Title 41 — Public Health

It is the duty of the State Board of Health to make a report, in writing, to the Governor, on or before the first day of December next preceding each session, not an extraordinary session of the Legislature, upon the sanitary condition, prospect, and needs of the state, setting forth the action of said board, of its officers and agents, the names thereof, and all its expenditures since the last preceding report, and such other matters as it may deem proper for the promotion of health or the prevention of disease. The report shall be laid before the Legislature by the Governor at its ensuing term.

§ 41-3-20

Sections 41-3-1.1, 41-3-3, 41-3-4, 41-3-5.1, 41-3-6, 41-3-15, 41-3-16, 41-3-17, 41-3-18 and 41-3-19, which create the State Board of Health, establish the position of Executive Officer of the State Department of Health and establish the State Department of Health and prescribe its powers and duties, shall stand repealed on July 1, 2029.

§ 41-3-21

(1) There is hereby established the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory in the Mississippi State Department of Health.

(2) The Mississippi Public Health Laboratory shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To perform such laboratory tests and procedures as shall be determined beneficial to the health of the people of Mississippi;

(b) To apply for and maintain any and all necessary federal or other certifications and/or licenses for the performance of its duties, unless such authority shall be otherwise assigned by official action of the State Board of Health;

(c) The Mississippi Public Health Laboratory shall be under the management of a director, who shall be appointed by the State Health Officer. The responsibility for the laboratory shall be vested in the director. The director shall be the administrative officer of the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory and shall perform the duties as may be assigned to him or her by the State Board of Health. The director shall receive compensation as may be fixed by the State Board of Health, subject to the approval of the State Personnel Board. The State Health Officer may employ such other persons as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. The compensation and the terms and conditions of their employment shall be determined by the State Board of Health in accordance with applicable state law and rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board.

§ 41-3-22

The Mississippi State Public Health Laboratory, located at 570 East Woodrow Wilson in Jackson, Mississippi, shall be named the Dr. F.E. “Ed” Thompson, Jr., Mississippi State Public Health Laboratory. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare or have prepared a distinctive plaque, to be placed in a prominent place within the Dr. F.E. “Ed” Thompson, Jr., Mississippi State Public Health Laboratory, which states the background, accomplishments and public health service to the state and nation of Ed Thompson, M.D., M.P.H.

§ 41-3-23

(1) There is established in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory Fund, which shall be comprised of any funds that are authorized or required to be deposited in the special fund including, but not limited to, all laboratory fees collected and other income generated by the laboratory. Monies in the fund shall be used for the operations of the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory or the administration thereof. All income from the investment of the funds in the special fund shall be credited to the account of the special fund. Any funds in the special fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund.

(2) The State Department of Health is authorized to utilize any other funds not otherwise specifically appropriated by the Legislature for the support of the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory as necessary.

§ 41-3-37

A competent physician shall be appointed county health officer for each county by the State Board of Health or its executive officer. Said board shall cause the appointment to be certified by its secretary to the board of supervisors of the county for which the appointment was made.

§ 41-3-41

It shall be the duty of the county health officer to administer programs and enforce the public health provisions of the Mississippi Code and the rules and regulations of the state board of health applicable in his county. He shall report his actions and all informations and results of his investigations to the board of supervisors and state board of health, and he shall do such other things as the state board of health may lawfully require of him.

§ 41-3-43

(1) Each county in the state is authorized in its discretion to create a county health department and to appropriate funds for its support. A director for the same shall be appointed in accordance with Section 41-3-37 and certified to the board of supervisors of the county. Said director shall be a licensed physician, well trained in health work and shall be required to give his entire time to the work.

(2)(a) The State Board of Health may create public health districts of two (2) or more counties for the purpose of administering health programs and supervising public health workers in the district. The state board of health or its executive officer shall appoint for each such district created a district director, who shall be a licensed physician, well trained in public health work, who shall give his entire time to the work. The district director may serve as county health officer of any or all counties in the district.

(b) The boards of supervisors of the counties comprising a public health district are hereby authorized, in their discretion, to appropriate funds for the support of the public health district from the general funds of the counties; and pursuant to Section 19-9-97, to levy additional taxes for the support of county or district health departments.

(3) When any county or counties create a health department hereunder, then all other local or municipal or county public health agencies and departments are thereby automatically abolished, and said county and district health departments shall have full control over all health matters in said county and counties, including all municipalities therein, subject to the supervision, direction, and jurisdiction of the state board of health. The proper authorities of any municipality in the State of Mississippi are hereby authorized in their discretion to make an appropriation for the support of such county or district health department from the general funds of such municipality.

§ 41-3-45

The State Board of Health shall remove any director at any time for such conduct as it may deem improper, or for neglect of duty, or for incompetency, or for any offense which in its judgment, is detrimental to the public welfare. It may summarily suspend any director until any complaint made of such director may be fully investigated by the State Board of Health.

§ 41-3-49

The director appointed pursuant to Section 41-3-43 shall be given authority to enforce all health laws of the district or county under the supervision and direction of the State Board of Health, or its executive committee, and to make such investigation of health problems and recommend and institute such measures as may be necessary. He shall be under the supervision, direction and jurisdiction of the State Board of Health, or its executive committee, and he shall make report to said Board of Health of all matters concerning the sanitary conditions of his district or county in the manner prescribed by the state board of health, or its executive committee.

§ 41-3-51

The director appointed pursuant to Section 41-3-43 of any county or district shall keep an accurate record of all activities of the department of health of the county or district which he serves for use of the public and for information to the board of health, and such reports as required by the board of health shall be made to it. All officers and employees of the county or district department of health shall be subject to the jurisdiction and regulations of the state board of health or its executive committee.

§ 41-3-53

The board of supervisors shall be authorized to make such appropriations for the department of health as may be necessary to pay the salary of the director, and the salaries of all necessary sanitary inspectors, nurses, and such other employees as may be employed for carrying on the work. The board shall be authorized to pay all necessary traveling expenses of said employees in the performance of their duties. The board shall be authorized to pay for all necessary medicine, materials and supplies. The board shall provide an office for its health department, and furnish said office, and its employees, with all necessary record books, stationery, stamps, tables, chairs, furniture and all other necessary articles. The board is also authorized to do any and all things necessary and proper to maintain and support a health department. Where two (2) or more counties shall unite in having a department of health, the amount contributed by each for maintaining and supporting the work shall be agreed upon by the respective counties, subject to the approval of the state board of health, or its executive committee, and all salaries to be paid shall be recommended by the state board of health, or its executive committee to the board of supervisors of the county or counties for which the officers or employees are to act. All employees shall be recommended by the state board of health, or its executive committee, and all salaries shall be recommended in the same way.

§ 41-3-57

Any municipality may pass public health laws or ordinances and enforce the collection and registration of birth, health, and mortuary statistics. However, such power shall be subject to and not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of the state board of health touching the health interests of the county in which such municipality is situated. In the absence of an explicit agreement to the contrary between the state board of health and such municipality, enforcement of municipal laws shall be the responsibility of the municipality.

§ 41-3-59

Except as may otherwise be provided, any person who shall knowingly violate any of the provisions of this chapter, or any rule or regulation of the state board of health, or any order or regulation of the board of supervisors of any county or any municipal ordinance herein authorized to be made, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be punished by fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both.

§ 41-3-61

(1) The Legislature makes the following findings:

(a) There are patient programs that provide a whole-person orientation that includes care for all stages of life, including acute care, chronic care, preventive services and end-of-life care;

(b) A patient-centered medical home must have Health Information Exchange compliant records, electronically integrated with electronic patient health records, and use practice-based disease management applications to facilitate and measure quality of care at the point of care;

(c) A patient in a patient-centered medical home actively participates in health care decision making, and feedback from the patient is sought to ensure that the expectations of the patient are being met;

(d) Care in a patient-centered medical home is coordinated across all elements of the health care system and the patient's community to assure that the patient receives the indicated care when and where the patient needs the care in a culturally appropriate manner;

(e) Multiple studies have demonstrated that when minorities have a medical home, racial and ethnic disparities in terms of medical access disappear and the costs of health care decrease;

(f) The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, and the American Osteopathic Association, representing more than three hundred thirty thousand (330,000) physicians across the country, have developed Joint Principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home that describe the characteristics of the patient-centered medical home;

(g) The National Committee for Quality Assurance is developing a patient-centered medical home designation program for physician practices that meets specified criteria; and

(h) The Federal Tax Relief and Health Care Act calls for a three-year medical home demonstration project to be conducted in eight (8) states.

(2) The State Board of Health shall adopt guidelines applicable to physician practices, nurse practitioner practices and physician assistant practices in Mississippi that incorporate the principles of the patient-centered medical home, using all resources available to the board.

§ 41-3-63

The “Mary D. Osborne Building” located at 570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, Mississippi, shall be renamed the “Dr. Alton B. Cobb--Mary D. Osborne State Public Health Building.” The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare or have prepared a distinctive plaque, to be placed in a prominent place within the Dr. Alton Cobb--Mary D. Osborne State Public Health Building which states the background, accomplishments and public health service of Dr. Cobb and Mary Osborne to the State of Mississippi.

§ 41-3-65

Except as otherwise provided by law, the State Board of Health or the State Department of Health may increase the amount of any fee charged by the board or the department for providing a service, including the issuance and renewal of licenses and registrations, not more than two (2) times during the period from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2020, with the percentage of each increase being not more than fifteen percent (15%) of the amount of the fee in effect at the time of the increase.

§ 41-3-101

The State Department of Health is authorized to contract with the Mississippi State Medical Association or any other party for the purpose of establishing a statewide, district, county or local pilot program, on a pilot program basis, for providing needed medical services at no charge to persons who have no form of health insurance and are unable to pay for such medical services. Any such pilot program shall be conditioned upon the availability of funds obtained for such purpose from public or private sources. Under such program, the department shall set the criteria for eligibility to receive such free medical services and, through the county health departments, shall determine which individuals are eligible to receive such services.

§ 41-3-201

(1) Diabetes annual action plan; submission; content. The State Department of Health shall submit an action plan to the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare and the House Committee on Public Health and Human Services no later than February 1 of each year on the following:

(a) The financial impact and reach diabetes of all types is having on the State of Mississippi and its residents. Items in this assessment shall include the number of lives with diabetes covered by the State Department of Health, its contracted partners and other stakeholders, the number of lives with diabetes impacted by the prevention and diabetes control programs implemented by the department and its contracted partners, the financial cost diabetes and its complications places on the department and its contracted partners, and the financial cost diabetes and its complications places on the department and its contracted partners in comparison to other chronic diseases and conditions for which the state collects data.

(b) An assessment of the benefits of implemented programs and activities aimed at controlling diabetes and preventing the disease.

(c) A description of the level of coordination existing between the State Department of Health, its contracted partners, and other stakeholders on activities, programmatic activities, and the level of communication on managing, treating or preventing all forms of diabetes and its complications.

(d) The development of a detailed action plan for battling diabetes with a range of actionable items. The plan shall identify proposed action steps to reduce the impact of diabetes, prediabetes, and related diabetes complications. The plan shall identify expected outcomes of the action steps proposed while establishing benchmarks for controlling and preventing diabetes.

(e) The development of a detailed budget blueprint identifying needs, costs, and resources to implement the plan identified in paragraph (d) of this subsection.

The State Department of Health shall develop a voluntary protocol for practitioners consisting of clinical quality and performance measures for the treatment of patients with diabetes. The clinical quality and performance measures shall include A1c control, low density lipoprotein control, high blood pressure control, hypoglycemia control and tobacco nonuse.

(2) Obesity annual action plan; submission; content. The State Department of Health shall submit an action plan to the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare and the House Committee on Health and Human Services no later than February 1 of each year on the following:

(a) The financial impact and reach obesity is having on the State of Mississippi and its residents. Items included in this assessment shall include the number of lives with obesity covered by the State Department of Health and its contracted partners and other stakeholders, the number of lives with obesity impacted by the prevention and control programs implemented by the State Department of Health and its contracted partners, the financial cost obesity and its complications places on the State Department of Health and its contracted partners, and the financial cost obesity and its complications places on the State Department of Health and its contracted partners in comparison to other chronic diseases and conditions for which the state collects data.

(b) An assessment of the benefits of implemented programs and activities aimed at controlling obesity and preventing the disease.

(c) A description of the level of coordination existing between the State Department of Health, its contracted partners, and other stakeholders on activities, programmatic activities, and the level of communication on managing, treating or preventing obesity and its complications.

(d) The development of a detailed action plan for battling obesity with a range of actionable items. The plan shall identify proposed action steps to reduce the impact of obesity and related obesity complications. The plan shall identify expected outcomes of the action steps proposed while establishing benchmarks for controlling and preventing obesity.

(e) The development of a detailed budget blueprint identifying needs, costs and resources to implement the plan identified in paragraph (d) of this subsection (2).

(3) The State Department of Health is authorized and empowered to accept and expend monetary or in-kind contributions, gifts and grants to carry out the provisions of this section. Such contributions, gifts and grants shall be deposited into a special fund, hereby established in the State Treasury, to be known as the “Health Action Plan Contribution Fund.”

Chapter 4 Department of Mental Health

§ 41-4-1

(1) The goal of the Rose Isabel Williams Mental Health Reform Act of 2011 is to reform the current Mississippi mental health delivery system so that necessary services, supports and operational structures for all its citizens with mental illness and/or alcohol and drug dependence and/or comorbidity, whether children, youth or adults, are accessible and delivered preferably in the communities where these citizens live. To accomplish this goal, this act provides that initially certain core services as defined in subsection (2) of this section should be available to residents of each county in the state. These services may be provided by community mental health/intellectual disability centers. In order to determine what services are available, the State Department of Mental Health is directed to survey the community mental health/intellectual disability centers, and the community mental health/intellectual disability centers are directed to report what services they are currently providing in each county. This act does not require any community mental health/intellectual disability center to provide any service. This act is not independent authority for any program not otherwise authorized.

(2) The State Board of Mental Health is authorized and empowered to promulgate regulations to ensure that core adult mental health services, child mental health services, intellectual/developmental disability services, and substance abuse prevention and treatment/rehabilitation services are provided throughout the state through the regional mental health/intellectual disability commissions and centers or through other providers. The State Board of Mental Health is directed to give priority to crisis services and crisis stabilization unit services provided twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, where trained emergency-crisis response staff triage referrals and respond in a timely and adequate manner to diffuse a current personal crisis situation.

§ 41-4-2

The purpose of this chapter is to coordinate, develop, improve, plan for, and provide all services for persons of this state with mental illness, emotional disturbance, alcoholism, drug dependence, and an intellectual disability; to promote, safeguard and protect human dignity, social well-being and general welfare of these persons under the cohesive control of one (1) coordinating and responsible agency so that mental health and intellectual disability services and facilities may be uniformly provided more efficiently and economically to any resident of the State of Mississippi; and further to seek means for the prevention of these disabilities.

§ 41-4-3

(1) There is created a State Board of Mental Health, referred to in this chapter as “board,” consisting of nine (9) members, to be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, each of whom shall be a qualified elector. Three (3) members shall be appointed from each Mississippi Supreme Court District. One (1) appointee shall be a licensed medical doctor who is a psychiatrist, one (1) shall hold a Ph.D. degree and be a licensed clinical psychologist, one (1) shall be a licensed medical doctor, and one (1) of whom shall be a social worker with experience in the mental health field.

The State Board of Mental Health, created by former Section 41-4-3, is continued and reconstituted as follows: Effective January 1, 2028, each member shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of office of four (4) years, provided that five (5) members shall be appointed in 2028 to a term ending December 31, 2031, and four (4) members shall be appointed in 2030 to a term ending December 31, 2033. Appointments made at the beginning of the four-year cycle shall be made to fill any member's term which actually expires that year and any member's term which expires next until the majority of the membership of the board or commission is reached. Appointments made at the beginning of the third year of the four-year cycle shall be made for the remainder of the membership positions irrespective of the time of their prior appointment. Any question regarding the order of appointments shall be determined by the Secretary of State in accordance with the specific statute. All appointment procedures, vacancy provisions, interim appointment provisions and removal provisions specifically provided for in Section 7-1-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be fully applicable to appointments to the State Board of Mental Health.

The board shall elect a chairman whose term of office shall be one (1) year and until his successor shall be elected.

(2) Each board member shall be entitled to a per diem as is authorized by law and all actual and necessary expenses, including mileage as provided by law, incurred in the discharge of official duties.

(3) The board shall hold regular meetings quarterly and such special meetings deemed necessary, except that no action shall be taken unless there is present a quorum of at least five (5) members.

(4) No board member may be appointed for more than two (2) consecutive terms.

§ 41-4-5

There is created the State Department of Mental Health, herein referred to as “department,” which shall consist of four (4) or more divisions, among them the Division of Intellectual Disabilities, the Division of Alcohol and Drug Misuse, the Division of Mental Health, and the Division of Administration, Planning and Coordination, and such other divisions as the board deems appropriate.

§ 41-4-7

The State Board of Mental Health shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, a full-time Executive Director of the Department of Mental Health, who shall be employed by the board and shall serve as executive secretary to the board. The executive director shall serve for a term of four (4) years, consistent with the provisions of Section 7-1-35, Mississippi Code of 1972. The first director shall be a duly licensed physician with special interest and competence in psychiatry, and shall possess a minimum of three (3) years' experience in clinical and administrative psychiatry. Subsequent directors shall possess at least a master's degree or its equivalent, and shall possess at least ten (10) years' administrative experience in the field of mental health. The salary of the executive director shall be determined by the board;

(b) To appoint a Medical Director for the Department of Mental Health. The medical director shall provide clinical oversight in the implementation of evidence-based and best practices; provide clinical leadership in the integration of mental health, intellectual disability and addiction services with community partners in the public and private sectors; and provide oversight regarding standards of care. The medical director shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board, and will undergo an annual review of job performance and future service to the department;

(c) To establish and implement its state strategic plan;

(d) To develop a strategic plan for the development of services for persons with mental illness, persons with developmental disabilities and other clients of the public mental health system. Such strategic planning program shall require that the board, acting through the Strategic Planning and Best Practices Committee, perform the following functions respecting the delivery of services:

(i) Establish measures for determining the efficiency and effectiveness of the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2);

(ii) Conducting studies of community-based care in other jurisdictions to determine which services offered in these jurisdictions have the potential to provide the citizens of Mississippi with more effective and efficient community-based care;

(iii) Evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2);

(iv) Recommending to the Legislature by January 1, 2014, any necessary additions, deletions or other changes necessary to the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2);

(v) Implementing by July 1, 2012, a system of performance measures for the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2);

(vi) Recommending to the Legislature any changes that the department believes are necessary to the current laws addressing civil commitment;

(vii) Conducting any other activities necessary to the evaluation and study of the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2);

(viii) Assisting in conducting all necessary strategic planning for the delivery of all other services of the department. Such planning shall be conducted so as to produce a single strategic plan for the services delivered by the public mental health system and shall establish appropriate mission statements, goals, objectives and performance indicators for all programs and services of the public mental health system. For services other than those specified in Section 41-4-1(2), the committee shall recommend to the State Board of Mental Health a strategic plan that the board may adopt or modify;

(e) To set up state plans for the purpose of controlling and treating any and all forms of mental and emotional illness, alcoholism, drug misuse and developmental disabilities;

(f) [Repealed]

(g) To enter into contracts with any other state or federal agency, or with any private person, organization or group capable of contracting, if it finds such action to be in the public interest;

(h) To collect reasonable fees for its services; however, if it is determined that a person receiving services is unable to pay the total fee, the department shall collect no more than the amount such person is able to pay;

(i) To certify, coordinate and establish minimum standards and establish minimum required services, as specified in Section 41-4-1(2), for regional mental health and intellectual disability commissions and other community service providers for community or regional programs and services in adult mental health, children and youth mental health, intellectual disabilities, alcoholism, drug misuse, developmental disabilities, compulsive gambling, addictive disorders and related programs throughout the state. Such regional mental health and intellectual disability commissions and other community service providers shall, on or before July 1 of each year, submit an annual operational plan to the State Department of Mental Health for approval or disapproval based on the minimum standards and minimum required services established by the department for certification and itemize the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2), including financial statements. As part of the annual operation plan required by this paragraph (i) submitted by any regional community mental health center or by any other reasonable certification deemed acceptable by the department, the community mental health center shall state those services specified in Section 41-4-1(2) that it will provide and also those services that it will not provide. If the department finds deficiencies in the plan of any regional commission or community service provider based on the minimum standards and minimum required services established for certification, the department shall give the regional commission or community service provider a six-month probationary period to bring its standards and services up to the established minimum standards and minimum required services. The regional commission or community service provider shall develop a sustainability business plan within thirty (30) days of being placed on probation, which shall be signed by all commissioners and shall include policies to address one or more of the following: the deficiencies in programmatic services, clinical service staff expectations, timely and appropriate billing, processes to obtain credentialing for staff, monthly reporting processes, third-party financial reporting and any other required documentation as determined by the department. After the six-month probationary period, if the department determines that the regional commission or community service provider still does not meet the minimum standards and minimum required services established for certification, the department may remove the certification of the commission or provider and from and after July 1, 2011, the commission or provider shall be ineligible for state funds from Medicaid reimbursement or other funding sources for those services. However, the department shall not mandate a standard or service, or decertify a regional commission or community service provider for not meeting a standard or service, if the standard or service does not have funding appropriated by the Legislature or have a state, federal or local funding source identified by the department. No county shall be required to levy millage to provide a mandated standard or service above the minimum rate required by Section 41-19-39. After the six-month probationary period, the department may identify an appropriate community service provider to provide any core services in that county that are not provided by a community mental health center. However, the department shall not offer reimbursement or other accommodations to a community service provider of core services that were not offered to the decertified community mental health center for the same or similar services. The State Board of Mental Health shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this paragraph (i), in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Law (Section 25-43-1.101 et seq.);

(j) To establish and promulgate reasonable minimum standards for the construction and operation of state and all Department of Mental Health certified facilities, including reasonable minimum standards for the admission, diagnosis, care, treatment, transfer of patients and their records, and also including reasonable minimum standards for providing day care, outpatient care, emergency care, inpatient care and follow-up care, when such care is provided for persons with mental or emotional illness, an intellectual disability, alcoholism, drug misuse and developmental disabilities;

(k) To implement best practices for all services specified in Section 41-4-1(2), and to establish and implement all other services delivered by the Department of Mental Health. To carry out this responsibility, the board shall require the department to establish a division responsible for developing best practices based on a comprehensive analysis of the mental health environment to determine what the best practices for each service are. In developing best practices, the board shall consider the cost and benefits associated with each practice with a goal of implementing only those practices that are cost-effective practices for service delivery. Such best practices shall be utilized by the board in establishing performance standards and evaluations of the community mental health centers' services required by paragraph (d) of this section;

(l) To assist community or regional programs consistent with the purposes of this chapter by making grants and contracts from available funds;

(m) To establish and collect reasonable fees for necessary inspection services incidental to certification or compliance;

(n) To accept gifts, trusts, bequests, grants, endowments or transfers of property of any kind;

(o) To receive monies coming to it by way of fees for services or by appropriations;

(p) To serve as the single state agency in receiving and administering any and all funds available from any source for the purpose of service delivery, training, research and education in regard to all forms of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, alcoholism, drug misuse and developmental disabilities, unless such funds are specifically designated to a particular agency or institution by the federal government, the Mississippi Legislature or any other grantor;

(q) To establish mental health holding centers for the purpose of providing short-term emergency mental health treatment, places for holding persons awaiting commitment proceedings or awaiting placement in a state mental health facility following commitment, and for diverting placement in a state mental health facility. These mental health holding facilities shall be readily accessible, available statewide, and be in compliance with emergency services' minimum standards. They shall be comprehensive and available to triage and make appropriate clinical disposition, including the capability to access inpatient services or less restrictive alternatives, as needed, as determined by medical staff. Such facility shall have medical, nursing and behavioral services available on a twenty-four-hour-a-day basis. The board may provide for all or part of the costs of establishing and operating the holding centers in each district from such funds as may be appropriated to the board for such use, and may participate in any plan or agreement with any public or private entity under which the entity will provide all or part of the costs of establishing and operating a holding center in any district;

(r) To certify/license case managers, mental health therapists, intellectual disability therapists, mental health/intellectual disability program administrators, addiction counselors and others as deemed appropriate by the board. Persons already professionally licensed by another state board or agency are not required to be certified/licensed under this section by the Department of Mental Health. The department shall not use professional titles in its certification/licensure process for which there is an independent licensing procedure. Such certification/licensure shall be valid only in the state mental health system, in programs funded and/or certified by the Department of Mental Health, and/or in programs certified/licensed by the State Department of Health that are operated by the state mental health system serving persons with mental illness, an intellectual disability, a developmental disability or addictions, and shall not be transferable;

(s) To develop formal mental health worker qualifications for regional mental health and intellectual disability commissions and other community service providers. The State Personnel Board shall develop and promulgate a recommended salary scale and career ladder for all regional mental health/intellectual disability center therapists and case managers who work directly with clients. The State Personnel Board shall also develop and promulgate a career ladder for all direct care workers employed by the State Department of Mental Health;

(t) The employees of the department shall be governed by personnel merit system rules and regulations, the same as other employees in state services;

(u) To establish such rules and regulations as may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, including the establishment of a formal grievance procedure to investigate and attempt to resolve consumer complaints;

(v) To grant easements for roads, utilities and any other purpose it finds to be in the public interest;

(w) To survey statutory designations, building markers and the names given to mental health/intellectual disability facilities and proceedings in order to recommend deletion of obsolete and offensive terminology relative to the mental health/intellectual disability system. Based upon a recommendation of the executive director, the board shall have the authority to name/rename any facility operated under the auspices of the Department of Mental Health for the sole purpose of deleting such terminology;

(x) To ensure an effective case management system directed at persons who have been discharged from state and private psychiatric hospitals to ensure their continued well-being in the community;

(y) To develop formal service delivery standards designed to measure the quality of services delivered to community clients, as well as the timeliness of services to community clients provided by regional mental health/intellectual disability commissions and other community services providers;

(z) To establish regional state offices to provide mental health crisis intervention centers and services available throughout the state to be utilized on a case-by-case emergency basis. The regional services director, other staff and delivery systems shall meet the minimum standards of the Department of Mental Health;

(aa) To require performance contracts with community mental health/intellectual disability service providers to contain performance indicators to measure successful outcomes, including diversion of persons from inpatient psychiatric hospitals, rapid/timely response to emergency cases, client satisfaction with services and other relevant performance measures;

(bb) To enter into interagency agreements with other state agencies, school districts and other local entities as determined necessary by the department to ensure that local mental health service entities are fulfilling their responsibilities to the overall state plan for behavioral services;

(cc) To establish and maintain a toll-free grievance reporting telephone system for the receipt and referral for investigation of all complaints by clients of state and community mental health/intellectual disability facilities;

(dd) To establish a peer review/quality assurance evaluation system that assures that appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment is provided according to established professional criteria and guidelines;

(ee) To develop and implement state plans for the purpose of assisting with the care and treatment of persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. This plan shall include education and training of service providers, caregivers in the home setting and others who deal with persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia, and development of adult day care, family respite care and counseling programs to assist families who maintain persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia in the home setting. No agency shall be required to provide any services under this section until such time as sufficient funds have been appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature specifically for the purposes of the treatment of persons with Alzheimer's and other dementia;

(ff) Working with the advice and consent of the administration of Ellisville State School, to enter into negotiations with the Economic Development Authority of Jones County for the purpose of negotiating the possible exchange, lease or sale of lands owned by Ellisville State School to the Economic Development Authority of Jones County. It is the intent of the Mississippi Legislature that such negotiations shall ensure that the financial interest of the persons with an intellectual disability served by Ellisville State School will be held paramount in the course of these negotiations. The Legislature also recognizes the importance of economic development to the citizens of the State of Mississippi and Jones County, and encourages fairness to the Economic Development Authority of Jones County. Any negotiations proposed which would result in the recommendation for exchange, lease or sale of lands owned by Ellisville State School must have the approval of the State Board of Mental Health. The State Board of Mental Health may and has the final authority as to whether or not these negotiations result in the exchange, lease or sale of the properties it currently holds in trust for persons with an intellectual disability served at Ellisville State School.

If the State Board of Mental Health authorizes the sale of lands owned by Ellisville State School, as provided for under this paragraph (ff), the monies derived from the sale shall be placed into a special fund that is created in the State Treasury to be known as the “Ellisville State School Client's Trust Fund.” The principal of the trust fund shall remain inviolate and shall never be expended. Any interest earned on the principal may be expended solely for the benefits of clients served at Ellisville State School. The State Treasurer shall invest the monies of the trust fund in any of the investments authorized for the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program under Section 37-155-9, and those investments shall be subject to the limitations prescribed by Section 37-155-9. Unexpended amounts remaining in the trust fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the trust fund shall be deposited to the credit of the trust fund. The administration of Ellisville State School may use any interest earned on the principal of the trust fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, as needed for services or facilities by the clients of Ellisville State School. Ellisville State School shall make known to the Legislature, through the Legislative Budget Committee and the respective Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate, its proposed use of interest earned on the principal of the trust fund for any fiscal year in which it proposes to make expenditures thereof. The State Treasurer shall provide Ellisville State School with an annual report on the Ellisville State School Client's Trust Fund to indicate the total monies in the trust fund, interest earned during the year, expenses paid from the trust fund and such other related information.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as applying to or affecting mental health/intellectual disability services provided by hospitals as defined in Section 41-9-3(a), and/or their subsidiaries and divisions, which hospitals, subsidiaries and divisions are licensed and regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health unless such hospitals, subsidiaries or divisions voluntarily request certification by the Mississippi State Department of Mental Health.

All new programs authorized under this section shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated therefor by the Legislature;

(gg) Working with the advice and consent of the administration of Boswell Regional Center, to enter into negotiations with the Economic Development Authority of Simpson County for the purpose of negotiating the possible exchange, lease or sale of lands owned by Boswell Regional Center to the Economic Development Authority of Simpson County. It is the intent of the Mississippi Legislature that such negotiations shall ensure that the financial interest of the persons with an intellectual disability served by Boswell Regional Center will be held paramount in the course of these negotiations. The Legislature also recognizes the importance of economic development to the citizens of the State of Mississippi and Simpson County, and encourages fairness to the Economic Development Authority of Simpson County. Any negotiations proposed which would result in the recommendation for exchange, lease or sale of lands owned by Boswell Regional Center must have the approval of the State Board of Mental Health. The State Board of Mental Health may and has the final authority as to whether or not these negotiations result in the exchange, lease or sale of the properties it currently holds in trust for persons with an intellectual disability served at Boswell Regional Center. In any such exchange, lease or sale of such lands owned by Boswell Regional Center, title to all minerals, oil and gas on such lands shall be reserved, together with the right of ingress and egress to remove same, whether such provisions be included in the terms of any such exchange, lease or sale or not.

If the State Board of Mental Health authorizes the sale of lands owned by Boswell Regional Center, as provided for under this paragraph (gg), the monies derived from the sale shall be placed into a special fund that is created in the State Treasury to be known as the “Boswell Regional Center Client's Trust Fund.” The principal of the trust fund shall remain inviolate and shall never be expended. Any earnings on the principal may be expended solely for the benefits of clients served at Boswell Regional Center. The State Treasurer shall invest the monies of the trust fund in any of the investments authorized for the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program under Section 37-155-9, and those investments shall be subject to the limitations prescribed by Section 37-155-9. Unexpended amounts remaining in the trust fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any earnings on amounts in the trust fund shall be deposited to the credit of the trust fund. The administration of Boswell Regional Center may use any earnings on the principal of the trust fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, as needed for services or facilities by the clients of Boswell Regional Center. Boswell Regional Center shall make known to the Legislature, through the Legislative Budget Committee and the respective Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate, its proposed use of the earnings on the principal of the trust fund for any fiscal year in which it proposes to make expenditures thereof. The State Treasurer shall provide Boswell Regional Center with an annual report on the Boswell Regional Center Client's Trust Fund to indicate the total monies in the trust fund, interest and other income earned during the year, expenses paid from the trust fund and such other related information.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as applying to or affecting mental health/intellectual disability services provided by hospitals as defined in Section 41-9-3(a), and/or their subsidiaries and divisions, which hospitals, subsidiaries and divisions are licensed and regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health unless such hospitals, subsidiaries or divisions voluntarily request certification by the Mississippi State Department of Mental Health.

All new programs authorized under this section shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated therefor by the Legislature;

(hh) Notwithstanding any other section of the code, the Board of Mental Health shall be authorized to fingerprint and perform a criminal history record check on every employee or volunteer. Every employee and volunteer shall provide a valid current social security number and/or driver's license number which shall be furnished to conduct the criminal history record check. If no disqualifying record is identified at the state level, fingerprints shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check;

(ii) The Department of Mental Health shall have the authority for the development of a consumer friendly single point of intake and referral system within its service areas for persons with mental illness, an intellectual disability, developmental disabilities or alcohol or substance abuse who need assistance identifying or accessing appropriate services. The department will develop and implement a comprehensive evaluation procedure ensuring that, where appropriate, the affected person or their parent or legal guardian will be involved in the assessment and planning process. The department, as the point of intake and as service provider, shall have the authority to determine the appropriate institutional, hospital or community care setting for persons who have been diagnosed with mental illness, an intellectual disability, developmental disabilities and/or alcohol or substance abuse, and may provide for the least restrictive placement if the treating professional believes such a setting is appropriate, if the person affected or their parent or legal guardian wants such services, and if the department can do so with a reasonable modification of the program without creating a fundamental alteration of the program. The least restrictive setting could be an institution, hospital or community setting, based upon the needs of the affected person or their parent or legal guardian;

(jj) To have the sole power and discretion to enter into, sign, execute and deliver long-term or multiyear leases of real and personal property owned by the Department of Mental Health to and from other state and federal agencies and private entities deemed to be in the public's best interest . Any monies derived from such leases shall be deposited into the funds of the Department of Mental Health for its exclusive use. Leases to private entities shall be approved by the Department of Finance and Administration and all leases shall be filed with the Secretary of State;

(kk) To certify and establish minimum standards and minimum required services for county facilities used for housing, feeding and providing medical treatment for any person who has been involuntarily ordered admitted to a treatment center by a court of competent jurisdiction. The minimum standard for the initial assessment of those persons being housed in county facilities is for the assessment to be performed by a physician, preferably a psychiatrist, or by a nurse practitioner, preferably a psychiatric nurse practitioner. If the department finds deficiencies in any such county facility or its provider based on the minimum standards and minimum required services established for certification, the department shall give the county or its provider a six-month probationary period to bring its standards and services up to the established minimum standards and minimum required services. After the six-month probationary period, if the department determines that the county or its provider still does not meet the minimum standards and minimum required services, the department may remove the certification of the county or provider and require the county to contract with another county having a certified facility to hold those persons for that period of time pending transportation and admission to a state treatment facility. Any cost incurred by a county receiving an involuntarily committed person from a county with a decertified holding facility shall be reimbursed by the home county to the receiving county; and

(ll) To provide orientation training to all new commissioners of regional commissions and annual training for all commissioners with continuing education regarding the Mississippi mental health system and services as developed by the State Department of Mental Health. Training shall be provided at the expense of the department except for travel expenses which shall be paid by the regional commission.

§ 41-4-8

(1) A person shall not make, present or cause to be made or presented a material falsification of diagnosis of a Medicaid-eligible client for a claim for Medicaid mental health services benefits, knowing the diagnosis and claim to be false, fictitious or fraudulent.

(2) A person who violates this section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or by a fine of not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or both.

(3) For purposes of subsection (1), if a regional mental health/intellectual disability center submits claims for Medicaid reimbursement or other funds from the Department of Mental Health, the lack of a certified physician or psychologist evaluation of the client for such claim as required under Section 41-4-7(c) shall be deemed a material falsification of diagnosis by the person responsible for making or presenting such claim.

§ 41-4-9

The State Board of Mental Health is hereby authorized and directed to create advisory councils to assist the board and department in the performance and discharge of their duties.

§ 41-4-11

(1) On July 1, 1974, the Board of Trustees of Mental Institutions of the State of Mississippi and the Mississippi Interagency Commission on Mental Illness and Mental Retardation shall be abolished. The authority now vested in the State Board of Health relating to mental health, drug misuse and alcoholism is rescinded as of July 1, 1974.

(2) As of July 1, 1974, the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, the East Mississippi State Hospital at Meridian, the Ellisville State School at Ellisville, the North Mississippi Regional Center at Oxford, and any other mental or intellectual disability facility that may be established, shall become subject to the jurisdiction and control of the State Department of Mental Health.

(3) All duties, responsibilities, authority, power, assets, liabilities, contractual rights and obligations, and property rights, whether accruing or vesting in the abolished agencies before or after April 23, 1974, are vested in the State Board of Mental Health.

(4) The board upon recommendation of the executive director shall select the heads of divisions and institutions necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter who shall have qualifications appropriate to the duties they must discharge.

(5) Employees of the abolished agencies or divisions of agencies holding positions on June 30, 1974, shall be employees of the State Department of Mental Health on July 1, 1974. The board may combine or abolish positions as necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(6) Subject to the provisions and limitations of this chapter as expressly set forth in Section 41-4-13, all offices, services, programs and other activities of the abolished agencies or divisions of agencies are made offices, services, programs or other activities of the State Department of Mental Health, and the board is authorized to reorganize such offices, services, programs or other activities so as to achieve economy and efficiency; and the board may establish bureaus, divisions, hospitals, clinics, mental health centers, homes for persons with an intellectual disability, or other facilities for providing mental health services if it finds such action to be in the public interest.

§ 41-4-13

All commodities, equipment and furniture purchased and supply contracts entered into by the board shall be in accord with the provisions of Title 31, Chapter 7, Mississippi Code of 1972. No purchases shall be made from, nor shall any sales be made to, any member of the board.

§ 41-4-17

Nothing herein contained shall operate to vest the State Board of Mental Health with any authority or jurisdiction over the Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center.

§ 41-4-18

(1) Notwithstanding Section 41-7-191(11) and Section 41-7-171 et seq. or any other section of law, the Department of Mental Health shall have the authority to contract with private and/or public entities to transfer beds within intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities owned and operated by the Department of Mental Health to locations owned and operated by private and/or public entities for the purpose of serving individuals with intellectual disabilities in the settings most appropriate to meet their needs.

(2) Any license granted to the Department of Mental Health by the Department of Health for the operation of transferred intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities beds shall remain in the name of the Department of Mental Health and shall not be transferred into the name of the contractor unless the contractor has received the appropriate certificates of need.

§ 41-4-19

The board, may with the approval of the commission of budget and accounting, require the transfer of funds appropriated for the use of agencies consolidated under the provisions of this chapter. Said funds shall be transferred by the state auditor of public accounts to a separate account in the state treasury. The auditor shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers designated by the board.

§ 41-4-21

For the operations of all facilities placed under the control of the department and for all of its operations, the board shall adopt a uniform system of reporting and accounting approved by the state department of audit, and shall prepare an annual report to the legislature setting forth the disbursements of all moneys appropriated and specifying the facilities and activities upon which funds were expended. It shall prepare annually, or cause to be prepared, a budget for its total operation for the ensuing fiscal period in the manner and form as required by the legislative budget office.

§ 41-4-23

(a) It will be the duty of the director of any mental health or intellectual disability facility under the direction or control of the State Department of Mental Health to designate certain employees as security guards and campus police. The names, qualifications, and training of such campus police will be reported to the Executive Director of the State Department of Mental Health and spread upon the official minutes of the State Board of Mental Health.

All campus police, subsequent to employment but prior to performing duties as campus police, will attend and satisfactorily complete the training course required for law enforcement officers at the Law Enforcement Officer's Training Academy or an equivalent facility. Campus police training may be at the expense of the Department of Mental Health and conditioned upon work repayment by the employee in accordance with educational leave regulations promulgated by the State Board of Mental Health. Failure to meet repayment obligations may result in revocation of law enforcement certification in the same manner provided in Section 37-101-291. A complete record of all law enforcement training of each employee will be maintained in each employee's record of employment. A master file of all such employees' training will be kept in the central office of the State Department of Mental Health.

(b) All campus police will be duly constituted peace officers with powers and duties of a constable but such authority may be exercised only on the premises of institutions under the control of the State Department of Mental Health and public property immediately adjacent to such premises. Each person designated as a security guard or campus police will enter into bond in the penalty amount of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), the premium for which shall be paid by the facility employing such security guard or campus police.

(c) All security guards and campus police will exercise their authority while in performance of their duty on any of the facilities under the direction or control of the State Department of Mental Health and public property immediately adjacent to such facilities; will be required to dress in uniforms prescribed by the State Board of Mental Health; and will be authorized to carry weapons. Employees designated as campus police shall be duly sworn and vested with authority to bear arms and make arrests, and shall exercise primarily the responsibilities of the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of criminals, and the enforcement of the ordinances and policies of the Department of Mental Health, a political subdivision of the State of Mississippi. Employees designated as campus police shall be considered law enforcement officers within the meaning of Section 45-6-3.

§ 41-4-25

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the director of a Department of Mental Health facility has the authority to transfer any patient/resident to another Department of Mental Health facility as necessary for the welfare of that or any other patients/residents.

§ 41-4-27

The mental health crisis center located in Brookhaven, Mississippi, shall be named in honor of the late Senator Billy V. Harvey. The Department of Mental Health shall place a distinctive plaque in a prominent place within the crisis center, which states the background, accomplishments and service of the late Senator Billy V. Harvey to the State of Mississippi.

Chapter 5 Governing Authorities for State Hospitals and Institutions

§ 41-5-44

(a) The Board of Mental Health is directed, if such is determined to be feasible by the board, to establish, equip, staff and operate nursing homes for patients with an intellectual disability. Those nursing homes shall be equipped, staffed and operated in accordance with the minimum standards established by the State Department of Health, and shall meet all the requirements for the admission and care of patients eligible for Medicare and Medicaid assistance as required by Titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended.

(b) Admission to the nursing homes shall be limited to those patients who have been admitted to the mental institutions or intellectual disability centers or eligible for admission to the mental institutions or intellectual disability centers according to state laws and who have been certified as eligible for Medicare or Medicaid assistance as determined by the provisions of Mississippi laws governing the administration of Titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended.

(c) The purpose of this section is to provide a nursing facility within the environs of the former Tuberculosis Sanatorium of Mississippi, thereby providing a needed service to eligible patients by making use of available buildings and resources for their care and constituting an additional service rendered by the institution.

Chapter 7 Hospital and Health Care Commissions

§ 41-7-21

The board of trustees for such hospital or hospitals are authorized to adopt such other rules and regulations as may become necessary in each community to protect the patients and charity fund, and to make an equitable distribution of said funds in said counties and districts in the territories served by their respective institutions.

§ 41-7-35

No hospital shall be allowed to charge, accept or retain any additional payment from or in behalf of any indigent patient for hospital services rendered while being cared for under the terms of Sections 41-7-1 through 41-7-45, unless it appears that the patient was wrongfully or mistakenly qualified or admitted as an indigent patient. This section shall not be construed, however, to prohibit any hospital from charging, accepting or retaining lawful payments or contributions from governmental or other public sources or from philanthropic or charitable sources having an impersonal interest in the patients involved.

§ 41-7-39

Any person knowingly obtaining or attempting to obtain, or any person, firm or corporation who knowingly aids or abets any person to obtain, or attempt to obtain, by means of a willfully false statement or representation or impersonation, or other fraudulent device, any care, treatment or hospitalization provided by the provisions of Sections 41-7-1 through 41-7-45, to which he is not lawfully entitled shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided by law.

§ 41-7-45

All sums of money that may be appropriated to carry out the provisions of Sections 41-7-1 through 41-7-45 shall be expended only pursuant to appropriation approved by the legislature and as provided by law.

