty-five Thousand
Dollars ($25,000.00) per person, if death or dismemberment occurs while
performing authorized state military duty. The premiums on such insurance shall
be calculated on a man-day basis and coverage shall be in effect only during
such duty.

SECTION 3.  This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.