Interestingly, Mississippi passed the Foster Parent’s Bill of Rights in 2023. This session, 2026, proposes a Non-Custodial Parent’s Bill of Rights.

The Noncustodial Parents’ Bill of Rights and Responsibilities which shall be provided to all noncustodial parents.

The Department of Human Services shall extend the following rights to noncustodial parents:

• (a) Advance notification of all hearings concerning proposed modifications of child support;
• (b) Advance notification concerning the representation of the noncustodial parent in court proceedings, which does not require an attorney;
• (c) That the noncustodial parent shall have the same rights as the custodial parent concerning the receipt of any notification;
• (d) Advance notice of information regarding scheduled meetings concerning the child;
• (e) Advance notice of all meetings concerning all the agency’s crucial decisions regarding the child; and
• (f) The ability to communicate with department personnel or representatives twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, for the purpose of aiding the noncustodial parent.

This is not a sea-change, nor profound. The non-custodial parent is already entitle to notice, the right to counsel, the right to information, notice of meetings and decisions. The last item, the ability to communicate 24/7 seems unreasonable, but maybe that just means you can leave a message or send an email. Who knows?

Non-custodial parents already have rights! **Of note, there has yet to pass a Parent’s Bill of Rights in Mississippi law** However, even without that, parent’s have a fundamental right, guaranteed by the US Constitution to raise their child as they see fit.

Matthew Thompson is custody attorney in Mississippi and has represented hundreds of moms and dads in family courts throughout the state.