§ 41-7-71

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Mississippi that a patient or resident in a state institution whose estate is sufficient, or, if not, who has (a) a spouse; or (b) one or more parent(s) if said patient or resident is under the age of twenty-one (21) years and unmarried, who is(are) financially able to pay all or any part of the cost of such hospitalization or treatment, shall be required to pay for all or part of his or her maintenance in such institution. No resident of this state shall be refused admission to or treatment in any of the institutions enumerated in Section 41-7-73 because of his inability to pay all or any of said costs. It shall be the duty of the director or the governing board, as appropriate, of the admitting institution to ascertain the financial ability of the patient or resident and to establish an amount to be paid monthly based on current ability to pay, with a continuing claim for the difference in the amount paid and the maximum charges assessed that could be made as determined pursuant to Section 41-7-79.

§ 41-7-73

The term “state institution” or “state institutions” as used in Sections 41-7-71 through 41-7-95 shall include the following: Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, Ellisville State School, East Mississippi State Hospital at Meridian, Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center, North Mississippi Regional Center, Hudspeth Regional Center, South Mississippi Regional Center, North Mississippi State Hospital at Tupelo, South Mississippi State Hospital at Purvis, University of Mississippi Hospital, Boswell Regional Center, the Mississippi Adolescent Center at Brookhaven, the Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed in Harrison County, and the Central Mississippi Residential Center at Newton.

§ 41-7-79

Each state institution shall have the power to assess and collect charges from patients, patients' estates and from all persons legally liable for the cost of care of such patients in such state institution. The maximum charges which may be made shall be based on the estimated cost of operating the institution, and such costs shall include a reasonable amount for depreciation. The director or the governing board of each institution, as appropriate, shall investigate or cause to be investigated the financial ability of each patient, his or her estate, and all other persons legally liable for the cost or care of the patient, and the charges assessed shall be in accordance with the ability of the person assessed to pay.

The Director of the Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center or the governing board of the center, as appropriate, upon conclusion of the investigation of the financial ability of each patient and all other persons legally liable for the cost of care of the patient, shall assess a fee against each patient based on the financial ability of such patient or others legally liable for such patient to pay. The fee shall be adjustable and commensurate with the patient's financial ability to pay. In order to receive the benefits of the sliding scale fee each patient is required to provide for the Children's Rehabilitation Center sufficient financial information in order to allow the center to make a determination as to whether or not a reduced fee is appropriate. The center shall not utilize such fee scale for any patient unless the patient has a need for additional treatment, and has no insurance covering his treatment or such insurance is exhausted. The Children's Rehabilitation Center shall make every effort to collect the total charges from a patient, the patient's estate and from all persons legally liable for the cost of care of the patient before it may utilize a sliding fee scale for the patient.

After three (3) good faith attempts have been made to collect a remaining balance of such charges, and upon the recommendation of the Children's Rehabilitation Center fiscal officer, said balance may be declared uncollectible and worthless, and no longer listed as an asset.

In the determination of ability to pay, the director or governing board shall not work an undue hardship on any patient or person legally responsible for such a patient. The value of a homestead shall not be considered in determining the ability to pay. The number of dependents of a patient or the party legally responsible for such patient shall be considered in determining ability to pay. The value of real and/or personal property may also be considered.

The director or the governing board, as appropriate, shall have authority to enter into agreements with the patients or others legally liable whereby periodic payments can be made on said accounts. The director or governing board may accept notes, secured or open, or any other evidences of indebtedness.

The director or the governing board, as appropriate, of each state institution shall have the right to institute suits where necessary or advisable, and it shall be the duty of the Attorney General to institute such suits either in the name of the institution or in the name of the State of Mississippi. Except in matters involving the administration of estates, the probate of wills or the appointment of guardians or conservators, venue for such suits shall lie in the county in which the institution is located, and the venue shall not be subject to change.

§ 41-7-87

No state institution shall give admission priority because of a patient's ability to pay. However, nothing in this section shall in any way affect the duties, responsibilities and requirements imposed on the University of Mississippi Hospital by Sections 37-115-25, 37-115-31, Mississippi Code of 1972.

§ 41-7-90

(1) Any funds given or provided for the purpose of supplying extra comforts, conveniences or services to any patient in any state institution enumerated in Section 41-7-73, and any funds otherwise received and held from, for or on behalf of any such patient, shall be deposited by the director or other proper officer of the institution to the credit of that patient in an account which shall be known as the Patient's Personal Deposit Fund. Whenever the sum belonging to any patient, deposited to the patient's personal deposit fund, exceeds the sum of Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), the excess may be applied to the payment of the care, support, maintenance and medical attention of the patient.

(2) After the death or discharge of any patient for whose benefit any such fund has heretofore or shall hereafter be provided, any unexpended balance remaining in his personal deposit fund shall be applied for payment of care, cost of support, maintenance and medical attention, not to exceed the maximum charge that could be made as determined pursuant to Section 41-7-79. In the event any unexpended balance remains in that patient's personal deposit fund after complete reimbursement has been made for payment of care, support, maintenance and medical attention, and the director or other proper officer of the state institution has been or shall be unable to locate the person or persons entitled to such unexpended balance, the director or other proper officer may, after the lapse of one (1) year from the date of such death or discharge, deposit the unexpended balance to the credit of that institution's operating fund.

(3) All personal property, other than money, left by a patient at any state institution which has remained unclaimed for one (1) year shall be disposed of in any manner determined by the director or other proper officer of the institution.

(4) The provisions of Section 43-13-120 shall not be applicable to any Medicaid patient in a state institution listed in Section 41-7-73, who has a personal deposit fund as provided for in this section.

§ 41-7-91

All funds collected under the provisions of Sections 41-7-71 through 41-7-95 shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the operating fund of the institution where the patient is confined or is receiving treatment.

§ 41-7-95

All moneys collected under the provisions of Section 11-7-13 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be exempted from the provisions of Sections 41-7-71 through 41-7-95.

Nothing in Sections 41-7-71 through 41-7-95 shall be construed as repealing Sections 85-3-17 and 85-3-19.

§ 41-7-133

Federal funds, if available, may be utilized to increase, expand or enlarge (1) any hospital or other health facility provided for and constructed in part by a grant under Sections 41-7-111 through 41-7-149, or (2) any hospital constructed in part by a grant under said sections, so as to provide for diagnostic or treatment centers and/or hospitals for the chronically ill and impaired and/or rehabilitation facilities and/or nursing homes, to be operated in connection with such hospital. However, such federal funds shall not be included in computing the cost of such construction for the purpose of determining the maximum amount of the grant of state funds. Such state funds, together with locally provided funds, may be used, however, for the purpose of matching any available federal funds. In determining the cost of any such construction, there may be included the fair market value of any equipment, material or building donated or otherwise made permanently available by any local group, political subdivision or individual, but the value of the services of any such group or person shall not be included.

§ 41-7-140

(1) Members of boards of trustees of hospitals who bear legal responsibility for the operation of such hospitals shall have made available by the State Department of Health a course of not less than ten (10) clock hours annually of training as continuing education.

(2) The State Department of Health, through regulations issued in accordance with law, shall prescribe the curriculum to be pursued, including subjects and areas of information deemed pertinent to the duties, activities and exercise of authority as hospital trustees; provided, however, that the department shall solicit advice and recommendations appertaining to such instruction from associations and other cognizant sources on hospital operation within the state.

(3) Such continuing education, attendance upon which shall not be mandatory for hospital trustees, shall be offered at such times and places so as to minimize inconvenience and hardship upon hospital trustees. Each hospital is hereby authorized and empowered to reimburse each trustee actual reasonable expenses incurred in attending such meetings.

(4) The department shall maintain records of all such continuing education programs and the names of all hospital trustees receiving such training.

§ 41-7-145

Any county board of supervisors or the governing authority of any municipality may, in carrying out or in furtherance of the provisions of Sections 41-7-111 through 41-7-149, or any program or plan adopted under such sections, as a part of any contribution, cash or otherwise, that may be required by such county or municipality, convey to any municipality, county or other political subdivision or agency of the state any property, real or personal, or any existing hospital facilities or other existing facilities suitable for hospital purposes owned by such county or municipality and not needed by it for governmental purposes. Such conveyance shall be upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon.

§ 41-7-149

The State Auditor shall make an annual audit of the accounts and expenditures of the Mississippi Health Care Commission.

§ 41-7-171

Sections 41-7-171 through 41-7-209 shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law of 1979.”

§ 41-7-173

For the purposes of Section 41-7-171 et seq., the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “Affected person” means (i) the applicant; (ii) a person residing within the geographic area to be served by the applicant's proposal; (iii) a person who regularly uses health care facilities or HMOs located in the geographic area of the proposal which provide similar service to that which is proposed; (iv) health care facilities and HMOs which have, prior to receipt of the application under review, formally indicated an intention to provide service similar to that of the proposal being considered at a future date; (v) third-party payers who reimburse health care facilities located in the geographical area of the proposal; or (vi) any agency that establishes rates for health care services or HMOs located in the geographic area of the proposal.

(b) “Certificate of need” means a written order of the State Department of Health setting forth the affirmative finding that a proposal in prescribed application form, sufficiently satisfies the plans, standards and criteria prescribed for such service or other project by Section 41-7-171 et seq., and by rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the State Department of Health.

(c)(i) “Capital expenditure,” when pertaining to defined major medical equipment, shall mean an expenditure which, under generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, is not properly chargeable as an expense of operation and maintenance and which exceeds One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00).

(ii) “Capital expenditure,” when pertaining to other than major medical equipment, shall mean any expenditure which under generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied is not properly chargeable as an expense of operation and maintenance and which exceeds, for clinical health services, as defined in paragraph (k) below, Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00), adjusted for inflation as published by the State Department of Health or which exceeds, for nonclinical health services, as defined in paragraph (k) below, Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00), adjusted for inflation as published by the State Department of Health.

(iii) A “capital expenditure” shall include the acquisition, whether by lease, sufferance, gift, devise, legacy, settlement of a trust or other means, of any facility or part thereof, or equipment for a facility, the expenditure for which would have been considered a capital expenditure if acquired by purchase. Transactions which are separated in time but are planned to be undertaken within twelve (12) months of each other and are components of an overall plan for meeting patient care objectives shall, for purposes of this definition, be viewed in their entirety without regard to their timing.

(iv) In those instances where a health care facility or other provider of health services proposes to provide a service in which the capital expenditure for major medical equipment or other than major medical equipment or a combination of the two (2) may have been split between separate parties, the total capital expenditure required to provide the proposed service shall be considered in determining the necessity of certificate of need review and in determining the appropriate certificate of need review fee to be paid. The capital expenditure associated with facilities and equipment to provide services in Mississippi shall be considered regardless of where the capital expenditure was made, in state or out of state, and regardless of the domicile of the party making the capital expenditure, in state or out of state.

(d) “Change of ownership” includes, but is not limited to, inter vivos gifts, purchases, transfers, lease arrangements, cash and/or stock transactions or other comparable arrangements whenever any person or entity acquires or controls a majority interest of an existing health care facility, and/or the change of ownership of major medical equipment, a health service, or an institutional health service. Changes of ownership from partnerships, single proprietorships or corporations to another form of ownership are specifically included. However, “change of ownership” shall not include any inherited interest acquired as a result of a testamentary instrument or under the laws of descent and distribution of the State of Mississippi.

(e) “Commencement of construction” means that all of the following have been completed with respect to a proposal or project proposing construction, renovating, remodeling or alteration:

(i) A legally binding written contract has been consummated by the proponent and a lawfully licensed contractor to construct and/or complete the intent of the proposal within a specified period of time in accordance with final architectural plans which have been approved by the licensing authority of the State Department of Health;

(ii) Any and all permits and/or approvals deemed lawfully necessary by all authorities with responsibility for such have been secured; and

(iii) Actual bona fide undertaking of the subject proposal has commenced, and a progress payment of at least one percent (1%) of the total cost price of the contract has been paid to the contractor by the proponent, and the requirements of this paragraph (e) have been certified to in writing by the State Department of Health.

Force account expenditures, such as deposits, securities, bonds, et cetera, may, in the discretion of the State Department of Health, be excluded from any or all of the provisions of defined commencement of construction.

(f) “Consumer” means an individual who is not a provider of health care as defined in paragraph (q) of this section.

(g) “Develop,” when used in connection with health services, means to undertake those activities which, on their completion, will result in the offering of a new institutional health service or the incurring of a financial obligation as defined under applicable state law in relation to the offering of such services.

(h) “Health care facility” includes hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, chemical dependency hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities, including freestanding hemodialysis units, intermediate care facilities, ambulatory surgical facilities, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, home health agencies, psychiatric residential treatment facilities, pediatric skilled nursing facilities, long-term care hospitals, comprehensive medical rehabilitation facilities, including facilities owned or operated by the state or a political subdivision or instrumentality of the state, but does not include Christian Science sanatoriums operated or listed and certified by the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts. This definition shall not apply to facilities for the private practice, either independently or by incorporated medical groups, of physicians, dentists or health care professionals except where such facilities are an integral part of an institutional health service. The various health care facilities listed in this paragraph shall be defined as follows:

(i) “Hospital” means an institution which is primarily engaged in providing to inpatients, by or under the supervision of physicians, diagnostic services and therapeutic services for medical diagnosis, treatment and care of injured, disabled or sick persons, or rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled or sick persons. Such term does not include psychiatric hospitals.

(ii) “Psychiatric hospital” means an institution which is primarily engaged in providing to inpatients, by or under the supervision of a physician, psychiatric services for the diagnosis and treatment of persons with mental illness.

(iii) “Chemical dependency hospital” means an institution which is primarily engaged in providing to inpatients, by or under the supervision of a physician, medical and related services for the diagnosis and treatment of chemical dependency such as alcohol and drug abuse.

(iv) “Skilled nursing facility” means an institution or a distinct part of an institution which is primarily engaged in providing to inpatients skilled nursing care and related services for patients who require medical or nursing care or rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled or sick persons.

(v) “End-stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities” means kidney disease treatment centers, which includes freestanding hemodialysis units and limited care facilities. The term “limited care facility” generally refers to an off-hospital-premises facility, regardless of whether it is provider or nonprovider operated, which is engaged primarily in furnishing maintenance hemodialysis services to stabilized patients.

(vi) “Intermediate care facility” means an institution which provides, on a regular basis, health-related care and services to individuals who do not require the degree of care and treatment which a hospital or skilled nursing facility is designed to provide, but who, because of their mental or physical condition, require health-related care and services (above the level of room and board).

(vii) “Ambulatory surgical facility” means a facility primarily organized or established for the purpose of performing surgery for outpatients and is a separate identifiable legal entity from any other health care facility. Such term does not include the offices of private physicians or dentists, whether for individual or group practice, and does not include any abortion facility as defined in Section 41-75-1(f).

(viii) “Intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities” means an intermediate care facility that provides health or rehabilitative services in a planned program of activities to persons with an intellectual disability, also including, but not limited to, cerebral palsy and other conditions covered by the Federal Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, Public Law 94-103.

(ix) “Home health agency” means a public or privately owned agency or organization, or a subdivision of such an agency or organization, properly authorized to conduct business in Mississippi, which is primarily engaged in providing to individuals at the written direction of a licensed physician, in the individual's place of residence, skilled nursing services provided by or under the supervision of a registered nurse licensed to practice in Mississippi, and one or more of the following services or items:

1. Physical, occupational or speech therapy;

2. Medical social services;

3. Part-time or intermittent services of a home health aide;

4. Other services as approved by the licensing agency for home health agencies;

5. Medical supplies, other than drugs and biologicals, and the use of medical appliances; or

6. Medical services provided by an intern or resident-in-training at a hospital under a teaching program of such hospital.

Further, all skilled nursing services and those services listed in items 1 through 4 of this subparagraph (ix) must be provided directly by the licensed home health agency. For purposes of this subparagraph, “directly” means either through an agency employee or by an arrangement with another individual not defined as a health care facility.

This subparagraph (ix) shall not apply to health care facilities which had contracts for the above services with a home health agency on January 1, 1990.

(x) “Psychiatric residential treatment facility” means any nonhospital establishment with permanent licensed facilities which provides a twenty-four-hour program of care by qualified therapists, including, but not limited to, duly licensed mental health professionals, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and licensed certified social workers, for emotionally disturbed children and adolescents referred to such facility by a court, local school district or by the Department of Human Services, who are not in an acute phase of illness requiring the services of a psychiatric hospital, and are in need of such restorative treatment services. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “emotionally disturbed” means a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree, which adversely affects educational performance:

1. An inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors;

2. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory relationships with peers and teachers;

3. Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances;

4. A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or

5. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems. An establishment furnishing primarily domiciliary care is not within this definition.

(xi) “Pediatric skilled nursing facility” means an institution or a distinct part of an institution that is primarily engaged in providing to inpatients skilled nursing care and related services for persons under twenty-one (21) years of age who require medical or nursing care or rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled or sick persons.

(xii) “Long-term care hospital” means a freestanding, Medicare-certified hospital that has an average length of inpatient stay greater than twenty-five (25) days, which is primarily engaged in providing chronic or long-term medical care to patients who do not require more than three (3) hours of rehabilitation or comprehensive rehabilitation per day, and has a transfer agreement with an acute care medical center and a comprehensive medical rehabilitation facility. Long-term care hospitals shall not use rehabilitation, comprehensive medical rehabilitation, medical rehabilitation, sub-acute rehabilitation, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or sub-acute care facility in association with its name.

(xiii) “Comprehensive medical rehabilitation facility” means a hospital or hospital unit that is licensed and/or certified as a comprehensive medical rehabilitation facility which provides specialized programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and supervised by a physician board certified or board eligible in physiatry or other doctor of medicine or osteopathy with at least two (2) years of training in the medical direction of a comprehensive rehabilitation program that:

1. Includes evaluation and treatment of individuals with physical disabilities;

2. Emphasizes education and training of individuals with disabilities;

3. Incorporates at least the following core disciplines:

a. Physical Therapy;

b. Occupational Therapy;

c. Speech and Language Therapy;

d. Rehabilitation Nursing; and

4. Incorporates at least three (3) of the following disciplines:

a. Psychology;

b. Audiology;

c. Respiratory Therapy;

d. Therapeutic Recreation;

e. Orthotics;

f. Prosthetics;

g. Special Education;

h. Vocational Rehabilitation;

i. Psychotherapy;

j. Social Work;

k. Rehabilitation Engineering.

These specialized programs include, but are not limited to: spinal cord injury programs, head injury programs and infant and early childhood development programs.

(i) “Health maintenance organization” or “HMO” means a public or private organization organized under the laws of this state or the federal government which:

(i) Provides or otherwise makes available to enrolled participants health care services, including substantially the following basic health care services: usual physician services, hospitalization, laboratory, x-ray, emergency and preventive services, and out-of-area coverage;

(ii) Is compensated (except for copayments) for the provision of the basic health care services listed in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph to enrolled participants on a predetermined basis; and

(iii) Provides physician services primarily:

1. Directly through physicians who are either employees or partners of such organization; or

2. Through arrangements with individual physicians or one or more groups of physicians (organized on a group practice or individual practice basis).

(j) “Health service area” means a geographic area of the state designated in the State Health Plan as the area to be used in planning for specified health facilities and services and to be used when considering certificate of need applications to provide health facilities and services.

(k) “Health services” means clinically related (i.e., diagnostic, treatment or rehabilitative) services and includes alcohol, drug abuse, mental health and home health care services. “Clinical health services” shall only include those activities which contemplate any change in the existing bed complement of any health care facility through the addition or conversion of any beds, under Section 41-7-191(1)(c) or propose to offer any health services if those services have not been provided on a regular basis by the proposed provider of such services within the period of twelve (12) months prior to the time such services would be offered, under Section 41-7-191(1)(d). “Nonclinical health services” shall be all other services which do not involve any change in the existing bed complement or offering health services as described above.

(l) “Institutional health services” shall mean health services provided in or through health care facilities and shall include the entities in or through which such services are provided.

(m) “Major medical equipment” means medical equipment designed for providing medical or any health-related service which costs in excess of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00). However, this definition shall not be applicable to clinical laboratories if they are determined by the State Department of Health to be independent of any physician's office, hospital or other health care facility or otherwise not so defined by federal or state law, or rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(n) “State Department of Health” or “department” shall mean the state agency created under Section 41-3-15, which shall be considered to be the State Health Planning and Development Agency, as defined in paragraph (u) of this section.

(o) “Offer,” when used in connection with health services, means that it has been determined by the State Department of Health that the health care facility is capable of providing specified health services.

(p) “Person” means an individual, a trust or estate, partnership, corporation (including associations, joint-stock companies and insurance companies), the state or a political subdivision or instrumentality of the state.

(q) “Provider” shall mean any person who is a provider or representative of a provider of health care services requiring a certificate of need under Section 41-7-171 et seq., or who has any financial or indirect interest in any provider of services.

(r) “Radiation therapy services” means the treatment of cancer and other diseases using ionizing radiation of either high energy photons (x-rays or gamma rays) or charged particles (electrons, protons or heavy nuclei). However, for purposes of a certificate of need, radiation therapy services shall not include low energy, superficial, external beam x-ray treatment of superficial skin lesions.

(s) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and any officer or employee of the Department of Health and Human Services to whom the authority involved has been delegated.

(t) “State Health Plan” means the sole and official statewide health plan for Mississippi which identifies priority state health needs and establishes standards and criteria for health-related activities which require certificate of need review in compliance with Section 41-7-191.

(u) “State Health Planning and Development Agency” means the agency of state government designated to perform health planning and resource development programs for the State of Mississippi.

§ 41-7-175

The State Department of Health shall be the sole and official agency of the State of Mississippi to administer and supervise, as prescribed by the Legislature, all responsibilities of the state health planning and development agency.

§ 41-7-183

The State Department of Health shall have the duty of administering all functions and responsibilities of the designated state health planning and development agency as prescribed by the Legislature, and shall serve as the designated planning agency of the state for purposes of Section 1122 of Public Law 92-603 for the period of time that a contract is in effect between the Secretary and the State Department of Health for such purposes.

§ 41-7-185

In carrying out its functions under Section 41-7-171, et seq., the State Department of Health is hereby empowered to:

(a) Make applications for and accept funds from the secretary and other federal and state agencies and to receive and administer such other funds for the planning or provision of health facilities or health care as are appropriate to the accomplishment of the purposes of Section 41-7-171, et seq.; and to contract with the secretary to accept funds to administer planning activities on the community, regional or state level;

(b) With the approval of the secretary, delegate to or contract with any mutually agreeable department, division or agency of the state, the federal government, or any political subdivision of either, or any private corporation, organization or association chartered by the Secretary of State of Mississippi, authority for administering any programs, duties or functions provided for in Section 41-7-171, et seq.;

(c) Prescribe and promulgate such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary to the implementation of the purposes of Section 41-7-171, et seq., complying with Section 25-43-1, et seq.;

(d) Require providers of institutional health services and home health-care services provided through a home health agency and any other provider of health care requiring a certificate of need to submit or make available statistical information or such other information requested by the State Department of Health, but not information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of any individual person or place the provider in jeopardy of legal action by a third party;

(e) Conduct such other hearing or hearings in addition to those provided for in Section 41-7-197, and enter such further order or orders, and with approval of the Governor enter into such agreement or agreements with the secretary as may be reasonably necessary to the realization by the people of Mississippi of the full benefits of Acts of Congress;

(f) In its discretion, contract with the secretary, or terminate any such contract, for the administration of the provisions, programs, duties and functions of Section 1122 of Public Law 92-603; but the State Department of Health shall not be relieved of matters of accountability, obligation or responsibility that accrued to the department by virtue of prior contracts and/or statutes;

(g) Prepare, review at least triennially, and revise, as necessary, a State Health Plan, as defined in Section 41-7-173, which shall be approved by the Governor before it becomes effective.

§ 41-7-187

The State Department of Health is hereby authorized to develop and implement a statewide health certificate of need program. The State Department of Health is authorized and empowered to adopt by rule and regulation:

(a) Criteria, standards and plans to be used in evaluating applications for certificates of need;

(b) Effective standards to determine when a person, facility or organization must apply for a certificate of need;

(c) Standards to determine when a change of ownership has occurred or will occur; and

(d) Review procedures for conducting reviews of applications for certificates of need.

§ 41-7-188

(1) The State Department of Health is hereby authorized and empowered to assess fees for reviewing applications for certificates of need. The State Department of Health shall promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to effectuate the intent of this section in keeping with the standards hereinbelow:

(a) The fees assessed shall be uniform to all applicants.

(b) The fees assessed shall be nonrefundable.

(c) The fee shall be .5 of 1% of the amount of a proposed capital expenditure.

(d) The minimum fee shall not be less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) regardless of the amount of the proposed capital expenditure, and the maximum fee permitted shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), regardless of category.

(e) No application shall be deemed complete for the review process until such required fee is received by the State Department of Health.

(f) The required fee shall be paid to the State Department of Health and may be paid by check, draft or money order.

(g) There shall be no filing fee requirement for any application submitted by an agency, department, institution or facility which is operated, owned by and/or controlled by the State of Mississippi and which received operating and/or capital expenditure funds solely by appropriations from the Legislature of the State.

(h) There shall be no filing fee requirement for any health-care facility submitting an application for repairs or renovations determined by the State Department of Health in writing, to be necessary in order to avoid revocation of license and/or loss of certification for participation in the Medicaid and/or Medicare programs. Any proposed expenditure in excess of the amount determined by the State Department of Health to be necessary to accomplish the stated purposes shall be subject to the fee requirements of this section.

(2) The revenue derived from the fees imposed in subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited by the State Department of Health in a special fund, hereby created in the State Treasury, which is earmarked for use by the State Department of Health in conducting its health planning and certificate of need review activities. It is the intent of the Legislature that the health planning and certificate of need programs be continued for the protection of the individuals within the state requiring health care.

(3) The State Department of Health is authorized and empowered to assess fees for reviewing applications for certificates of authority for health maintenance organizations and for the issuance and renewal of such certificates of authority. The fees assessed shall be uniform to all applicants and to all holders of certificates of authority, and shall be nonrefundable. The fees for applications, original certificates of authority and renewals of certificates of authority shall not exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) each. The revenues derived from the fees assessed under this subsection shall be deposited by the department in a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury, which is earmarked for the use of the department in its regulation of the operation of health maintenance organizations.

§ 41-7-189

(1) Prior to review of new institutional health services or other proposals requiring a certificate of need, the State Department of Health shall disseminate to all health-care facilities and health maintenance organizations within the state, and shall publish in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the state, a description of the scope of coverage of the commission's certificate of need program. Whenever the scope of such coverage is revised, the State Department of Health shall disseminate and publish a revised description thereof in like manner.

(2) Selected statistical data and information obtained by the State Department of Health as the licensing agency for health-care facilities requiring licensure by the state and as the agency which provides certification for the Medicaid and/or Medicare program, may be utilized by the department in performing the statutory duties imposed upon it by any law over which it has authority, and regulations necessarily promulgated for such facilities to participate in the Medicaid and/or Medicare program; provided, however, that the names of individual patients shall not be revealed except in hearings or judicial proceedings regarding questions of licensure.

§ 41-7-190

No corporation, foreign or domestic, partnership, individual(s) or association of such entities or of persons whatsoever, or any combination thereof, shall own, possess or exercise control over, in any manner, more than twenty percent (20%) of the beds in health-care facilities defined in Section 41-7-173(h)(iv) and (vi) in the defined health service area of the State of Mississippi.

Health-care facilities owned, operated or under control of the United States government, the state government or political subdivision of either are excluded from the limitation of this section.

§ 41-7-191

(1) No person shall engage in any of the following activities without obtaining the required certificate of need:

(a) The construction, development or other establishment of a new health care facility, which establishment shall include the reopening of a health care facility that has ceased to operate for a period of sixty (60) months or more;

(b) The relocation of a health care facility or portion thereof, or major medical equipment, unless such relocation of a health care facility or portion thereof, or major medical equipment, which does not involve a capital expenditure by or on behalf of a health care facility, is within five thousand two hundred eighty (5,280) feet from the main entrance of the health care facility;

(c) Any change in the existing bed complement of any health care facility through the addition or conversion of any beds or the alteration, modernizing or refurbishing of any unit or department in which the beds may be located; however, if a health care facility has voluntarily delicensed some of its existing bed complement, it may later relicense some or all of its delicensed beds without the necessity of having to acquire a certificate of need. The State Department of Health shall maintain a record of the delicensing health care facility and its voluntarily delicensed beds and continue counting those beds as part of the state's total bed count for health care planning purposes. If a health care facility that has voluntarily delicensed some of its beds later desires to relicense some or all of its voluntarily delicensed beds, it shall notify the State Department of Health of its intent to increase the number of its licensed beds. The State Department of Health shall survey the health care facility within thirty (30) days of that notice and, if appropriate, issue the health care facility a new license reflecting the new contingent of beds. However, in no event may a health care facility that has voluntarily delicensed some of its beds be reissued a license to operate beds in excess of its bed count before the voluntary delicensure of some of its beds without seeking certificate of need approval;

(d) Offering of the following health services if those services have not been provided on a regular basis by the proposed provider of such services within the period of twelve (12) months prior to the time such services would be offered:

(i) Open-heart surgery services;

(ii) Cardiac catheterization services;

(iii) Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services;

(iv) Licensed psychiatric services;

(v) Licensed chemical dependency services;

(vi) Radiation therapy services;

(vii) Diagnostic imaging services of an invasive nature, i.e. invasive digital angiography;

(viii) Nursing home care as defined in subparagraphs (iv), (vi) and (viii) of Section 41-7-173(h);

(ix) Home health services;

(x) Swing-bed services;

(xi) Ambulatory surgical services;

(xii) Magnetic resonance imaging services;

(xiii) [Deleted]

(xiv) Long-term care hospital services;

(xv) Positron emission tomography (PET) services;

(e) The relocation of one or more health services from one physical facility or site to another physical facility or site, unless such relocation, which does not involve a capital expenditure by or on behalf of a health care facility, (i) is to a physical facility or site within five thousand two hundred eighty (5,280) feet from the main entrance of the health care facility where the health care service is located, or (ii) is the result of an order of a court of appropriate jurisdiction or a result of pending litigation in such court, or by order of the State Department of Health, or by order of any other agency or legal entity of the state, the federal government, or any political subdivision of either, whose order is also approved by the State Department of Health;

(f) The acquisition or otherwise control of any major medical equipment for the provision of medical services; however, (i) the acquisition of any major medical equipment used only for research purposes, and (ii) the acquisition of major medical equipment to replace medical equipment for which a facility is already providing medical services and for which the State Department of Health has been notified before the date of such acquisition shall be exempt from this paragraph; an acquisition for less than fair market value must be reviewed, if the acquisition at fair market value would be subject to review;

(g) Changes of ownership of existing health care facilities in which a notice of intent is not filed with the State Department of Health at least thirty (30) days prior to the date such change of ownership occurs, or a change in services or bed capacity as prescribed in paragraph (c) or (d) of this subsection as a result of the change of ownership; an acquisition for less than fair market value must be reviewed, if the acquisition at fair market value would be subject to review;

(h) The change of ownership of any health care facility defined in subparagraphs (iv), (vi) and (viii) of Section 41-7-173(h), in which a notice of intent as described in paragraph (g) has not been filed and if the Executive Director, Division of Medicaid, Office of the Governor, has not certified in writing that there will be no increase in allowable costs to Medicaid from revaluation of the assets or from increased interest and depreciation as a result of the proposed change of ownership;

(i) Any activity described in paragraphs (a) through (h) if undertaken by any person if that same activity would require certificate of need approval if undertaken by a health care facility;

(j) Any capital expenditure or deferred capital expenditure by or on behalf of a health care facility not covered by paragraphs (a) through (h);

(k) The contracting of a health care facility as defined in subparagraphs (i) through (viii) of Section 41-7-173(h) to establish a home office, subunit, or branch office in the space operated as a health care facility through a formal arrangement with an existing health care facility as defined in subparagraph (ix) of Section 41-7-173(h);

(l) The replacement or relocation of a health care facility designated as a critical access hospital shall be exempt from subsection (1) of this section so long as the critical access hospital complies with all applicable federal law and regulations regarding such replacement or relocation;

(m) Reopening a health care facility that has ceased to operate for a period of sixty (60) months or more, which reopening requires a certificate of need for the establishment of a new health care facility.

(2) The State Department of Health shall not grant approval for or issue a certificate of need to any person proposing the new construction of, addition to, or expansion of any health care facility defined in subparagraphs (iv) (skilled nursing facility) and (vi) (intermediate care facility) of Section 41-7-173(h) or the conversion of vacant hospital beds to provide skilled or intermediate nursing home care, except as hereinafter authorized:

(a) The department may issue a certificate of need to any person proposing the new construction of any health care facility defined in subparagraphs (iv) and (vi) of Section 41-7-173(h) as part of a life care retirement facility, in any county bordering on the Gulf of Mexico in which is located a National Aeronautics and Space Administration facility, not to exceed forty (40) beds. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the health care facility that were authorized under this paragraph (a).

(b) The department may issue certificates of need in Harrison County to provide skilled nursing home care for Alzheimer's disease patients and other patients, not to exceed one hundred fifty (150) beds. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the nursing facilities that were authorized under this paragraph (b).

(c) The department may issue a certificate of need for the addition to or expansion of any skilled nursing facility that is part of an existing continuing care retirement community located in Madison County, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the skilled nursing facility will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the skilled nursing facility who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the skilled nursing facility, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the skilled nursing facility will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this paragraph (c), and if such skilled nursing facility at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the skilled nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. The total number of beds that may be authorized under the authority of this paragraph (c) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds.

(d) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need to any hospital located in DeSoto County for the new construction of a skilled nursing facility, not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) beds, in DeSoto County. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the nursing facility that were authorized under this paragraph (d).

(e) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need for the construction of a nursing facility or the conversion of beds to nursing facility beds at a personal care facility for the elderly in Lowndes County that is owned and operated by a Mississippi nonprofit corporation, not to exceed sixty (60) beds. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the nursing facility that were authorized under this paragraph (e).

(f) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need for conversion of a county hospital facility in Itawamba County to a nursing facility, not to exceed sixty (60) beds, including any necessary construction, renovation or expansion. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the nursing facility that were authorized under this paragraph (f).

(g) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need for the construction or expansion of nursing facility beds or the conversion of other beds to nursing facility beds in either Hinds, Madison or Rankin County, not to exceed sixty (60) beds. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the nursing facility that were authorized under this paragraph (g).

(h) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need for the construction or expansion of nursing facility beds or the conversion of other beds to nursing facility beds in either Hancock, Harrison or Jackson County, not to exceed sixty (60) beds. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the facility that were authorized under this paragraph (h).

(i) The department may issue a certificate of need for the new construction of a skilled nursing facility in Leake County, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the skilled nursing facility will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the skilled nursing facility who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the skilled nursing facility, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the skilled nursing facility will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this paragraph (i), and if such skilled nursing facility at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the skilled nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. The provision of Section 41-7-193(1) regarding substantial compliance of the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan is waived for the purposes of this paragraph. The total number of nursing facility beds that may be authorized by any certificate of need issued under this paragraph (i) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds. If the skilled nursing facility authorized by the certificate of need issued under this paragraph is not constructed and fully operational within eighteen (18) months after July 1, 1994, the State Department of Health, after a hearing complying with due process, shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall not issue a license for the skilled nursing facility at any time after the expiration of the eighteen-month period.

(j) The department may issue certificates of need to allow any existing freestanding long-term care facility in Tishomingo County and Hancock County that on July 1, 1995, is licensed with fewer than sixty (60) beds. For the purposes of this paragraph (j), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the long-term care facilities that were authorized under this paragraph (j).

(k) The department may issue a certificate of need for the construction of a nursing facility at a continuing care retirement community in Lowndes County. The total number of beds that may be authorized under the authority of this paragraph (k) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds. From and after July 1, 2001, the prohibition on the facility participating in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) that was a condition of issuance of the certificate of need under this paragraph (k) shall be revised as follows: The nursing facility may participate in the Medicaid program from and after July 1, 2001, if the owner of the facility on July 1, 2001, agrees in writing that no more than thirty (30) of the beds at the facility will be certified for participation in the Medicaid program, and that no claim will be submitted for Medicaid reimbursement for more than thirty (30) patients in the facility in any month or for any patient in the facility who is in a bed that is not Medicaid-certified. This written agreement by the owner of the facility shall be a condition of licensure of the facility, and the agreement shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the facility if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after July 1, 2001. After this written agreement is executed, the Division of Medicaid and the State Department of Health shall not certify more than thirty (30) of the beds in the facility for participation in the Medicaid program. If the facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the facility on a regular or continuing basis more than thirty (30) patients who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the license of the facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has violated the written agreement.

(l) Provided that funds are specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature, the department may issue a certificate of need to a rehabilitation hospital in Hinds County for the construction of a sixty-bed long-term care nursing facility dedicated to the care and treatment of persons with severe disabilities including persons with spinal cord and closed-head injuries and ventilator dependent patients. The provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) regarding substantial compliance with projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived for the purpose of this paragraph.

(m) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need to a county-owned hospital in the Second Judicial District of Panola County for the conversion of not more than seventy-two (72) hospital beds to nursing facility beds, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that none of the beds at the nursing facility will be certified for participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.), and that no claim will be submitted for Medicaid reimbursement in the nursing facility in any day or for any patient in the nursing facility. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be a condition of the issuance of the certificate of need under this paragraph, and the agreement shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the nursing facility if the ownership of the nursing facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. After this written agreement is executed, the Division of Medicaid and the State Department of Health shall not certify any of the beds in the nursing facility for participation in the Medicaid program. If the nursing facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the nursing facility on a regular or continuing basis any patients who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the license of the nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the nursing facility has violated the condition upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement. If the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph is not issued within twelve (12) months after July 1, 2001, the department shall deny the application for the certificate of need and shall not issue the certificate of need at any time after the twelve-month period, unless the issuance is contested. If the certificate of need is issued and substantial construction of the nursing facility beds has not commenced within eighteen (18) months after July 1, 2001, the State Department of Health, after a hearing complying with due process, shall revoke the certificate of need if it is still outstanding, and the department shall not issue a license for the nursing facility at any time after the eighteen-month period. However, if the issuance of the certificate of need is contested, the department shall require substantial construction of the nursing facility beds within six (6) months after final adjudication on the issuance of the certificate of need.

(n) The department may issue a certificate of need for the new construction, addition or conversion of skilled nursing facility beds in Madison County, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the skilled nursing facility will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the skilled nursing facility who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the skilled nursing facility, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the skilled nursing facility will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this paragraph (n), and if such skilled nursing facility at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the skilled nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. The total number of nursing facility beds that may be authorized by any certificate of need issued under this paragraph (n) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds. If the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph is not issued within twelve (12) months after July 1, 1998, the department shall deny the application for the certificate of need and shall not issue the certificate of need at any time after the twelve-month period, unless the issuance is contested. If the certificate of need is issued and substantial construction of the nursing facility beds has not commenced within eighteen (18) months after July 1, 1998, the State Department of Health, after a hearing complying with due process, shall revoke the certificate of need if it is still outstanding, and the department shall not issue a license for the nursing facility at any time after the eighteen-month period. However, if the issuance of the certificate of need is contested, the department shall require substantial construction of the nursing facility beds within six (6) months after final adjudication on the issuance of the certificate of need.

(o) The department may issue a certificate of need for the new construction, addition or conversion of skilled nursing facility beds in Leake County, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the skilled nursing facility will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the skilled nursing facility who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the skilled nursing facility, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the skilled nursing facility will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this paragraph (o), and if such skilled nursing facility at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the skilled nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. The total number of nursing facility beds that may be authorized by any certificate of need issued under this paragraph (o) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds. If the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph is not issued within twelve (12) months after July 1, 2001, the department shall deny the application for the certificate of need and shall not issue the certificate of need at any time after the twelve-month period, unless the issuance is contested. If the certificate of need is issued and substantial construction of the nursing facility beds has not commenced within eighteen (18) months after July 1, 2001, the State Department of Health, after a hearing complying with due process, shall revoke the certificate of need if it is still outstanding, and the department shall not issue a license for the nursing facility at any time after the eighteen-month period. However, if the issuance of the certificate of need is contested, the department shall require substantial construction of the nursing facility beds within six (6) months after final adjudication on the issuance of the certificate of need.

(p) The department may issue a certificate of need for the construction of a municipally owned nursing facility within the Town of Belmont in Tishomingo County, not to exceed sixty (60) beds, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the skilled nursing facility will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the skilled nursing facility who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the skilled nursing facility, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the skilled nursing facility will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this paragraph (p), and if such skilled nursing facility at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the skilled nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. The provision of Section 41-7-193(1) regarding substantial compliance of the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan is waived for the purposes of this paragraph. If the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph is not issued within twelve (12) months after July 1, 1998, the department shall deny the application for the certificate of need and shall not issue the certificate of need at any time after the twelve-month period, unless the issuance is contested. If the certificate of need is issued and substantial construction of the nursing facility beds has not commenced within eighteen (18) months after July 1, 1998, the State Department of Health, after a hearing complying with due process, shall revoke the certificate of need if it is still outstanding, and the department shall not issue a license for the nursing facility at any time after the eighteen-month period. However, if the issuance of the certificate of need is contested, the department shall require substantial construction of the nursing facility beds within six (6) months after final adjudication on the issuance of the certificate of need.

(q)(i) Beginning on July 1, 1999, the State Department of Health shall issue certificates of need during each of the next four (4) fiscal years for the construction or expansion of nursing facility beds or the conversion of other beds to nursing facility beds in each county in the state having a need for fifty (50) or more additional nursing facility beds, as shown in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan, in the manner provided in this paragraph (q). The total number of nursing facility beds that may be authorized by any certificate of need authorized under this paragraph (q) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds.

(ii) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (v), during each of the next four (4) fiscal years, the department shall issue six (6) certificates of need for new nursing facility beds, as follows: During fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002, one (1) certificate of need shall be issued for new nursing facility beds in the county in each of the four (4) Long-Term Care Planning Districts designated in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan that has the highest need in the district for those beds; and two (2) certificates of need shall be issued for new nursing facility beds in the two (2) counties from the state at large that have the highest need in the state for those beds, when considering the need on a statewide basis and without regard to the Long-Term Care Planning Districts in which the counties are located. During fiscal year 2003, one (1) certificate of need shall be issued for new nursing facility beds in any county having a need for fifty (50) or more additional nursing facility beds, as shown in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan, that has not received a certificate of need under this paragraph (q) during the three (3) previous fiscal years. During fiscal year 2000, in addition to the six (6) certificates of need authorized in this subparagraph, the department also shall issue a certificate of need for new nursing facility beds in Amite County and a certificate of need for new nursing facility beds in Carroll County.

(iii) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (v), the certificate of need issued under subparagraph (ii) for nursing facility beds in each Long-Term Care Planning District during each fiscal year shall first be available for nursing facility beds in the county in the district having the highest need for those beds, as shown in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan. If there are no applications for a certificate of need for nursing facility beds in the county having the highest need for those beds by the date specified by the department, then the certificate of need shall be available for nursing facility beds in other counties in the district in descending order of the need for those beds, from the county with the second highest need to the county with the lowest need, until an application is received for nursing facility beds in an eligible county in the district.

(iv) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (v), the certificate of need issued under subparagraph (ii) for nursing facility beds in the two (2) counties from the state at large during each fiscal year shall first be available for nursing facility beds in the two (2) counties that have the highest need in the state for those beds, as shown in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan, when considering the need on a statewide basis and without regard to the Long-Term Care Planning Districts in which the counties are located. If there are no applications for a certificate of need for nursing facility beds in either of the two (2) counties having the highest need for those beds on a statewide basis by the date specified by the department, then the certificate of need shall be available for nursing facility beds in other counties from the state at large in descending order of the need for those beds on a statewide basis, from the county with the second highest need to the county with the lowest need, until an application is received for nursing facility beds in an eligible county from the state at large.

(v) If a certificate of need is authorized to be issued under this paragraph (q) for nursing facility beds in a county on the basis of the need in the Long-Term Care Planning District during any fiscal year of the four-year period, a certificate of need shall not also be available under this paragraph (q) for additional nursing facility beds in that county on the basis of the need in the state at large, and that county shall be excluded in determining which counties have the highest need for nursing facility beds in the state at large for that fiscal year. After a certificate of need has been issued under this paragraph (q) for nursing facility beds in a county during any fiscal year of the four-year period, a certificate of need shall not be available again under this paragraph (q) for additional nursing facility beds in that county during the four-year period, and that county shall be excluded in determining which counties have the highest need for nursing facility beds in succeeding fiscal years.

(vi) If more than one (1) application is made for a certificate of need for nursing home facility beds available under this paragraph (q), in Yalobusha, Newton or Tallahatchie County, and one (1) of the applicants is a county-owned hospital located in the county where the nursing facility beds are available, the department shall give priority to the county-owned hospital in granting the certificate of need if the following conditions are met:

1. The county-owned hospital fully meets all applicable criteria and standards required to obtain a certificate of need for the nursing facility beds; and

2. The county-owned hospital's qualifications for the certificate of need, as shown in its application and as determined by the department, are at least equal to the qualifications of the other applicants for the certificate of need.

(r)(i) Beginning on July 1, 1999, the State Department of Health shall issue certificates of need during each of the next two (2) fiscal years for the construction or expansion of nursing facility beds or the conversion of other beds to nursing facility beds in each of the four (4) Long-Term Care Planning Districts designated in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan, to provide care exclusively to patients with Alzheimer's disease.

(ii) Not more than twenty (20) beds may be authorized by any certificate of need issued under this paragraph (r), and not more than a total of sixty (60) beds may be authorized in any Long-Term Care Planning District by all certificates of need issued under this paragraph (r). However, the total number of beds that may be authorized by all certificates of need issued under this paragraph (r) during any fiscal year shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) beds, and the total number of beds that may be authorized in any Long-Term Care Planning District during any fiscal year shall not exceed forty (40) beds. Of the certificates of need that are issued for each Long-Term Care Planning District during the next two (2) fiscal years, at least one (1) shall be issued for beds in the northern part of the district, at least one (1) shall be issued for beds in the central part of the district, and at least one (1) shall be issued for beds in the southern part of the district.

(iii) The State Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Mental Health and the Division of Medicaid, shall develop and prescribe the staffing levels, space requirements and other standards and requirements that must be met with regard to the nursing facility beds authorized under this paragraph (r) to provide care exclusively to patients with Alzheimer's disease.

(s) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need to a nonprofit skilled nursing facility using the Green House model of skilled nursing care and located in Yazoo City, Yazoo County, Mississippi, for the construction, expansion or conversion of not more than nineteen (19) nursing facility beds. For purposes of this paragraph (s), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan and the provisions of Section 41-7-197 requiring a formal certificate of need hearing process are waived. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph (s).

(t) The State Department of Health shall issue certificates of need to the owner of a nursing facility in operation at the time of Hurricane Katrina in Hancock County that was not operational on December 31, 2005, because of damage sustained from Hurricane Katrina to authorize the following: (i) the construction of a new nursing facility in Harrison County; (ii) the relocation of forty-nine (49) nursing facility beds from the Hancock County facility to the new Harrison County facility; (iii) the establishment of not more than twenty (20) non-Medicaid nursing facility beds at the Hancock County facility; and (iv) the establishment of not more than twenty (20) non-Medicaid beds at the new Harrison County facility. The certificates of need that authorize the non-Medicaid nursing facility beds under subparagraphs (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph (t) shall be subject to the following conditions: The owner of the Hancock County facility and the new Harrison County facility must agree in writing that no more than fifty (50) of the beds at the Hancock County facility and no more than forty-nine (49) of the beds at the Harrison County facility will be certified for participation in the Medicaid program, and that no claim will be submitted for Medicaid reimbursement for more than fifty (50) patients in the Hancock County facility in any month, or for more than forty-nine (49) patients in the Harrison County facility in any month, or for any patient in either facility who is in a bed that is not Medicaid-certified. This written agreement by the owner of the nursing facilities shall be a condition of the issuance of the certificates of need under this paragraph (t), and the agreement shall be fully binding on any later owner or owners of either facility if the ownership of either facility is transferred at any time after the certificates of need are issued. After this written agreement is executed, the Division of Medicaid and the State Department of Health shall not certify more than fifty (50) of the beds at the Hancock County facility or more than forty-nine (49) of the beds at the Harrison County facility for participation in the Medicaid program. If the Hancock County facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the facility on a regular or continuing basis more than fifty (50) patients who are participating in the Medicaid program, or if the Harrison County facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the facility on a regular or continuing basis more than forty-nine (49) patients who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the license of the facility that is in violation of the agreement, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has violated the agreement.

(u) The State Department of Health shall issue a certificate of need to a nonprofit venture for the establishment, construction and operation of a skilled nursing facility of not more than sixty (60) beds to provide skilled nursing care for ventilator dependent or otherwise medically dependent pediatric patients who require medical and nursing care or rehabilitation services to be located in a county in which an academic medical center and a children's hospital are located, and for any construction and for the acquisition of equipment related to those beds. The facility shall be authorized to keep such ventilator dependent or otherwise medically dependent pediatric patients beyond age twenty-one (21) in accordance with regulations of the State Board of Health. For purposes of this paragraph (u), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived, and the provisions of Section 41-7-197 requiring a formal certificate of need hearing process are waived. The beds authorized by this paragraph shall be counted as pediatric skilled nursing facility beds for health planning purposes under Section 41-7-171 et seq. There shall be no prohibition of or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized by this paragraph.

(3) The State Department of Health may grant approval for and issue certificates of need to any person proposing the new construction of, addition to, conversion of beds of or expansion of any health care facility defined in subparagraph (x) (psychiatric residential treatment facility) of Section 41-7-173(h). The total number of beds which may be authorized by such certificates of need shall not exceed three hundred thirty-four (334) beds for the entire state.

(a) Of the total number of beds authorized under this subsection, the department shall issue a certificate of need to a privately owned psychiatric residential treatment facility in Simpson County for the conversion of sixteen (16) intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID) beds to psychiatric residential treatment facility beds, provided that facility agrees in writing that the facility shall give priority for the use of those sixteen (16) beds to Mississippi residents who are presently being treated in out-of-state facilities.

(b) Of the total number of beds authorized under this subsection, the department may issue a certificate or certificates of need for the construction or expansion of psychiatric residential treatment facility beds or the conversion of other beds to psychiatric residential treatment facility beds in Warren County, not to exceed sixty (60) psychiatric residential treatment facility beds, provided that the facility agrees in writing that no more than thirty (30) of the beds at the psychiatric residential treatment facility will be certified for participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the use of any patients other than those who are participating only in the Medicaid program of another state, and that no claim will be submitted to the Division of Medicaid for Medicaid reimbursement for more than thirty (30) patients in the psychiatric residential treatment facility in any day or for any patient in the psychiatric residential treatment facility who is in a bed that is not Medicaid-certified. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be a condition of the issuance of the certificate of need under this paragraph, and the agreement shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the psychiatric residential treatment facility if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. After this written agreement is executed, the Division of Medicaid and the State Department of Health shall not certify more than thirty (30) of the beds in the psychiatric residential treatment facility for participation in the Medicaid program for the use of any patients other than those who are participating only in the Medicaid program of another state. If the psychiatric residential treatment facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the facility on a regular or continuing basis more than thirty (30) patients who are participating in the Mississippi Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the license of the facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has violated the condition upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement.

The State Department of Health, on or before July 1, 2002, shall transfer the certificate of need authorized under the authority of this paragraph (b), or reissue the certificate of need if it has expired, to River Region Health System.

(c) Of the total number of beds authorized under this subsection, the department shall issue a certificate of need to a hospital currently operating Medicaid-certified acute psychiatric beds for adolescents in DeSoto County, for the establishment of a forty-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility in DeSoto County, provided that the hospital agrees in writing (i) that the hospital shall give priority for the use of those forty (40) beds to Mississippi residents who are presently being treated in out-of-state facilities, and (ii) that no more than fifteen (15) of the beds at the psychiatric residential treatment facility will be certified for participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.), and that no claim will be submitted for Medicaid reimbursement for more than fifteen (15) patients in the psychiatric residential treatment facility in any day or for any patient in the psychiatric residential treatment facility who is in a bed that is not Medicaid-certified. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be a condition of the issuance of the certificate of need under this paragraph, and the agreement shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the psychiatric residential treatment facility if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. After this written agreement is executed, the Division of Medicaid and the State Department of Health shall not certify more than fifteen (15) of the beds in the psychiatric residential treatment facility for participation in the Medicaid program. If the psychiatric residential treatment facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the facility on a regular or continuing basis more than fifteen (15) patients who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the license of the facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has violated the condition upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement.

(d) Of the total number of beds authorized under this subsection, the department may issue a certificate or certificates of need for the construction or expansion of psychiatric residential treatment facility beds or the conversion of other beds to psychiatric treatment facility beds, not to exceed thirty (30) psychiatric residential treatment facility beds, in either Alcorn, Tishomingo, Prentiss, Lee, Itawamba, Monroe, Chickasaw, Pontotoc, Calhoun, Lafayette, Union, Benton or Tippah County.

(e) Of the total number of beds authorized under this subsection (3) the department shall issue a certificate of need to a privately owned, nonprofit psychiatric residential treatment facility in Hinds County for an eight-bed expansion of the facility, provided that the facility agrees in writing that the facility shall give priority for the use of those eight (8) beds to Mississippi residents who are presently being treated in out-of-state facilities.

(f) The department shall issue a certificate of need to a one-hundred-thirty-four-bed specialty hospital located on twenty-nine and forty-four one-hundredths (29.44) commercial acres at 5900 Highway 39 North in Meridian (Lauderdale County), Mississippi, for the addition, construction or expansion of child/adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility beds in Lauderdale County. As a condition of issuance of the certificate of need under this paragraph, the facility shall give priority in admissions to the child/adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility beds authorized under this paragraph to patients who otherwise would require out-of-state placement. The Division of Medicaid, in conjunction with the Department of Human Services, shall furnish the facility a list of all out-of-state patients on a quarterly basis. Furthermore, notice shall also be provided to the parent, custodial parent or guardian of each out-of-state patient notifying them of the priority status granted by this paragraph. For purposes of this paragraph, the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. The total number of child/adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility beds that may be authorized under the authority of this paragraph shall be sixty (60) beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need.

(4)(a) From and after March 25, 2021, the department may issue a certificate of need to any person for the new construction of any hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital that will contain any child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds, or for the conversion of any other health care facility to a hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital that will contain any child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the person(s) receiving the certificate(s) of need authorized under this paragraph (a) or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need. In issuing any new certificate of need for any child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds, either by new construction or conversion of beds of another category, the department shall give preference to beds which will be located in an area of the state which does not have such beds located in it, and to a location more than sixty-five (65) miles from existing beds. Upon receiving 2020 census data, the department may amend the State Health Plan regarding child/adolescent psychiatric and child/adolescent chemical dependency beds to reflect the need based on new census data.

(i) [Deleted]

(ii) The department may issue a certificate of need for the conversion of existing beds in a county hospital in Choctaw County from acute care beds to child/adolescent chemical dependency beds. For purposes of this subparagraph (ii), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. The total number of beds that may be authorized under authority of this subparagraph shall not exceed twenty (20) beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the hospital receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subparagraph or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need.

(iii) The department may issue a certificate or certificates of need for the construction or expansion of child/adolescent psychiatric beds or the conversion of other beds to child/adolescent psychiatric beds in Warren County. For purposes of this subparagraph (iii), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. The total number of beds that may be authorized under the authority of this subparagraph shall not exceed twenty (20) beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subparagraph or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need.

If by January 1, 2002, there has been no significant commencement of construction of the beds authorized under this subparagraph (iii), or no significant action taken to convert existing beds to the beds authorized under this subparagraph, then the certificate of need that was previously issued under this subparagraph shall expire. If the previously issued certificate of need expires, the department may accept applications for issuance of another certificate of need for the beds authorized under this subparagraph, and may issue a certificate of need to authorize the construction, expansion or conversion of the beds authorized under this subparagraph.

(iv) The department shall issue a certificate of need to the Region 7 Mental Health/Retardation Commission for the construction or expansion of child/adolescent psychiatric beds or the conversion of other beds to child/adolescent psychiatric beds in any of the counties served by the commission. For purposes of this subparagraph (iv), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. The total number of beds that may be authorized under the authority of this subparagraph shall not exceed twenty (20) beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subparagraph or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need.

(v) The department may issue a certificate of need to any county hospital located in Leflore County for the construction or expansion of adult psychiatric beds or the conversion of other beds to adult psychiatric beds, not to exceed twenty (20) beds, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the adult psychiatric beds will not at any time be certified for participation in the Medicaid program and that the hospital will not admit or keep any patients who are participating in the Medicaid program in any of such adult psychiatric beds. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the hospital if the ownership of the hospital is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the adult psychiatric beds will not be certified for participation in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this subparagraph (v), and if such hospital at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the hospital, has any of such adult psychiatric beds certified for participation in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any Medicaid patients in such adult psychiatric beds, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the hospital at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the hospital has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this subparagraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need.

(vi) The department may issue a certificate or certificates of need for the expansion of child psychiatric beds or the conversion of other beds to child psychiatric beds at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. For purposes of this subparagraph (vi), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. The total number of beds that may be authorized under the authority of this subparagraph shall not exceed fifteen (15) beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the hospital receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subparagraph or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need.

(b) From and after July 1, 1990, no hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital shall be authorized to add any child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds or convert any beds of another category to child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds without a certificate of need under the authority of subsection (1)(c) and subsection (4)(a) of this section.

(5) The department may issue a certificate of need to a county hospital in Winston County for the conversion of fifteen (15) acute care beds to geriatric psychiatric care beds.

(6) The State Department of Health shall issue a certificate of need to a Mississippi corporation qualified to manage a long-term care hospital as defined in Section 41-7-173(h)(xii) in Harrison County, not to exceed eighty (80) beds, including any necessary renovation or construction required for licensure and certification, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the long-term care hospital will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the long-term care hospital who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the long-term care hospital, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the long-term care hospital will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this subsection (6), and if such long-term care hospital at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the long-term care hospital, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this subsection and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. For purposes of this subsection, the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived.

(7) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need to any hospital in the state to utilize a portion of its beds for the “swing-bed” concept. Any such hospital must be in conformance with the federal regulations regarding such swing-bed concept at the time it submits its application for a certificate of need to the State Department of Health, except that such hospital may have more licensed beds or a higher average daily census (ADC) than the maximum number specified in federal regulations for participation in the swing-bed program. Any hospital meeting all federal requirements for participation in the swing-bed program which receives such certificate of need shall render services provided under the swing-bed concept to any patient eligible for Medicare (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act) who is certified by a physician to be in need of such services, and no such hospital shall permit any patient who is eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare or eligible only for Medicaid to stay in the swing beds of the hospital for more than thirty (30) days per admission unless the hospital receives prior approval for such patient from the Division of Medicaid, Office of the Governor. Any hospital having more licensed beds or a higher average daily census (ADC) than the maximum number specified in federal regulations for participation in the swing-bed program which receives such certificate of need shall develop a procedure to ensure that before a patient is allowed to stay in the swing beds of the hospital, there are no vacant nursing home beds available for that patient located within a fifty-mile radius of the hospital. When any such hospital has a patient staying in the swing beds of the hospital and the hospital receives notice from a nursing home located within such radius that there is a vacant bed available for that patient, the hospital shall transfer the patient to the nursing home within a reasonable time after receipt of the notice. Any hospital which is subject to the requirements of the two (2) preceding sentences of this subsection may be suspended from participation in the swing-bed program for a reasonable period of time by the State Department of Health if the department, after a hearing complying with due process, determines that the hospital has failed to comply with any of those requirements.

(8) The Department of Health shall not grant approval for or issue a certificate of need to any person proposing the new construction of, addition to or expansion of a health care facility as defined in subparagraph (viii) of Section 41-7-173(h), except as hereinafter provided: The department may issue a certificate of need to a nonprofit corporation located in Madison County, Mississippi, for the construction, expansion or conversion of not more than twenty (20) beds in a community living program for developmentally disabled adults in a facility as defined in subparagraph (viii) of Section 41-7-173(h). For purposes of this subsection (8), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan and the provisions of Section 41-7-197 requiring a formal certificate of need hearing process are waived. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subsection (8).

(9) The Department of Health shall not grant approval for or issue a certificate of need to any person proposing the establishment of, or expansion of the currently approved territory of, or the contracting to establish a home office, subunit or branch office within the space operated as a health care facility as defined in Section 41-7-173(h)(i) through (viii) by a health care facility as defined in subparagraph (ix) of Section 41-7-173(h).

(10) Health care facilities owned and/or operated by the state or its agencies are exempt from the restraints in this section against issuance of a certificate of need if such addition or expansion consists of repairing or renovation necessary to comply with the state licensure law. This exception shall not apply to the new construction of any building by such state facility. This exception shall not apply to any health care facilities owned and/or operated by counties, municipalities, districts, unincorporated areas, other defined persons, or any combination thereof.

(11) The new construction, renovation or expansion of or addition to any health care facility defined in subparagraph (ii) (psychiatric hospital), subparagraph (iv) (skilled nursing facility), subparagraph (vi) (intermediate care facility), subparagraph (viii) (intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities) and subparagraph (x) (psychiatric residential treatment facility) of Section 41-7-173(h) which is owned by the State of Mississippi and under the direction and control of the State Department of Mental Health, and the addition of new beds or the conversion of beds from one category to another in any such defined health care facility which is owned by the State of Mississippi and under the direction and control of the State Department of Mental Health, shall not require the issuance of a certificate of need under Section 41-7-171 et seq., notwithstanding any provision in Section 41-7-171 et seq. to the contrary.

(12) The new construction, renovation or expansion of or addition to any veterans homes or domiciliaries for eligible veterans of the State of Mississippi as authorized under Section 35-1-19 shall not require the issuance of a certificate of need, notwithstanding any provision in Section 41-7-171 et seq. to the contrary.

(13) The repair or the rebuilding of an existing, operating health care facility that sustained significant damage from a natural disaster that occurred after April 15, 2014, in an area that is proclaimed a disaster area or subject to a state of emergency by the Governor or by the President of the United States shall be exempt from all of the requirements of the Mississippi Certificate of Need Law (Section 41-7-171 et seq.) and any and all rules and regulations promulgated under that law, subject to the following conditions:

(a) The repair or the rebuilding of any such damaged health care facility must be within one (1) mile of the pre-disaster location of the campus of the damaged health care facility, except that any temporary post-disaster health care facility operating location may be within five (5) miles of the pre-disaster location of the damaged health care facility;

(b) The repair or the rebuilding of the damaged health care facility (i) does not increase or change the complement of its bed capacity that it had before the Governor's or the President's proclamation, (ii) does not increase or change its levels and types of health care services that it provided before the Governor's or the President's proclamation, and (iii) does not rebuild in a different county; however, this paragraph does not restrict or prevent a health care facility from decreasing its bed capacity that it had before the Governor's or the President's proclamation, or from decreasing the levels of or decreasing or eliminating the types of health care services that it provided before the Governor's or the President's proclamation, when the damaged health care facility is repaired or rebuilt;

(c) The exemption from Certificate of Need Law provided under this subsection (13) is valid for only five (5) years from the date of the Governor's or the President's proclamation. If actual construction has not begun within that five-year period, the exemption provided under this subsection is inapplicable; and

(d) The Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification of the State Department of Health shall provide the same oversight for the repair or the rebuilding of the damaged health care facility that it provides to all health care facility construction projects in the state.

For the purposes of this subsection (13), “significant damage” to a health care facility means damage to the health care facility requiring an expenditure of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

(14) The State Department of Health shall issue a certificate of need to any hospital which is currently licensed for two hundred fifty (250) or more acute care beds and is located in any general hospital service area not having a comprehensive cancer center, for the establishment and equipping of such a center which provides facilities and services for outpatient radiation oncology therapy, outpatient medical oncology therapy, and appropriate support services including the provision of radiation therapy services. The provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) regarding substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived for the purpose of this subsection.

(15) The State Department of Health may authorize the transfer of hospital beds, not to exceed sixty (60) beds, from the North Panola Community Hospital to the South Panola Community Hospital. The authorization for the transfer of those beds shall be exempt from the certificate of need review process.

(16) The State Department of Health shall issue any certificates of need necessary for Mississippi State University and a public or private health care provider to jointly acquire and operate a linear accelerator and a magnetic resonance imaging unit. Those certificates of need shall cover all capital expenditures related to the project between Mississippi State University and the health care provider, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of the linear accelerator, the magnetic resonance imaging unit and other radiological modalities; the offering of linear accelerator and magnetic resonance imaging services; and the cost of construction of facilities in which to locate these services. The linear accelerator and the magnetic resonance imaging unit shall be (a) located in the City of Starkville, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi; (b) operated jointly by Mississippi State University and the public or private health care provider selected by Mississippi State University through a request for proposals (RFP) process in which Mississippi State University selects, and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning approves, the health care provider that makes the best overall proposal; (c) available to Mississippi State University for research purposes two-thirds ( 2/3 ) of the time that the linear accelerator and magnetic resonance imaging unit are operational; and (d) available to the public or private health care provider selected by Mississippi State University and approved by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning one-third ( 1/3 ) of the time for clinical, diagnostic and treatment purposes. For purposes of this subsection, the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived.

(17) The State Department of Health shall issue a certificate of need for the construction of an acute care hospital in Kemper County, not to exceed twenty-five (25) beds, which shall be named the “John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital.” In issuing the certificate of need under this subsection, the department shall give priority to a hospital located in Lauderdale County that has two hundred fifteen (215) beds. For purposes of this subsection, the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan and the provisions of Section 41-7-197 requiring a formal certificate of need hearing process are waived. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the person or entity receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subsection or for the beds constructed under the authority of that certificate of need.

(18) The planning, design, construction, renovation, addition, furnishing and equipping of a clinical research unit at any health care facility defined in Section 41-7-173(h) that is under the direction and control of the University of Mississippi Medical Center and located in Jackson, Mississippi, and the addition of new beds or the conversion of beds from one (1) category to another in any such clinical research unit, shall not require the issuance of a certificate of need under Section 41-7-171 et seq., notwithstanding any provision in Section 41-7-171 et seq. to the contrary.

(19) [Repealed]

(20) Nothing in this section or in any other provision of Section 41-7-171 et seq. shall prevent any nursing facility from designating an appropriate number of existing beds in the facility as beds for providing care exclusively to patients with Alzheimer's disease.

(21) Nothing in this section or any other provision of Section 41-7-171 et seq. shall prevent any health care facility from the new construction, renovation, conversion or expansion of new beds in the facility designated as intensive care units, negative pressure rooms, or isolation rooms pursuant to the provisions of Sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11, or Section 41-14-31. For purposes of this subsection, the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan and the provisions of Section 41-7-197 requiring a formal certificate of need hearing process are waived.

§ 41-7-193

(1) No person may enter into any financing arrangement or commitment for financing a new institutional health service or any other project requiring a certificate of need unless such certificate has been granted for such purpose. A certificate of need shall not be granted or issued to any person for any proposal, cause or reason, unless the proposal has been reviewed for consistency with the specifications and the criteria established by the State Department of Health and substantially complies with the projection of need as reported in the state health plan in effect at the time the application for the proposal was submitted.

(2) An application for a certificate of need for an institutional health service, medical equipment or any proposal requiring a certificate of need shall specify the time, within that granted, such shall be functional or operational according to a time schedule submitted with the application. Each certificate of need shall specify the maximum amount of capital expenditure that may be obligated. The State Department of Health shall periodically review the progress and time schedule of any person issued or granted a certificate of need for any purpose.

(3) An application for a certificate of need may be filed at any time with the department after the applicant has given the department fifteen (15) days' written notice of its intent to apply for a certificate of need. The department shall not delay review of an application. The department shall make its recommendation approving or disapproving a complete application within forty-five (45) days of the date the application was filed or within fifteen (15) days of receipt of any requested information, whichever is later, said request to be made by the department within fifteen (15) days of the filing of the application.

§ 41-7-195

(1) A certificate of need shall be valid only for the defined scope, physical location and person named in the application. A certificate of need shall not be transferable or assignable nor shall a project or capital expenditure project be transferred from one person to another, except with the approval of the State Department of Health. A certificate of need shall be valid for the period of time specified therein.

(2) A certificate of need shall be issued for a period of twelve (12) months, or such other lesser period as specified by the State Department of Health.

(3) The State Department of Health may define by regulation, not to exceed six (6) months, the time for which a certificate of need may be extended.

(4) If commencement of construction or other preparation is not substantially undertaken during a valid certificate of need period or the State Department of Health determines the applicant is not making a good faith effort to obligate such approved expenditure, the State Department of Health shall have the right to withdraw, revoke or rescind the certificate.

(5) The State Department of Health may approve or disapprove a proposal for a certificate of need as originally presented in final form, or it may approve a certificate of need by a modification, by reduction only, of such proposal provided the proponent agrees to such modification.

§ 41-7-197

(1) The State Department of Health shall adopt and utilize procedures for conducting certificate of need reviews. Such procedures shall include, inter alia, the following: (a) written notification to the applicant; (b) written notification to health care facilities in the same health service area as the proposed service; (c) written notification to other persons who prior to the receipt of the application have filed a formal notice of intent to provide the proposed services in the same service area; and (d) notification to members of the public who reside in the service area where the service is proposed, which may be provided through newspapers or public information channels.

(2) All notices provided shall include, inter alia, the following: (a) the proposed schedule for the review; (b) written notification of the period within which a public hearing during the course of the review may be requested in writing by one or more affected persons, such request to be made within ten (10) days of the department's staff recommendation for approval or disapproval of an application; and (c) the manner in which notification will be provided of the time and place of any hearing so requested. Any such hearing shall be commenced by an independent hearing officer designated by the State Department of Health within sixty (60) days of the filing of the hearing request unless all parties to the hearing agree to extend the time for the commencement of the hearing. At such hearing, the hearing officer and any person affected by the proposal being reviewed may conduct reasonable questioning of persons who make relevant factual allegations concerning the proposal. The hearing officer shall require that all persons be sworn before they may offer any testimony at the hearing, and the hearing officer is authorized to administer oaths. Any person so choosing may be represented by counsel at the hearing. A record of the hearing shall be made, which shall consist of a transcript of all testimony received, all documents and other material introduced by any interested person, the staff report and recommendation and such other material as the hearing officer considers relevant, including his own recommendation, which he shall make, after reviewing, studying and analyzing the evidence presented during the hearing, within a reasonable period of time after the hearing is closed, which in no event shall exceed forty-five (45) days. The completed record shall be certified to the State Health Officer, who shall consider only the record in making his decision, and shall not consider any evidence or material which is not included therein. All final decisions regarding the issuance of a certificate of need shall be made by the State Health Officer. The State Health Officer shall make his or her written findings and issue his or her order after reviewing said record. The findings and decision of the State Health Officer shall not be deferred to any later date.

(3) Unless a hearing is held, if review by the State Department of Health concerning the issuance of a certificate of need is not complete with a final decision issued by the State Health Officer within the time specified by rule or regulation, which shall not exceed ninety (90) days from the filing of the application for a certificate of need, the proponent of the proposal may, within thirty (30) days after the expiration of the specified time for review, commence such legal action as is necessary, in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County or in the chancery court of the county in which the service or facility is proposed to be provided, to compel the State Health Officer to issue written findings and written order approving or disapproving the proposal in question.

§ 41-7-201

(1) The provisions of this subsection (1) shall apply to any party appealing any final order of the State Department of Health pertaining to a certificate of need for a home health agency, as defined in Section 41-7-173(h)(ix):

(a) In addition to other remedies now available at law or in equity, any party aggrieved by any such final order of the State Department of Health shall have the right of appeal to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, which appeal must be filed within thirty (30) days after the date of the final order. Provided, however, that any appeal of an order disapproving an application for such a certificate of need may be made to the chancery court of the county where the proposed construction, expansion or alteration was to be located or the new service or purpose of the capital expenditure was to be located. Such appeal must be filed in accordance with the thirty (30) days for filing as heretofore provided. Any appeal shall state briefly the nature of the proceedings before the State Department of Health and shall specify the order complained of. Any appeal shall state briefly the nature of the proceedings before the State Department of Health and shall specify the order complained of. Any person whose rights may be materially affected by the action of the State Department of Health may appear and become a party or the court may, upon motion, order that any such person, organization or entity be joined as a necessary party.

(b) Upon the filing of such an appeal, the clerk of the chancery court shall serve notice thereof upon the State Department of Health, whereupon the State Department of Health shall, within thirty (30) days or within such additional time as the court may by order for cause allow from the service of such notice, certify to the chancery court the record in the case, which records shall include a transcript of all testimony, together with all exhibits or copies thereof, all pleadings, proceedings, orders, findings and opinions entered in the case; provided, however, that the parties and the State Department of Health may stipulate that a specified portion only of the record shall be certified to the court as the record on appeal.

(c) The court may dispose of the appeal in termtime or vacation and may sustain or dismiss the appeal, modify or vacate the order complained of, in whole or in part, as the case may be; but in case the order is wholly or partly vacated, the court may also, in its discretion, remand the matter to the State Department of Health for such further proceedings, not inconsistent with the court's order, as, in the opinion of the court, justice may require. The order shall not be vacated or set aside, either in whole or in part, except for errors of law, unless the court finds that the order of the State Department of Health is not supported by substantial evidence, is contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence, is in excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the State Department of Health, or violates any vested constitutional rights of any party involved in the appeal. Provided, however, an order of the chancery court reversing the denial of a certificate of need by the State Department of Health shall not entitle the applicant to effectuate the certificate of need until either:

(i) Such order of the chancery court has become final and has not been appealed to the Supreme Court; or

(ii) The Supreme Court has entered a final order affirming the chancery court.

(d) Appeals in accordance with law may be had to the Supreme Court of the State of Mississippi from any final judgment of the chancery court.

(2) The provisions of this subsection (2) shall apply to any party appealing any final order of the State Department of Health pertaining to a certificate of need for any health care facility as defined in Section 41-7-173(h), with the exception of any home health agency as defined in Section 41-7-173(h)(ix):

(a) There shall be a “stay of proceedings” of any final order issued by the State Department of Health pertaining to the issuance of a certificate of need for the establishment, construction, expansion or replacement of a health care facility for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the order, if an existing provider located in the same service area where the health care facility is or will be located has requested a hearing during the course of review in opposition to the issuance of the certificate of need. The stay of proceedings shall expire at the termination of thirty (30) days; however, no construction, renovation or other capital expenditure that is the subject of the order shall be undertaken, no license to operate any facility that is the subject of the order shall be issued by the licensing agency, and no certification to participate in the Title XVII or Title XIX programs of the Social Security Act shall be granted, until all statutory appeals have been exhausted or the time for such appeals has expired. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the filing of an appeal from a final order of the State Department of Health or the chancery court for the issuance of a certificate of need shall not prevent the purchase of medical equipment or development or offering of institutional health services granted in a certificate of need issued by the State Department of Health.

(b) In addition to other remedies now available at law or in equity, any party aggrieved by such final order of the State Department of Health shall have the right of appeal to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, which appeal must be filed within twenty (20) days after the date of the final order. Provided, however, that any appeal of an order disapproving an application for such a certificate of need may be made to the chancery court of the county where the proposed construction, expansion or alteration was to be located or the new service or purpose of the capital expenditure was to be located. Such appeal must be filed in accordance with the twenty (20) days for filing as heretofore provided. Any appeal shall state briefly the nature of the proceedings before the State Department of Health and shall specify the order complained of.

(c) Upon the filing of such an appeal, the clerk of the chancery court shall serve notice thereof upon the State Department of Health, whereupon the State Department of Health shall, within thirty (30) days of the date of the filing of the appeal, certify to the chancery court the record in the case, which records shall include a transcript of all testimony, together with all exhibits or copies thereof, all proceedings, orders, findings and opinions entered in the case; provided, however, that the parties and the State Department of Health may stipulate that a specified portion only of the record shall be certified to the court as the record on appeal. The chancery court shall give preference to any such appeal from a final order by the State Department of Health in a certificate of need proceeding, and shall render a final order regarding such appeal no later than one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of the final order by the State Department of Health. If the chancery court has not rendered a final order within this one-hundred-twenty-day period, then the final order of the State Department of Health shall be deemed to have been affirmed by the chancery court, and any party to the appeal shall have the right to appeal from the chancery court to the Supreme Court on the record certified by the State Department of Health as otherwise provided in paragraph (g) of this subsection. In the event the chancery court has not rendered a final order within the one-hundred-twenty-day period and an appeal is made to the Supreme Court as provided herein, the Supreme Court shall remand the case to the chancery court to make an award of costs, fees, reasonable expenses and attorney's fees incurred in favor of appellee payable by the appellant(s) should the Supreme Court affirm the order of the State Department of Health.

(d) Any appeal of a final order by the State Department of Health in a certificate of need proceeding shall require the giving of a bond by the appellant(s) sufficient to secure the appellee against the loss of costs, fees, expenses and attorney's fees incurred in defense of the appeal, approved by the chancery court within five (5) days of the date of filing the appeal.

(e) No new or additional evidence shall be introduced in the chancery court but the case shall be determined upon the record certified to the court.

(f) The court may dispose of the appeal in termtime or vacation and may sustain or dismiss the appeal, modify or vacate the order complained of in whole or in part and may make an award of costs, fees, expenses and attorney's fees, as the case may be; but in case the order is wholly or partly vacated, the court may also, in its discretion, remand the matter to the State Department of Health for such further proceedings, not inconsistent with the court's order, as, in the opinion of the court, justice may require. The court, as part of the final order, shall make an award of costs, fees, reasonable expenses and attorney's fees incurred in favor of appellee payable by the appellant(s) should the court affirm the order of the State Department of Health. The order shall not be vacated or set aside, either in whole or in part, except for errors of law, unless the court finds that the order of the State Department of Health is not supported by substantial evidence, is contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence, is in excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the State Department of Health, or violates any vested constitutional rights of any party involved in the appeal. Provided, however, an order of the chancery court reversing the denial of a certificate of need by the State Department of Health shall not entitle the applicant to effectuate the certificate of need until either:

(i) Such order of the chancery court has become final and has not been appealed to the Supreme Court; or

(ii) The Supreme Court has entered a final order affirming the chancery court.

(g) Appeals in accordance with law may be had to the Supreme Court of the State of Mississippi from any final judgment of the chancery court. The Supreme Court must give preference and conduct an expedited judicial review of an appeal of a final order of the chancery court relating to a certificate of need proceeding and must render a final order regarding the appeal no later than one hundred twenty (120) days from the date the final order by the chancery court is certified to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court shall consider such appeals in an expeditious manner without regard to position on the court docket.

(h) Within thirty (30) days from the date of a final order by the Supreme Court or a final order of the chancery court not appealed to the Supreme Court that modifies or wholly or partly vacates the final order of the State Department of Health granting a certificate of need, the State Department of Health shall issue another order in conformity with the final order of the Supreme Court, or the final order of the chancery court not appealed to the Supreme Court.

§ 41-7-202

There shall be a “stay of proceedings” of any written decision of the State Department of Health pertaining to a certificate of need for a home health agency, as defined in Section 41-7-173(h)(ix), for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of that decision. The stay of proceedings shall expire at the termination of thirty (30) days; however, no license to operate any such home health agency that is the subject of the decision shall be issued by the licensing agency, and no certification for such home health agency to participate in the Title XVIII or Title XIX programs of the Social Security Act shall be granted until all statutory appeals have been exhausted or the time for such appeals has expired. The stay of proceedings provided for in this section shall not apply to any party appealing any final order of the State Department of Health pertaining to a certificate of need for any health-care facility as defined in Section 41-7-173(h), with the exception of any home health agency as defined in Section 41-7-173(h)(ix).

§ 41-7-205

An applicant proposing a project which may be governed by the provisions of Section 41-7-171 et seq. may submit a determination of reviewability request to obtain a written declaratory opinion regarding the reviewability of the proposed project. If such opinion is sought, the requestor and department shall abide by the provisions of Section 25-43-2.103 as they are effective on July 1, 2016, except that the department's response shall be provided within forty-five (45) days of the request.

§ 41-7-207

Notwithstanding any other provisions of Sections 41-7-171 through 41-7-209, except when the owner of a damaged health care facility applies to repair or rebuild the facility in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-7-191(13), when the need for any emergency replacement occurs, the certificate of need review process shall be expedited by promulgation of administrative procedures for expenditures necessary to alleviate an emergency condition and restore health care access.Emergency replacement means the replacement, and/or a necessary relocation, of all or the damaged part of the facilities or equipment the replacement of which is not exempt from certificate of need review under the medical equipment replacement exemption provided in Section 41-7-191(1)(f), without which the operation of the facility and the health and safety of patients would be immediately jeopardized and health care access would be denied to such patients. Expenditures under this section shall be limited to the replacement of those necessary facilities or equipment, the loss of which constitutes an emergency; however, in the case of the destruction or major damage to a health care facility, the department shall be authorized to issue a certificate of need to address the current and future health care needs of the community, including, but not limited to, the expansion of the health care facility and/or the relocation of the health care facility. In exercising the authority granted in this section, the department may waive all or part of the required certificate of need application fee for any application filed under this section if the expenditure would create a further hardship or undue burden on the health care facility.

§ 41-7-209

(1) Any person or entity violating the provisions of Sections 41-7-171 through 41-7-209, or regulations promulgated thereunder, by not obtaining a certificate of need, by deviating from the provisions of a certificate of need, or by refusing or failing to cooperate with the State Department of Health in its exercise or execution of its functions, responsibilities and powers shall be subject to the following:

(a) Revocation of the license of a health-care facility or a designated section, component or bed service thereof, or revocation of the license of any other person for which the State Department of Health is the licensing agency. If the State Department of Health lacks jurisdiction to revoke the license of such person, the State Health Officer shall recommend and show cause to the appropriate licensing agency that such license should be revoked.

(b) Nonlicensure by the State Department of Health of a specific or designated bed service offered by the entity or person;

(c) Nonlicensure by the State Department of Health where infractions occur concerning the acquisition or control of major medical equipment;

(d) Revoking, rescinding or withdrawing a certificate of need previously issued.

(2) Violations of Sections 41-7-171 through 41-7-209, or any rules or regulations promulgated in furtherance thereof by intent, fraud, deceit, unlawful design, willful and/or deliberate misrepresentation, or by careless, negligent or incautious disregard for such statutes or rules and regulations, either by persons acting individually or in concert with others, shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each such offense. Each day of continuing violation shall be considered a separate offense. The venue for prosecution of any such violation shall be in any county of the state wherein any such violation, or portion thereof, occurred.

(3) The Attorney General, upon certification by the State Health Officer, shall seek injunctive relief in a court of proper jurisdiction to prevent violations of Sections 41-7-171 through 41-7-209 or any rules or regulations promulgated in furtherance of Sections 41-7-171 through 41-7-209 in cases where other administrative penalties and legal sanctions imposed have failed to prevent or cause a discontinuance of any such violation.

(4) Major third party payers, public or private, shall be notified of any violation or infraction under this section and shall be requested to take such appropriate punitive action as is provided by law.

Chapter 9 Regulation of Hospitals; Hospital Records

§ 41-9-1

The purpose of Sections 41-9-1 through 41-9- 39 is to protect and promote the public health by providing for the development, establishment and enforcement of certain standards in the construction, maintenance and operation of hospitals which will ensure safe, sanitary and reasonably adequate care and treatment of individuals in hospitals. The Legislature hereby finds that the protection and promotion of the public health requires the measures provided for in said sections.

§ 41-9-3

As used in Sections 41-9-1 through 41-9-41, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “Hospital” means a place devoted primarily to the maintenance and operation of facilities for the diagnosis, treatment and care of individuals suffering from physical or mental infirmity, illness, disease, injury or deformity, or a place devoted primarily to providing obstetrical or other medical, surgical or nursing care of individuals, whether or not any such place be organized or operated for profit and whether any such place be publicly or privately owned. The term “hospital” does not include convalescent or boarding homes, children's homes, homes for the aged or other like establishments where room and board only are provided, nor does it include offices or clinics where patients are not regularly kept as bed patients. For the purposes of Section 41-9-41, the term “hospital” shall mean a hospital that is privately owned to include any hospital premises under the jurisdiction established by the governing body of the hospital.

(b) “Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association or joint-stock association, and the legal successor thereof.

(c) “Governmental unit” means the state, or any county, municipality or other political subdivision or any department, division, board or other agency of any of the foregoing, excluding all federal establishments.

(d) “Licensing agency” means the State Department of Health.

§ 41-9-7

No person or governmental unit, acting severally or jointly with any other person or governmental unit shall establish, conduct, or maintain a hospital in this state without a license as provided for in Section 41-9-11. No license so granted shall permit, approve or allow child placement activities by any person or governmental unit licensed hereunder.

§ 41-9-9

(1) An application for a license shall be made to the licensing agency upon forms provided by it and shall contain such information as the licensing agency reasonably requires, which may include affirmative evidence of ability to comply with such reasonable standards, rules and regulations as are lawfully prescribed under Section 41-9-17. A license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually upon payment of a renewal fee of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) for each licensed bed in the hospital, which shall be paid to the licensing agency, with a minimum fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per hospital and a maximum fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and upon filing by the licensee and approval by the licensing agency of an annual report upon such uniform dates and containing such information in such form as the licensing agency prescribes by rule or regulation. Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. Each license shall be issued only for the premises and person or persons or other legal entity or entities named in the application and shall not be transferable or assignable except with the written approval of the licensing agency. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises.

(2) The appropriate licensure fee, according to the schedule herein, shall be paid to the licensing agency and may be paid by check, draft or money order. A license shall not be issued to any hospital until such fee is received by the licensing agency.

(3) A fee known as a “User Fee” shall be applicable and shall be paid to the licensing agency as set out in subsection (2) of this section. Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. This user fee shall be assessed for the purpose of the required reviewing and inspections of the proposal of any hospital in which there are additions, renovations, modernizations, expansion, alterations, conversions, modifications or replacement of the entire facility involved in such proposal. This fee includes the reviewing of architectural plans in all steps required. There shall be a minimum user fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and a maximum user fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

§ 41-9-11

Upon receipt of an application for license and the license fee, the licensing agency shall issue a license if the applicant and hospital facilities meet the requirements established under Sections 41-9-1 through 41-9-35, and the requirements of Section 41-7-173 et seq., where determined by the licensing agency to be applicable. A license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually, upon filing by the licensee, and approval by the licensing agency of an annual report upon such uniform dates and containing such information in such form as the licensing agency prescribes by regulation and upon paying the annual fee for such license as determined by the schedule and provisions of Section 41-9-9. Each license shall be issued only for the premises and persons or governmental units named in the application and shall not be transferable or assignable except with the written approval of the licensing agency. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises.

§ 41-9-13

The licensing agency may issue temporary licenses under Sections 41-9-1 through 41-9-35 which shall be good for not more than six (6) months.

§ 41-9-15

The licensing agency, after notice and opportunity for hearing to the applicant or licensee, is authorized to deny, suspend or revoke a license in any case in which it finds that there has been a substantial failure to comply with the requirements established under Section 41-9-1 through 41-9-35.

Such notice shall be effected by registered mail, or by personal service, setting forth the particular reasons for the proposed action and a fixing date not less than thirty (30) days from the date of such mailing or service, at which the applicant or licensee shall be given an opportunity for a prompt and fair hearing. On the basis of any such hearing, or upon default of the applicant or licensee, the licensing agency shall make a determination specifying its findings of fact and conclusions of law. A copy of such determination shall be sent by registered mail or served personally upon the applicant or licensee. The decision revoking, suspending or denying the license or application shall become final thirty (30) days after it is so mailed or served, unless the applicant or licensee, within such thirty-day period, appeals the decision, pursuant to Section 41-9-31.

The procedure governing hearings authorized by this section shall be in accordance with rules promulgated by the licensing agency. A full and complete record shall be kept of all proceedings, and all testimony shall be reported but need not be transcribed unless the decision is appealed pursuant to Section 41-9-31. Witnesses may be subpoenaed by either party. Compensation shall be allowed to witnesses as in cases in the chancery court. Each party shall pay the expense of his own witnesses. The cost of the record shall be paid by the licensing agency. Any other party desiring a copy of the transcript shall pay therefor the reasonable cost of preparing the same.

§ 41-9-17

The licensing agency shall adopt, amend, promulgate and enforce such rules, regulations and standards with respect to all hospitals to be licensed under Section 41-9-11 as may be designed to further the accomplishment of the purposes of Sections 41-9-1 through 41-9-35 in promoting safe and adequate treatment of individuals in hospitals in the interest of public health, safety and welfare. Any rule, regulation or standard adopted hereunder shall be considered as promulgated and effective from and after the time the same is recorded and indexed in a book to be maintained by the licensing agency in its main office in the State of Mississippi, entitled “Minimum Standard of Operation for Mississippi Hospitals.” Said book shall be open and available to all hospitals and the public generally at all reasonable times. Upon the adoption of any such rule, regulation or standard, the licensing agency shall mail copies thereof to all hospitals in the state which have filed with said agency their names and addresses for this purpose, but the failure to mail the same or the failure of the hospital to receive the same shall in nowise affect the validity thereof. No such rules, regulations or standards shall be adopted or enforced which would have the effect of denying a license to a hospital or other institution required to be licensed, solely by reason of the school or system of practice employed or permitted to be employed therein.

§ 41-9-19

Any hospital which is in operation at the time of promulgation of any applicable rules, regulations or standards under Section 41-9-17, shall be given a reasonable time, under the particular circumstances not to exceed one year from the date of such promulgation, within which to comply with such rules, regulations or standards.

§ 41-9-21

The licensing agency shall make or cause to be made such inspections and investigations as it deems necessary. The licensing agency may prescribe by regulations that any licensee or applicant desiring to make specified types of alteration or addition to the facilities or to construct new facilities shall, before commencing such alteration, addition or new construction, submit plans and specifications therefor to the licensing agency for preliminary inspection and approval or recommendations with respect to compliance with the rules, regulations or standards authorized in Section 41-9-17. Necessary conferences and consultations may be provided.

§ 41-9-23

Information received by the licensing agency through filed reports, inspection, or as otherwise authorized under Sections 41-9-1 through 41-9-35 shall not be disclosed publicly in such manner as to identify individuals, except in a proceeding involving the questions of licensure; however, the licensing agency may utilize statistical data concerning types of services and the utilization of these services for hospitals in performing the statutory duties imposed upon it by Section 41-7-171, et seq. and by Section 41-9-29.

§ 41-9-29

The licensing agency shall prepare and publish an annual report of its activities and operations under Sections 41-9-1 et seq. A reasonable number of copies of such publication(s) shall be available in the office of the licensing agency to be furnished to persons requesting them, for a nominal fee.

§ 41-9-31

Any applicant or licensee aggrieved by the decision of the licensing agency after a hearing may, within thirty (30) days after the mailing or serving of notice of the decision as provided in Section 41-9-15, file a notice of appeal in the chancery court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County or the chancery court of the county in which the hospital is located or to be located, and the chancery clerk thereof shall serve a copy of the notice of appeal upon the licensing agency. Thereupon the licensing agency shall, within sixty (60) days or such additional time as the court may allow from such notice, certify and file with the court a copy of the record and decision, including the transcript of the hearings, on which the decision is based. Findings of fact by the licensing agency shall be conclusive unless substantially contrary to the weight of the evidence. However, upon good cause shown, the court may remand the case to the licensing agency to take further evidence, and the licensing agency may thereupon affirm, reverse or modify its decision. The court may affirm, modify or reverse the decision of the licensing agency, and either the applicant or licensee or the licensing agency may appeal from this decision to the Supreme Court as in other cases in the chancery court. Pending final disposition of the matter of the status quo of the applicant or licensee shall be preserved, except as the court otherwise orders in the public interest. Rules with respect to court costs in other cases in chancery shall apply equally to cases hereunder.

§ 41-9-33

Any person establishing, conducting, managing or operating any hospital without a license as provided for in Section 41-9-11 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the first offense and not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each subsequent offense. Each day of a continuing violation after conviction shall be considered a separate offense.

§ 41-9-35

Notwithstanding the existence or pursuit of any other remedy, the licensing agency, may in the manner provided by law, upon the advice of the Attorney General who, except as otherwise authorized in Section 7-5-39, shall represent the licensing agency in the proceedings, maintain an action in the name of the state for an injunction or other process against any person or governmental unit to restrain or prevent the establishment, conduct, management or operation of a hospital without a license as provided for in Section 41-9-11.

§ 41-9-37

(1)(a) A hospital may grant paid educational leave to those applicants it deems qualified therefor, upon such terms and conditions as it may impose and as provided for in this section.

(b) In order to be eligible for paid educational leave, an applicant must:

(i) Be working at the sponsoring hospital at the time of application;

(ii) Attend any college or school approved and designated by the sponsoring hospital; and

(iii) Agree to work in a health-care occupation as a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist or other health-care professional in the sponsoring hospital for a period of time equivalent to the period of time for which the applicant receives paid educational leave compensation, calculated to the nearest whole month, but in no event less than two (2) years.

(c)(i) Before being granted paid educational leave, each applicant shall enter into a contract with the sponsoring hospital agreeing to the terms and conditions upon which the paid educational leave shall be granted. The contract shall include such terms and provisions necessary to carry out the full purpose and intent of this section. The contract shall be signed by the administrator of the sponsoring hospital and the recipient of paid educational leave compensation. If the recipient is a minor, his or her minority disabilities shall be removed by a chancery court of competent jurisdiction before the contract is signed.

(ii) The sponsoring hospital shall have the authority to cancel any contract made between it and any recipient for paid educational leave upon such cause being deemed sufficient by the administrator of the hospital.

(iii) The sponsoring hospital is vested with full and complete authority and power to sue in its own name any recipient for any balance due to the hospital on any such uncompleted contract. The sponsoring hospital may contract with a collection agency or banking institution for collection of any balance due to the hospital from any recipient. The sponsoring hospital and its employees and, if applicable, its board of trustees are immune from any suit brought in law or equity for actions taken by the collection agency or banking institution incidental to or arising from their performance under the contract. The sponsoring hospital, collection agency and banking institution may negotiate for the payment of a sum that is less than full payment in order to satisfy any balance the recipient owes.

(iv) Failure to meet the terms of an educational loan contract shall be grounds for revocation of the professional license that was earned through the paid educational leave compensation granted under this section.

(v) A finding by the sponsoring hospital of a default by the recipient shall be a finding of unprofessional conduct and, therefore, a basis for the revocation of the professional license that was obtained through the educational leave program. A finding by the sponsoring hospital of default shall be a disciplinary action, not a collection action, and shall not be affected by the recipient declaring bankruptcy.

(vi) Notice of pending default status, the consequences of a default and the hearing to determine the pending default status shall be mailed by the sponsoring hospital to the recipient at the last known address.

(vii) The sponsoring hospital shall conduct a hearing of pending default status, make a final determination, and, if appropriate, issue a finding of default.

(viii) Recipients may appear at the hearing of pending default status, either personally or through counsel, or both, and produce and cross-examine witnesses or evidence in the recipient's behalf. The procedure of the hearing shall not be bound by the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence.

(ix) If at the hearing a recipient is found to be in default, a copy of the finding of default shall be forwarded to the appropriate licensing agency.

(x) Appeals from a finding of default made by the sponsoring hospital shall be to the circuit court of the county in which the hospital is located.

(xi) Rules and regulations governing the hearing of pending default status and other applicable matters shall be promulgated by the sponsoring hospital.

(xii) Any person who is subject to the revocation of his or her professional license for not meeting the terms of an educational loan contract may appear before the appropriate licensing agency to show mitigating circumstances for failure to meet the terms of the contract, and may appeal any revocation of his or her professional license under the laws applicable to the licensing agency.

(xiii) A license that has been revoked under this section shall be reinstated upon a showing of proof that the recipient is no longer in default.

(xiv) These procedures shall only be applicable to educational leave contracts entered into under this section and shall not apply to educational leave contracts entered into with any state health institution pursuant to Section 37-101-291 or Section 37-101-293, as amended.

(2)(a) Any recipient who is granted paid educational leave by a hospital shall be compensated by the sponsoring hospital during the time the recipient is in school, at the rate of pay received by a nurse's aide employed at the hospital. All educational leave compensation received by the recipient while in school shall be considered earned conditioned upon the fulfillment of the terms and obligations of the educational leave contract and this section. However, no recipient of full-time educational leave shall accrue personal or major medical leave while the recipient is on paid educational leave. Recipients of paid educational leave shall be responsible for their individual costs of tuition and books.

(b) Paid educational leave shall be granted only upon the following conditions:

(i) The recipient shall fulfill his or her obligation under the contract with the sponsoring hospital by working as a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist or other health-care professional. The total compensation that the recipient was paid while on educational leave shall be considered as unconditionally earned on an annual pro rata basis for each year of service rendered under the educational leave contract as a health-care professional in the sponsoring hospital.

(ii) If the recipient does not work as a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist or other health-care professional in the sponsoring hospital for the period required under this section, the recipient shall be liable for repayment on demand of the remaining portion of the compensation that the recipient was paid while on paid educational leave that has not been unconditionally earned, with interest accruing at ten percent (10%) per annum from the recipient's date of graduation or the date that the recipient last worked at the sponsoring hospital, whichever is the later date. In addition, there shall be included in any contract for paid educational leave a provision for liquidated damages equal to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), which may be reduced on a pro rata basis for each year served under the contract.

(iii) If any recipient fails or withdraws from school at any time before successfully completing his or her health-care training, the recipient shall be liable for repayment on demand of the amount of the total compensation that the recipient was paid while on paid educational leave, with interest accruing at ten percent (10%) per annum from the date the recipient failed or withdrew from school. However, the recipient shall not be liable for liquidated damages, and if the recipient returns to work at the sponsoring hospital in the same position held at the hospital before accepting educational leave, or a position approved by the hospital, the recipient shall not be liable for payment of any interest on the amount owed.

(iv) The issuance and renewal of the professional license required to work as a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist or other health-care professional for which the educational leave was granted shall be contingent upon the repayment of the total compensation that the recipient received while on paid educational leave. Failure to meet the terms of an educational loan contract shall be grounds for revocation of the professional license that was earned through the paid educational leave compensation granted under this section. Any individual who receives any amount of paid educational leave compensation while in school and subsequently receives a professional license shall be deemed to have earned the professional license through paid educational leave. Any person who is subject to the revocation of his or her professional license for not meeting the terms of an educational loan contract may appear before the appropriate licensing agency to show mitigating circumstances for failure to meet the terms of the contract, and may appeal any revocation of his or her professional license under the laws applicable to the licensing agency.

(v) These procedures shall only apply to educational leave contracts entered into under this section and shall not apply to educational leave contracts entered into with any state institution pursuant to Section 37-101-291 or Section 37-101-293, as amended.

§ 41-9-39

(1) Each year from October 1 through March 1 and in accordance with the latest recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each hospital shall offer, prior to discharge, immunizations against influenza virus to all inpatients sixty-five (65) years of age and older unless contraindicated and contingent upon the availability of the vaccine.

(2) Any hospital, or employee thereof, shall be immune from civil liability for any personal injury as a result of complying or not complying with the requirements of subsection (1) if the hospital or employee's action or failure to act do not amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence.

§ 41-9-41

(1)(a) The governing body of a privately owned hospital licensed under this chapter may establish a hospital police department if the hospital was previously publicly owned and had an established police department at the time that it was publicly owned or the wholly owned subsidiary of a hospital that was previously publicly owned and had an established police department at the time that it was publicly owned.

(b) The Chief of Hospital Police, in accordance with the rules and policy of the governing body, shall appoint qualified individuals to serve as hospital police officers upon any premises owned or leased by the hospital and under the jurisdiction of the governing body.

(c)(i) In the exercise of its authority under this section, a hospital police department shall be subject to the conditions and restrictions established in this section and any conditions and restrictions promulgated by rule by the department or the Department of Public Safety.

(ii) The authority granted under this section does not supersede in any way the authority or duty of other law-enforcement officers to preserve law and order on such hospital premises.

(iii) The authority granted under this section shall be the sole law-enforcement authority for the hospital police department and a hospital police officer.

(d) Hospital police departments shall be subject to the same reporting and accountability requirements as a public police department as provided for by law.

(e) The governing body of the employing hospital shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency with concurrent jurisdiction of the geographic location of the hospital to hold and to maintain a hospital police officer's certification issued by the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training.

(2)(a) A person who fulfills the certification requirements prescribed by Title 45, Mississippi Code of 1972, for law-enforcement officers as defined in Section 45-6-3 is considered qualified for appointment as a hospital police officer.

(b) A retired police officer may qualify for appointment as a hospital police officer if he or she meets the certification requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(3)(a) A hospital police officer may carry a gun and any other dangerous weapon while on duty as long as the officer meets the certification requirements of subsection (2)(a) of this section.

(b) A hospital police officer has and may exercise all the powers and authority of a law enforcement officer as to offenses committed on the premises under the jurisdiction established by the governing body, except arrest where the offense is solely a violation of policy or procedure.

(c) A hospital police officer is subject to all the requirements and responsibilities of a law enforcement officer.

(4) Under this section, a hospital police officer shall:

(a) Preserve law and order on the premises under the jurisdiction of the governing body of the hospital and its affiliated properties;

(b) Preserve law and order on any street, road, or thoroughfare, except controlled access highways, immediately adjacent to or passing through the premises under the jurisdiction of the governing body, to which the officer is assigned by the Chief of Hospital Police, or his or her designee, if a local law-enforcement agency requests a hospital police department to enforce the provisions of Title 63, Chapter 3, Mississippi Code of 1972, under this paragraph (b);

(c) Enforce the general policies and procedures of the hospital as established by the chief executive officer or his or her designee;

(d) Wear a badge with the appropriate inscription while on duty; and

(e) Carry credentials certifying the person's identity and authority as a hospital police officer while on duty.

(5) Under this section a hospital police officer may:

(a) Assist a local law-enforcement agency on public highways. The assistance may be provided when:

1. Traffic is generated as a result of activities or events conducted or sponsored by the hospital; and

2. The assistance has been requested by the local law-enforcement agency; and

(b) Assist a local law-enforcement agency in any location under the agency's jurisdiction at the specific request of the agency.

(6) The salary of a hospital police officer shall be paid by the employing hospital's governing body. The hospital shall furnish each hospital police officer with a firearm and an official uniform and badge to be worn while on duty. The hospital shall furnish credentials certifying the officer's identity and authority as a hospital police officer.

(7) The governing body of the employing hospital may at its pleasure revoke the authority of any hospital police officer and such officers shall serve at the will and pleasure of the governing body. The Chief Hospital Police of the hospital, or his or her designee, shall report the termination of employment of a hospital police officer by submitting notice of the terminated officers to the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. The Chief Hospital Police of the hospital, or his or her designee, shall report the hiring of a hospital police officer by submitting notice of the hired officers to the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training.

(8) A hospital police officer shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability unless one of the following applies:

(a) His or her acts or omissions were manifestly outside the scope of employment or official responsibilities;

(b) His or her acts or omissions were with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner; or

(c) Liability is expressly imposed upon the hospital police officer by any other provision of this code.

(9) At the expense of the governing body of the hospital, the Department of Public Safety shall train a hospital police officer in crisis de-escalation techniques consistent with the goals and objectives of this section within 180 days of the officer beginning work at the hospital.

(10) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2028.

§ 41-9-51

Any hospital that reasonably activates a trauma care team in response to a request for trauma care services may charge the patient for the reasonable cost of activating those services and shall be reimbursed for those services by the health care insurer by assignment from the patient or from the patient. That cost shall be reimbursed regardless of whether services were actually rendered to the patient, and those trauma care services shall be deemed as a matter of law to have been medical services provided to the patient.

§ 41-9-61

As used in Sections 41-9-61 through 41-9-83:

(a) “Hospital” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto by Section 41-9-3, regardless of the type of ownership or form of management or organization of the institution, and it shall include the proprietor and operator thereof.

(b) “Hospital records” shall mean, without restriction, those medical histories, records, reports, summaries, diagnoses and prognoses, records of treatment and medication ordered and given, notes, entries, X-rays and other written or graphic data prepared, kept, made or maintained in hospitals that pertain to hospital confinements or hospital services rendered to patients admitted to hospitals or receiving emergency room or outpatient care. Such records shall also include abstracts of the foregoing data customarily made or made as provided in Section 41-9-75. Such records shall not, however, include ordinary business records pertaining to patients' accounts or the administration of the institution nor shall “hospital records” include any records consisting of nursing audits, physician audits, departmental evaluations or other evaluations or reviews which are used only for in-service education programs, or which are required only for accreditation or for participation in federal health programs. The Mississippi State Asylum Records as defined in Section 41-21-51 shall not be considered hospital records for purposes of this chapter.

(c) “Patient” shall mean outpatients, inpatients, persons dead on arrival, and the newborn.

(d) “Retirement,” or variations thereof, shall mean the withdrawal from current files of hospital records, business records or parts thereof on or after the expiration of the applicable minimum period of retention established pursuant to Section 41-9-69. However, no hospital record, business record, or parts thereof, shall be subject to retirement where otherwise required by law to be kept as a permanent record.

(e) “Licensing agency” shall mean the State Department of Health.

(f) “Business records” shall mean all those books, ledgers, records, papers and other documents prepared, kept, made or received in hospitals that pertain to the organization, administration or management of the business and affairs of hospitals, but which do not constitute hospital records as hereinabove defined.

§ 41-9-63

All hospitals, their officers or employees and medical and nursing personnel practicing therein, shall with reasonable promptness prepare, make and maintain true and accurate hospital records complying with such methods and minimum standards as may be prescribed from time to time by rules and regulations adopted by the licensing agency.

§ 41-9-64

An electronic medical record or medical order containing an electronic signature is considered to be signed as a matter of law, if the electronic signature is affixed or verified in conformity with a reasonable security procedure for the purpose of verification of electronic signatures.

§ 41-9-65

(1) Hospital records are and shall remain the property of the various hospitals, subject however to reasonable access to the information contained in the records upon good cause shown by the patient, his personal representatives or heirs, his attending medical personnel and his duly authorized nominees, and upon payment of any reasonable charges for that service. Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny access to hospital records by representatives and officials of the State Department of Health, in the discharge of their official duties, under Sections 41-3-15, 41-23-1 and 41-23-2.

(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an heir from obtaining access to a decedent's medical records under Section 41-10-3.

§ 41-9-67

Except as otherwise provided by law, hospital records shall not constitute public records, and nothing contained in Sections 41-9-61 through 41-9-83 shall be deemed to impair any privilege of confidence conferred by law or the Mississippi Rules of Evidence on patients, their personal representatives or heirs, by Section 13-1-21, Mississippi Code of 1972.

§ 41-9-68

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, records maintained by public hospitals shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.

(2) The following records of public hospitals shall not be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983:

(a) The official minutes of the board of trustees of a public hospital;

(b) Financial reports not otherwise exempt that are required by state or federal statute or regulation to be filed with the owner of the public hospital or with any other agency of state or federal government; and

(c) Any other record maintained by a public hospital that does not fall within the definition of the term “hospital records” as that term is defined in Section 41-9-61, except for the following records, which shall be exempt:

(i) Records directly relating to the terms of any potential or current employment or services agreement with any physicians or other employees of a public hospital, including any application for medical staff privileges or membership with a public hospital;

(ii) Records directly relating to the credentialing, health, performance, salary, raises or disciplinary action of any employee or medical staff member or applicant for medical staff privileges at a public hospital;

(iii) Records directly relating to prospective strategic business decisions of a public hospital, including without limitation, decisions to open a new service line, implement capital improvements, or file applications for certificates of need or determinations of nonreviewability with the State Department of Health; and

(iv) Records directly relating to individual patient billing and collection information.

§ 41-9-69

(1)(a) Hospital records shall be retained by hospitals in their original, microfilmed, or similarly reproduced form for a minimum period of ten (10) years from the date a patient is discharged.

(b) Graphic matter, images, X-ray films and like matter that were necessary to produce a diagnostic or therapeutic report shall be retained, preserved, and properly stored by hospitals in their original, microfilmed, or similarly reproduced form for a minimum period of three (3) years from the date a patient is discharged. Such graphic matter, images, X-ray film, and like matter shall be retained for longer periods when requested in writing by the patient or someone acting legally in his behalf.

Upon the expiration of the applicable period of retention, any hospital may retire the hospital record.

(2) Hospital records in their original, microfilmed, or similarly reproduced form shall be provided upon request to a parent or guardian of an unemancipated minor under eighteen (18) without the permission of such unemancipated minor.

§ 41-9-71

Any hospital may, in its discretion, retire any hospital record or part thereof prior to the expiration of the period of retention established in Section 41-9-69 upon the written consent of the patient involved, if he be an adult and of sound mind, and the consent of the attending physician, if he be alive. If the attending physician be not alive, such records or part thereof may be so retired upon the written consent of such patient. However, in no event shall any consent be valid if given within one (1) year from the date of discharge.

§ 41-9-73

Any hospital may retain, preserve and store hospital records for such longer periods as in its discretion it may find proper or as may be required by any court of competent jurisdiction.

§ 41-9-75

Upon retirement of any hospital record or part thereof, the hospital shall cause an abstract to be made of any pertinent data where so required by the rules and regulations of the licensing agency, or as the hospital in its discretion may find proper. The hospital record or part thereof so retired shall be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by burning, shredding or other effective method in keeping with the confidential nature of its contents.

§ 41-9-77

Any hospital may, in its discretion, cause any hospital record or part thereof to be reproduced on film or in any other acceptable form of medium, as determined by the licensing agency, which shall include, but not be limited to, microfilming, photographing, photostating, storage on optical disks, or any other form of electronic or digital media. After the records have been reproduced, the hospital may retire the original documents so reproduced. Any such reproduction or copy of an original hospital record or part thereof shall be deemed to be the original hospital record or part thereof for all purposes, shall be subject to retention and retirement as provided in Sections 41-9-69 through 41-9-73, and shall be admissible as evidence in all courts or administrative agencies to the same extent as the original would be or would have been admissible. A facsimile, exemplification or copy of the reproduction or copy shall be deemed to be a transcript, exemplification or copy of the original hospital record or part thereof. However, no state hospital shall undertake that reproduction or destruction of records except as provided in Section 25-59-1 et seq. No other public hospital shall undertake that reproduction unless the expense for it has been provided for in the annual budget, or an amendment to the budget, approved for that public hospital.

§ 41-9-79

If any hospital shall be finally closed, its hospital records may be delivered and turned over to any other hospital or hospitals in the vicinity willing to accept and retain the same as provided for in Section 41-9-69. If there be no such other hospital, the closing hospital shall deliver its hospital records, in good order and properly indexed for convenient reference, to the licensing agency, which shall store, retain, retire and provide access to the information therein in the same manner as is provided for by hospitals. In its discretion, the licensing agency may also exercise like authority, and to the same effect, with respect to reproduction of such hospital records as is conferred on state hospitals by Section 41-9-77.

§ 41-9-81

The commissioners or board of trustees of any hospital owned or owned and operated separately or jointly by one or more counties, cities, towns, supervisors districts or election districts, or combinations thereof, shall have the power and authority, in its discretion, to retire and destroy any of the following business records of the hospital at any time three (3) years after the respective dates that the same are prepared, made, received, executed, acted on or otherwise completed: intrahospital requisitions; inventory records of expendable supplies; temporary records pertaining to patients' charges; department reports; paid invoices; purchase orders; and similar documents of temporary use and value.

In addition to the foregoing, whenever any business records which are required by law to be preserved and retained for indefinite periods, or which are necessary or desirable on the basis of sound business practices to be preserved or retained, shall have been so retained and preserved for a period of six (6) years, the commissioners or board of trustees of any such hospital shall have the power and authority, in its discretion, to retire and destroy the same. However, nothing contained herein shall authorize the retirement, destruction or disposal of any business records containing or consisting of minutes or minute books; bylaws or rules and regulations; general ledgers; disbursement registers or journals; cash receipts registers; maintenance and investment accounts; inventory records; ledger cards, sheets or other records of unpaid accounts receivable; other evidence of unpaid indebtedness; budgets; audit reports; licenses or permits; abstracts or certificates of title; geological reports; engineering or architectural plans, specifications or drawings; or any other business records which are otherwise required by law, order or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, applicable rules and regulations or sound business practices to be retained permanently or for longer periods than six (6) years.

Except as otherwise provided by law, order or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, or applicable rules and regulations, any privately owned and operated hospital may retire any business records at such times as in its judgment may conform to sound business practices and the reasonable accommodation of other interested parties.

Any hospital may, in its discretion, and at any time, cause any part of its business records to be reproduced in like manner and with like effect as provided in Section 41-9-77 with respect to hospital records. However, this shall not be construed to permit the destruction, retirement or earlier retirement of any business record which is otherwise prohibited or deferred by this section.

§ 41-9-83

Willful violation of the provisions of Sections 41-9-61 through 41-9-83 shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as provided for by law. No hospital, its officers, employees or medical and nursing personnel practicing therein, shall be civilly liable for violation of said sections except to the extent of liability for actual damages in a civil action for willful or reckless and wanton acts or omissions constituting such violation. Such liability shall be subject, however, to any immunities or limitations of liability or damages provided by law.

§ 41-9-101

As used in Sections 41-9-101 through 41-9-119, the following terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them:

(a) “Records” shall mean and include “hospital records” as defined in Section 41-9-61; however, a subpoena duces tecum for records shall not be deemed to include X-rays, electrocardiograms and like graphic matter unless specifically referred to in the subpoena; and

(b) “Custodian” shall mean and include the health information administrator or registered health information technician and the administrator or other chief officer of a duly licensed hospital in this state and its proprietor, as well as their deputies and assistants, and any other persons who are official custodians or depositories of records. The custodian shall abide, in all respects, to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), notwithstanding any other state statute.

§ 41-9-103

Except as hereinafter provided, when a subpoena duces tecum is served upon a custodian of records of any hospital duly licensed under the laws of this state in an action or proceeding in which the hospital is neither a party nor the place where any cause of action is alleged to have arisen and such subpoena requires the production of all or any part of the records of the hospital relating to the care or treatment of a patient in such hospital, it shall be sufficient compliance therewith if the custodian or other officer of the hospital shall, on or before the time specified in the subpoena duces tecum, file with the court clerk or the officer, body or tribunal conducting the hearing, a true and correct copy (which may be a copy reproduced on film or other reproducing material by microfilming, photographing, photostating or other approximate process, or a facsimile, exemplification or copy of such reproduction or copy) of all records described in such subpoena.

§ 41-9-105

The copy of the records shall be separately enclosed in an inner-envelope or wrapper, sealed, with the title and number of the action, name of witness and date of subpoena clearly inscribed thereon. The sealed envelope or wrapper shall then be enclosed in an outer-envelope or wrapper, sealed, and directed as follows:

If the subpoena directs attendance in court, to the clerk of such court or to the judge thereof; if the subpoena directs attendance at a deposition, to the officer before whom the deposition is to be taken, at the place designated in the subpoena for the taking of the deposition or at his place of business; in other cases, to the officer, body or tribunal conducting the hearing, at a like address.

§ 41-9-107

Unless the sealed envelope or wrapper is returned to a witness who is to appear personally, the copy of the records shall remain sealed and shall be opened only at the time of trial, deposition, or other hearing, upon the direction of the judge, court, officer, body, or tribunal conducting the proceeding, in the presence of all parties who have appeared in person or by counsel at such trial, deposition or hearing. Before directing that such inner-envelope or wrapper be opened, the judge, court, officer, body, or tribunal shall first ascertain that either (1) the records have been subpoenaed at the instance of the patient involved or his counsel of record, or (2) the patient involved or someone authorized in his behalf to do so for him has consented thereto and waived any privilege of confidence involved. Records which are not introduced in evidence or required as part of the record shall be returned to the person or entity from whom received.

The provisions of this section shall not apply in (a) a Workers' Compensation proceeding if the pertinent record is the record of the claimant therein or a claimant's decedent; or (b) physician or podiatrist disciplinary proceedings pursuant to Sections 73-25-1 through 73-25-39, 73-25-51 through 73-25-67, 73-25-81 through 73-25-95 or 73-27-1 through 73-27-19, Mississippi Code of 1972.

§ 41-9-109

The records shall be accompanied by an affidavit of a custodian stating in substance: (a) that the affiant is a duly authorized custodian of the records and has authority to certify said records, (b) that the copy is a true copy of all the records described in the subpoena, (c) that the records were prepared by the personnel of the hospital, staff physicians, or persons acting under the control of either, in the ordinary course of hospital business at or near the time of the act, condition or event reported therein, and (d) certifying the amount of the reasonable charges of the hospital for furnishing such copies of the record. If the hospital has none of the records described, or only part thereof, the custodian shall so state in the affidavit and file the affidavit and such records as are available in the manner described in Sections 41-9-103, 41-9-105. The filing of such affidavit with respect to reasonable charges shall be sufficient proof of such expense, which shall be taxed as costs of court.

§ 41-9-113

The personal attendance of the custodian shall be required if the subpoena duces tecum contains a clause which reads:

“The procedure authorized pursuant to Section 41-9-103 will not be deemed sufficient compliance with this subpoena.”

§ 41-9-115

The personal attendance of the custodian and the production of the original record shall be required if the subpoena duces tecum contains a clause which reads:

“Original records are required, and the procedure authorized pursuant to Section 41-9-103 will not be deemed sufficient compliance with this subpoena.”

§ 41-9-117

In view of the property right of the hospital in its records, original records may be withdrawn after introduction into evidence and copies substituted, unless otherwise directed for good cause by the court, judge, officer, body, or tribunal conducting the hearing. The custodian may prepare copies of original records in advance of testifying for the purpose of making substitution of the original record, and the reasonable charges for making such copies shall be taxed as costs of court. If copies are not prepared in advance, they can be made and substituted at any time after introduction of the original record, and the reasonable charges for making such copies shall be taxed as costs of court.

§ 41-9-119

Proof that medical, hospital, and doctor bills were paid or incurred because of any illness, disease, or injury shall be prima facie evidence that such bills so paid or incurred were necessary and reasonable.

§ 41-9-201

This article is entitled and may be cited as the Mississippi Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 1998.

§ 41-9-203

It is the policy of the State of Mississippi to provide improved access to hospital and other health services for rural residents of the State of Mississippi and to promote regionalization of rural health services in Mississippi.

§ 41-9-205

When used in this article, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context indicates otherwise:

(a) “Act” means the Mississippi Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 1998.

(b) “Critical access hospital” means a hospital which has been designated as a critical access hospital by the department in accordance with the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, as provided for in Section 4201 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105-33, and which has entered into an agreement with at least one (1) full-service hospital to form a rural health network. The agreement or agreements must include provisions regarding patient referral and transfer, communications and patient transportation. A critical access hospital in a rural health network must also have an agreement for credentialing and quality assurance with at least one (1) hospital that is a member of the rural health network, or with a peer review organization or equivalent entity, or with another appropriate and qualified entity identified in the rural health-care plan for the State of Mississippi.

(c) “Department” means the Department of Health for the State of Mississippi.

(d) “Rural health network” means an organization consisting of at least one (1) critical access hospital and at least one (1) full-service hospital, the members of which have entered into certain agreements regarding patient referral and transfer, the development and use of communications systems and the provision of emergency and nonemergency transportation.

(e) “State rural health-care plan” means Mississippi's rural health-care plan that (i) provides for the creation of one or more rural health networks, consisting of at least one (1) critical access hospital and at least one (1) full-service hospital, (ii) promotes regionalization of rural health services in Mississippi, and (iii) improves access to hospitals and other health services for rural residents of Mississippi.

§ 41-9-207

(1) The department is hereby authorized, in accordance with the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, as authorized by Section 4201 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105-33, to develop for the State of Mississippi a state rural health-care plan that (a) provides for the creation of one or more rural health networks in Mississippi; (b) promotes regionalization of rural health services in Mississippi; and (c) improves access to hospitals and other health services for rural residents of Mississippi.

(2) The state rural health-care plan shall be developed in consultation with the Mississippi Hospital Association, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Supervisors, or his designee, and rural hospitals located in Mississippi.

(3) In developing the state rural health-care plan, the department shall designate rural nonprofit or public hospitals or facilities located in Mississippi as critical access hospitals, which critical access hospitals must meet the criteria for such designation as set out in Section 4201 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

§ 41-9-209

Any hospital is authorized to seek designation as a critical access hospital. Subject to federal law, there shall be no requirement or limitation regarding the distance that a critical access hospital must be located from another hospital. The bed-size limit for a critical access hospital is twenty-five (25) operational acute care beds, and the average maximum length of stay for patients in a critical access hospital is ninety-six (96) hours, unless a longer period is required because of inclement weather or other emergency conditions. In the event the critical access hospital is a swing bed facility, any of the twenty-five (25) acute care beds allowed in a critical access hospital may be used for the provision of extended care services or acute care inpatient services so long as the furnishing of such services does not exceed twenty-five (25) beds and so long as the hospital does not seek Medicaid reimbursement for more than fifteen (15) acute care inpatient beds. A critical access hospital (a) must make available twenty-four-hour emergency care services, as described in the state rural health-care plan, for ensuring access to emergency care services in the rural area served by the critical access hospital, and (b) must be a member of a rural health network. Any hospital that has a distinct-part skilled nursing facility, certified under Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, at the time it applies for designation as a critical access hospital, may continue its operation of the distinct-part skilled nursing facility and is not required to count the beds in the distinct-part skilled nursing facility for purposes of the allowed twenty-five (25) acute care inpatient beds. To the extent permitted under Section 41-7-171 et seq., a critical access hospital may establish a distinct-part psychiatric unit and a distinct-part rehabilitation unit, each of which must be certified under Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act and each of which may consist of no more than ten (10) beds. No bed in the critical access hospital's distinct-part psychiatric unit or distinct-part rehabilitation unit shall be counted for purposes of the twenty-five (25) bed limitation. Each distinct-part unit in a critical access hospital must comply with all applicable state licensure laws and federal certification laws.

§ 41-9-210

If a hospital seeks a new license from the department in order to be designated as a critical access hospital, the department shall maintain a record of the acute care beds of that hospital that have been delicensed as a result of that designation and continue counting those beds as part of the state's total acute care bed count for health care planning purposes. If a critical access hospital later desires to relicense some or all of its delicensed acute care beds, it shall notify the department of its intent to increase the number of its licensed acute care beds. The department shall survey the hospital within thirty (30) days of that notice and, if appropriate, issue the hospital a new license reflecting the new contingent of beds. That change may be accomplished without the need of the hospital to seek certificate of need approval under Section 41-7-171 et seq. However, in no event may a hospital that has delicensed some of its acute care beds in order to be designated as a critical access hospital be reissued a license to operate acute care beds in excess of its acute care bed count before the delicensure of some of its beds without seeking certificate of need approval.

This section shall apply to all hospitals that are designated as critical access hospitals on July 1, 2003, and all hospitals that may become designated as critical access hospitals after July 1, 2003.

§ 41-9-211

In forming an integrated network and in contracting for services, members of a rural health network and officers, agents, representatives, employees and directors of any member thereof shall be considered to be acting pursuant to clearly expressed state policy as established in Sections 41-9-201 through 41-9-217 under the supervision of the State of Mississippi and shall not be subject to state or federal antitrust laws while so acting.

§ 41-9-213

The department shall adopt, in accordance with Section 25-43-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, rules and regulations for the establishment and operation of rural health networks, including the designation of critical access hospitals of rural areas and minimum standards, as necessary, for such critical access hospitals.

§ 41-9-215

Each individual and group policy of accident and sickness insurance, each contract issued by health maintenance organizations, and all coverage maintained by an entity authorized under any article of Chapter 41, Title 83 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, shall provide benefits for services when performed by a critical access hospital if such services would be covered under such policies or contracts if performed by a full-service hospital.

§ 41-9-217

The department is hereby authorized to hire additional personnel to implement Sections 41-9-201 through 41-9-217 pursuant to specific appropriations to the department for such purposes.

§ 41-9-301

Sections 41-9-301 through 41-9-311 shall be known and may be cited as the “Rural and Private Hospitals Health Availability Act.”

§ 41-9-303

The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(a) In rural areas, access to health care is limited and the quality of health care is adversely affected by inadequate reimbursement and collection rates and difficulty in recruiting and retaining skilled health professionals.

(b) There is limited, if any, overlap in the geographic service areas of Mississippi rural hospitals.

(c) Rural hospitals' financial stability is threatened by patient migration to general acute care and specialty hospitals in urban areas.

(d) The availability of quality health care in rural areas is essential to the economic and social viability of rural communities.

(e) Cooperative agreements among rural hospitals would improve the availability and quality of health care for Mississippians in rural areas and enhance the likelihood that rural hospitals can remain open.

(f) Cooperative agreements among private hospitals can improve the availability and quality of health care for Mississippians and enhance the overall likelihood that hospitals in the state remain operational and continue to serve their communities.

§ 41-9-305

For the purposes of Sections 41-9-301 through 41-9-311, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) “Act” means the Rural and Private Hospitals Health Availability Act.

(b) “Affected person,” with respect to any application for a certificate of public advantage, means:

(i) The applicant(s);

(ii) Any person residing within the geographic service area of an applicant;

(iii) Health care purchasers who reimburse health care facilities located in the geographic service area of an applicant;

(iv) Any other person furnishing goods or services to, or in competition with, an applicant; or

(v) Any other person who has notified the department in writing of his interest in applications for certificates of public advantage and has a direct economic interest in the decision.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, persons from other states who would otherwise be considered “affected persons” are not included, unless that other state provides for similar involvement of persons from Mississippi in a similar process in that state.

(c) “Board” means the State Board of Health established under Section 41-3-1.1.

(d) “Certificate of public advantage” means the formal written approval, including any conditions or modifications of a cooperative agreement by the department.

(e) “Cooperative agreement” means a contract, business or financial arrangement, or any other activities or practices among two (2) or more rural hospitals, or involving any private hospital in a rural or nonrural area, for the sharing, allocation, or referral of patients; the sharing or allocation of personnel, instructional programs, support services and facilities, medical, diagnostic or laboratory facilities, procedures, equipment or other health care services; the acquisition or merger of assets among or by two (2) or more rural hospitals, or involving any private hospital in a rural or nonrural area, including agreements to negotiate jointly with respect to price or other competitive terms with suppliers. The term “cooperative agreement” includes any amendments thereto with respect to which a certificate of public advantage has been issued or applied for or with respect to which a certificate of public advantage is not required, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(f) “Department” means the State Department of Health created under Section 41-3-15.

(g) “Hospital” has the meaning set forth in Section 41-9-3.

(h) “Private hospital” means any for-profit or nonprofit hospital or hospital system controlled by private parties or in which private parties hold a majority interest.

(i) “Rural area” means an area with a population density of less than one hundred (100) individuals per square mile; a municipality or county with a population of less than seven thousand five hundred (7,500) individuals; or an area defined by the most recent United States Census as rural.

(j) “Rural hospital” means a private or community hospital having at least one (1) but no more than seventy-five (75) licensed acute-care beds that is located in a rural area.

(k) “State” means the State of Mississippi.

(l) “State Health Officer” means the State Health Officer elected by the State Board of Health under Section 41-3-5.1.

The use of a singular term in this section includes the plural of that term, and the use of a plural term in this section includes the singular of that term, unless the context clearly requires another connotation.

§ 41-9-307

(1) A rural hospital and any corporation, partnership, joint venture or any other entity, all of whose principals are rural hospitals, may negotiate and enter into cooperative agreements with other such persons in the state, subject to receipt of a certificate of public advantage governing the agreement as provided in this act.

(2) Any private hospital, whether in a rural or nonrural area, and any other corporation, partnership, joint venture or any other entity may negotiate and enter into cooperative agreements with other such persons in the state, subject to receipt of a certificate of public advantage governing the agreement as provided in this act.

(3) Parties to a cooperative agreement may apply to the department for a certificate of public advantage governing that cooperative agreement. The application must include an executed written copy of the cooperative agreement and describe the nature and scope of the cooperation in the agreement and any consideration passing to any party under the agreement. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application, the department may request additional information as may be necessary to complete the application. The applicant has thirty (30) days from the date of the request to submit the additional information. If the applicant fails to submit the requested information within the thirty-day period, or any extension of time granted by the department, the application is deemed withdrawn. The department may require an application fee from the submitting parties sufficient to cover the cost of processing the application.

(4) The department shall review the application in accordance with the standards set forth in subsection (5) of this section. The department shall give notice of the application to members of the public who reside in the service areas of the applicant hospitals, which may be provided through newspapers of general circulation or public information channels. If requested by an affected person within thirty (30) days of the giving of the public notice, the department may hold a public hearing in accordance with the rules adopted by the board. The department shall grant or deny the application within sixty (60) days after receipt of a completed application or from the date of the public hearing, if one is held, and that decision, along with any conditions of approval, must be in writing and must set forth the basis for the decision. The department may establish conditions for approval that are reasonably necessary to ensure that the cooperative agreement and the activities engaged under it are consistent with the intent of this act and to ensure that the activity is appropriately supervised and regulated by the state. The department shall furnish a copy of the decision to the applicants and any affected persons who have asked in writing to be notified.

(5) The department shall issue a certificate of public advantage for a cooperative agreement if it determines that:

(a) Each of the parties to the cooperative agreement is a rural hospital or is a corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity all of whose principals are rural hospitals, or a private hospital is a party to the cooperative agreement;

(b) The geographic service area of the rural hospitals or private hospitals who are parties to the agreement do not overlap significantly; and

(c) The cooperative agreement is likely to result in one or more of the following benefits:

(i) Enhancement of the quality of hospital and hospital-related care provided to Mississippi citizens;

(ii) Preservation of hospital facilities and health care in rural and nonrural areas;

(iii) Gains in the cost-efficiency of services provided by the hospitals involved;

(iv) Encouragement of cost-sharing among the hospitals involved;

(v) Improvements in the utilization of hospital resources and equipment; or

(vi) Avoidance or reduction of duplication of hospital resources or expenses, including administrative expenses.

(6) The department shall actively monitor and regulate agreements approved under this act, and may do so through conditions of approval of a certificate of public advantage, and may request information whenever necessary to ensure that the agreements remain in compliance with the conditions of approval. The department may charge an annual fee to cover the cost of monitoring and regulating these agreements. During the time the certificate is in effect, a report on the activities under the cooperative agreement must be filed with the department every two (2) years. The department shall review the report in order to determine that the cooperative agreement continues to comply with the terms of the certificate of public advantage.

(7) The department shall revoke a certificate of public advantage by giving written notice to each party to a cooperative agreement with respect to which the certificate is being revoked, if it finds that:

(a) The cooperative agreement or activities undertaken by it are not in substantial compliance with the terms of the application or the conditions of approval;

(b) The likely benefits resulting from the cooperative agreement no longer exist; or

(c) The department's approval was obtained as a result of intentional material misrepresentation to the department or as the result of coercion, threats or intimidation toward any party to the cooperative agreement.

(8) The department shall maintain on file all cooperative agreements for which certificates of public advantage remain in effect. A party to a cooperative agreement who terminates or withdraws from the agreement shall notify the department within fifteen (15) days of the termination or withdrawal. If all parties terminate their participation in the cooperative agreement, the department shall revoke the certificate of public advantage for the agreement.

(9) The parties to a cooperative agreement with respect to which a certificate of advantage is in effect must notify the department of any proposed amendment to the cooperative agreement, including an amendment to add an additional party but excluding an amendment to remove or to reflect the withdrawal of a party, before the amendment takes effect. The parties must apply to the department for a certificate of public advantage governing the amendment and the department shall consider and rule on the application in accordance with the procedures applicable to cooperative agreements generally.

(10) The department may promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Law as in effect from time to time to implement the provisions of this act, including any fees and application costs associated with the monitoring and oversight of cooperative agreements approved under this act.

(11) A dispute among the parties to a cooperative agreement concerning its meaning or terms is governed by the principles of contract law or any other applicable law.

§ 41-9-309

Any applicant aggrieved by a decision of the department under this act shall be entitled to judicial review thereof in the Circuit Court of Hinds County, First Judicial District. In the review, the decision of the department shall be affirmed unless it is arbitrary, capricious, or it is not in compliance with this act.

§ 41-9-311

Nothing in this act exempts hospitals from compliance with the provisions of Section 41-7-171 et seq. concerning certificates of need.

§ 41-9-351

(1) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings as defined in this subsection:

(a) “Department” means the State Department of Health; and

(b) “Rural hospital” means a licensed Mississippi hospital that has fifty (50) or fewer licensed general acute, nonspecialty beds.

(2) The Mississippi Rural Hospital Loan Program is established in the State Department of Health to provide loans to rural hospitals to assist the hospitals in providing needed direct health care services for the citizens of the state by:

(i) Maintaining or upgrading the rural hospital's facilities;

(ii) Maintaining or increasing the current staff of the rural hospital; or

(iii) Providing health care services that are not currently available to citizens.

(3) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Rural Hospital Operations and Facilities Revolving Loan Fund, which shall be administered by the department. The fund shall consist of legislative appropriations; federal funds, contributions, donations, gifts and monies from any other source that are made available for deposit into the fund. Monies in the fund shall be expended by the department upon appropriation of the Legislature for the sole purpose of providing loans to rural hospitals under the provisions of this section. Monies remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned from the investment of monies in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(4) The department shall determine the terms and conditions of each loan, including the repayment of the loan to be deposited back in the revolving loan fund for issuance of future loans to other rural hospitals, which shall be subject to the following provisions:

(a) To be eligible for a loan, a rural hospital must first submit to the department a current financial audit showing that the hospital is in good financial condition;

(b) To qualify for a loan, a rural hospital must request funds for one or more of the purposes specified in subsection (2) of this section, and a loan received by a rural hospital shall be used only for the requested purpose or purposes;

(c) The amount of a loan shall be not less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) per rural hospital facility;

(d) An application fee of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) shall be required from the rural hospital at the time of submission of the application;

(e) Security or collateral for a loan shall be required by the rural hospital;

(f) The term of a loan shall not exceed twenty (20) years, subject to the life of the collateral for the loan;

(g) The rate of interest on a loan shall be fixed and equal to one percent (1%) per annum;

(h) A loan may not be used to pay costs incurred before approval of the loan by the department, and a loan may not be refinanced;

(i) One hundred percent (100%) of the project costs must be incurred by the rural hospital within one (1) year of approval of the loan by the department; and

(j) A rural hospital receiving a loan must maintain at least eighty-five percent (85%) of its full-time employees on the date of approval of the loan annually throughout the term of the loan agreement. For the purposes of this subparagraph (i), a “full-time employee” means a person employed by the rural hospital for a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours per week, and does not include temporary workers, temp-to-hire workers, part-time workers or traveling medical professionals.

(5) The department shall monitor the performance of each rural hospital that receives a loan under this section, and not later than October 1, 2022, and each October 1 thereafter, the department shall report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee about each outstanding loan issued, including:

(a) The name and location of the rural hospital;

(b) The amount of principal originally loaned;

(c) The terms of the loan and whether the rural hospital is currently meeting those terms; and

(d) How the rural hospital used the loan related to facilities, staff or additional services.

§ 41-9-371

(1) There is established the Mississippi Hospital Sustainability Grant Program which shall be administered by the State Department of Health.

(2) In order to strengthen, improve and preserve access to Mississippi hospital care services for all Mississippians and in recognition of the challenges incurred by Mississippi hospitals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, funds from the program shall be distributed, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to each hospital licensed by the State of Mississippi, except for hospitals operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and hospitals operated by the State Department of Mental Health. Licensed specialty hospitals that are recognized as such by the State Department of Health, except for those excluded under this subsection, are eligible for grants under the program.

(3) The department shall distribute grants to each eligible hospital based upon the following formula:

(a) Each hospital that has fewer than one hundred (100) licensed beds and that is not classified as a critical access hospital that operates an emergency department shall be eligible to receive Six Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($625,000.00) to defray the costs of providing emergency department services.

(b) Each rural hospital that has fewer than one hundred (100) licensed beds and that is classified as a critical access hospital that operates an emergency department shall be eligible to receive Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) to defray the costs of providing emergency department services.

(c) Each hospital that operates an emergency department and that has more than one hundred (100) licensed beds shall be eligible to receive One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

(d) Each hospital with fewer than two hundred (200) licensed beds with the majority of such beds being dedicated to providing specialty services such as women's health services, long-term acute care, rehabilitation or psychiatric services shall be eligible to receive Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).

(e) Each rural hospital with fewer than one hundred (100) licensed beds with no emergency department shall be eligible to receive Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) to defray the costs of providing access to hospital care in rural communities.

(f) In addition to the funds provided in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this subsection, each small rural hospital with fifty (50) beds or less which operated an emergency department shall be eligible to receive Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) to defray the costs of providing access to hospital care in rural communities.

(g) In addition to the funds distributed in paragraphs (a) through (c) and (e) through (f) of this subsection, any remaining funds appropriated for the purposes of this grant program shall be distributed to hospitals receiving funds in paragraphs (a) through (c) and (e) through (f) of this subsection on a pro rata amount by dividing the total amount of the remaining funds by the number of licensed beds attributable to all licensed Mississippi hospitals except for licensed beds attributable to hospitals described in paragraph (d) of this subsection and for licensed beds attributable to hospitals operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and hospitals operated by the State Department of Mental Health and determining a dollar amount for each bed, and then multiplying that dollar amount by the number of licensed beds of that hospital.

(4) The department shall adopt such reasonable rules as necessary for the administration of the program, but shall not place additional qualification requirements on hospitals other than the minimum requirements in this section.

(5) The Mississippi Hospital Association shall form a work group to review the delivery of hospital services in Mississippi and shall make recommendations regarding the changes needed to sustain access to hospital care to the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Chairmen of the House and Senate Public Health Committees with copies to the Governor and the State Health Officer.

Chapter 10 Medical Records

§ 41-10-1

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), a person, knowing that the information is misleading or inaccurate, shall not intentionally, willfully or recklessly place or direct another to place in a patient's medical record or chart misleading or inaccurate information regarding the diagnosis, care, treatment or cause of a patient's condition. A violation of this subsection is punishable as follows: a person who intentionally or willfully or recklessly violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), a person shall not intentionally or willfully alter or destroy or direct another to alter or destroy a patient's medical records or charts for the purpose of concealing his or her responsibility for the patient's injury, sickness or death. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to either of the following:

(a) Destruction of a patient's original medical record or chart if all of the information contained in or on the medical record or chart is otherwise retained by means of mechanical or electronic recording, chemical reproduction, or other equivalent techniques that accurately reproduce all of the information contained in or on the original.

(b) Supplementation of information or correction of an error in a patient's medical record or chart in a manner that reasonably discloses that the supplementation or correction was performed and that does not conceal or alter prior entries.

§ 41-10-3

(1) The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “Heir” means any person who is entitled to a distribution from the estate of an intestate decedent, or a person who would be entitled to a distribution from the estate of a testate decedent if that decedent had died intestate.

(b) “Medical records” means any communications related to a patient's physical or mental health or condition that are recorded in any form or medium and that are maintained for purposes of patient diagnosis or treatment, including communications that are prepared by a health care provider or by other providers. The term does not include (i) materials that are prepared in connection with utilization review, peer review or quality assurance activities, or (ii) recorded telephone and radio communications to and from a publicly operated emergency dispatch office relating to requests for emergency services or reports of suspected criminal activity; however, the term includes communications that are recorded in any form or medium between emergency medical personnel and medical personnel concerning the diagnosis or treatment of a patient.

(2) Where no executor or administrator has been appointed by a chancery court of competent jurisdiction regarding the probate or administration of the estate of a decedent, any heir of the decedent shall be authorized to act on behalf of the decedent solely for the purpose of obtaining a copy of the decedent's medical records. The authority shall not extend to any other property rights relating to the decedent's estate.

(3) A custodian of medical records may provide a copy of the decedent's medical records to an heir upon receipt of an affidavit by the heir stating that he or she meets the requirements of this section and that no executor or administrator has been appointed by a chancery court with respect to the estate of the decedent.

(4) The authority of the heir to act on behalf of the decedent shall terminate upon the appointment of an executor or administrator to act on behalf of the estate of the decedent. However, the custodian of medical records shall be entitled to rely upon the affidavit of the heir until the custodian of medical records receives written notice of the appointment of an executor or administrator.

(5) A custodian of medical records shall not be required to provide more than three (3) heirs with a copy of the decedent's medical records before the appointment of an executor or administrator.

(6) The provisions of this section shall not prohibit an executor or administrator from requesting and receiving the medical records of a decedent after his or her appointment.

(7) The Mississippi State Asylum Records shall not be considered medical records for purposes of this section. In accordance with Section 41-21-51, the Asylum Hill Oversight Committee shall establish procedures by which descendants of a decedent who was the subject of specific Mississippi State Asylum Records may access such records.

§ 41-10-5

A health care provider or its agent(s), or both, shall provide medical records and billing records that are in their possession or custody to the patient who is the subject of the records or the patient's representative within thirty (30) days from the date a valid request from the patient or the patient's representative is received by the health care provider or its agent(s). As used in this section, the term “medical records” shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 41-10-3(1).

Chapter 11 State Charity Hospitals; Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center

§ 41-11-7

In all counties and municipalities whose residents use the facilities of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the board of supervisors is hereby authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to make an unlimited annual appropriation to the Medical Center, and the governing authorities of the municipality are hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to make an unlimited annual appropriation to the Medical Center. The funds thus appropriated by the county and by the municipality for the added maintenance and support of the Medical Center shall be paid from the General Fund of the county and the municipality, and the amount thus appropriated by the county and by the municipality may be paid in monthly installments for the use and benefit of the Medical Center.

§ 41-11-11

(1) From and after July 1, 1989, the Kuhn Memorial State Hospital at Vicksburg, the South Mississippi State Hospital at Laurel, and the Matty Hersee Hospital at Meridian shall be closed, and the Legislature shall not appropriate any funds for the operation of those hospitals after that date. For each such hospital for which title to the hospital buildings and the land upon which they are located remains in the State of Mississippi after closure of the hospital, except for any part thereof which has been previously leased to a political subdivision or which is used by another state agency or department, the Governor's Office of General Services, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, shall be authorized to sell and transfer title to each of such hospital buildings and such land to any individual, corporation or other entity for an amount not less than the fair market value thereof as determined by three (3) real estate appraisers. However, prior to any such sale, the Office of General Services shall publish notice of its intention to sell the same in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the property is located and in Hinds County, Mississippi, and in such publication shall solicit requests for proposals for the use of such property by agencies, departments or political subdivisions of the State of Mississippi. If proposals are received, the Office of General Services shall review the proposals to determine if any proposed use of the property, both real and personal, will reasonably be used to provide a needed service not presently provided by the State of Mississippi or by a political subdivision thereof. If the Office of General Services determines that such needed service may be provided by another state agency, department or political subdivision, it shall transfer title to the real and personal property, as may be needed, to such agency, department or political subdivision subject to any leases or uses of the property by another state agency, department or political subdivision. If no proposals are received, the Office of General Services may proceed with the sale of the property as provided above in this subsection. The Office of General Services shall submit to the Governor and the Legislature a copy of all proposals received and a detailed statement and explanation of its decision to transfer or not transfer such property no later than October 1, 1989. Any funds received from the sale of such buildings and land shall be paid into the State General Fund.

(2) Any equipment and supplies of such hospitals which cannot be used by any transferee agency, department or political subdivision and which may be used by the University Medical Center or any other agency or institution of the state shall be offered to the Medical Center and other state agencies and institutions, and may be given to any such agency or institution desiring the same upon request, at no charge. If the same equipment or supplies are requested by more than one (1) agency or institution, the State Fiscal Management Board shall determine which agency or institution will be given the equipment or supplies being requested. Any equipment and supplies remaining after being offered to the state agencies and institutions shall be sold by the Fiscal Management Board after advertising for bids thereon. Any funds received from the sale of such equipment and supplies shall be paid into the State General Fund.

(3) None of such hospitals shall admit any person as an inpatient into the hospital after June 15, 1989. Each of the hospitals shall make every effort to locate and make arrangements with hospitals or other appropriate institutions to provide treatment and care to any patients who will continue to need treatment and care after June 30, 1989.

(4) Any monies owed to such hospitals but not collected by June 30, 1989, including, but not limited to payments from Medicare, health or hospitalization insurance, other third parties, or from the patient or his family or estate, shall be paid to the Fiscal Management Board, which shall transfer all such monies received into the State General Fund. Any valid debts or other obligations of such hospitals incurred before July 1, 1989, which have not been paid or finally satisfied by June 30, 1989, including any that were not billed to the hospitals until after June 30, 1989, shall remain an obligation of the state and shall be paid by the Fiscal Management Board from funds appropriated for such purpose. Any ending cash balance of any such hospital on June 30, 1989, shall be applied to payment of any indebtedness or other obligations of that hospital before any other funds are used for such purpose.

§ 41-11-102

The administration, supervision, duties and all aspects of the Children's Rehabilitation Center shall be transferred to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in a division to be called Division of Children's Rehabilitation. It is the intent that there shall be cooperation between the center, the Blake Center and the Department of Health, Children's Services.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is authorized and empowered to minister to the educational, medical and total needs of those affected by cerebral palsy and other crippling conditions which are amenable to such treatment. The center shall be used to the greatest extent possible for such treatment.

§ 41-11-103

The University of Mississippi Medical Center shall promulgate such rules, regulations and policies as may be necessary and desirable to carry out the programs of the Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center.

§ 41-11-105

The state building commission is hereby authorized and empowered to erect, construct, and equip the Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center, which shall have as its purpose the treatment and education of persons afflicted with cerebral palsy and other crippling conditions which are amenable to such treatment. The cost of constructing, erecting, and equipping such hospital may be paid from such funds as may be appropriated, or may heretofore have been appropriated, for such purpose by the legislature; and funds which are available to the state building commission or which have been set aside and earmarked for the construction, erection, and equipping of the “Crippled Children's Hospital” under the provisions of Chapter 291, Laws of 1954, or the “Mississippi Hospital School for Cerebral Palsy,” under the provisions of Chapter 308, Laws of 1956, are hereby designated and shall be applied to the constructing, erecting and equipping of the Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center.

§ 41-11-107

The Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center shall be located and constructed on the property and in accordance with the plans and specifications previously designated for the “Crippled Children's Hospital,” or its successor the “Mississippi Hospital School for Cerebral Palsy,” at its location on Lakeland Drive in the vicinity of the Four-Year School of Medicine and University Hospital. It is intended that there shall be cooperation between the center and said Four-Year School of Medicine and University Hospital.

§ 41-11-109

When the Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center has been completed and made ready for occupancy, the buildings and land on which they are located, together with any and all equipment therefor, shall be conveyed and transferred by the State Building Commission to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for the use and benefit of the State of Mississippi in accordance with the provisions of Sections 41-11-101 through 41-11-113. Title to all land, buildings and equipment held by the board of trustees of the Mississippi Hospital School for Cerebral Palsy shall be conveyed to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for the use and benefit of the state in accordance with the provisions of such sections.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center may contract for and obtain the services of the board of education for the purpose of conducting educational programs for children in the Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center and all institutions and agencies of the state government are requested and directed to participate and cooperate to the fullest extent authorized by law in rendering assistance towards the rehabilitation and restoration of such cerebral palsy patients and patients with other crippling conditions which are amenable to such treatment.

No member of the family of any member of the board of trustees shall be eligible for treatment in the center. Crippled children shall be admitted to the center insofar as practicable in proportion to the number of such children in the counties of the State of Mississippi, so that all such crippled children shall have equal opportunity for admission to the center.

§ 41-11-111

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is authorized to accept any and all grants, donations or matching funds from private, public or federal sources in order to add to, improve and enlarge the physical facilities and equipment of the Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center. The State Department of Health and the Crippled Children's Service are hereby specifically authorized and empowered to provide crutches, braces and any and all other mechanical devices available and designed for the assistance of those persons afflicted with cerebral palsy and other crippling conditions which are amenable to such treatment.

§ 41-11-113

It is the intent of Sections 41-11-101 through 41-11-113 to change the name of the “Mississippi Crippled Children's Treatment and Training Center” to the Mississippi Children's Rehabilitation Center and to place it under the supervision and control of the University of Mississippi Medical Center.Sections 41-11-101 through 41-11-113 should be construed liberally in order to accomplish the broad objectives in aiding persons afflicted with cerebral palsy and other crippling conditions which are amenable to such treatment, in any and every manner possible by the use of new techniques as they are developed and become known, and by use of the combination of education and medical services for the rehabilitation of such persons.

Chapter 13 Community Hospitals

§ 41-13-10

For purposes of Sections 41-13-10 through 41-13-47, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “Administrator” shall mean the chief administrative official and executive officer of a community hospital selected by the board of trustees of such community hospital.

(b) “Board of trustees” shall mean the board appointed pursuant to Section 41-13-29, to operate a community hospital.

(c) “Community hospital” shall mean any hospital, nursing home and/or related health facilities or programs, including, without limitation, ambulatory surgical facilities, intermediate care facilities, after-hours clinics, home health agencies and rehabilitation facilities, established and acquired by boards of trustees or by one or more owners which is governed, operated and maintained by a board of trustees.

(d) “Owner” shall mean any board of supervisors of any county having an ownership interest in any community hospital or leased facility on behalf of the county or on behalf of any supervisors district, judicial district or election district of the county and shall also mean any governing council or board of any municipality having an ownership interest in any community hospital or leased facility.

(e) “Leased facility” shall mean a hospital, nursing home or related health facilities which an owner has leased to an individual, partnership, corporation, other owner or board of trustees for a term not in excess of fifty (50) years, conditioned upon the facility continuing to operate on a nonprofit basis. A leased facility shall not be deemed or considered to be a community hospital except for purposes of Sections 41-13-19 through 41-13-25, and shall not be subject to the statutory requirements placed on community hospitals except to the extent as may be specifically required by the terms of the applicable lease agreement. However, in situations where another community hospital, acting through its board of trustees, is the lessee of a leased facility, the leased facility shall remain subject to this chapter and other laws applicable to community hospitals, except that the owners of the lessee shall have sole authority to appoint the board of trustees for the leased facility, which shall be the same board of trustees as appointed under Section 41-13-29 for the lessee community hospital.

(f) “Service area” means that area in which a community hospital may provide services and perform the activities in Section 41-13-35(5), as determined by a board of trustees by its patient origin studies, and may include areas outside of the State of Mississippi.

§ 41-13-11

(1) and (2) Repealed.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall stand repealed from and after October 1, 1993.

(4) From and after October 1, 1993, the board of trustees of any community hospital is hereby authorized, in its discretion, to obtain and pay for, out of operating funds of the community hospital, liability insurance of such kinds as said board of trustees deems advisable covering the operation of said community hospital, including trustees, employees and volunteers, and every department thereof, and all machinery, equipment, appliances and motor vehicles thereof or used in connection therewith so as to cover damages or injury to persons or property or both caused by the negligence of any member of said board of trustees or of any officer, director, agent, servant, attorney, employee or volunteer of such hospital while engaged in the performance of his duties or working in connection with the operation of said community hospital. Such insurance shall either be procured from a company or companies authorized to do business and doing business in the State of Mississippi or provided through a program of self insurance established pursuant to the provisions of Section 11-46-17, Mississippi Code of 1972. Such insurance shall be for such amounts of coverage and shall cover such trustees, employees, volunteers, departments, installations, equipment, facilities and activities as the board of trustees, in its discretion, shall determine. The board of trustees may likewise indemnify, either by the purchase of insurance or, directly, where funds are available, in whole or in part, any trustee, officer, director, agent, volunteer or employee of said facility or program for actual personal expenses incurred in the defense of any suit, or judgments resulting from said suit, brought against said trustee, officer, director, agent, volunteer or employee for alleged negligent or wrongful conduct committed while under the employment of or while providing service to a community hospital.

(5) Notwithstanding the authority to purchase or provide liability insurance as provided for in subsection (4) of this section, any community hospital, owner or board of trustees shall be subject to and shall be governed by the provisions of Section 11-46-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, for any cause of action which accrues from and after October 1, 1993, on account of any wrongful or tortious act or omission of any such governmental entity, as defined in Section 11-46-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, or its employees relating to or in connection with any activity or operation of any community hospital.

§ 41-13-15

(1) Any county and/or any political or judicial subdivision of a county and/or any municipality of the State of Mississippi, acting individually or jointly, may acquire and hold real estate for a community hospital either recognized and/or licensed as such by either the State of Mississippi or the United States Government, and may, after complying with applicable health planning and licensure statutes, construct a community hospital thereon and/or appropriate funds according to the provisions of this chapter for the construction, remodeling, maintaining, equipping, furnishing and expansion of such facilities by the board of trustees upon such real estate.

(2) Where joint ownership of a community hospital is involved, the owners are hereby authorized to contract with each other for determining the pro rata ownership of such community hospital, the proportionate cost of maintenance and operation, and the proportionate financing that each will contribute to the community hospital.

(3) The owners may likewise contract with each other, or on behalf of any subordinate political or judicial subdivision, or with the board of trustees of a community hospital, and/or any agency of the State of Mississippi or the United States Government, for necessary purposes related to the establishment, operation or maintenance of community hospitals and related programs wherever located, and may either accept from, sell or contribute to the other entities, monies, personal property or existing health facilities. The owners or the board of trustees may also receive monies, property or any other valuables of any kind through gifts, donations, devises or other recognized means from any source for the purpose of hospital use.

(4) Owners and boards of trustees, acting jointly or severally, may acquire and hold real estate for offices for physicians and other health care practitioners and related health care or support facilities, provided that any contract for the purchase of real property must be ratified by the owner, and may thereon construct and equip, maintain and remodel or expand such offices and related facilities, and the board of trustees may lease same to members of the hospital staff or others at a rate deemed to be in the best interest of the community hospital.

(5) If any political or judicial subdivision of a county is obligated hereunder, the boundaries of such district shall not be altered in such a manner as to relieve any portion thereof of its obligation hereunder.

(6) Owners may convey to any other owner any or all property, real or personal, comprising any existing community hospital, including related facilities, wherever located, owned by such conveying owner. Such conveyance shall be upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon and may make such provisions for transfers of operating funds and/or for the assumption of liabilities of the community hospital as may be deemed appropriate by the respective owners.

(7)(a) Except as provided for in subsection (11) of this section, owners may lease all or part of the property, real or personal, comprising a community hospital, including any related facilities, wherever located, and/or assets of such community hospital, to any individual, partnership or corporation, whether operating on a nonprofit basis or on a profit basis, or to the board of trustees of such community hospital or any other owner or board of trustees, subject to the applicable provisions of subsections (8), (9) and (10) of this section. The term of such lease shall not exceed fifty (50) years. Such lease shall be conditioned upon (i) the leased facility continuing to operate in a manner safeguarding community health interests; (ii) the proceeds from the lease being first applied against such bonds, notes or other evidence of indebtedness as are issued pursuant to Section 41-13-19 as and when they are due, provided that the terms of the lease shall cover any indebtedness pursuant to Section 41-13-19; and (iii) any surplus proceeds from the lease being deposited in the general fund of the owner, which proceeds may be used for any lawful purpose. Such lease shall be subject to the express approval of the board of trustees of the community hospital, except in the case where the board of trustees of the community hospital will be the lessee. However, owners may not lease any community hospital to the University of Mississippi Medical Center unless first the University of Mississippi Medical Center has obtained authority to lease such hospital under specific terms and conditions from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

If the owner wishes to lease a community hospital without an option to sell it and the approval of the board of trustees of the community hospital is required but is not given within thirty (30) days of the request for its approval by the owner, then the owner may enter such lease as described herein on the following conditions: A resolution by the owner describing its intention to enter such lease shall be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper published in the county or city, as the case may be, or if none be so published, in a newspaper having a general circulation therein. The first publication of such notice shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date fixed in such resolution for the lease of the community hospital and the last publication shall be made not more than seven (7) days prior to such date. If, on or prior to the date fixed in such resolution for the lease of the community hospital, there shall be filed with the clerk of the owner a petition signed by twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified voters of such owner, requesting that an election be called and held on the question of the lease of the community hospital, then it shall be the duty of the owner to call and provide for the holding of an election as petitioned for. In such case, no such lease shall be entered into unless authorized by the affirmative vote of the majority of the qualified voters of such owner who vote on the proposition at such election. Notice of such election shall be given by publication in like manner as hereinabove provided for the publication of the initial resolution. Such election shall be conducted and the return thereof made, canvassed and declared as nearly as may be in like manner as is now or may hereafter be provided by law in the case of general elections in such owner. If, on or prior to the date fixed in the owner's resolution for the lease of the community hospital, no such petition as described above is filed with the clerk of the owner, then the owner may proceed with the lease subject to the other requirements of this section. Subject to the above conditions, the lease agreement shall be upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon and may make such provision for transfers of tangible and intangible personal property and operating funds and/or for the assumption of liabilities of the community hospital and for such lease payments, all as may be deemed appropriate by the owners.

(b) Owners may sell and convey all or part of the property, real or personal, comprising a community hospital, including any related facilities, wherever located, and/or assets of such community hospital, to any individual, partnership or corporation, whether operating on a nonprofit basis or on a profit basis, or to the board of trustees of such community hospital or any other owner or board of trustees, subject to the applicable provisions of subsections (8) and (10) of this section. Such sale and conveyance shall be upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the owner and the purchaser that are consistent with the requirements of this section, and the parties may make such provisions for the transfer of operating funds or for the assumption of liabilities of the facility, or both, as they deem appropriate. However, such sale and conveyance shall be conditioned upon (i) the facility continuing to operate in a manner safeguarding community health interests; (ii) the proceeds from such sale being first applied against such bonds, notes or other evidence of indebtedness as are issued pursuant to Section 41-13-19 as and when they are due, provided that the terms of the sale shall cover any indebtedness pursuant to Section 41-13-19; and (iii) any surplus proceeds from the sale being deposited in the general fund of the owner, which proceeds may be used for any lawful purpose. However, owners may not sell or convey any community hospital to the University of Mississippi Medical Center unless first the University of Mississippi Medical Center has obtained authority to purchase such hospital under specific terms and conditions from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

(8) Whenever any owner decides that it may be in its best interests to sell or lease a community hospital as provided for under subsection (7) of this section, the owner shall first contract with a certified public accounting firm, a law firm or competent professional health care or management consultants to review the current operating condition of the community hospital. The review shall consist of, at minimum, the following:

(a) A review of the community's inpatient facility needs based on current workload, historical trends and projections, based on demographic data, of future needs.

(b) A review of the competitive market for services, including other hospitals which serve the same area, the services provided and the market perception of the competitive hospitals.

(c) A review of the hospital's strengths relative to the competition and its capacity to compete in light of projected trends and competition.

(d) An analysis of the hospital's options, including service mix and pricing strategies. If the study concludes that a sale or lease should occur, the study shall include an analysis of which option would be best for the community and how much revenues should be derived from the lease or sale.

(9) After the review and analysis under subsection (8) of this section, an owner may choose to sell or lease the community hospital. If an owner chooses to sell such hospital or lease the hospital with an option to sell it, the owner shall follow the procedure specified in subsection (10) of this section. If an owner chooses to lease the hospital without an option to sell it, it shall first spread upon its minutes why such a lease is in the best interests of the persons living in the area served by the facility to be leased, and it shall make public any and all findings and recommendations made in the review required under proposals for the lease, which shall state clearly the minimum required terms of all respondents and the evaluation process that will be used when the owner reviews the proposals. The owner shall lease to the respondent submitting the highest and best proposal. In no case may the owner deviate from the process provided for in the request for proposals.

(10) If an owner wishes to sell such community hospital or lease the hospital with an option to sell it, the owner first shall conduct a public hearing on the issue of the proposed sale or lease with an option to sell the hospital. Notice of the date, time, location and purpose of the public hearing shall be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper published in the county or city, as the case may be, or if none be so published, in a newspaper having a general circulation therein. The first publication of the notice shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days before the date of the public hearing and the last publication shall be made not more than seven (7) days before that date. If there is filed with the clerk of the owner not more than twenty-one (21) days after the date of the public hearing, a petition signed by twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified voters of the owner, requesting that an election be called and held on the question of whether the owner should proceed with the process of seeking proposals for the sale or lease with an option to sell the hospital, then it shall be the duty of the owner to call and provide for the holding of an election as petitioned for. Notice of the election shall be given by publication in the same manner as provided for the publication of the notice of the public hearing. The election shall be conducted and the return thereof made, canvassed and declared in the same manner as provided by law in the case of general elections in the owner. If less than a majority of the qualified voters of the owner who vote on the proposition at such election vote in favor of the owner proceeding with the process of seeking proposals for the sale or lease with an option to sell the hospital, then the owner is not authorized to sell or lease the hospital. If a majority of the qualified voters of the owner who vote on the proposition at such election vote in favor of the owner proceeding with the process of seeking proposals for the sale or lease with an option to sell the hospital, then the owner may seek proposals for the sale or lease of the hospital. If no such petition is timely filed with the clerk of the owner, then the owner may proceed with the process of seeking proposals for the sale or lease with an option to sell the hospital. The owner shall adopt a resolution describing its intention to sell or lease with an option to sell the hospital, which shall include the owner's reasons why such a sale or lease is in the best interests of the persons living in the area served by the facility to be sold or leased. The owner then shall publish a copy of the resolution; the requirements for proposals for the sale or lease with an option to sell the hospital, which shall state clearly the minimum required terms of all respondents and the evaluation process that will be used when the owner reviews the proposals; and the date proposed by the owner for the sale or lease with an option to sell the hospital. Such publication shall be made once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper published in the county or city, as the case may be, or if none be so published, in a newspaper having a general circulation therein. The first publication of the notice shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days before the date proposed for the sale or lease with an option to sell the hospital and the last publication shall be made not more than seven (7) days before that date. After receiving proposals, such sale or lease shall be made to the respondent submitting the highest and best proposal. In no case may the owner deviate from the process provided for in the request for proposals.

(11) A lessee of a community hospital, under a lease entered into under the authority of Section 41-13-15, in effect prior to July 15, 1993, or an affiliate thereof, may extend or renew such lease whether or not an option to renew or extend the lease is contained in the lease, for a term not to exceed fifteen (15) years, conditioned upon (a) the leased facility continuing to operate in a manner safeguarding community health interest; (b) proceeds from the lease being first applied against such bonds, notes or other evidence of indebtedness as are issued pursuant to Section 41-13-19; (c) surplus proceeds from the lease being used for health related purposes; (d) subject to the express approval of the board of trustees of the community hospital; and (e) subject to the express approval of the owner. If no board of trustees is then existing, the owner shall have the right to enter into a lease upon such terms and conditions as agreed upon by the parties. Any lease entered into under this subsection (11) may contain an option to purchase the hospital, on such terms as the parties shall agree.

§ 41-13-19

Such counties, cities and towns, supervisors districts, judicial districts and election districts of a county are authorized and empowered to make appropriations of the funds thereof for the purpose of Sections 41-13-15 through 41-13-51, and are hereby authorized and empowered to issue and sell the bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness thereof, for the purpose of providing funds with which to acquire real estate for and to establish, erect, build, construct, remodel, add to, acquire, equip and furnish community hospitals, nurses' homes, health centers, health departments, diagnostic or treatment centers, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and related facilities under the provisions of such sections. Such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit, and resources of the issuing entity shall not be issued in an amount which will exceed the limit of indebtedness of the county, city, town, supervisors district, judicial district or election district issuing the same, as such limit is prescribed by Sections 19-9-1 et seq., and Sections 21-33-301 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972.

Before issuing any such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit, and resources of the issuing entity, the board of supervisors, acting for a county or supervisors district, judicial district or election district thereof, or the mayor and board of aldermen, or city council, or other like governing body, acting for a city or town, shall adopt a resolution declaring its intention to issue the same, stating the amount and purposes thereof, whether such hospital, nurses' home, health center, health department, diagnostic or treatment center, rehabilitation facility, nursing home or related facilities are to be erected, acquired, remodeled, equipped, furnished, maintained and operated by such county, city, town or supervisors district separately, or jointly with one or more other counties, cities, towns, supervisors districts, judicial districts or election districts of a county, and fixing the date upon which further action will be taken to provide for the issuance of such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness. The full text of such resolution shall be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper published in the county or city, as the case may be, or if none be so published, in a newspaper having a general circulation therein. The first publication of such notice shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date fixed in such resolution, as aforesaid, and the last publication shall be made not more than seven (7) days prior to such date. If, on or prior to the date fixed in such resolution, as aforesaid, there shall be filed with the clerk of the body by which such resolution was adopted a petition signed by twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified voters of such county, city, town, supervisors district, judicial district or election district, as the case may be, requesting that an election be called and held on the question of the issuance of such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, then it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors, board of aldermen, city council, or other governing body, as the case may be, to call and provide for the holding of an election as petitioned for. In such case no such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit, and resources of the issuing entity shall be issued unless authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified voters of such county, city, town, supervisors district, judicial district or election district, as the case may be, who vote on the proposition at such election. Notice of such election shall be given by publication in like manner as hereinabove provided for the publication of the initial resolution. Such election shall be conducted and the return thereof made, canvassed and declared as nearly as may be in like manner as is now or may hereafter be provided by law in the case of general elections in such county, city, town, supervisors district, judicial district or election district.

In the discretion of the board of supervisors, board of aldermen, city council, or other governing body, as the case may be, and after adoption of a resolution declaring its intention to issue such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit, and resources of the issuing entity, an election on the question of the issuance of such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness may be called and held as hereinabove provided without the necessity of publishing said resolution and whether or not a protest to the issuance be filed with the clerk of the governing body. In the event that the question of the issuance of such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit, and resources of the issuing entity be not authorized at such election, such question shall not again be submitted to a vote until the expiration of a period of six (6) months from and after the date of such election.

In the event of any joint operation or proposed joint operation as provided by Section 41-13-15, there shall be separate bond issues, and the board or boards of supervisors acting for a county, supervisors district, judicial district or election district, the governing bodies of the municipality or municipalities, as the case may be, shall each issue the bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness of the county, town, city, supervisors district, judicial district or election district, or districts, in such amounts as having been agreed upon by the respective boards of supervisors and governing bodies of the towns or cities, and in so doing follow and comply with the provisions of Sections 41-13-19 through 41-13-23.

§ 41-13-21

Such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness as are issued pursuant to Section 41-13-19 shall bear such date or dates, shall be of such denomination or denominations, shall be payable at such place or places, shall bear such rate or rates of interest, and shall mature in such amounts and at such times, not to exceed twenty (20) years for general obligation bonds and not to exceed thirty (30) years for revenue bonds, as may be provided and directed by the board of supervisors, board of aldermen, city council, or other like governing body, as the case may be, consistent with the provisions of Sections 41-13-19 through 41-13-23.

Any provisions of the general laws to the contrary notwithstanding, any bonds and interest coupons issued pursuant to the authority of Section 43-13-19 shall possess all the qualities of negotiable instruments. The bonds and the interest coupons shall be executed in such manner and shall be substantially in the form prescribed in the authorizing ordinance. In case any of the officers whose signatures or countersignatures appear on the bonds or interest coupons shall cease to be such officers before delivery of such bonds, such signatures or countersignatures shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if they had remained in office until such delivery. No bond shall bear more than one (1) rate of interest. Each bond shall bear interest from its date to its stated maturity date at the interest rate specified in the bid. All bonds of the same maturity shall bear the same rate of interest from date to maturity. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually, except that the first interest coupon attached to any such bond may be for any period not exceeding one (1) year.

No interest payment shall be evidenced by more than one (1) coupon and neither cancelled nor supplemental coupons shall be permitted. The lowest interest rate specified for any bonds issued shall not be less than seventy percent (70%) of the highest interest rate specified for the same bond issue. Each interest rate specified in any bid must be in multiples of one-eighth of one percent ( 1/8 of 1%) or one-tenth of one percent ( 1/10 of 1%). If serial bonds, such bonds shall mature annually, and the first maturity date thereof shall not be more than five (5) years from the date of such bonds. Such bonds shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi. The bonds and interest coupons shall be exempt from all state, county, municipal and other taxation under the laws of the State of Mississippi.

All bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of the issuing entity shall not bear a rate of interest in excess of that allowed in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, and shall be sold for not less than par plus accrued interest at public sale in the manner provided by Section 31-19-25.

All bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness not secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of the issuing entity shall not bear a rate of interest in excess of that allowed in Section 75-17-103, Mississippi Code of 1972, and shall be sold for not less than par plus accrued interest at public sale in the manner provided by Section 31-19-25.

Bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness may be sold to the United States of America or an agency or agencies thereof at private sale upon such terms and conditions as the governing authorities of the issuing entity may determine, consistent with the provisions of Sections 41-13-19 through 41-13-23.

§ 41-13-23

(1) All bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued under Section 41-13-19 may be secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit, and resources of the county, city, town, supervisors district, judicial district or election district issuing the same. There shall annually be levied upon all taxable property within such county, city, town, supervisors district, judicial district or election district, as the case may be, an ad valorem tax, in addition to all other taxes, sufficient to provide for the payment of the principal of and the interest on said bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit, and resources of the issuing entity as the same respectively matures and accrues.

(2) All bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued under Section 41-13-19 may be secured by a pledge of all or a specified portion of the annual general or special revenues of the facility for which the same were issued to acquire, construct, expand, equip or furnish, or by a pledge of any unrestricted unencumbered income from an endowment or other trust funds available to the board of trustees of the facility for which the same were issued to acquire, construct, expand, equip or furnish. The security for such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness authorized and provided for by this subsection may be in addition to or in lieu of the pledge of the full faith, credit, and resources of the issuing entity as provided in subsection (1) hereof.

§ 41-13-24

Such counties, cities and towns, supervisors districts, judicial districts and election districts of a county are authorized and empowered to apply for, contract for, accept and receive grants and loans and loan guarantee agreements relating to assistance for the construction of hospital and medical facilities and to that end the governing bodies of such counties, cities and towns, supervisors districts, judicial districts and election districts of a county are authorized and empowered to enter into such contracts with the United States of America or the agencies or departments thereof as may be necessary to effectuate the purpose of Sections 41-13-15 through 41-13-51.

Any such county, city and town, supervisors district, judicial district or election district, which shall have entered into a binding contract with the United States of America or any agency or department thereof as aforesaid for any such grant, loan or loan guarantee agreement, may borrow money from any private lender for the purpose of providing interim financing for the acquiring, constructing, expanding, equipping and furnishing of the facilities provided for in such contract with the United States of America or agency or department thereof and assign as security for such interim financing the proceeds of any such grant, loan or loan guarantee agreement. Such interim financing shall be upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the issuing entity but shall not require payment of interest on the sums actually advanced and received at a rate of interest greater than that rate of interest authorized for interim financing by the state, counties, municipalities or political subdivisions thereof in Section 75-17-107, Mississippi Code of 1972.

§ 41-13-25

The board of supervisors acting for a county, supervisors district or districts or an election district of such county, and the board of aldermen, city council or other like governing body acting for a city or town, are hereby authorized and empowered to levy ad valorem taxes on all the taxable property of such counties, cities, towns, supervisors district or election district for the purposes of raising funds for the maintenance and operation of hospitals, nurses' homes, health centers, health departments, diagnostic or treatment centers, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and related facilities established under the provisions of Sections 41-13-15 through 41-13-51, and for making additions and improvements thereto and to pledge such ad valorem taxes, whether or not actually levied, for the retirement of debt incurred either by or on behalf of such facilities and/or pursuant to agreements executed under the authority of the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority Act; however, any debt incurred by the pledge of taxes to retire debt incurred either by or on behalf of such facilities and/or pursuant to such agreements shall not be included in debt limits prescribed by Section 19-9-5 or Section 21-33-303, as the case may be unless and until such pledged taxes are actually levied. The amount levied for such purpose shall not exceed five (5) mills on the dollar in any one (1) year. Expenditures of said taxes for such additions and improvements shall not exceed in any fiscal year the total amount budgeted therefor by the board of trustees for the respective institutions affected. The tax levy authorized in this section shall be in addition to all other taxes now or hereafter authorized to be levied by such counties, cities, towns, supervisors districts or election district.

It is further provided that any such supervisors district in a county with a land area of five hundred ninety-two (592) square miles, wherein Mississippi Highways 8 and 9 intersect, participating with a municipality under provisions of law by contracting to assist the cost of operation and maintenance of an erected hospital, may levy such ad valorem tax as is needed to operate and maintain such hospital as is provided herein.

§ 41-13-29

(1)(a) The owners are authorized to appoint trustees for the purpose of operating and governing community hospitals. The owner of a community hospital may remove a trustee after appointment for good cause shown, upon a unanimous vote of all members of the governing board of the owner that appointed the trustee, or upon a majority vote of the governing board of the owner that appointed the trustee after a recommendation from the board of trustees of the hospital that the trustee be removed. To be eligible for appointment, an appointee must be an adult legal resident of the county which has an ownership interest in the community hospital or the county in which the municipality or other political subdivision holding the ownership interest in the community hospital is located. The authority to appoint trustees shall not apply to leased facilities, unless specifically reserved by the owner in the applicable lease agreement.

(b) The board of trustees shall consist of not more than seven (7) members nor less than five (5) members, except where specifically authorized by statute, and shall be appointed by the respective owners on a pro rata basis comparable to the ownership interests in the community hospital. Where the community hospital is owned solely by a county, or any supervisors districts, judicial districts or election district of a county, or by a municipality, the trustees shall be residents of the owning entity.

(c) Trustees for municipally owned community hospitals shall be appointed by the governing authority of the municipality. Trustees for a community hospital owned by a county shall be appointed by the board of supervisors with each supervisor having the right to nominate one (1) trustee from his district or from the county at large. Appointments exceeding five (5) in number shall be from the county at large. Trustees for a community hospital owned solely by supervisors districts, judicial districts or election district of a county, shall be appointed by the board of supervisors of the county from nominees submitted by the supervisor or supervisors representing the owner district or districts.

(2)(a) Initially the board of trustees shall be appointed as follows: one (1) for a term of one (1) year, one (1) for a term of two (2) years, one (1) for a term of three (3) years, one (1) for a term of four (4) years, and one (1) for a term of five (5) years. Appointments exceeding five (5) in number shall be for terms of four (4) and five (5) years, respectively. Thereafter, all terms shall be for five (5) years. No community hospital trustee holding office on July 1, 1982, shall be affected by this provision, but the terms shall be filled at the expiration thereof according to the provisions of this section; provided, however, that any other specific appointment procedures presently authorized shall likewise not be affected by the terms hereof. Any vacancy on the board of trustees shall be filled within ninety (90) days by appointment by the applicable owner for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(b) From and after January 1, 2016, to be eligible for appointment, an appointee must have no felony convictions, possess at least a high school diploma or the equivalent, owe no outstanding debt to the community hospital, and not be a plaintiff in any pending lawsuit against the community hospital. The appointee may not own an interest in, or be an officer or employee of, a company or business that provides goods or services in direct competition with the community hospital, nor may the appointee's spouse own an interest in, or be an officer of, such company or business.

(3)(a) Any community hospital erected, owned, maintained and operated by any county located in the geographical center of the State of Mississippi and in which State Highways No. 12 and No. 35 intersect, shall be operated by a board of trustees of five (5) members who have the qualifications set forth in this section to be appointed by the board of supervisors from the county at large, one (1) for a term of one (1) year, one (1) for a term of two (2) years, one (1) for a term of three (3) years, one (1) for a term of four (4) years, and one (1) for a term of five (5) years. Thereafter all trustees shall be appointed from the county at large for a period of five (5) years.

(b) Any community hospital erected, owned, maintained and operated by any county situated in the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee District and bordering on the Mississippi River and having a population of not less than forty-five thousand (45,000) and having an assessed valuation of not less than Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00) for the year 1954, shall be operated by a board of trustees which may consist of not more than eleven (11) members who have the qualifications set forth in this section.

(c) Any hospital erected, owned, maintained and operated by any county having two (2) judicial districts, which is traversed by U.S. Interstate Highway 59, which intersects Highway 84 therein, shall be operated by a board of trustees which shall consist of seven (7) members who have the qualifications set forth in this section. The first seven (7) members appointed under authority of this paragraph shall be appointed by the board of supervisors for terms as follows:

Each supervisor of Supervisors Districts One and Two shall nominate and the board of supervisors shall appoint one (1) person from each such beat for a one-year term. Each supervisor of Supervisors Districts Three and Four shall nominate and the board of supervisors shall appoint one (1) person from each beat for a two-year term. The supervisor of Supervisors District Five shall nominate and the board of supervisors shall appoint one (1) person from the beat for a three-year term. The medical staff at the hospital shall submit a list of four (4) nominees and the supervisors shall appoint two (2) trustees from the list of nominees, one (1) for a three-year term and one (1) for a one-year term. Thereafter, as the terms of the board of trustee members authorized by this paragraph expire, all but the trustee originally appointed from the medical staff nominees for a one-year term shall be appointed by the board of supervisors for terms of three (3) years. The term of the trustee originally appointed from the medical staff nominees by the board of supervisors for a term of one (1) year shall remain a term of one (1) year and shall thereafter be appointed for a term of one (1) year. The two (2) members appointed from medical staff nominees shall be appointed from a list of two (2) nominees for each position to be submitted by the medical staff of the hospital for each vacancy to be filled. It is the intent of the Legislature that the board of trustees which existed prior to July 1, 1985, was abolished by amendment to this section under Section 5, Chapter 511, Laws of 1985, and the amendment authorized the appointment of a new board of trustees on or after July 1, 1985, in the manner provided in this paragraph. Any member of the board of trustees which existed before July 1, 1985, who has the qualifications set forth in this section shall be eligible for reappointment subject to the provisions of this paragraph.

(d) Any community hospital erected, owned, maintained and operated by any county bordering on the Mississippi River having two (2) judicial districts, wherein U.S. Highway 61 and Mississippi Highway 8 intersect, lying wholly within a levee district, shall be operated by a board of trustees which may consist of not more than nine (9) members who have the qualifications set forth in this section.

(e) Any community hospital system owned, maintained and operated by any county bordering on the Gulf of Mexico and the State of Alabama shall be operated by a board of trustees constituted as follows: seven (7) members shall be selected as provided in subsection (1) of this section and two (2) advisors who shall be the chiefs of staff at those hospitals which are a part of the hospital system; the members must have the qualifications set forth in this section. The term of the chiefs of staff on the board of trustees shall coincide with their service as chiefs of staff at their respective hospitals.

(4) Any community hospital owned, maintained and operated by any county wherein Mississippi Highways 16 and 19 intersect, having a land area of five hundred sixty-eight (568) square miles, and having a population in excess of twenty-three thousand seven hundred (23,700) according to the 1980 federal decennial census, shall be operated by a board of trustees of five (5) members who have the qualifications set forth in this section, one (1) of whom shall be elected by the qualified electors of each supervisors district of the county in the manner provided herein. Each member so elected shall be a resident and qualified elector of the district from which he is elected. The first elected members of the board of trustees shall be elected at the regular general election held on November 4, 1986. At the election, the members of the board from Supervisors Districts One and Two shall be elected for a term of six (6) years; members of the board from Supervisors Districts Three and Four shall be elected for a term of two (2) years; and the member of the board from Supervisors District Five shall be elected for a term of four (4) years. Each subsequent member of the board shall be elected for a term of six (6) years at the same time as the general election in which the member of the county board of education representing the same supervisors district is elected. All members of the board shall take office on the first Monday of January following the date of their election. The terms of all seven (7) appointed members of the board of trustees holding office on the effective date of this act (Laws 1986, Chapter 462) shall expire on the date that the first elected members of the board take office. The board of trustees provided for herein shall not lease or sell the community hospital property under its jurisdiction unless the board of supervisors of the county calls for an election on the proposition and a majority voting in the election shall approve the lease or sale.

The members of the board of trustees provided for in this subsection shall be compensated a per diem and reimbursed for their expenses and mileage in the same amount and subject to the same restrictions provided for members of the county board of education in Section 37-5-21 and may, at the discretion of the board, choose to participate in any hospital medical benefit plan which may be in effect for hospital employees. Any member of the board of trustees choosing to participate in the plan shall pay the full cost of his participation in the plan so that no expenditure of hospital funds is required.

The name of any qualified elector who is a candidate for the community hospital board of trustees shall be placed on the ballot used in the general elections by the county election commissioners, if the candidate files with the county election commissioners, not more than ninety (90) days and not less than thirty (30) days before the date of the general election, a petition of nomination signed by not less than fifty (50) qualified electors of the county residing within each supervisors district. The candidate in each supervisors district who receives the highest number of votes cast in the district shall be declared elected.

(5) A board of trustees provided for herein may, in its discretion, where funds are available, compensate each trustee per diem in at least the amount established by Section 25-3-69 up to the maximum amount of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for each meeting of the board of trustees or meeting of a committee established by the board of trustees where the trustee was in attendance, and in addition thereto provide meals at the meetings and compensate each member attending travel expenses at the rate authorized by Section 25-3-41 for actual mileage traveled to and from the place of meeting.

(6) The owner which appointed a trustee may likewise remove him from office by majority vote for failure to attend at least fifty percent (50%) of the regularly scheduled meetings of the board during the twelve-month period preceding the vote, or for violation of any statute relating to the responsibilities of his office, based upon the recommendation of a majority of the remaining trustees.

(7) For community hospitals located in a county having a population of less than one hundred thousand (100,000) according to the most recent federal decennial census, the members of the board of trustees, administrator and any other officials of the community hospital as may be deemed necessary or proper by the board of trustees shall be under bond in an amount not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) nor more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) with some surety company authorized to do business in the State of Mississippi to faithfully perform the duties of his office. For community hospitals located in a county having a population of one hundred thousand (100,000) or more according to the most recent federal decennial census, the bond shall be in an amount not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00). Premiums for the bonds shall be paid from funds of the community hospital.

(8) The members of the board of trustees of a community hospital may, at the discretion of the board, choose to participate in any hospital medical benefit plan or health insurance plan, whether self-funded or otherwise, which may be in effect for hospital employees. Any member of the board of trustees choosing to participate in such plan shall pay the same amount for his or her participation in the plan as hospital employees are required to pay for their participation in such plan.

§ 41-13-35

(1) The board of trustees of any community hospital shall have full authority to appoint an administrator, who shall not be a member of the board of trustees, and to delegate reasonable authority to such administrator for the operation and maintenance of such hospital and all property and facilities otherwise appertaining thereto.

(2) The board of trustees shall have full authority to select from its members, officers and committees and, by resolution or through the board bylaws, to delegate to such officers and committees reasonable authority to carry out and enforce the powers and duties of the board of trustees during the interim periods between regular meetings of the board of trustees; provided, however, that any such action taken by an officer or committee shall be subject to review by the board, and actions may be withdrawn or nullified at the next subsequent meeting of the board of trustees if the action is in excess of delegated authority.

(3) The board of trustees shall be responsible for governing the community hospital under its control and shall make and enforce staff and hospital bylaws and/or rules and regulations necessary for the administration, government, maintenance and/or expansion of such hospitals. The board of trustees shall keep minutes of its official business and shall comply with Section 41-9-68.

(4) The decisions of the board of trustees of the community hospital shall be valid and binding unless expressly prohibited by applicable statutory or constitutional provisions.

(5) The powers and duties of the board of trustees shall specifically include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) To deposit and invest funds of the community hospital in accordance with Section 27-105-365;

(b) To establish such equitable wage and salary programs and other employment benefits as may be deemed expedient or proper, and in so doing, to expend reasonable funds for such employee salary and benefits. Allowable employee programs shall specifically include, but not be limited to, medical benefit, life, accidental death and dismemberment, disability, retirement and other employee coverage plans. The hospital may offer and fund such programs directly or by contract with any third party and shall be authorized to take all actions necessary to implement, administer and operate such plans, including payroll deductions for such plans;

(c) To authorize employees to attend and to pay actual expenses incurred by employees while engaged in hospital business or in attending recognized educational or professional meetings;

(d) To enter into loan or scholarship agreements with employees or students to provide educational assistance where such student or employee agrees to work for a stipulated period of time for the hospital;

(e) To devise and implement employee incentive programs;

(f) To recruit and financially assist physicians and other health care practitioners in establishing, or relocating practices within the service area of the community hospital including, without limitation, direct and indirect financial assistance, loan agreements, agreements guaranteeing minimum incomes for a stipulated period from opening of the practice and providing free office space or reduced rental rates for office space where such recruitment would directly benefit the community hospital and/or the health and welfare of the citizens of the service area;

(g) To contract by way of lease, lease-purchase or otherwise, with any agency, department or other office of government or any individual, partnership, corporation, owner, other board of trustees, or other health care facility, for the providing of property, equipment or services by or to the community hospital or other entity or regarding any facet of the construction, management, funding or operation of the community hospital or any division or department thereof, or any related activity, including, without limitation, shared management expertise or employee insurance and retirement programs, and to terminate those contracts when deemed in the best interests of the community hospital;

(h) To file suit on behalf of the community hospital to enforce any right or claims accruing to the hospital and to defend and/or settle claims against the community hospital and/or its board of trustees;

(i) To sell or otherwise dispose of any chattel property of the community hospital by any method deemed appropriate by the board where such disposition is consistent with the hospital purposes or where such property is deemed by the board to be surplus or otherwise unneeded;

(j) To let contracts for the construction, remodeling, expansion or acquisition, by lease or purchase, of hospital or health care facilities, including real property, within the service area for community hospital purposes where such may be done with operational funds without encumbrancing the general funds of the county or municipality, provided that any contract for the purchase or lease of real property must have the prior approval of the owner;

(k) To borrow money and enter other financing arrangements for community hospital and related purposes and to grant security interests in hospital equipment and other hospital assets and to pledge a percentage of hospital revenues as security for such financings where needed; provided that the owner shall specify by resolution the maximum borrowing authority and maximum percent of revenue that may be pledged by the board of trustees during any given fiscal year;

(l) To expend hospital funds for public relations or advertising programs;

(m) To offer the following inpatient and outpatient services, after complying with applicable health planning, licensure statutes and regulations, whether or not heretofore offered by such hospital or other similar hospitals in this state and whether or not heretofore authorized to be offered, long-term care, extended care, home care, after-hours clinic services, ambulatory surgical clinic services, preventative health care services including wellness services, health education, rehabilitation and diagnostic and treatment services; to promote, develop, operate and maintain a center providing care or residential facilities for the aged, convalescent or handicapped; and to promote, develop and institute any other services having an appropriate place in the operation of a hospital offering complete community health care;

(n) To promote, develop, acquire, operate and maintain on a nonprofit basis, or on a profit basis if the community hospital's share of profits is used solely for community hospital and related purposes in accordance with this chapter, either separately or jointly with one or more other hospitals or health-related organizations, facilities and equipment for providing goods, services and programs for hospitals, other health care providers, and other persons or entities in need of such goods, services and programs and, in doing so, to provide for contracts of employment or contracts for services and ownership of property on terms that will protect the public interest;

(o) To establish and operate medical offices, child care centers, wellness or fitness centers and other facilities and programs which the board determines are appropriate in the operation of a community hospital for the benefit of its employees, personnel and/or medical staff which shall be operated as an integral part of the hospital and which may, in the direction of the board of trustees, be offered to the general public. If such programs are not established in existing facilities or constructed on real estate previously acquired by the owners, the board of trustees shall also have authority to acquire, by lease or purchase, such facilities and real property within the service area, whether or not adjacent to existing facilities, provided that any contract for the purchase of real property shall be ratified by the owner. The trustees shall lease any such medical offices to members of the medical staff at rates deemed appropriate and may, in its discretion, establish rates to be paid for the use of other facilities or programs by its employees or personnel or members of the public whom the trustees may determine may properly use such other facilities or programs;

(p) Provide, at its discretion, ambulance service and/or to contract with any third party, public or private, for the providing of such service;

(q) Establish a fair and equitable system for the billing of patients for care or users of services received through the community hospital, which in the exercise of the board of trustees' prudent fiscal discretion, may allow for rates to be classified according to the potential usage by an identified group or groups of patients of the community hospital's services and may allow for standard discounts where the discount is designed to reduce the operating costs or increase the revenues of the community hospital. Such billing system may also allow for the payment of charges by means of a credit card or similar device and allow for payment of administrative fees as may be regularly imposed by a banking institution or other credit service organization for the use of such cards;

(r) To establish as an organizational part of the hospital or to aid in establishing as a separate entity from the hospital, hospital auxiliaries designed to aid the hospital, its patients, and/or families and visitors of patients, and when the auxiliary is established as a separate entity from the hospital, the board of trustees may cooperate with the auxiliary in its operations as the board of trustees deems appropriate;

(s) To make any agreements or contracts with the federal government or any agency thereof, the State of Mississippi or any agency thereof, and any county, city, town, supervisors district or election district within this state, jointly or separately, for the maintenance of charity facilities;

(t) To acquire hospitals, health care facilities and other health care-related operations and assets, through direct purchase, merger, consolidation, lease or other means;

(u) To enter into joint ventures, joint-operating agreements or similar arrangements with other public or private health care-related organizations, or with for-profit or nonprofit corporations, for-profit or nonprofit limited liability companies or other similar organizations, either directly or through a nonprofit corporation formed or owned by the community hospital, for the joint operation of all or part of the community hospital, or the joint operation of any health care facilities or health care services, and in doing so, to convey the community hospital's assets, service lines or facilities to the joint venture or to any other organization or entity for fair market value, and to provide for contracts of employment or contracts for services and ownership of property that will protect the public interest;

(v) To form, establish, fund and operate nonprofit corporations, nonprofit limited liability companies, state-sponsored entities or other similar organizations, either directly or through a nonprofit corporation formed by the community hospital, which are jointly owned with other public or private hospitals, for-profit or nonprofit corporations, or other health care-related organizations, for the purpose of conducting activities within or outside of the community hospital's service area for the benefit of the community hospital, including, but not limited to, joint hospital acquisitions, group purchasing, clinically integrated networks, payor contracting, and joint requests for federal and state grants and funding;

(w) To make capital contributions, loans, debt or equity financing to or for any joint venture or similar arrangement in which the community hospital, or any nonprofit corporation formed, leased or owned by the community hospital, has or acquires an ownership interest, and to guarantee loans and any other obligations for such purposes;

(x) To establish arrangements for the community hospital to participate in financial integration and/or clinical integration or clinically integrated networks with a joint venture, with other public or private or nonprofit health-related organizations, or through a joint-operating agreement;

(y) To have an ownership interest in, make capital contributions to, and assume financial risk under, accountable care organizations or similar organizations;

(z) To enter into any contract for a term of any length, regardless of whether the length or term of the contract exceeds the term of the board of trustees of the community hospital;

(aa) To elect some, any or all of the members of the board of directors of any nonprofit corporation of which the community hospital is a member;

(bb) To create, establish, acquire, operate or support subsidiaries and affiliates, either for-profit or nonprofit or other similar entity, to assist the community hospital in fulfilling its purposes;

(cc) To create, establish or support nonaffiliated for-profit or nonprofit corporations or other similar lawful business organizations that operate and have as their purposes the furtherance of the community hospital's purposes;

(dd) Without limiting the generality of any provisions of this section, to accomplish and facilitate the creation, establishment, acquisition, operation or support of any such subsidiary, affiliate, nonaffiliated corporation or other lawful business organization, by means of loans of funds, acquisition or transfer of assets, leases of real or personal property, gifts and grants of funds or guarantees of indebtedness of such subsidiaries, affiliates and nonaffiliated corporations;

(ee) To exercise all powers granted under this section in such a manner as the community hospital, through its board of trustees, may determine to be consistent with the purposes of this chapter, including the state action immunity provided by this section from state and federal antitrust laws to the fullest extent possible, notwithstanding that as a consequence of such exercise of such powers it engages in activities that may be deemed “anticompetitive” or which displace competition within the meaning or contemplation of the antitrust laws of this state or of the United States; and

(ff) The board of trustees shall not sell, purchase, convey, lease, or enter into agreements that have the effect of selling, purchasing, conveying, or leasing any real property or enter into management agreements, merger agreements, joint ventures, joint-operating agreements or similar arrangements that transfer control of any real property or the operations of a community hospital described in this subsection without the prior approval of the owners of the real property.

(6) No board of trustees of any community hospital may accept any grant of money or other thing of value from any not-for-profit or for-profit organization established for the purpose of supporting health care in the area served by the facility unless two-thirds ( 2/3 ) of the trustees vote to accept the grant.

(7) No board of trustees, individual trustee or any other person who is an agent or servant of the trustees of any community hospital shall have any personal financial interest in any not-for-profit or for-profit organization which, regardless of its stated purpose of incorporation, provides assistance in the form of grants of money or property to community hospitals or provides services to community hospitals in the form of performance of functions normally associated with the operations of a hospital.

(8) The Legislature finds and declares as follows:

(a) The needs of the residents of Mississippi can best be served by community hospitals having the legal, financial and operational flexibility to take full advantage of opportunities and challenges presented by the evolving health care environment and to take whatever actions are necessary to enable the community hospitals' continuation as health care systems that provide the finest possible quality of care consistent with reasonable costs.

(b) In this environment, the community hospitals must have the ability to respond to changing conditions by having the power to develop efficient and cost-effective methods and structures to provide for health care needs, while maintaining a public mission and character. In addition, community hospitals in Mississippi are political subdivisions of the state. Accordingly, the Legislature finds that there is a compelling interest in establishing a structure and process for a community hospital to adapt to this dynamic environment, to operate efficiently, to offer competitive health care services, to respond more effectively to new developments and regulatory changes in the health care area, and to continue to serve and promote the health, wellness and welfare of the citizens of Mississippi. The acquisition, operation and financing of hospitals and other health care facilities by the community hospitals are declared to be for a public and governmental purpose and a matter of public necessity.

(c) The geographic areas served by community hospitals include rural populations and other groups that experience significant health disparities. Health disparities are differences in health status when compared to the population overall, often characterized by indicators such as higher incidence of disease and/or disability, increased mortality rates, and lower life expectancies. Rural risk factors for health disparities include geographic isolation, lower socioeconomic status, higher rates of health risk behaviors and limited access to health care specialists and subspecialists. As a result of these health disparities, the residents of areas served by community hospitals have high rates of mortality and morbidity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other illnesses. The areas also include a high percentage of uninsured individuals and Medicaid patients, which are medically underserved groups. Community hospitals have demonstrated their ability to provide high-quality health care and to improve health conditions and outcomes as well as access to care. This section will significantly strengthen the ability of community hospitals to serve the health care needs of the residents of their service areas.

(d) The community hospitals' investment of significant public assets and their efforts to provide high quality health care services to medically underserved populations are jeopardized by potential limits on the ability of community hospitals to collaborate and consolidate with other public, private, for-profit and nonprofit health care facilities and providers. The Legislature expressly finds that the benefits of collaboration and consolidation by the community hospitals outweigh any adverse impact on competition. The benefits of the community hospitals' efforts to collaborate and consolidate include, but are not limited to, preserving and expanding needed health care services in its service area; consolidating unneeded or duplicative health care services; enhancing the quality of, and expanding access to, health care delivered to medically underserved and rural populations; and lowering costs and improving the efficiency of the health care services it delivers. Based on the findings contained in this section, the Legislature affirmatively expresses a policy to allow community hospitals to consolidate with other public, private, for-profit or nonprofit hospitals, health care facilities and providers and to engage in collaborative activities consistent with their health care purposes, notwithstanding that those consolidations and collaborations may have the effect of displacing competition in the provision of hospital or other health care-related services. In engaging in such consolidations and collaborations with other public, private, for-profit or nonprofit hospitals, health care facilities and providers, the community hospital shall be considered to be acting pursuant to clearly articulated state policy as established in this section and shall not be subject to federal or state antitrust laws while so acting. With respect to the consolidations, collaborative activities and other activities contemplated in this section, the community hospital and the public, private, for-profit or nonprofit entities with which it consolidates, collaborates, or enters into any of the transactions set forth in this section, shall be immune from liability under the federal and state antitrust laws and those activities are provided with state action immunity from federal and state antitrust laws to the fullest extent possible.

§ 41-13-36

(1) A board of trustees may enter into a contract of employment with an administrator, the duration of which shall not exceed five (5) years, but which may periodically be renewed for additional years, provided that the duration of any such renewal contract shall not exceed five (5) years.

(2) The administrator shall be the chief executive officer of the community hospital. Subject to any conflicting bylaws, resolutions, rules or regulations adopted by the board of trustees, the administrator's duties and powers shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) To employ and discharge employees, as needed for the efficient performance of the business of the community hospital and prescribe their duties;

(b) To supervise and control the records, accounts, buildings and property of the community hospital and all internal affairs, and maintain discipline therein, and enforce compliance with, and obedience to, all rules, bylaws and regulations adopted by the board of trustees for the government, discipline and management of said hospital, and its employees and staff.

(c) To attend meetings of the board of trustees and to keep the trustees advised of hospital business.

(d) To exercise any of the powers of the board of trustees as described in Section 41-13-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, which have been delegated, by resolution or through the board bylaws, to the administrator.

§ 41-13-38

(1) Any loan agreement entered into between a community hospital and a physician, employee or student pursuant to Section 41-13-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall contain a provision for repayment to the hospital no later than ten (10) years after the final date upon which any such payments are made, with or without interest. In the event of a default in repayment of a loan obligation, the community hospital shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees expended to collect the obligation and to all other rights and remedies of a general creditor. No loan agreement with a physician shall impose any condition of admitting a certain number or quota of the physician's patients to the community hospital.

(2) The board of trustees may provide financial assistance or provide grants to nonprofit health-care provider groups and other recognized nonprofit entities and charities where it is determined by the board that such action will benefit the health or welfare of the citizens of the service area.

§ 41-13-39

The board of trustees of any hospital provided for in Sections 41-13-27 through 41-13-31 shall have full authority in its discretion to operate a child care center for the benefit of its employees and other personnel. Such child care center shall be operated as an integral part of the hospital and, if not located on the premises dedicated for hospital purposes, shall be located on such other real property, whether or not adjacent to the hospital premises, that may be purchased, leased or otherwise provided as in the case of hospitals and other related facilities, by the governing authorities of the counties, cities and towns, supervisors districts or election districts jointly or separately interested in the operation of the hospital. If such child care centers be leased, the rental therefor shall be paid from hospital funds, and the hospital board of trustees may in its discretion make charges to its employees and other personnel for child care services. In the event that child care centers shall hereafter be subject to licensure by an agency of the State of Mississippi other than the licensing agency for hospitals, child care centers established hereunder shall nevertheless be subject to inspection, approval and licensure by the hospital licensing agency.

§ 41-13-47

On or before the first Monday in September of each year, the said board of trustees shall make, enter on its minutes and file with the owner or owners, separately or jointly interested in said hospital, a proposed budget based on anticipated income and expenditures for the ensuing fiscal year. Such budget, as submitted or amended, shall be approved by the said owner or owners, as the case may be, which approval shall be evidenced by a proper order recorded upon the minutes of each such owner.

On or before the first Monday in March of each year, said board of trustees shall also make, enter on its minutes and file with such owner or owners, a full fiscal year report which shall contain a complete and correct accounting of all funds received and expended for all hospital purposes.

§ 41-13-49

(1) As used in this section and Section 41-13-51, the following terms shall be defined as provided in this subsection:

(a) “Administrator” means the person primarily responsible for the management of the retirement plan or, if no person is clearly designated, the trustee of the retirement plan who has the ultimate authority to manage the plan;

(b) “Beneficiary” means a person, other than the participant, who is designated by a participant or by the retirement plan to receive a benefit under the retirement plan;

(c) “Defined benefit retirement plan” means a retirement plan other than a defined contribution retirement plan;

(d) “Defined contribution retirement plan” means a retirement plan that provides for an individual account for each participant and for benefits based solely upon the amount contributed to the participant's account, and any income, expenses, gains and losses credited or charged to the account and any forfeitures of accounts of other participants that may be allocated to the participant's account;

(e) “Governing law” means state and local laws establishing or authorizing the creation of the retirement plan and the principal state and local laws and regulations governing the management of the retirement plan or assets of either;

(f) “Nonforfeitable benefit” means an immediate or deferred benefit that arises from a participant's service, is unconditional, and is enforceable against the retirement plan;

(g) “Participant” means an individual who is or has been an employee enrolled in the retirement plan and who is or may become eligible to receive or is currently receiving a benefit under the retirement plan, or whose beneficiaries are or may become eligible to receive a benefit. The term does not include an individual who is no longer an employee of the community hospital and has not accrued any nonforfeitable benefits under the retirement plan;

(h) “Retirement plan” means a plan of rights and obligations that a community hospital establishes or maintains and that, by its express terms or as a result of surrounding circumstances, provides retirement income to employees;

(i) “Trustee” means a person who has ultimate authority to manage a retirement plan or to invest or manage its assets.

(2) This section and Section 41-13-51 apply to any defined benefit retirement plan established or maintained by a community hospital for its employees, whether the membership of the retirement plan is open or closed to new members. This section and Section 41-13-51 do not apply to any community hospital that is a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System.

(3) The administrator of the retirement plan shall prepare and disseminate:

(a) A summary plan description of the retirement plan;

(b) A summary description of any material modification in the terms of the retirement plan and any material change in the information required to be contained in the summary plan description, to the extent the modification or change has not been integrated into an updated summary plan description;

(c) An annual disclosure of financial and actuarial status; and

(d) An annual report.

(4) The administrator shall make available for public examination in the principal office of the administrator and in other places if necessary to make the information reasonably available to participants:

(a) The governing law of the retirement plan;

(b) The most recent summary plan description;

(c) Summary descriptions of modifications or changes described in subsection (3)(b) of this section that have been provided to participants and beneficiaries but not yet integrated into the summary plan description;

(d) The most recent annual disclosure of financial and actuarial status; and

(e) The most recent annual report.

(5) Upon written request by a participant, beneficiary or member of the public, the administrator shall provide a copy of any publication described in subsection (4) of this section.

(6) The administrator shall furnish to each participant and to each beneficiary who is receiving benefits under the retirement plan:

(a) A copy of the most recent summary plan description, along with any summary descriptions of modifications or changes described in subsection (3)(b) of this section, within three (3) months after a person becomes a participant or, in the case of a beneficiary, within three (3) months after a person first receives benefits, or, if later, within four (4) months after the retirement plan becomes subject to this section;

(b) The summary description of any modifications or changes described in subsection (3)(b) of this section, within seven (7) months after the end of the fiscal year in which a modification or change has been made;

(c) A copy of an updated summary plan description that integrates all modifications and changes at intervals not exceeding five (5) years; and

(d) The annual report within seven (7) months after the end of each fiscal year.

(7) The administrator shall provide to a participant or beneficiary a statement containing information that would permit the participant or beneficiary to estimate projected benefits reasonably, to the extent the information is regularly maintained by the retirement plan. The information shall be provided with the annual report or upon written request of the participant or beneficiary. The information need not be provided to a participant or beneficiary who is currently receiving benefits.

(8) A participant who is not currently receiving benefits is entitled without charge to one (1) statement under subsection (7) of this section during any fiscal year. The administrator shall provide the statements within thirty (30) days after the participant's or beneficiary's request.

§ 41-13-51

(1) A summary plan description and a summary description of modifications or changes under Section 41-13-49(3)(b) shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average participant and be accurate and sufficiently comprehensive reasonably to inform the participants and beneficiaries of their rights and obligations under the retirement plan.

(2) A summary plan description shall contain:

(a) The name of the retirement plan;

(b) The name and business address of the administrator;

(c) The name and business address of each agent for service of process;

(d) Citations to the governing law of the retirement plan;

(e) A description of the retirement plan's requirements respecting eligibility for participation and benefits;

(f) A description of the retirement plan's provisions providing for nonforfeitable benefits;

(g) A description of circumstances that may result in disqualification, ineligibility or denial or loss of benefits;

(h) A description of the benefits provided by the retirement plan, including the manner of calculating benefits and any benefits provided for spouses and survivors;

(i) The source of financing of the retirement plan;

(j) The identity of any organization through which benefits are provided;

(k) The date the fiscal year ends;

(l) The procedures to claim benefits under the retirement plan and the administrative procedures available under the retirement plan for the redress of claims that are denied in whole or in part; and

(m) Notice of the availability of additional information under Section 41-13-49(4),(5),(7) and (8).

(3) An annual disclosure of financial and actuarial status shall contain:

(a) The name of the retirement plan;

(b) The name and business address of the administrator;

(c) The name and business address of each trustee and each member of a trustee board and a brief description of how the trustee or member was selected;

(d) The name and business address of each agent for the service of process;

(e) The number of employees covered by the retirement plan;

(f) Financial statements and notes to the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles;

(g) An opinion on the financial statements by a qualified public accountant in conformity with generally accepted auditing standards;

(h) Actuarial schedules and notes to the actuarial schedules in conformity with generally accepted actuarial principles and practices for measuring pension obligations;

(i) An opinion by a qualified actuary that the actuarial schedules are complete and accurate to the best of the actuary's knowledge, that each assumption and method used in preparing the schedules is reasonable, that the assumptions and methods in the aggregate are reasonable, and that the assumptions and methods in combination offer the actuary's best estimate of anticipated experience;

(j) A description of any material interest, other than the interest in the retirement plan itself, held by the community hospital or any employee organization representing employees covered by the retirement plan in any material transaction with the retirement plan within the last three (3) years or proposed to be effected;

(k) A description of any material interest held by any trustee, administrator or employee who is a fiduciary with respect to the investment and management of assets of the retirement plan, or by a related person, in any material transaction with the retirement plan within the last three (3) years or proposed to be effected;

(l) A schedule of the rates of return, net of total investment expense, on assets of the retirement plan overall and on assets aggregated by category over the most recent one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods, to the extent available, and the rates of return on appropriate benchmarks for assets of the retirement plan overall and for each category over each period;

(m) A schedule of the sum of total investment expense and total general administrative expense for the fiscal year expressed as a percentage of the fair value of assets of the retirement plan on the last day of the fiscal year, and an equivalent percentage for the preceding five (5) fiscal years; and

(n) A schedule of all assets held for investment purposes on the last day of the fiscal year aggregated and identified by issuer, borrower, lessor or similar party to the transaction stating, if relevant, the asset's maturity date, rate of interest, par or maturity value, number of shares, cost and fair value and identifying any asset that is in default or classified as uncollectible.

(4) An annual report shall contain:

(a) The name and business address of each trustee and each member of a trustee board;

(b) The financial statements, but not the notes, required by subsection (3)(f) of this section;

(c) The actuarial schedules, but not the notes, required by subsection (3)(h) of this section;

(d) The schedules described in subsection (3)(l) and (m) of this section;

(e) A brief description of and information about how to interpret the statements and schedules;

(f) Other material necessary to summarize fairly and accurately the annual disclosure of financial and actuarial status; and

(g) Notice of the availability of additional information under Section 41-13-49(4),(5),(7) and (8).

§ 41-13-53

(1) In any case where a hospital has been or is hereafter established under any provisions of law other than Sections 41-13-15 through 41-13-51, and is owned and operated separately or jointly by one or more counties, cities, towns, supervisors districts or election districts or combinations thereof, the respective governing authority of each such political subdivision or part of a political subdivision interested therein may, in its discretion, by adoption of the resolution hereinafter provided for, obtain for itself, its officers and members, the same authority, powers, rights, privileges and immunities with respect to establishing, erecting, building, constructing, remodeling, adding to, acquiring, equipping, furnishing, and operating and maintaining such hospital as if such hospital were originally established and organized under the provisions of said sections.

(2) The aforesaid resolution shall be duly adopted at any regular or special meeting, or any adjournment of a regular or special meeting, of the governing authority and shall be duly spread upon its minutes. Any such resolution shall be sufficient for the purposes hereof if it indicates an intention to obtain the benefits of this section or Sections 41-13-15 through 41-13-51. Multiple resolutions shall not be required in the case of a board of supervisors acting in behalf of more than one (1) supervisors district or election district or any combination of such districts. In the case of a hospital jointly owned and operated such resolution is to be adopted by the respective governing authority of each of the various counties, cities, towns, supervisors' districts or election districts interested therein.

(3) The adoption of the aforesaid resolution shall have the effect of also conferring on and delegating to any board of trustees, board of commissioners or other governing board established for the operation and maintenance of such hospital, and the officers and members of such governing board, the same authority, powers, rights, privileges and immunities with respect to the operation and maintenance of the hospital as are conferred on the boards of trustees, and the officers and members thereof, of community hospitals established and organized under the provisions of Sections 41-13-15 through 41-13-51.

(4) The provisions of this section shall be supplemental to, and shall not restrict, supplant, amend or repeal any general or special authority, powers, rights, privileges and immunities with respect to hospitals heretofore or hereafter conferred on boards of supervisors, municipal governing authorities and hospital governing boards, or the officers and members of such boards or governing authorities, except as the same may delegate authority; powers, rights and privileges to hospital governing boards and the officers and members thereof. Adoption of the resolution provided for herein shall not amend the method of appointing or electing the officers and members of such hospital governing boards or their tenure of office. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to repeal any local and private law or any part or provision thereof authorizing or establishing a public hospital.

§ 41-13-101

There is hereby authorized the establishment, maintenance, administration and operation of any trust established by agreement of any hospitals or other health-care units licensed as such by the State of Mississippi, including without limitation, community hospitals established under this chapter (hereinafter referred to as “hospitals”) as grantors, with such hospitals as beneficiaries, for the purpose of insuring against general public liability claims based upon acts or omissions of such hospitals, including without limitation, claims based upon malpractice. Such hospitals may, by trust agreement among themselves and a trustee or trustees of their selection, specify the terms, conditions and provisions of such a trust.

§ 41-13-103

The trustees of trusts established pursuant to Section 41-13-101 shall hold the legal title to all property at any time belonging to the trust. They shall have control over such property as well as the control and management of the business and affairs of the trust. Liability to third persons for any act, omission or obligation of a trustee of a trust, when acting in such capacity, shall extend to the whole of the trust estate or so much thereof as may be necessary to discharge such obligation, but no trustee shall be personally liable for any such act, omission or obligation. The trustees shall have such powers as to the investment of the trust estate as may be set out in the declaration of trust. However, the investments of the trust shall be limited to the same type, kind and quality as those required of a domestic casualty insurer. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the trustees shall have any powers, whether conferred upon them by the agreement of trust or otherwise, to perform all acts necessary or desirable to the conduct of the business of a public liability insurer.

§ 41-13-105

No hospital which is a participant in such a trust, as grantor, member, beneficiary or otherwise, shall be liable or obligated to the trust, to the trustee, to any other grantor, member or beneficiary, to any creditor of the trust or to any other person by virtue of its participation other than for the payment of its full agreed contribution to the trust in accordance with the trust agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no participating hospital shall incur any other liability of any nature whatever because of or arising out of its participation in such a trust.

§ 41-13-107

Neither the establishment of a trust under Section 41-13-101 nor the participation of a hospital in such trust shall constitute a “contract of insurance” within the meaning of Section 83-5-5, and the trust shall not be considered an “insurance company” or any other concern subject to the inspection and supervision of the Insurance Commissioner within the meaning of Section 83-5-1 or of the Insurance Commission within the meaning of Section 83-3-1 et seq.

Chapter 14 Covid-19 Icu Infrastructure and Hospital Expanded Capacity Programs

§ 41-14-1

Sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11 shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi ICU Infrastructure Act.”

§ 41-14-3

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mississippi Department of Health shall establish and administer the ICU Infrastructure Program for the purpose of providing funds to hospitals to increase treatment capacity related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including adding intensive care units, isolation rooms or negative pressure rooms, and related construction and facilitation costs, but not to include any administrative expenses or costs or any staffing expenses or costs. For the purpose of this section, “related construction and facilitation costs” is defined as allowing funding for intensive care units, negative pressure rooms, or isolation rooms, related medical equipment and any needed HVAC system alterations to accommodate the negative pressure, isolation rooms and intensive care units.

§ 41-14-5

(1) The Department of Health shall:

(a) Promulgate rules and regulations to govern the administration of the program;

(b) Make every effort to expend the funds appropriated to the program established in sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11 by October 30, 2020;

(c) Require recipients of funds under this program to certify that there is a need to add intensive care units, isolation rooms or negative pressure rooms at the facility receiving funds;

(d) Require recipients of funds under this program to certify that the facility adding intensive care units, isolation rooms or negative pressure rooms can adequately staff such units or rooms; and

(e) Certify to the Department of Finance and Administration that each expenditure of the funds appropriated to the Department of Health under sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11 is in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act.

(2) No individual hospital shall receive more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds appropriated to this program.

(3) The Department of Health may retain up to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) of the funds appropriated to the program established in sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11 to pay reasonable expenses incurred in the administration of the program.

(4) Out of the funds appropriated to this program, the Department of Health shall expend twenty percent (20%) or more of such funds for hospitals in Mississippi that are either designated as a Level III Trauma Center or a Level IV Trauma Center.

§ 41-14-7

(1) There is created a special fund in the State Treasury, to be known as the “ICU Infrastructure Fund,” from which the awards authorized under the ICU Infrastructure Program shall be disbursed by the Department of Health.

(2)(a) All monies shall be disbursed from the fund created in subsection (1) of this section in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act. However, unexpended amounts of any monies unrelated to the Coronavirus Relief Fund, whether appropriated by the Legislature or donated by any public or private entity, remaining in the funds at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the Budget Contingency Fund or the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the program fund shall be deposited to the credit of the ICU Infrastructure Fund; and

(b) If on December 15, 2020, there are unexpended Coronavirus Relief Fund monies remaining in the fund created in this section, those funds shall be transferred into the Unemployment Compensation Fund no later than December 30, 2020.

(3) The use of funds allocated under this program shall be subject to audit by the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor. Each person receiving funds under these programs found to be fully or partially noncompliant with the requirements in sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11 shall return to the state all or a portion of the funds received.

§ 41-14-9

If the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of the Treasury, or the Office of Inspector General of any other federal agency having oversight over the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act (a) determines that the Department of Health or recipient has expended or otherwise used any of the funds appropriated to the Department of Health under sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11 for any purpose that is not in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act, and (b) the State of Mississippi is required to repay the federal government for any of those funds that the Office of the Inspector General determined were expended or otherwise used improperly by the Department of Health or recipient, then the Department of Health or recipient that expended or otherwise used those funds improperly shall be required to pay the amount of those funds to the State of Mississippi for repayment to the federal government.

§ 41-14-11

On October 15, 2020, the Department of Health shall provide the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, and the Chair of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee with a status report of the funds appropriated to it under sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11. Thereafter, the Department of Health shall report weekly on the status of the funds under Sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11 until October 30, 2020 or until the funds under Sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11 are fully expended, whichever is later.

§ 41-14-31

(1) The Mississippi Department of Health shall establish and administer the COVID-19 Hospital Expanded Capacity Program for the purpose of providing funds to hospitals that increased treatment capacity related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program shall make grants to hospitals as a reimbursement for expenses incurred during the period beginning on March 3, 2021, through December 31, 2023, in the following manner:

(a) Funds shall first be expended for the reimbursement to hospitals for the creation of ICU beds at a maximum amount of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per bed. If the reimbursement for allowable expenditures submitted by all hospitals exceeds the amount of funds appropriated to this program, then the Department of Health shall allocate the reimbursement to each hospital per ICU bed created.

(b) After such reimbursement is made in paragraph (a) of this subsection, any remaining funds shall be used to reimburse hospitals for the creation of negative pressure beds at a maximum amount of Fifty Thousand dollars ($50,000.00) per bed. If the reimbursement for allowable expenditures submitted by all hospitals exceeds the amount of funds appropriated to this program, then the Department of Health shall allocate the reimbursement to each hospital per negative pressure bed created.

(2) The Department of Health shall:

(a) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the purposes of this section.

(b) Require all applications for grants to be filed no later than December 31, 2023.

(c) Require recipients of funds under this program to certify that the reimbursement for the creation of the intensive care units or negative pressure room is for allowable expenditures under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, Public Law 117-2, which amends Title VI of the Social Security Act; and its implementing guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury.

(d) Certify to the Department of Finance and Administration that each expenditure of the funds appropriated to the office under this section is in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of ARPA.

(3) The department shall not:

(a) Reimburse hospitals for funds expended by the “Mississippi ICU Infrastructure Act,” Sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11.

(b) Reimburse hospitals for professional fees expended in the creation of the beds.

(4) The Department of Health may retain up to One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) of the funds appropriated to the program established in this section to pay reasonable expenses incurred in the administration of the program.

(5) The department shall operate and administer the grant program from funds appropriated by the Legislature from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds.

(6) The Department of Health shall submit to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee before October 1 of each year an annual report containing, at a minimum, the number of submitted applications, the amount of grant funds awarded to each hospital for both ICU beds and negative pressure beds, and the number of ICU beds and negative pressure beds that were provided a reimbursement.

(7) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026.

Chapter 17 State Mental Institutions

§ 41-17-1

Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, East Mississippi State Hospital at Meridian, North Mississippi State Hospital at Tupelo, South Mississippi State Hospital at Purvis, the Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed in Harrison County, and the Central Mississippi Residential Center at Newton are established for the care and treatment of persons with mental illness, free of charge, except as otherwise provided.

§ 41-17-3

The state psychiatric hospital and institution established at Meridian by the Act of March 8, 1882, shall continue to exist as a body politic and corporate, under the name of the “East Mississippi State Hospital,” with all the privileges conferred and the duties enjoined by law. It may hold and use, as required by law, all the property, real and personal, belonging to or that may be given to it for the purposes of its establishment.

§ 41-17-11

The directors of the state institutions listed in Section 41-7-73 each may receive any monies that the United States government may offer as federal aid in taking care of and giving special attention to those persons who served with the Armed Forces of the United States during time of war and who are now in or may hereafter be in any of those state institutions. Each of those directors may expend that part of the money paid to him or his institution, according to his best judgment and the requirements of the United States government under which the money is received.

Chapter 19 Facilities and Services for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Mental Illness

§ 41-19-1

The purpose of Sections 41-19-1 through 41-19-17 is to create, construct, equip and maintain a center, to be located in North Mississippi, for the care and treatment of persons with an intellectual disability, which shall be known as the North Mississippi Regional Center.

§ 41-19-3

The center shall be located on a site selected by the Board of Trustees of Mental Institutions and approved by the Mississippi State Building Commission. The center, however, shall be located as near as possible to an urban area or institution having adequate medical and hospital facilities and shall embrace sufficient land for such agricultural activities as the board may deem necessary for the operation of the center.

Out of funds provided therefor by the Legislature or from any sources, the building commission is hereby authorized to purchase or acquire the necessary land for the location of the center; or the commission may acquire the land by gift, deed, transfer, or other legitimate means; or the center may be located on land belonging to the state or one of its political subdivisions. However, any such land selected shall be transferred or deeded to the State of Mississippi for the sole use of the Board of Trustees of Mental Institutions in carrying out the provisions of Sections 41-19-1 through 41-19-17.

§ 41-19-5

With funds provided by the legislature, by direct appropriation or authorized bond issue, with federal matching funds, or with any other available funds, the Mississippi State Building Commission is hereby authorized to construct and equip the necessary residential and service buildings and other facilities to care for approximately five hundred (500) residents. The general design of the center and all construction plans shall be approved and recommended by the board of trustees of mental institutions.

§ 41-19-7

The center shall be administered by the State Board of Mental Health. Provisions relating to the admission and care of residents and patients provided for hereinafter shall apply to all institutions for persons with an intellectual disability administered by the board.

§ 41-19-13

Persons admitted to the center shall be assessed support and maintenance costs in accordance with the provisions of the state reimbursement laws as they apply to other state institutions.

§ 41-19-15

Any person who (1) under the provisions of Section 41-19-11, knowingly and unlawfully or improperly causes a person to be adjudged a person with an intellectual disability, (2) procures the escape of a legally committed resident or knowingly conceals an escaped legally committed resident of the center, or (3) unlawfully brings any firearm, deadly weapon or explosive into the center or its grounds, or passes any thereof to resident, employee or officer of the center, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00), nor more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), imprisonment for not less than six (6) months, or both.

§ 41-19-17

The North Mississippi Regional Center is designated as a state agency for carrying out the purposes of any act of the Congress of the United States of America, now existing or at any time hereafter enacted, pertaining to intellectual disabilities.

§ 41-19-31

For the purpose of authorizing the establishment of mental illness and intellectual disability facilities and services in the State of Mississippi, the boards of supervisors of one or more counties are authorized to act singularly or as a group in the selection of a regional district by spreading upon their minutes by resolution such designation in conformity with Chapter 427, Laws of 2023.

§ 41-19-33

(1) Each region so designated or established under Section 41-19-31 shall establish a regional commission to be composed of members appointed by the boards of supervisors of the various counties in the region. Each regional commission shall employ or contract with an accountant for the purpose of managing the finances of the commission. The accountant shall provide an annual audit to the commission in addition to his or her other duties. It shall be the duty of such regional commission to administer mental health/intellectual disability programs certified and required by the State Board of Mental Health and as specified in Section 41-4-1(2). In addition, once designated and established as provided hereinabove, a regional commission shall have the following authority and shall pursue and promote the following general purposes:

(a) To establish, own, lease, acquire, construct, build, operate and maintain mental illness, mental health, intellectual disability, alcoholism and general rehabilitative facilities and services designed to serve the needs of the people of the region so designated, provided that the services supplied by the regional commissions shall include those services determined by the Department of Mental Health to be necessary and may include, in addition to the above, services for persons with developmental and learning disabilities; for persons suffering from narcotic addiction and problems of drug abuse and drug dependence; and for the aging as designated and certified by the Department of Mental Health. Such regional mental health and intellectual disability commissions and other community service providers shall, on or before July 1 of each year, submit an annual operational plan to the Department of Mental Health for approval or disapproval based on the minimum standards and minimum required services established by the department for certification and itemize the services as specified in Section 41-4-1(2), including financial statements. As part of the annual operation plan required by Section 41-4-7(h) submitted by any regional community mental health center or by any other reasonable certification deemed acceptable by the department, the community mental health center shall state those services specified in Section 41-4-1(2) that it will provide and also those services that it will not provide. If the department finds deficiencies in the plan of any regional commission or community service provider based on the minimum standards and minimum required services established for certification, the department shall give the regional commission or community service provider a six-month probationary period to bring its standards and services up to the established minimum standards and minimum required services. The regional commission or community service provider shall develop a sustainability business plan within thirty (30) days of being placed on probation, which shall be signed by all commissioners and shall include policies to address one or more of the following: the deficiencies in programmatic services, clinical service staff expectations, timely and appropriate billing, processes to obtain credentialing for staff, monthly reporting processes, third-party financial reporting and any other required documentation as determined by the department. After the six-month probationary period, if the department determines that the regional commission or community service provider still does not meet the minimum standards and minimum required services established for certification, the department may remove the certification of the commission or provider, and from and after July 1, 2011, the commission or provider shall be ineligible for state funds from Medicaid reimbursement or other funding sources for those services. After the six-month probationary period, the Department of Mental Health may identify an appropriate community service provider to provide any core services in that county that are not provided by a community mental health center. However, the department shall not offer reimbursement or other accommodations to a community service provider of core services that were not offered to the decertified community mental health center for the same or similar services.

(b) To provide facilities and services for the prevention of mental illness, mental disorders, developmental and learning disabilities, alcoholism, narcotic addiction, drug abuse, drug dependence and other related handicaps or problems (including the problems of the aging) among the people of the region so designated, and for the rehabilitation of persons suffering from such illnesses, disorders, handicaps or problems as designated and certified by the Department of Mental Health.

(c) To promote increased understanding of the problems of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, alcoholism, developmental and learning disabilities, narcotic addiction, drug abuse and drug dependence and other related problems (including the problems of the aging) by the people of the region, and also to promote increased understanding of the purposes and methods of the rehabilitation of persons suffering from such illnesses, disorders, handicaps or problems as designated and certified by the Department of Mental Health.

(d) To enter into contracts and to make such other arrangements as may be necessary, from time to time, with the United States government, the government of the State of Mississippi and such other agencies or governmental bodies as may be approved by and acceptable to the regional commission for the purpose of establishing, funding, constructing, operating and maintaining facilities and services for the care, treatment and rehabilitation of persons suffering from mental illness, an intellectual disability, alcoholism, developmental and learning disabilities, narcotic addiction, drug abuse, drug dependence and other illnesses, disorders, handicaps and problems (including the problems of the aging) as designated and certified by the Department of Mental Health.

(e) To enter into contracts and make such other arrangements as may be necessary with any and all private businesses, corporations, partnerships, proprietorships or other private agencies, whether organized for profit or otherwise, as may be approved by and acceptable to the regional commission for the purpose of establishing, funding, constructing, operating and maintaining facilities and services for the care, treatment and rehabilitation of persons suffering from mental illness, an intellectual disability, alcoholism, developmental and learning disabilities, narcotic addiction, drug abuse, drug dependence and other illnesses, disorders, handicaps and problems (including the problems of the aging) relating to minimum services established by the Department of Mental Health.

(f) To promote the general mental health of the people of the region.

(g) To pay the administrative costs of the operation of the regional commissions, including per diem for the members of the commission and its employees, attorney's fees, if and when such are required in the opinion of the commission, and such other expenses of the commission as may be necessary. The Department of Mental Health standards and audit rules shall determine what administrative cost figures shall consist of for the purposes of this paragraph. Each regional commission shall submit a cost report annually to the Department of Mental Health in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the department.

(h) To employ and compensate any personnel that may be necessary to effectively carry out the programs and services established under the provisions of the aforesaid act, provided such person meets the standards established by the Department of Mental Health.

(i) To acquire whatever hazard, casualty or workers' compensation insurance that may be necessary for any property, real or personal, owned, leased or rented by the commissions, or any employees or personnel hired by the commissions.

(j) To acquire professional liability insurance on all employees as may be deemed necessary and proper by the commission, and to pay, out of the funds of the commission, all premiums due and payable on account thereof.

(k) To provide and finance within their own facilities, or through agreements or contracts with other local, state or federal agencies or institutions, nonprofit corporations, or political subdivisions or representatives thereof, programs and services for persons with mental illness, including treatment for alcoholics, and promulgating and administering of programs to combat drug abuse and programs for services for persons with an intellectual disability.

(l) To borrow money from private lending institutions in order to promote any of the foregoing purposes. A commission may pledge collateral, including real estate, to secure the repayment of money borrowed under the authority of this paragraph. Any such borrowing undertaken by a commission shall be on terms and conditions that are prudent in the sound judgment of the members of the commission, and the interest on any such loan shall not exceed the amount specified in Section 75-17-105. Any money borrowed, debts incurred or other obligations undertaken by a commission, regardless of whether borrowed, incurred or undertaken before or after March 15, 1995, shall be valid, binding and enforceable if it or they are borrowed, incurred or undertaken for any purpose specified in this section and otherwise conform to the requirements of this paragraph.

(m) To acquire, own and dispose of real and personal property. Any real and personal property paid for with state and/or county appropriated funds must have the written approval of the Department of Mental Health and/or the county board of supervisors, depending on the original source of funding, before being disposed of under this paragraph.

(n) To enter into managed care contracts and make such other arrangements as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the regional commission in order to participate in any managed care program. Any such contract or arrangement affecting more than one (1) region must have prior written approval of the Department of Mental Health before being initiated and annually thereafter.

(o) To provide facilities and services on a discounted or capitated basis. Any such action when affecting more than one (1) region must have prior written approval of the Department of Mental Health before being initiated and annually thereafter.

(p) To enter into contracts, agreements or other arrangements with any person, payor, provider or other entity, under which the regional commission assumes financial risk for the provision or delivery of any services, when deemed to be necessary or appropriate by the regional commission. Any action under this paragraph affecting more than one (1) region must have prior written approval of the Department of Mental Health before being initiated and annually thereafter.

(q) To provide direct or indirect funding, grants, financial support and assistance for any health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization or other managed care entity or contractor, where such organization, entity or contractor is operated on a nonprofit basis. Any action under this paragraph affecting more than one (1) region must have prior written approval of the Department of Mental Health before being initiated and annually thereafter.

(r) To form, establish, operate, and/or be a member of or participant in, either individually or with one or more other regional commissions, any managed care entity as defined in Section 83-41-403(c). Any action under this paragraph affecting more than one (1) region must have prior written approval of the Department of Mental Health before being initiated and annually thereafter.

(s) To meet at least annually with the board of supervisors of each county in its region for the purpose of presenting its total annual budget and total mental health/intellectual disability services system. The commission shall submit an annual report on the adult mental health services, children mental health services and intellectual disability services required by the State Board of Mental Health.

(t) To provide alternative living arrangements for persons with serious mental illness, including, but not limited to, group homes for persons with chronic mental illness.

(u) To make purchases and enter into contracts for purchasing in compliance with the public purchasing law, Sections 31-7-12 and 31-7-13, with compliance with the public purchasing law subject to audit by the State Department of Audit.

(v) To ensure that all available funds are used for the benefit of persons with mental illness, persons with an intellectual disability, substance abusers and persons with developmental disabilities with maximum efficiency and minimum administrative cost. At any time a regional commission, and/or other related organization whatever it may be, accumulates surplus funds in excess of one-half ( 1/2 ) of its annual operating budget, the entity must submit a plan to the Department of Mental Health stating the capital improvements or other projects that require such surplus accumulation. If the required plan is not submitted within forty-five (45) days of the end of the applicable fiscal year, the Department of Mental Health shall withhold all state appropriated funds from such regional commission until such time as the capital improvement plan is submitted. If the submitted capital improvement plan is not accepted by the department, the surplus funds shall be expended by the regional commission in the local mental health region on group homes for persons with mental illness, persons with an intellectual disability, substance abusers, children or other mental health/intellectual disability services approved by the Department of Mental Health.

(w) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, to fingerprint and perform a criminal history record check on every employee or volunteer. Every employee or volunteer shall provide a valid current social security number and/or driver's license number that will be furnished to conduct the criminal history record check. If no disqualifying record is identified at the state level, fingerprints shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check.

(x) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, each regional commission shall have the authority to create and operate a primary care health clinic to treat (i) its patients; and (ii) its patients' family members related within the third degree; and (iii) its patients' household members or caregivers, subject to the following requirements:

(i) The regional commission may employ and compensate any personnel necessary and must satisfy applicable state and federal laws and regulations regarding the administration and operation of a primary care health clinic.

(ii) A Mississippi licensed physician must be employed or under agreement with the regional commission to provide medical direction and/or to carry out the physician responsibilities as described under applicable state and/or federal law and regulations.

(iii) The physician providing medical direction for the primary care clinic shall not be certified solely in psychiatry.

(iv) A sliding fee scale may be used by the regional commission when no other payer source is identified.

(v) The regional commission must ensure services will be available and accessible promptly and in a manner that preserves human dignity and assures continuity of care.

(vi) The regional commission must provide a semiannual report to the Chairmen of the Public Health Committees in both the House of Representatives and Senate. At a minimum, for each reporting period, these reports shall describe the number of patients provided primary care services, the types of services provided, and the payer source for the patients. Except for patient information and any other information that may be exempt from disclosure under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Mississippi Public Records Act, the reports shall be considered public records.

(vii) The regional commission must employ or contract with a core clinical staff that is multidisciplinary and culturally and linguistically competent.

(viii) The regional commission must ensure that its physician as described in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (x) has admitting privileges at one or more local hospitals or has an agreement with a physician who has admitting privileges at one or more local hospitals to ensure continuity of care.

(ix) The regional commission must provide an independent financial audit report to the State Department of Mental Health and, except for patient information and any other information that may be exempt from disclosure under HIPAA and the Mississippi Public Records Act, the audit report shall be considered a public record.

For the purposes of this paragraph (x), the term “caregiver” means an individual who has the principal and primary responsibility for caring for a child or dependent adult, especially in the home setting.

(y) In general to take any action which will promote, either directly or indirectly, any and all of the foregoing purposes.

(z) All regional commissioners shall receive new orientation training and annual training with continuing education regarding the Mississippi mental health system and services as developed by the State Department of Mental Health. Training shall be provided at the expense of the department except for travel expenses which shall be paid by the regional commission.

(aa) To establish a community mental health center to provide mental health services in its region.

(2) The types of services established by the State Department of Mental Health that must be provided by the regional mental health/intellectual disability centers for certification by the department, and the minimum levels and standards for those services established by the department, shall be provided by the regional mental health/intellectual disability centers to children when such services are appropriate for children, in the determination of the department.

(3) Each regional commission shall compile quarterly financial statements and status reports from each individual community health center. The compiled reports shall be submitted to the coordinator quarterly. The reports shall contain a:

(a) Balance sheet;

(b) Statement of operations;

(c) Statement of cash flows; and

(d) Description of the status of individual community health center's actions taken to increase access to and availability of community mental health services.

(4)(a) The community mental health center shall submit a written quarterly report to the board of supervisors of each county in its region. The report shall include the following information for the prior quarter:

(i) The number of occupancy percentages reported by the crisis stabilization unit in the region;

(ii) The number of individuals held in jail after the commitment process has been initiated and the number of individuals the community mental health center provided treatment to while they were in jail, as required by Section 41-21-67;

(iii) The number of pre-affidavit screenings conducted;

(iv) The number of individuals diverted to a lesser restrictive alternative from commitment;

(v) The number of crisis stabilization unit denials and the reason for denial;

(vi) Summary report of Medicaid claims, including denials; and

(vii) Cash balance as of the date of the end of the quarter.

(b) The community mental health center shall provide the Department of Mental Health, local sheriffs and chancery court judges with a copy of the community mental health center's report each quarter.

§ 41-19-35

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the board of supervisors of each participating county in the program shall appoint one (1) member to represent its county on the regional commission in its respective region for a term of four (4) years who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing board of supervisors, who may be a clerk, sheriff or deputy. In addition, the chancery clerks of the counties in each region shall select a chancery clerk or a deputy clerk to serve as a nonvoting liaison to the commission, and the sheriffs of the counties in each region shall select a sheriff or a deputy sheriff to serve as a nonvoting liaison to the commission. Any compensation of such members shall be paid by the regional commission, in its discretion, from any funds available. Each member of the commission shall attend the orientation training for new commissioners and the annual training for all commissioners held by the Department of Mental Health. The Department of Mental Health shall notify the board of supervisors when a commissioner does not attend either the orientation training or annual training. Upon notice from the Department of Mental Health that a commissioner has failed to attend the required meetings, the appointing board of supervisors shall remove the commissioner, unless the department and the commission agree to an alternate arrangement to allow the commissioner to continue to serve until the next opportunity to attend the orientation meeting and/or the annual training.

§ 41-19-37

The location of any mental illness and intellectual disability facilities or services in any of the regions shall be determined by the regional commission. However, such location and such services shall not conflict with the state plan for services or facilities developed by the Department of Mental Health.

§ 41-19-38

Any regional mental health or intellectual disability commission established according to the provisions of Section 41-19-31 et seq. shall not construct or operate any facility in an area in violation of any local zoning ordinances or regulations.

§ 41-19-39

After a plan for mental illness and intellectual disability facilities or services has been submitted by any regional commission and approved by the Department of Mental Health, the regional commission may request the boards of supervisors of the various counties in the region to levy a special tax for the construction, operation and maintenance of those mental illness and intellectual disability facilities or services in such region. The boards of supervisors of the counties desiring to participate in the program in each region are authorized to use any available funds and, if necessary, to levy a special tax, not to exceed two (2) mills, for the construction, operation and maintenance of the mental illness and intellectual disability facilities or services provided for and authorized in Sections 41-19-31 through 41-19-39.

The governing authority of any municipality in the region may, upon resolution spread upon its minutes, make a voluntary contribution for the construction, operation or maintenance of the mental illness and intellectual disability facilities in the region in which the municipality lies.

In addition to the purposes for which the county tax levies and municipal contributions may be used as authorized under this section, the county tax levies and municipal contributions may also be used for repayment of any loans from private lending institutions made by the commission under the authority of Section 41-19-33(l).

§ 41-19-41

Any regional mental health or intellectual disability facility or service established and operated according to the provisions set forth in Sections 41-19-31 through 41-19-39, is eligible to admit and treat patients committed by either the chancellors or chancery clerks in the same manner as is provided by the laws of Mississippi for commitment to the state mental institutions.

§ 41-19-43

Whenever it is necessary to commit and transport any eligible patient to a regional mental health or intellectual disability facility for treatment or care, the chancery clerk and sheriff shall be entitled to expenses as provided for by the laws of Mississippi for commitment and transportation to state mental institutions and transportation in the county or outside of the county to a community mental health center or other appropriate facility.

§ 41-19-45

(1) After making expenditures of at least Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) each year to provide funding for county and municipal law enforcement training and court liaisons as authorized by this section, the Department of Mental Health is authorized to expend any additional funds to provide grants to community mental health centers for the purpose of increasing housing for patients. A community mental health center may apply to the Department of Mental Health for a grant to pay for the cost of patient housing. A community mental health center desiring assistance under this section must submit an application to the Department of Mental Health. The application must include any information required by the Department.

(2) The Department of Mental Health shall have all powers necessary to implement and administer the program established under this section, and the department shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, necessary for the implementation of this section.

§ 41-19-91

(1) Any board of supervisors, mayor and board of selectmen of any city in which Mississippi State Highway No. 50 and United States Highway No. 45 Alternate intersect, are authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to contribute a sum not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) each to a nonprofit corporation, the purpose of which is to develop and operate programs for children with an intellectual disability. The contribution may be made from the general fund of such county and/or city wherein funds may be available.

(2) To acquire the funds in which to make such contribution, the board of supervisors of such county and/or mayor and board of selectmen of such city are authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to set aside, appropriate and expend monies from the general fund.

§ 41-19-103

The Ellisville State School established by Chapter 210, Laws of Mississippi 1920, is recognized as now existing and shall hereafter be known under the name of Ellisville State School for the care and treatment of persons with an intellectual disability. The school shall have the power to receive and hold property, real, personal and mixed, as a body corporate. The school shall be under the direction and control of the State Board of Mental Health.

§ 41-19-108

With funds provided by the Legislature, by direct appropriation or authorized bond issue, with federal matching funds, or with any other available funds, the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management may construct and equip the necessary residential and service buildings and other facilities to care for the residents of Ellisville State School. The general design of the school and all construction plans shall be approved and recommended by the State Department of Mental Health.

§ 41-19-112

Ellisville State School shall be administered by the State Board of Mental Health. Provisions relating to the admission and care of residents at the school shall be promulgated by the board.

§ 41-19-114

Persons admitted to Ellisville State School shall be assessed support and maintenance costs in accordance with the provisions of the state reimbursement laws as they apply to other state institutions.

§ 41-19-116

Any person who (a) knowingly and unlawfully or improperly causes a person to be adjudged to be a person with an intellectual disability, (b) procures the escape of a legally committed resident or knowingly conceals an escaped legally committed resident of Ellisville State School, or (c) unlawfully brings any firearm, deadly weapon or explosive into the school or its grounds, or passes any thereof to a resident, employee or officer of the school, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00), nor more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), imprisonment for not less than six (6) months, or both.

§ 41-19-118

Ellisville State School is designated as a state agency for carrying out the purposes of any act of the Congress of the United States, now existing or at any time hereafter enacted, pertaining to intellectual disabilities.

§ 41-19-121

The director of Ellisville State School may receive free lodging in his institution for himself and his family, but not free board, nor free supplies from the school.

§ 41-19-141

The purpose of Sections 41-19-141 through 41-19-157 is to create, construct, equip and maintain a center to be located in South Mississippi for the care and treatment of persons with an intellectual disability, which shall be known as the South Mississippi Regional Center.

§ 41-19-143

The center shall be located on a site selected by the Board of Trustees of Mental Institutions and approved by the Mississippi State Building Commission. The center, however, shall be located as near as possible to an urban area or institution having adequate medical and hospital facilities and shall embrace sufficient land for such agricultural activities as the board may deem necessary for the operation of the institution.

Out of funds provided therefor by the Legislature or from any sources, the state building commission is hereby authorized to purchase or acquire the necessary land for the location of the center, or it may also acquire the land by gift, deed, transfer, or other legitimate means, or the center may be located on land belonging to the state or one of its political subdivisions; however, any such land selected shall be transferred or deeded to the State of Mississippi for the sole use of the Board of Trustees of Mental Institutions in carrying out the provisions of Sections 41-19-141 through 41-19-157.

§ 41-19-145

With funds provided by the legislature, by direct appropriation or authorized bond issue, with federal matching funds, or any other available funds, the Mississippi State Building Commission is hereby authorized to construct and equip the necessary residential and service buildings and other facilities to care for approximately five hundred (500) residents. The general design of the center and all construction plans shall be approved and recommended by the board of trustees of mental institutions.

§ 41-19-147

The center shall be administered by the board of trustees of mental institutions, as provided for in Sections 41-5-31 through 41-5-55, inclusive, and all subsequent laws enacted which define the powers and authority of the board. Provisions relating to the admission and care of residents and patients provided for hereinafter shall apply to all institutions for persons with an intellectual disability administered by the board, unless they are in conflict with the provisions of the above-mentioned laws.

§ 41-19-153

Persons admitted to the center shall be assessed support and maintenance costs in accordance with the provisions of the state reimbursement laws as they apply to other state institutions.

§ 41-19-155

Any person who: (1) under the provisions of Sections 41-19-141 through 41-19-157 knowingly and unlawfully or improperly causes a person to be adjudged to be a person with an intellectual disability; (2) procures the escape of a legally committed resident or knowingly conceals an escaped legally committed resident of the center; or (3) unlawfully brings any firearm, deadly weapon or explosive into the center or its grounds or passes any thereof to a resident, employee or officer of the center is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both.

§ 41-19-157

The South Mississippi Regional Center is designated as a state agency for carrying out the purposes of any act of the Congress of the United States of America now existing or at any time hereafter enacted pertaining to intellectual disabilities.

§ 41-19-201

The purpose of Sections 41-19-201 through 41-19-213 is to create, construct, equip and maintain a center located in Central Mississippi for the care and treatment of persons with an intellectual disability, which shall be known as the Boswell Regional Center.Sections 41-19-201 through 41-19-213 shall not supersede Section 41-5-44, but shall be supplemental to that section.

§ 41-19-203

The center shall be located on the site of the Tuberculosis Sanatorium of Mississippi.

With funds provided by the Legislature, by direct appropriation or authorized bond issue, with federal matching funds, or with any other available funds, the state building commission is authorized to construct and equip the necessary residential and service buildings and other facilities for the care and treatment of persons with an intellectual disability. The general design of the center and all construction plans shall be approved and recommended by the State Board of Mental Health.

The center shall be administered by the State Board of Mental Health.

§ 41-19-205

A person may be deemed eligible for admission to the center if:

(a) His parents or guardian or person in loco parentis has resided in the state not less than one (1) year prior to the date of admission; and

(b) He is at least five (5) years of age and has such an intellectual disability that he is incapable of managing himself or his affairs, or he has an intellectual disability to the extent that special care, training and education provided at the center will enable him to better function in society; or

(c) He is committed to the center by the chancery court in the manner hereinafter provided; or

(d) He is under five (5) years of age and is approved for admission by the board of mental health, upon the recommendation of the director, because of having an exceptional handicap.

§ 41-19-207

Admission of an eligible person to the center shall be as follows:

(a) The parents or guardian or person in loco parentis of any person thought to have an intellectual disability may file an application for admission to the center. Such application shall be made on an official form approved or furnished by the center. Within ten (10) days after the admission of the person to the center, the director shall have him examined by a qualified physician or psychologist or both. If he is found not to have an intellectual disability, the parents, guardian or person in loco parentis shall be required to take him from the center. The results of the examination shall be entered upon the person's record if he is found to have an intellectual disability and eligible to remain at the center.

(b) If any person with an intellectual disability is afflicted to the extent that he needs care, supervision or control, or to the extent that he is likely to become dangerous or a menace if left at large, any relative or any citizen of the State of Mississippi may make affidavit of such fact and shall file such affidavit with the clerk of the chancery court of the county of such person's residence or with the clerk of the chancery court of any county in which such person might be found. When such affidavit is received by the chancery clerk, he shall follow the same procedure for commitment to the center as is provided for in state law for the commitment of persons to the state mental hospitals.

(c) Persons with an intellectual disability may be admitted to the center by the director for a time sufficient for diagnosis, evaluation and training without formal commitment, provided such person is referred by another state agency or department. In such cases the person so admitted shall be subject to all regulations governing the center for such time as he remains.

(d) The final determination of admission to the center shall be the decision of the director of the center.

§ 41-19-209

Persons admitted to the center shall be assessed support and maintenance costs in accordance with the provisions of the state reimbursement laws as they apply to other state institutions.

§ 41-19-211

Any person who (a) under the provisions of Section 41-19-207, knowingly and unlawfully or improperly causes a person to be adjudged to be a person with an intellectual disability, (b) procures the escape of a legally committed resident or knowingly conceals an escaped legally committed resident of the center, or (c) unlawfully brings any firearm, deadly weapon or explosive into the center or its grounds, or passes any thereof to a resident, employee or officer of the center, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), imprisonment for not less than six (6) months nor more than one (1) year, or both.

§ 41-19-213

The Boswell Regional Center is designated as a state agency for carrying out the purposes of any act of the Congress of the United States of America now existing or at any time hereafter enacted pertaining to intellectual disabilities.

§ 41-19-231

The purpose of Sections 41-19-231 through 41-19-245 is to create, construct, equip and maintain a center located in Central Mississippi for the care and treatment of persons with an intellectual disability, which shall be known as the Hudspeth Regional Center.

§ 41-19-233

The center shall be located on the site of the Mississippi State Hospital previously known as the Whitfield Annex.

§ 41-19-235

With funds provided by the Legislature, by direct appropriation or authorized bond issue, with federal matching funds, or with any other available funds, the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to construct and equip the necessary residential and service buildings and other facilities for the care and treatment of persons with an intellectual disability. The general design of the center and all construction plans shall be approved and recommended by the State Board of Mental Health.

The center shall be administered by the State Board of Mental Health.

§ 41-19-237

A person may be deemed eligible for admission to the center if:

(a) His parents or guardian or person in loco parentis has resided in the state not less than one (1) year before the date of admission; and

(b) He is at least five (5) years of age and has such an intellectual disability that he is incapable of managing himself or his affairs, or he has an intellectual disability to the extent that special care, training and education provided at the center will enable him to better function in society; or

(c) He is committed to the center by the chancery court in the manner hereinafter provided; or

(d) He is under five (5) years of age and is approved for admission by the Board of Mental Health, upon the recommendation of the director, because of having an exceptional handicap.

§ 41-19-239

Admission of eligible persons to the center shall be as follows:

(a) The parents or guardian or person in loco parentis of any person thought to have an intellectual disability may file an application for admission to the center. Such application shall be made on an official form approved or furnished by the center. Within ten (10) days after the admission of the person to the center, the director shall have him examined by a qualified physician or psychologist or both. If he is found not to have an intellectual disability, the parents, guardian or person in loco parentis shall be required to take him from the center. The results of the examination shall be entered upon the person's record if he is found to have an intellectual disability and eligible to remain at the center.

(b) If any person with an intellectual disability is afflicted to the extent that he needs care, supervision or control, or to the extent that he is likely to become dangerous or a menace if left at large, any relative or any citizen of the State of Mississippi may make affidavit of such fact and shall file such affidavit with the clerk of the chancery court of the county of such person's residence or with the clerk of the chancery court of any county in which such person might be found. When such affidavit is received by the chancery clerk, he shall follow the same procedure for commitment to the center as is provided for in state law for the commitment of persons to the state mental hospitals.

(c) Persons with an intellectual disability may be admitted to the center by the director for a time sufficient for diagnosis, evaluation and training without formal commitment, provided such person is referred by another state agency or department. In such cases the person so admitted shall be subject to all regulations governing the center for such time as he remains.

(d) The final determination of admission to the center shall be the decision of the director of the center.

§ 41-19-241

Persons admitted to the center shall be assessed support and maintenance costs in accordance with the provisions of the state reimbursement laws as they apply to other state institutions.

§ 41-19-243

Any person who (a) under the provisions of Section 41-19-237, knowingly and unlawfully or improperly causes a person to be adjudged to be a person with an intellectual disability, (b) procures the escape of a legally committed resident or knowingly conceals an escaped legally committed resident of the center, or (c) unlawfully brings any firearm, deadly weapon or explosive into the center or its grounds, or passes any thereof to a resident, employee or officer of the center, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), imprisonment for not less than six (6) months nor more than one (1) year, or both.

§ 41-19-245

The Hudspeth Regional Center is designated as a state agency for carrying out the purposes of any act of the Congress of the United States of America now existing or at any time hereafter enacted pertaining to intellectual disabilities.

§ 41-19-251

The purpose of Sections 41-19-251 et seq. is to create, construct, equip, and maintain two (2) facilities for the acute care treatment of persons with mental illness who have been committed by the chancery court pursuant to Section 41-21-61 et seq., which shall be known as the North Mississippi State Hospital and South Mississippi State Hospital. The South Mississippi State Hospital shall not be constructed or established until such time as sufficient funds have been appropriated or otherwise made available for that purpose by the Legislature.

§ 41-19-253

The facilities shall be located on sites selected by the State Board of Mental Health and approved by the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration. One (1) facility shall be located in the northern half of the state near an urban area or institution having adequate medical and hospital facilities, and one (1) facility shall be located in the southern half of the state near an urban area or institution having adequate medical and hospital facilities.

§ 41-19-255

(1) Out of funds provided therefor by the Legislature or from any other sources, the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to purchase or acquire the necessary land for the location of the facilities; or the Department of Finance and Administration may acquire the land by gift, deed, transfer or other legitimate means; or the facilities may be located on land belonging to the state or one of its political subdivisions. However, any such land selected shall be transferred or deeded to the State of Mississippi for the sole use of the State Board of Mental Health in carrying out the provisions of Sections 41-19-251 et seq. The general design of the facilities and all construction plans shall be approved and recommended by the State Department of Mental Health.

(2) The facilities shall be administered by the State Board of Mental Health.

§ 41-19-257

Persons who have attained the age of eighteen (18) years, who have been determined to be a mentally ill person as defined in Section 41-21-61 and who have been committed for treatment by the chancery court pursuant to Section 41-21-61 et seq. shall be eligible for acute treatment at the facilities.

§ 41-19-259

Persons admitted to the facilities shall be assessed support and maintenance costs in accordance with the provisions of the state reimbursement laws as they apply to other state institutions.

§ 41-19-261

Any person who (a) under the provisions of Sections 41-19-251 et seq. knowingly and unlawfully or improperly causes a person to be adjudged mentally ill, (b) procures the escape of a legally committed patient or knowingly conceals an escaped legally committed resident of the facility, or (c) unlawfully brings any firearm, deadly weapon or explosive into the facility or its grounds, or passes any thereof to patient, employee or officer of the facility, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), imprisonment for not less than six (6) months nor more than one (1) year, or both.

§ 41-19-263

The North Mississippi State Hospital and the South Mississippi State Hospital are designated as state agencies for carrying out the purposes of any act of the Congress of the United States of America existing on July 1, 1995, or enacted at any time after July 1, 1995, that pertains to mental illness.

§ 41-19-271

The purpose of Sections 41-19-271 through 41-19-281 is to create, equip, and maintain a residential facility for adults with chronic mental illness which shall be known as the Central Mississippi Residential Center.

§ 41-19-273

The center shall be located at the old Clarke College property in the City of Newton, and it shall be administered by the State Board of Mental Health.

§ 41-19-275

The center shall serve persons who have attained the age of twenty-one (21) years with chronic mental illness who would benefit from a structured living environment.

§ 41-19-277

Persons admitted to the center shall be assessed support and maintenance costs in accordance with the provisions of the state reimbursement laws as they apply to other state facilities.

§ 41-19-279

Any person who knowingly brings any firearm, deadly weapon or explosive into the center or its grounds, or passes any thereof to a resident, employee or officer of the center, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), imprisonment for not less than six (6) months nor more than one (1) year, or both.

§ 41-19-281

The center is designated as a state agency for carrying out the purposes of any act of the Congress of the United States of America existing on July 1, 1998, or enacted at any time after July 1, 1998, that pertains to mental illness.

§ 41-19-291

(1) The Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed, located in Harrison County, Mississippi, is recognized as now existing and shall be for the care and treatment of persons with mental illness. The facility shall have the power to receive and hold property, real, personal, and mixed, as a body corporate. The facility shall be under the direction and control of the State Board of Mental Health.

(2) Admissions shall be limited to mentally or emotionally disturbed adolescents who have been committed to the facility by a youth court judge or chancellor as provided in Section 41-21-109, or who are voluntarily admitted to the facility.

(3) With funds provided by the Legislature, by direct appropriation or authorized bond issue, with federal matching funds, or with any other available funds, the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management may construct and equip the necessary residential and service buildings and other facilities to care for the residents of the Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed. The general design of the facility and all construction plans shall be approved and recommended by the State Department of Mental Health.

(4) The Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed shall be administered by the State Board of Mental Health. Provisions relating to the admission and care of residents at the facility shall be promulgated by the board.

(5) The Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed is authorized to establish and operate a school to meet the educational needs of its patients.

(6) Persons admitted to the Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed shall be assessed support and maintenance costs in accordance with the provisions of the state reimbursement laws as they apply to other state institutions.

(7) Any person who (a) knowingly and unlawfully or improperly causes a person to be adjudged mentally ill, (b) procures the escape of a legally committed patient or knowingly conceals an escaped legally committed patient of the facility or (c) unlawfully brings any firearm, deadly weapon or explosive into the facility or its grounds, or passes any thereof to a resident, employee or officer of the school, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00), or more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), imprisonment for not less than six (6) months, or both.

(8) The Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed is designated as a state agency for carrying out the purposes of any act of the Congress of the United States, now existing or at any time hereafter enacted, pertaining to mental illness.

(9) If no funding for the Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed is provided by state appropriation, the Department of Mental Health may lease the facility to carry out the purposes of the facility as provided in this section and Section 41-21-109. Before the facility may be leased, the department, in conjunction with the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management of the Department of Finance and Administration, shall publicly issue requests for proposals, advertised in the same manner as provided in Section 31-7-13 for seeking competitive sealed bids. The requests for proposals shall contain terms and conditions relating to submission of proposals, evaluation and selection of proposals, financial terms, legal responsibilities, and any other matters as the department and bureau determine to be appropriate for inclusion. Upon receiving responses to the request for proposals, the department and bureau shall select the most qualified proposal or proposals on the basis of experience and qualifications of the proposers, the technical approach, the financial arrangements, the best value and overall benefits to the state, and any other relevant factors determined to be appropriate, and from those proposals, shall negotiate and enter a contract or contracts for the lease of the facility with one or more of the persons or firms submitting proposals. However, if the department and bureau deem none of the proposals to be qualified or otherwise acceptable, the request for proposals process may be reinitiated.

(10) If the Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed is leased under subsection (9) of this section, the lessee of the facility must give first priority in hiring employees for the facility to the current employees at the facility. This condition must be included as one (1) of the specifications in the request for proposals for leasing the facility.

§ 41-19-301

(1) The Mississippi Adolescent Center located in Brookhaven, Mississippi, is recognized as now existing and shall be for the care and treatment of persons with an intellectual disability. The facility shall have the power to receive and hold property, real, personal and mixed, as a body corporate. The facility shall be under the direction and control of the State Board of Mental Health.

(2) Admissions shall be limited to adolescents with an intellectual disability who have been committed to the center by a youth court judge or chancellor in accordance with Section 41-21-109, or who are voluntarily admitted to the center.

(3) The Mississippi Adolescent Center is authorized to establish and operate a school to meet the educational needs of its clients.

(4) With funds provided by the Legislature, by direct appropriation or authorized bond issue, with federal matching funds, or with any other available funds, the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management may construct and equip the necessary residential and service buildings and other facilities to care for the residents of the Mississippi Adolescent Center. The general design of the facility and all construction plans shall be approved and recommended by the State Department of Mental Health.

(5) The Mississippi Adolescent Center shall be administered by the State Board of Mental Health. Provisions relating to the admission and care of residents at the facility shall be promulgated by the board.

(6) Persons admitted to the Mississippi Adolescent Center shall be assessed support and maintenance costs in accordance with the provisions of the state reimbursement laws as they apply to other state institutions.

(7) Any person who (a) knowingly and unlawfully or improperly causes a person to be adjudged to be a person with an intellectual disability, (b) procures the escape of a legally committed resident or knowingly conceals an escaped legally committed resident of the facility, or (c) unlawfully brings any firearm, deadly weapon or explosive into the facility or its grounds, or passes any thereof to a resident, employee or officer of the school, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00), or more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), imprisonment for not less than six (6) months, or both.

(8) The Mississippi Adolescent Center is designated as a state agency for carrying out the purposes of any act of the Congress of the United States, now existing or at any time hereafter enacted, pertaining to intellectual disabilities.

Chapter 20 Mental and Behavioral Health Services Accessibility

§ 41-20-1

As used in sections 41-20-1 through 41-20-11, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(a) “Community mental health center” means a facility authorized under Section 41-19-33.

(b) “Mental health services” includes all services offered by the mental health system in Mississippi, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Community mental health services, including:

1. Programs of assertive community treatment;

2. Mobile crisis response services;

3. Crisis stabilization units;

4. Community support services;

5. Peer support services;

6. Supported employment; and

7. Permanent supported housing; and

(ii) Institutional mental health services, which are services that encompass civil commitment or hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital;

(iii) Mental health services provided in facilities authorized in Title 47, Mississippi Code of 1972;

(iv) Core adult mental health services;

(v) Child mental health services;

(vi) Intellectual/developmental disability services;

(vii) Substance abuse prevention and treatment/rehabilitation services; and

(viii) Any combination of the services defined in this paragraph (b).

(c) “Mental health system” means the facilities, institutions, centers, entities, persons and providers that provide mental health services in Mississippi.

(d) “Regional commission” means a commission established in Section 41-19-33.

§ 41-20-3

(1) There is created within the Department of Finance and Administration a position to be known as the Coordinator of Mental Health Accessibility. The coordinator shall be appointed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration and shall serve at the will and pleasure of the executive director. The executive director shall appoint the coordinator within thirty (30) days from July 8, 2020.

(2) The coordinator must have a master's degree, doctoral degree or juris doctorate from an accredited institution of higher learning and have not less than five (5) years of professional experience.

(3) The coordinator shall be housed at the Department of Finance and Administration. All of the expenses of the coordinator, including the coordinator's salary and the salaries of any staff of the coordinator, shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the Department of Finance and Administration.

§ 41-20-5

The coordinator shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To perform a comprehensive review of Mississippi's mental health system to determine whether mental health services, including community mental health services, are offered in each county and available to the entire population of each county, especially to those with serious and persistent mental illness.

(b) To analyze and review the structure of the mental health system.

(c) To review the adequacy and quality of the individualized supports and services provided to persons discharged from the state hospitals or to persons at risk of institutionalization throughout the state.

(d) To review the quarterly financial statements and status reports of the individual community mental health centers described in Section 41-19-33(3)(b).

(e) To consult with the Special Master appointed in the United States of America v. State of Mississippi, No. 3:16-CV-622-CWR-FKB (S.D. Miss. Feb. 25, 2020) or any monitor or other person appointed by the court, the State Department of Mental Health, the Division of Medicaid, the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, the State Department of Health, county boards of supervisors, regional commissions, community mental health centers, mental health advocates, community leaders and any other necessary parties or entities, both private and governmental, regarding the status of the services offered by Mississippi's mental health system.

(f) To determine where in any county, or geographic area within a county, the delivery or availability of mental health services are inadequate.

(g) To determine whether each community mental health center has sufficient funds to provide the required mental health services.

(h) To report on the status of the mental health system quarterly to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, the State Department of Mental Health, the regional commissions, the Division of Medicaid, the State Department of Rehabilitative Services, the State Department of Health, the Department of Finance and Administration, the PEER Committee and the Legislative Budget Office. The coordinator shall deliver the quarterly status report to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House, who shall disseminate the report to the appropriate members.

(i) In addition to the quarterly report required by paragraph (h), to provide the PEER Committee each quarter with a financial report, assessment and review of each community mental health region and the services provided by the region, together with findings by the coordinator on other relevant matters relating to the region. The State Department of Mental Health and the regional commissions shall cooperate with the PEER Committee in its assessment and review of the community mental health regions and shall provide the committee with all necessary information and documentation as requested by the committee.

§ 41-20-7

In fulfilling the responsibilities of sections 41-20-1 through 41-20-11, the coordinator may, subject to federal law:

(a) Hire staff needed for the performance of his or her duties under sections 41-20-1 through 41-20-11, subject to the approval of the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration and provided that funds are specifically appropriated for that purpose.

(b) Enter any part of the mental health system, including any facility or building used to provide mental health services.

(c) Interview, on a confidential basis or otherwise, persons and employees in the mental health system.

(d) Access services, documents, records, programs and materials as necessary to assess the status of the mental health system.

(e) Recommend changes to any portion of the mental health system either in the coordinator's status reports or to the board(s) of supervisors or regional commissions or to the State Department of Mental Health or as otherwise determined to be necessary by the coordinator.

(f) Develop and implement a plan to provide access to mental health services in any county or geographic area within a county, where services are determined to be inadequate, if required by Section 41-20-9.

(g) Communicate with any governmental entity as is necessary to fulfill the coordinator's duties under sections 41-20-1 through 41-20-11.

(h) Perform any other actions as the coordinator deems necessary to fulfill the coordinator's duties under sections 41-20-1 through 41-20-11.

§ 41-20-9

(1) When the coordinator determines that a county or a geographic area within a county offers inadequate mental health services, the coordinator shall inform the board(s) of supervisors and the regional commission of the geographic areas where the services are inadequate.

(2) When the coordinator determines services are inadequate, the coordinator shall determine if there is a plan in place or a plan being developed to increase access to mental health services in that county or the geographic area within the county where mental health services are inadequate and shall assess the viability of the plan, including its sufficiency to address the inadequacy of the available mental health services.

(3) If there is no plan in place or being developed, the coordinator may allow the county board of supervisors or the regional commission a reasonable time to develop and implement a plan.

(4) If the coordinator determines that the plan is or will be insufficient to provide mental health services to the population of the county or the geographic area within the county where the services are inadequate, the coordinator shall develop and implement a plan to facilitate increased access to mental health services in the county or geographic area by:

(a) First meeting with the board of supervisors of the county in which the mental health services are inadequate and the regional commission in which the county is located to explain in detail the possible consequences of the failure of the county and commission to address the inadequacy of the available mental health services in the county or the geographic area within the county, which shall include putting the regional commission on probation and ultimately decertifying the commission. Then the coordinator shall work with one or more of the regional commissions that are adjacent to the county or the geographic area within the county where the mental health services are inadequate to determine if one of those regional commissions is willing to provide those services in the county or geographic area, and if a regional commission is willing to do so, the coordinator shall take all necessary steps to facilitate the transfer of the responsibility of providing those services to that regional commission; or

(b) If no regional commission adjacent to the county or the geographic area within the county where the mental health services are inadequate is willing to provide those services in the county or geographic area, then working with one or more of the regional commissions that are not adjacent to the county or geographic area to determine if one of those regional commissions is willing to provide those services in the county or geographic area.

(5) If the coordinator determines that no regional commission in the state is willing to provide the necessary mental health services in the county or the geographic area within the county where the services are inadequate, the coordinator shall notify the State Board of Mental Health. Within a reasonable time after receiving such notice from the coordinator, the board shall issue a request for proposals to obtain public or private providers of mental health services to provide the necessary mental health services in the county or the geographic area within the county where the services are inadequate. The request for proposals process followed by the board to obtain those services shall not be subject to the rules, regulations or approval of the Public Procurement Review Board.

§ 41-20-11

The State Department of Mental Health, the regional commissions, the Division of Medicaid, the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, the State Department of Health, the PEER Committee, and the Legislative Budget Office shall cooperate with the coordinator under sections 41-20-1 through 41-20-11 and shall allow the coordinator or his or her staff to, as it relates to the performing of his or her duties:

(a) Enter any part of the mental health system, including any facility or building used to provide mental health services;

(b) Interview any person employed by or receiving services from the respective entity; and

(c) Access services, documents, records, programs and materials as necessary to assess the status of the mental health system.

§ 41-20-51

For the purposes of Sections 41-20-51 and 41-20-53, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings as defined in this section, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “National Suicide Prevention Lifeline” or “NSPL” means the national program that operates the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system;

(b) “9-8-8” means the universal telephone number for the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system;

(c) “9-8-8 crisis hotline center” means a state identified and funded center participating in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network to respond to statewide or regional 9-8-8 calls;

(d) “SAMHSA” means the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration;

(e) “Mobile crisis response teams” include behavioral health professionals and peers that provide professional onsite community-based intervention such as de-escalation, stabilization, etc., for individuals who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

§ 41-20-53

It is the intent of the Legislature to:

(a) Save lives by improving access to appropriate services and supports to respond to behavioral health crises;

(b) Comply with the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 and the Federal Communication Commission's rules adopted on July 16, 2020, to assure that all Mississippians receive a consistent level of 9-8-8 and crisis behavioral health services no matter where they live, work or travel in the state;

(c) Authorize the State Department of Mental Health to designate 9-8-8 crisis hotline center(s) that shall:

(i) Have an active agreement with the administrator of the NSPL for participation within the network;

(ii) Meet NSPL requirements and best practices guidelines for operational and clinical standards;

(iii) Report and participate in evaluations and related quality improvement activities;

(iv) Use technology, including chat and text, that is interoperable across emergency response systems used throughout Mississippi;

(v) Deploy crisis and outgoing services, including mobile crisis response teams, and coordinate access to crisis receiving and stabilization services and other local resources as appropriate and according to guidelines and best practices established by the NSPL;

(vi) Meet the requirements set forth by NSPL for serving high-risk and specialized populations as identified by SAMHSA, including training requirements and policies for transferring hotline callers to an appropriate specialized center or subnetworks within, or external to, the NSPL network;

(vii) Provide follow-up services to individuals accessing the 9-8-8 hotline consistent with guidance and policies established by the NSPL; and

(viii) Provide to the State Department of Mental Health and SAMHSA, as required, an annual report of the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline's usage and the services provided;

(d) Appropriate the funds needed for the first year of 9-8-8 implementation and to make additional investments to enhance the crisis response system; and

(e) Maintain access to a statewide crisis system of care that is interconnected, effective and ensures a culturally and linguistically competent response to behavioral health crises.

Chapter 21 Individuals with Mental Illness or an Intellectual Disability

§ 41-21-35

The rule as to the legal settlement of paupers shall apply in cases of persons with mental illness and persons with an intellectual disability.

§ 41-21-51

(1) For purposes of this section, “Mississippi State Asylum Records” shall mean a collection of individual patient records, in the possession of the Mississippi State Hospital, including, but not limited to, paper charts and digital copies of paper documents, that record patient care at the Mississippi State Asylum from 1855 to 1935.

(2) For the purpose of this section, “Descendant” shall mean the closest living relative of a patient at the Mississippi State Asylum.

(3) The Mississippi State Asylum Records in the possession of the Mississippi State Hospital shall be permanently transferred to the Rowland Medical Library at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

(4) The University of Mississippi Medical Center shall establish the Asylum Hill Oversight Committee to govern the access, use and disclosure of the Mississippi State Asylum Records. The following standards and practices shall be followed by the Asylum Hill Oversight Committee:

(a) Curation and storage. The Mississippi State Asylum Records shall be curated and stored using standard practices and procedures based on the standards set forth by the Society of American Archivists.

(b) Descendants' access to records. The Asylum Hill Oversight Committee shall make reasonable efforts to identify and notify descendants of patients treated at the Mississippi State Asylum. Descendants of patients treated at the Mississippi State Asylum have the right to access specific patient records. Descendant request for records will be limited to the closest living relative of the patient of which the requestor must attest, by affidavit, that they are the closest living relative. The University of Mississippi Medical Center and its officers and employees shall be immune from any action or suit that arises from their reliance upon the affidavit of a descendant that states the affiant is the closest living relative of the decedent.

(c) HIPAA. Records of patients with a documented death date less than fifty (50) years from the date of the records request constitute Protected Health Information and shall be subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Patients born before 1873 shall be presumed to have been deceased for fifty (50) years.

(5) The Asylum Hill Oversight Committee shall establish procedures by which a descendant of a patient treated at the Mississippi State Asylum may opt out of any disclosure of such records. When a descendent of a patient opts out, such records shall be considered confidential and shall not be disclosed for any purpose. A descendant of a patient who was the subject of specific Mississippi State Asylum Records may consent to the University of Mississippi Medical Center using such records in a more specific manner, including disclosing specific identification designations, but no such disclosure shall be allowed without specific authorization.

(6) Mississippi State Asylum Records relating to any person who has not been deceased for at least fifty (50) years shall not be exempt from the provisions of Sections 41-30-33, 41-21-97 and 13-1-21. All information, data and research regarding patients shall be anonymized. Mississippi State Asylum Records relating to any person who has not been deceased for at least fifty (50) years shall constitute Protected Health Information and shall be subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

(7) The Mississippi State Asylum Records shall be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.

§ 41-21-61

As used in Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms defined have the meanings ascribed to them:

(a) “Appointed examiner” means a person appointed by the court under Section 41-21-67(2) to conduct a mental and physical examination of a person alleged to be in need of treatment.

(b) “Chancellor” means a chancellor or a special master in chancery.

(c) “Clerk” means the clerk of the chancery court.

(d) “Director” means the chief administrative officer of a treatment facility or other employee designated by him as his deputy.

(e) “Interested person” means an adult, including, but not limited to, a public official, and the legal guardian, spouse, parent, legal counsel, adult child, next of kin, or other person designated by a proposed patient.

(f) “Person with mental illness” means any person who has a substantial psychiatric disorder of thought, mood, perception, orientation, or memory which grossly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality, or to reason or understand, which (i) is manifested by instances of grossly disturbed behavior or faulty perceptions; and (ii) poses a substantial likelihood of physical harm to himself or others as demonstrated by (A) a recent attempt or threat to physically harm himself or others, or (B) a failure to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter or medical care for himself, as a result of the impairment. “Person with mental illness” includes a person who, based on treatment history and other applicable psychiatric indicia, is in need of treatment in order to prevent further disability or deterioration which would predictably result in dangerousness to himself or others when his current mental illness limits or negates his ability to make an informed decision to seek or comply with recommended treatment. “Person with mental illness” does not include a person having only one or more of the following conditions: (1) epilepsy, (2) an intellectual disability, (3) brief periods of intoxication caused by alcohol or drugs, (4) dependence upon or addiction to any alcohol or drugs, or (5) senile dementia.

(g) “Person with an intellectual disability” means any person (i) who has been diagnosed as having substantial limitations in present functioning, manifested before age eighteen (18), characterized by significantly subaverage intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with related limitations in two (2) or more of the following applicable adaptive skill areas: communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure and work, and (ii) whose recent conduct is a result of having an intellectual disability and poses a substantial likelihood of physical harm to himself or others in that there has been (A) a recent attempt or threat to physically harm himself or others, or (B) a failure and inability to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter, safety or medical care for himself.

(h) “Physician” means any person licensed by the State of Mississippi to practice medicine in any of its branches.

(i) “Psychologist” means a licensed psychologist who has been certified by the State Board of Psychological Examiners as qualified to perform examinations for the purpose of civil commitment.

(j) “Treatment facility” means a hospital, community mental health center, or other institution qualified to provide care and treatment for persons with mental illness, persons with an intellectual disability or chemically dependent persons.

(k) “Substantial likelihood of bodily harm” means that:

(i) The person has threatened or attempted suicide or to inflict serious bodily harm to himself; or

(ii) The person has threatened or attempted homicide or other violent behavior; or

(iii) The person has placed others in reasonable fear of violent behavior and serious physical harm to them; or

(iv) The person is unable to avoid severe impairment or injury from specific risks; and

(v) There is substantial likelihood that serious harm will occur unless the person is placed under emergency treatment.

§ 41-21-63

(1) No person, other than persons charged with crime, shall be committed to a public treatment facility except under the provisions of Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 or 43-21-611 or 43-21-315. However, nothing herein shall be construed to repeal, alter or otherwise affect the provisions of Section 35-5-31 or to affect or prevent the commitment of persons to the Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States under the provisions of and in the manner specified in those sections.

(2)(a) The chancery court, or the chancellor in vacation, shall have jurisdiction under Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 except over persons with unresolved felony charges unless paragraph (b) of this subsection applies.

(b) If a circuit court with jurisdiction over unresolved felony charges enters an order concluding that a person is incompetent to stand trial and is not restorable to competency in the foreseeable future, the circuit court shall retain jurisdiction and shall proceed with civil commitment procedures in the same manner as described in Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107. The order of the circuit court finding that the person is incompetent to stand trial and is not restorable to competency in the foreseeable future shall be in lieu of the affidavit for commitment provided for in Section 41-21-65. Additionally, if the finding of the circuit court is based on the report and/or testimony of a physician or psychologist that has examined the person, the provisions of Section 41-21-67 for psychiatric examinations shall not apply.

(3) The circuit court shall also have jurisdiction under Sections 99-13-7, 99-13-9 and 99-13-11.

(4) Before the release of a person referred for civil commitment under this section and committed under Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107, the Department of Mental Health must notify the district attorney of the county where the offense was committed. The district attorney must notify the crime victim or a family member who has requested notification under Section 99-43-35 and the sheriffs of both the county where the offense was committed and the county of the committed person's destination.

§ 41-21-65

(1) It is the intention of the Legislature that the filing of an affidavit under this section be a simple, inexpensive, uniform, and streamlined process for the purpose of facilitating and expediting the care of individuals in need of treatment.

(2) The Uniform Civil Commitment Affidavit developed by the Department of Mental Health under this section must be provided by the clerk of the chancery court to any party or affiant seeking a civil commitment under this section, and must be utilized in all counties to commence civil commitment proceedings under this section. The affidavit must be made available to the public on the website of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.

(3) The Department of Mental Health, in consultation with the Mississippi Chancery Clerks Association, the Mississippi Conference of Chancery Court Judges and the Mississippi Association of Community Mental Health Centers, must develop a written guide setting out the steps in the commitment process no later than January 1, 2020. The guide shall be designated as the “Uniform Civil Commitment Guide” and must include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Steps in the civil commitment process from affidavit to commitment, written in easily understandable layman's terms;

(b) A schedule of fees and assessments that will be charged to commence a commitment proceeding under this section;

(c) Eligibility requirements and instructions for filing a pauper's affidavit; and

(d) A statement on the front cover of the guide advising that persons wishing to pursue a civil commitment under this section are not required to retain an attorney for any portion of the commitment process.

(4) Immediately upon availability, but no later than January 1, 2020, the Uniform Civil Commitment Guide must be provided by the clerk of the chancery court to any party or affiant seeking a civil commitment under this section and also must be made available to the public on the website of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.

(5) If any person is alleged to be in need of treatment, any relative of the person, or any interested person, may make affidavit of that fact and shall file the Uniform Civil Commitment Affidavit with the clerk of the chancery court of the county in which the person alleged to be in need of treatment resides, but the chancellor or duly appointed special master may, in his or her discretion, hear the matter in the county in which the person may be found or the circuit judge may hear such matter as provided in Section 41-21-63. Prior to filing an affidavit for commitment of an individual, the relative or interested person shall be connected with the community mental health center for a pre-affidavit screening as set forth in Section 41-21-67. The pre-affidavit screening is mandatory and must be completed before any affidavit for commitment is filed, except as otherwise provided in Section 41-21-67(2). The affidavit shall set forth the name and address of the proposed patient's nearest relatives and whether the proposed patient resides or has visitation rights with any minor children, if known, and the reasons for the affidavit. The affidavit must contain factual descriptions of the proposed patient's recent behavior, including a description of the behavior, where it occurred, and over what period of time it occurred, if known. The affidavit shall state specifically that a less restrictive alternative treatment was considered and specify why treatment less restrictive than involuntary commitment is not appropriate. Each factual allegation may be supported by observations of witnesses and the pre-affidavit screener named in the affidavit. The Department of Mental Health, in consultation with the Mississippi Chancery Clerks' Association, shall develop a simple, one-page affidavit form for the use of affiants as provided in this section. The affidavit also must state whether the affiant has received notice of the pre-affidavit screening from a community mental health center determining whether the alleged acts by the proposed respondent warrant civil commitment in lieu of other less-restrictive treatment options. No chancery clerk shall require an affiant to retain an attorney for the filing of an affidavit under this section.

(6) The chancery clerk may charge a total filing fee for all services equal to the amount set out in Section 25-7-9(o), and the appropriate state and county assessments as required by law which include, but are not limited to, assessments for the Judicial Operation Fund (Section 25-7-9(3)(b)); the Electronic Court System Fund (Section 25-7-9(3)(a)); the Civil Legal Assistance Fund (Section 25-7-9(1)(k)); the Court Education and Training Fund (Section 37-26-3); State Court Constituent's Fund (Section 37-26-9(4)); and reasonable court reporter's fee. Costs incidental to the court proceedings as set forth in Section 41-21-79 may not be included in the assessments permitted by this subsection. The total of the fees and assessments permitted by this subsection may not exceed One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00).

(7) The prohibition against charging the affiant other fees, expenses, or costs shall not preclude the imposition of monetary criminal penalties under Section 41-21-107 or any other criminal statute, or the imposition by the chancellor of monetary penalties for contempt if the affiant is found to have filed an intentionally false affidavit or filed the affidavit in bad faith for a malicious purpose.

(8) Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to conflict with Section 41-21-63.

(9) The Department of Mental Health shall provide annual training to chancery and circuit court clerks to inform them about statutory procedures for civil commitments.

§ 41-21-67

(1)(a) Prior to filing an affidavit for commitment of an individual, the relative or interested person shall be connected with the community mental health center in the county of financial responsibility or the county where the proposed patient is present for conduct of preliminary investigation to determine the need to file an affidavit for involuntary commitment. If the community mental health center is unavailable, any reputable licensed physician, psychologist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, as allowed in the discretion of the court, may conduct the pre-affidavit screening and examination as set forth in Section 41-21-69. The pre-affidavit screening shall be completed within twenty-four (24) hours of the community mental health center being notified. The community mental health center shall provide the pre-affidavit screening report to the chancery clerk for the county in which the petition is to be filed upon completion. The community mental health center shall appoint a screener to conduct an investigation. The prospective petitioner may not be the pre-affidavit screener. The investigation must include:

(i) An interview with the proposed patient and other individuals who appear to have knowledge of the condition of the proposed patient, if practicable. In-person interviews with the proposed patient are preferred. If the proposed patient is not interviewed, specific reasons must be documented;

(ii) Identification and investigation of specific alleged conduct that is the basis for application;

(iii) Identification, exploration, and listing of the specific reasons for rejecting or recommending alternatives to involuntary commitment; and

(iv) In the case of a commitment based on mental illness, information relevant to treatment.

(b) In conducting the investigation required by this subsection, the screener shall have access to all relevant medical records of proposed patients currently in treatment facilities, state-operated treatment programs, or community-based treatment programs. Data collected pursuant to this paragraph shall be considered private data on individuals. The pre-affidavit screening report is not admissible as evidence in court except by agreement of counsel or as permitted by the rules of court and is not admissible in any court proceedings unrelated to the commitment proceedings.

(c) When the pre-affidavit screener recommends commitment, a written report shall be sent to the chancery clerk for the county in which the petition is to be filed. The statement of facts contained in the written report must meet the requirements of Section 41-21-65(5), specifically certifying that a less restrictive alternative treatment was considered and specifying why treatment less restrictive than involuntary commitment is not appropriate.

(d) The pre-affidavit screener shall refuse to support the filing of an affidavit if the investigation does not disclose evidence sufficient to support commitment. Notice of the pre-affidavit screener's decision shall be provided to the prospective petitioner and the court. If a commitment is not recommended, the pre-affidavit screener shall provide the prospective petitioner with connection to other alternative services and resources available and offered, if appropriate.

(e) If the interested person wishes to proceed with a petition contrary to the recommendation of the pre-affidavit screener, application may be made directly to the chancellor, who shall determine whether or not to proceed with the petition. Notice of the chancellor's determination shall be provided to the interested party.

(2) After a pre-affidavit screener has attempted to complete an in-person screening, if a person is actively violent or refuses to participate in the pre-affidavit screening and the screening cannot be completed, then upon recommendation of the community mental health center, the affidavit may be filed and a writ issued for a sheriff to intervene. The pre-affidavit screener shall document why the pre-affidavit screening could not be completed. After completing the pre-affidavit screening required by subsection (1) of this section, receiving the written report from the pre-affidavit screener, and upon filing of an affidavit of commitment, the clerk, upon direction of the chancellor of the court, shall issue a writ directed to the sheriff of the proper county to take into custody the person alleged to be in need of treatment and to take the person for physical and mental examination and treatment by the appropriate community mental health center established under Section 41-19-31. Except as otherwise provided in Section 41-21-63, the community mental health center will be designated as the first point of entry for pre-affidavit screening and treatment. The writ may provide where the person shall be held before being taken for examination and treatment, which shall include any licensed medical facility or crisis stabilization unit. Reapplication may be made to the chancellor. If a pauper's affidavit is filed by an affiant who is a guardian or conservator of a person in need of treatment, the court shall determine if either the affiant or the person in need of treatment is a pauper and if the affiant or the person in need of treatment is determined to be a pauper, the county of the residence of the respondent shall bear the costs of commitment, unless funds for those purposes are made available by the state.

(3)(a) Upon receiving the pre-affidavit screening and filing of an affidavit of commitment, the chancellor shall immediately appoint and summon two (2) reputable, licensed physicians or one (1) reputable, licensed physician and either one (1) psychologist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant to conduct a physical and mental examination of the person at a place to be designated by the clerk or chancellor and to report their findings to the clerk or chancellor. However, if the pre-affidavit screening recommends against commitment, the chancellor may refuse to appoint two (2) physicians to conduct a physical and mental examination. However, any nurse practitioner or physician assistant conducting the examination shall be independent from, and not under the supervision of, the other physician conducting the examination. A nurse practitioner or psychiatric nurse practitioner conducting an examination under this chapter must be functioning within a collaborative or consultative relationship with a physician as required under Section 73-15-20(3). In all counties in which there is a county health officer, the county health officer, if available, may be one (1) of the physicians so appointed. If a licensed physician is not available to conduct the physical and mental examination within forty-eight (48) hours of the pre-affidavit screening, the court, in its discretion and upon good cause shown, may permit the examination to be conducted by the following: (a) two (2) nurse practitioners, one (1) of whom must be a psychiatric nurse practitioner; or (b) one (1) psychiatric nurse practitioner and one (1) psychologist or physician assistant. Neither of the physicians nor the psychologist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant selected shall be related to that person in any way, nor have any direct or indirect interest in the estate of that person nor shall any full-time staff of residential treatment facilities operated directly by the State Department of Mental Health serve as examiner.

(b) Any health care practitioner who conducts a physical and mental examination of a person as provided under paragraph (a) of this subsection may sign the certificate required for establishing a guardianship or conservatorship for the person and take care of other related requirements as otherwise provided by law, at the time of conducting the physical and mental examinations.

(4) The clerk shall ascertain whether the respondent is represented by an attorney, and if it is determined that the respondent does not have an attorney, the clerk shall immediately notify the chancellor of that fact. If the chancellor determines that the respondent for any reason does not have the services of an attorney, the chancellor shall immediately appoint an attorney for the respondent at the time the examiners are appointed.

(5)(a) If the chancellor determines that there is probable cause to believe that the respondent has a mental illness and that there is no reasonable alternative to detention, the chancellor may order that the respondent be retained as an emergency patient at any licensed medical facility, crisis stabilization unit, or any other available suitable location for evaluation by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant and that a peace officer transport the respondent to the specified facility, unit or location. If the community mental health center serving the county has partnered with Crisis Intervention Teams under the provisions of Sections 41-21-131 through 41-21-143, the order may specify that the licensed medical facility be a designated single point of entry within the county or within an adjacent county served by the community mental health center. If the person evaluating the respondent finds that the respondent has a mental illness and in need of treatment, the chancellor may order that the respondent be retained at the licensed medical facility, crisis stabilization unit, or any other available suitable location as the court may so designate pending an admission hearing. If necessary, the chancellor may order a peace officer or other person to transport the respondent to that facility, or unit or suitable location. Any respondent so retained may be given such treatment as is indicated by standard medical practice. However, the respondent shall not be held in a hospital operated directly by the State Department of Mental Health.

(b) A jail or other detention center may not be used for custody unless the community mental health center has explored and exhausted the availability of other appropriate facilities, such as the crisis stabilization unit, the local hospital and any Department of Mental Health certified location; the chancellor specifically authorizes it; and the respondent is actively violent. The county of residence of any such person shall pay the cost of such interim treatment. The community mental health center shall provide documentation of the person's violent behavior and that no other appropriate facilities are available to the chancellor. Under these circumstances, no person may remain in a jail for longer than twenty-four (24) hours unless the community mental health center requests an additional twenty-four (24) hours from the chancellor. The community mental health center shall provide treatment during this timeframe pending placement at an appropriate facility.

For the purposes of this subsection (5), “actively violent” means that the behavior presents an immediate and serious danger to the safety of the individual or another, the individual has inflicted or attempted to inflict serious bodily harm on another, or has acted in such a way as to create a substantial risk of serious bodily harm to another, or has engaged in extreme destruction of property; and that there is a reasonable probability that this conduct will be repeated.

The provisions of this paragraph (b) shall not be construed to include jails that are designated as holding facilities under the requirement provided by Section 41-21-77.

(6)(a) Whenever a licensed psychologist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is certified to complete examinations for the purpose of commitment or a licensed physician has reason to believe that a person poses an immediate substantial likelihood of physical harm to himself or others or is gravely disabled and unable to care for himself by virtue of mental illness, as defined in Section 41-21-61(e), then the physician, psychologist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant may hold the person or may admit the person to and treat the person in a licensed medical facility, without a civil order or warrant for a period not to exceed seventy-two (72) hours. However, if the seventy-two-hour period begins or ends when the chancery clerk's office is closed, or within three (3) hours of closing, and the chancery clerk's office will be continuously closed for a time that exceeds seventy-two (72) hours, then the seventy-two-hour period is extended until the end of the next business day that the chancery clerk's office is open. The person may be held and treated as an emergency patient at any licensed medical facility, available regional mental health facility, or crisis stabilization unit. The physician or psychologist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who holds the person shall certify in writing the reasons for the need for holding.

If a person is being held and treated in a licensed medical facility, and that person decides to continue treatment by voluntarily signing consent for admission and treatment, the seventy-two-hour hold may be discontinued without filing an affidavit for commitment. Any respondent so held may be given such treatment as indicated by standard medical practice. Persons acting in good faith in connection with the detention and reporting of a person believed to have a mental illness shall incur no liability, civil or criminal, for those acts.

(b) Whenever an individual is held for purposes of receiving treatment as prescribed under paragraph (a) of this subsection, and it is communicated to the mental health professional holding the individual that the individual resides or has visitation rights with a minor child, and if the individual is considered to be a danger to the minor child, the mental health professional shall notify the Department of Child Protection Services prior to discharge if the threat of harm continues to exist, as is required under Section 43-21-353.

This paragraph (b) shall be known and may be cited as the “Andrew Lloyd Law.”

§ 41-21-68

(1) Regional commissions established under Section 41-19-31 et seq. are authorized to establish regional holding facilities for the treatment and holding of any person eighteen (18) years of age or older being held for the purpose of civil commitment.

(2) For the purpose of establishing regional holding facilities, each regional commission is authorized to create a holding facility fund and enter into holding facility cooperative agreements with counties both inside and outside the regional commission's designated region. Each county electing to use a regional holding facility may contribute to the regional commission's holding facility fund. The State of Mississippi may match the county's contribution by paying not more than Two Dollars ($2.00) into the holding facility fund for each One Dollar ($1.00) received from the counties, if sufficient funds are available.

(3) Crisis stabilization units operating and receiving state funds from the Department of Mental Health as of January 1, 2015, shall not be eligible for the holding facility state matching contributions provided for in this section. The matching funds provided for in this section shall only be allocated to holding facilities established under this section. Regional commissions requesting decertification of any such crisis stabilization unit to reestablish the unit as a regional holding facility under this section in order to be eligible for state matching contributions may do so only with the approval of the Department of Mental Health.

(4) Counties not contributing to a regional commission holding facility fund shall not be entitled to use of a holding facility. No patient shall be ordered by any court to a holding facility established under this section if the county in which the commitment action is pending has not entered into a cooperative agreement with a regional commission and has not made a contribution to a regional commission holding facility fund.

(5) Holding facilities established under this section shall at a minimum comply with the operational standards for holding facilities established by the Department of Mental Health. Holding facilities may also seek designation and certification as a crisis stabilization unit, single point of entry, and other type of treatment facility so that they may receive reimbursement from the Division of Medicaid for eligible patients.

(6) Holding facilities and committing courts shall not remove persons from the holding facility unless the removal is for clinical purposes. Persons taken to a holding facility established under this section and any treatment professionals called as witnesses shall not be required to appear at the court's location for commitment proceedings, except when extraordinary circumstances are found and determined as reflected by a written order of the chancellor. For the purpose of civil commitment hearings, persons being committed and treatment professionals may participate through videoconferencing. Holding facilities established under this section shall have the capacity and ability to provide videoconferencing between the person being held, the committing court, and treatment professionals. Any attorney for the person being held shall be present at the location of the person during videoconferenced hearings and shall have the ability to consult in private with the person.

(7) Holding facilities are authorized to provide any necessary treatment in person or through the use of videoconferencing between the person and the treatment professional.

(8) For purposes of public participation, jurisdiction and venue, the location of the commitment actions for persons being held at holding facilities established under this section shall be deemed to be the county of the committing court, even though the individual being committed and treatment professionals may be physically located in other jurisdictions when participating in any hearing through videoconference. The jurisdiction of the committing court and law enforcement officials transporting persons to holding facilities shall extend to other jurisdictions for the purpose of conducting hearings held by videoconferencing, and for the purpose of holding and transporting individuals to holding facilities established under this section.

(9) Persons being held or detained for the purpose of civil commitment shall not have a jail photograph or “mug shot” published, except as permitted under Section 41-21-97. Persons and businesses who publish those photographs shall immediately remove the photographs from publication, and destroy any and all copies of those photographs in their possession.

§ 41-21-69

(1)(a) The appointed examiners shall immediately make a full inquiry into the condition of the person alleged to be in need of treatment and shall make a mental examination and physical evaluation of the person, and each examiner must make a report and certificate of the findings of all mental and acute physical problems to the clerk of the court. Each report and certificate must set forth the facts as found by the appointed examiner and must state whether the examiner is of the opinion that the proposed patient is suffering a disability defined in Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 and should be committed to a treatment facility. The statement shall include the reasons for that opinion. The examination may be based upon a history provided by the patient and the report and certificate of findings shall include an identification of all mental and physical problems identified by the examination.

(b) If the appointed examiner finds: (i) the respondent has mental illness; (ii) the respondent is capable of surviving safely in the community with available supervision from family, friends or others; (iii) based on the respondent's treatment history and other applicable medical or psychiatric indicia, the respondent is in need of treatment in order to prevent further disability or deterioration that would result in significant deterioration in the ability to carry out activities of daily living; and (iv) his or her current mental status or the nature of his or her illness limits or negates his or her ability to make an informed decision to seek voluntarily or comply with recommended treatment; the appointed examiners shall so show on the examination report and certification and shall recommend outpatient commitment. The appointed examiners shall also show the name, address and telephone number of the proposed outpatient treatment physician or facility.

(2) The examinations shall be conducted and concluded within forty-eight (48) hours after the order for examination and appointment of attorney, and the certificates of the appointed examiners shall be filed with the clerk of the court within that time, unless the running of that period extends into nonbusiness hours, in which event the certificates must be filed at the beginning of the next business day. However, if the appointed examiners are of the opinion that additional time to complete the examination is necessary, and this fact is communicated to the chancery clerk or chancellor, the clerk or chancellor shall have authority to extend the time for completion of the examination and the filing of the certificate, the extension to be not more than eight (8) hours.

(3) At the beginning of the examination, the respondent shall be told in plain language of the purpose of the examination, the possible consequences of the examination, of his or her right to refuse to answer any questions, and his or her right to have his or her attorney present.

§ 41-21-70

The Department of Mental Health shall develop standards for the training of psychiatrists and psychologists to perform mental examinations ordered under Section 99-13-11 and Rule 12 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure. The department shall provide training on the standards and maintain and publish a list of psychiatrists and psychologists who have completed training to perform such evaluations.

§ 41-21-71

If, as a result of the examination, the appointed examiners certify that the person is not in need of treatment, the chancellor, clerk or circuit judge as applicable shall dismiss the affidavit without the need for a further hearing. Except as otherwise provided in Section 41-21-63, if the chancellor or chancery clerk finds, based upon the appointed examiners' certificates and any other relevant evidence, that the respondent is in need of treatment and the certificates are filed with the chancery clerk within forty-eight (48) hours after the order for examination, or extension of that time as provided in Section 41-21-69, the clerk shall immediately set the matter for a hearing. The hearing shall be set within three (3) days of the filing of the certificates unless an extension is requested by the respondent's attorney. In no event shall the hearing be more than five (5) days after the filing of the certificates, unless the court orders to extend the hearing date, which shall not exceed five (5) additional days.

§ 41-21-73

(1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 41-21-63, the hearing shall be conducted before the chancellor. However, the hearing may be held at the location where the respondent is being held. Within a reasonable period of time before the hearing, notice of same shall be provided the respondent and his attorney, which shall include: (a) notice of the date, time and place of the hearing; (b) a clear statement of the purpose of the hearing; (c) the possible consequences or outcome of the hearing; (d) the facts that have been alleged in support of the need for commitment; (e) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the examiner(s); and (f) other witnesses expected to testify.

(2) The respondent must be present at the hearing unless the chancellor determines that the respondent is unable to attend and makes that determination and the reasons therefor part of the record. At the time of the hearing, the respondent shall not be so under the influence or suffering from the effects of drugs, medication or other treatment so as to be hampered in participating in the proceedings. The court, at the time of the hearing, shall be presented a record of all drugs, medication or other treatment that the respondent has received pending the hearing, unless the court determines that such a record would be impractical and documents the reasons for that determination.

(3) The respondent shall have the right to offer evidence, to be confronted with the witnesses against him and to cross-examine them and shall have the privilege against self-incrimination. The rules of evidence applicable in other judicial proceedings in this state shall be followed.

(4) If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the proposed patient is a person with mental illness or a person with an intellectual disability and, if after careful consideration of reasonable alternative dispositions, including, but not limited to, dismissal of the proceedings, the court finds that there is no suitable alternative to judicial commitment, the court shall commit the patient for treatment in the least restrictive treatment facility that can meet the patient's treatment needs. Treatment before admission to a state-operated facility shall be located as closely as possible to the patient's county of residence and the county of residence shall be responsible for that cost. Admissions to state-operated facilities shall be in compliance with the catchment areas established by the State Department of Mental Health. A nonresident of the state may be committed for treatment or confinement in the county where the person was found.

Alternatives to commitment to inpatient care may include, but shall not be limited to: voluntary or court-ordered outpatient commitment for treatment with specific reference to a treatment regimen, day treatment in a hospital, night treatment in a hospital, placement in the custody of a friend or relative, or the provision of home health services.

For persons committed as having mental illness or having an intellectual disability, the initial commitment shall not exceed three (3) months.

(5) No person shall be committed to a treatment facility whose primary problems are the physical disabilities associated with old age or birth defects of infancy.

(6) The court shall state the findings of fact and conclusions of law that constitute the basis for the order of commitment. The findings shall include a listing of less restrictive alternatives considered by the court and the reasons that each was found not suitable.

(7) A stenographic transcription shall be recorded by a stenographer or electronic recording device and retained by the court.

(8) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, neither the State Board of Mental Health or its members, nor the State Department of Mental Health or its related facilities, nor any employee of the State Department of Mental Health or its related facilities, unless related to the respondent by blood or marriage, shall be assigned or adjudicated custody, guardianship, or conservatorship of the respondent.

(9) The county where a person in need of treatment is found is authorized to charge the county of the person's residence for the costs incurred while the person is confined in the county where such person was found.

§ 41-21-74

(1) If the commitment order directs outpatient treatment, the outpatient treatment physician may prescribe or administer to the respondent treatment consistent with accepted medical standards.

(2) If the respondent fails or clearly refuses to comply with outpatient treatment, the director of the treatment facility, his designee or an interested person shall make all reasonable efforts to solicit the respondent's compliance. These efforts shall be documented and, if the respondent fails or clearly refuses to comply with outpatient treatment after such efforts are made, such efforts shall be documented with the court by affidavit. Upon the filing of the affidavit, the sheriff of the proper county is authorized to take the respondent into his custody.

(3) The respondent may be returned to the treatment facility as soon thereafter as facilities are available. The respondent may request a hearing within ten (10) days of his return to the treatment facility. Such hearing shall be held pursuant to the requirements set forth in Section 41-21-81.

(4) The chancery court of the county where the public facility is located or the committing court shall have jurisdiction over matters concerning outpatient commitments when such an order is sought subsequent to an inpatient course of treatment pursuant to Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107, 43-21-611, 99-13-7 and 99-13-9. An outpatient shall not have or be charged for a recommitment process within a period of twelve (12) months of the initial outpatient order.

§ 41-21-76

The respondent in any involuntary commitment proceeding held pursuant to the provisions of sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 may make a knowing and intelligent waiver of his rights in such proceeding, provided that the waiver is made by his attorney with the informed consent of the respondent and with the approval of the court. The reasons for the waiver shall be made a part of the record.

§ 41-21-77

(1) If admission is ordered at a treatment facility, the sheriff, his or her deputy or any other person appointed or authorized by the court shall immediately deliver the respondent to the director of the appropriate facility. Neither the Board of Mental Health or its members, nor the Department of Mental Health or its related facilities, nor any employee of the Department of Mental Health or its related facilities, shall be appointed, authorized or ordered to deliver the respondent for treatment, and no person shall be so delivered or admitted until the director of the admitting institution determines that facilities and services are available. Persons who have been ordered committed and are awaiting admission may be given any such treatment in the facility by a licensed physician as is indicated by standard medical practice. Any county facility used for providing housing, maintenance and medical treatment for involuntarily committed persons pending their transportation and admission to a state treatment facility shall be certified by the State Department of Mental Health under the provisions of Section 41-4-7(kk). No person shall be delivered or admitted to any non-Department of Mental Health treatment facility unless the treatment facility is licensed and/or certified to provide the appropriate level of psychiatric care for persons with mental illness. It is the intent of this Legislature that county-owned hospitals work with regional community mental health/intellectual disability centers in providing care to local patients. The clerk shall provide the director of the admitting institution with a certified copy of the court order, a certified copy of the appointed examiners' certificates, a certified copy of the affidavit, and any other information available concerning the physical and mental condition of the respondent. Upon notification from the United States Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States government, that facilities are available and the respondent is eligible for care and treatment in those facilities, the court may enter an order for delivery of the respondent to or retention by the Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States government, and, in those cases the chief officer to whom the respondent is so delivered or by whom he is retained shall, with respect to the respondent, be vested with the same powers as the director of the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, or the East Mississippi State Hospital at Meridian, with respect to retention and discharge of the respondent.

(2)(a) When admission to a treatment facility is ordered by the court, the chancery clerk shall make record of the admission. Each chancery clerk shall maintain a record of the number of persons ordered by the court to be admitted to a treatment facility, the number of hearings held by the court to determine whether a person should be admitted to a treatment facility and the number of affidavits filed to admit a person to a treatment facility under Section 41-21-61 etc.

(b) The chancery clerk shall maintain a record each time such clerk receives a denial for admission to a community mental health center crisis stabilization bed, the reason provided to the clerk for such denial, and the subsequent action taken by the clerk upon receiving the denial.

(c) Each chancery clerk shall provide the records required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (2) to the Department of Mental Health within thirty (30) days of the end of each calendar quarter. Within sixty (60) days of receipt of the chancery clerk records, the Department of Mental Health shall provide a summary to the Chairpersons of the Appropriations, Public Health and Judiciary A and B Committees for the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Mississippi Senate, the Coordinator of Mental Health and the President of the Mississippi Association of Community Mental Health Centers.

§ 41-21-77.1

Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, the Department of Mental Health shall provide funding to each community mental health center to allow the center to designate court liaisons for the counties in its service area.

§ 41-21-79

The costs incidental to the court proceedings including, but not limited to, court costs, prehearing hospitalization costs, cost of transportation, reasonable physician's, psychologist's, nurse practitioner's or physician assistant's fees set by the court, and reasonable attorney's fees set by the court, shall be paid out of the funds of the county of residence of the respondent in those instances where the patient is indigent unless funds for those purposes are made available by the state. However, if the respondent is not indigent, those costs shall be taxed against the respondent or his or her estate. The total amount that may be charged for all of the costs incidental to the court proceedings shall not exceed Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00). Costs incidental to the court proceedings permitted under this section may not be charged to the affiant nor included in the fees and assessments permitted under Section 41-21-65(6).

§ 41-21-81

If at any time within twenty (20) days after admission of a patient to a treatment facility the director determines that the patient is in need of continued hospitalization, he shall give written notice of his findings, together with his reasons for such findings, to the respondent, the patient's attorney, the clerk of the admitting court and the two (2) nearest relatives or guardian of the patient, if the addresses of such relatives or guardian are known. The patient, or any aggrieved relative or friend or guardian shall have sixty (60) days from the date of such notice to request a hearing on the question of the patient's commitment for further treatment. The patient, or any aggrieved relative or guardian or friend, may request a hearing by filing a written notice of request within such sixty (60) days with the clerk of the county within which the facility is located; provided, however, that the patient may request such a hearing in writing to any member of the professional staff, which shall be forwarded to the director and promptly filed with the clerk of the county within which the facility is located and provided further that if the patient is confined at the Mississippi State Hospital, Whitfield, Mississippi, said notice of request shall be filed with the Chancery Clerk of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi. A copy of the notice of request must be filed by the patient or on his behalf with the director and the chancery clerk of the admitting court. The notice of the need for continued hospitalization shall be explained to the patient by a member of the professional staff and the explanation documented in the clinical record. At the same time the patient shall be advised of his right to request a hearing and of his right to consult a lawyer prior to deciding whether to request the hearing, and the fact that the patient has been so advised shall be documented in the clinical record. Hearings held pursuant to this section shall be held in the chancery court of the county where the facility is located; provided, however, that if the patient is confined at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, Mississippi, the hearing shall be conducted by the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi.

§ 41-21-82

Prior to the termination of the initial commitment order, the director of the facility shall cause an impartial evaluation of the patient to be made in order to assess the extent to which the grounds for initial commitment persist, the patient continues to have mental illness, and alternatives to involuntary commitment are available. If the results of this impartial evaluation do not support the need for continued commitment, the patient shall be discharged.

The director shall file a written report with the committing court setting forth in detail the results of this evaluation and other facts indicating that the patient satisfies the statutory requirement for continued commitment and the findings of the examiner to support this conclusion. If, after reviewing the director's report, the court finds that the patient continues to have mental illness and that there is no alternative to involuntary commitment, the commitment may be continued.

Nothing in this section shall preclude the patient, his counsel or another person acting in his behalf from requesting a hearing under Section 41-21-81 or 41-21-99.

§ 41-21-83

Except as otherwise provided in Section 41-21-63, if a hearing is requested as provided in Section 41-21-74, 41-21-81 or 41-21-99, the court shall not make a determination of the need for continued commitment unless a hearing is held and the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that (a) the person continues to have mental illness or have an intellectual disability; and (b) involuntary commitment is necessary for the protection of the patient or others; and (c) there is no alternative to involuntary commitment. Hearings held under this section shall be held in the chancery court of the county where the facility is located; however, if the patient is confined at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, Mississippi, the hearing shall be conducted by the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi.

The hearing shall be held within fourteen (14) days after receipt by the court of the request for a hearing. The court may continue the hearing for good cause shown. The clerk shall ascertain whether the patient is represented by counsel, and, if the patient is not represented, shall notify the chancellor who shall appoint counsel for him if the chancellor determines that the patient for any reason does not have the services of an attorney; however, the patient may waive the appointment of counsel subject to the approval of the court. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be served at least seventy-two (72) hours before the time of the hearing upon the patient, his attorney, the director, and the person requesting the hearing, if other than the patient, and any witnesses requested by the patient or his attorney, or any witnesses the court may deem necessary or desirable.

The patient must be present at the hearing unless the chancellor determines that the patient is unable to attend and makes that determination and the reasons therefor part of the record.

The court shall put its findings and the reasons supporting its findings in writing and shall have copies delivered to the patient, his attorney, and the director of the treatment facility. An appeal from the final commitment order by either party may be had on the terms prescribed for appeals in civil cases; however, such appeal shall be without supersedeas. The record on appeal shall include the transcript of the commitment hearing.

§ 41-21-85

All costs of the hearing or appeal under Section 41-21-83, including, but not limited to, costs of all writs, notices, petitions, appeals, and attorney's fees and transportation of the patient to and from the place of the hearing shall be borne by the treatment facility in those instances where the patient is indigent, provided that if the patient is not indigent, all costs shall be taxed to the patient.

§ 41-21-87

(1) The director of either the treatment facility where the patient is committed or the treatment facility where the patient resides while awaiting admission to any other treatment facility may discharge any civilly committed patient upon filing his certificate of discharge with the clerk of the committing court, certifying that the patient, in his judgment, no longer poses a substantial threat of physical harm to himself or others.

(2) A director of a treatment facility specified in subsection (1) above may return any patient to the custody of the committing court upon providing seven (7) days' notice and upon filing his certificate of same as follows:

(a) When, in the judgment of the director, the patient may be treated in a less restrictive environment; however, treatment in such less restrictive environment shall be implemented within seven (7) days after notification of the court; or

(b) When, in the judgment of the director, adequate facilities or treatment are not available at the treatment facility.

(3) Except as provided in Section 41-21-88, no committing court shall enjoin or restrain any director of a treatment facility specified in subsection (1) above from discharging a patient under this section whose treating professionals have determined that the patient meets one (1) of the criteria for discharge as outlined in subsection (1) or (2) of this section. The director of the treatment facility where the patient is committed may transfer any civilly committed patient from one (1) facility operated directly by the Department of Mental Health to another as necessary for the welfare of that or other patients. Upon receiving the director's certificate of transfer, the court shall enter an order accordingly.

(4) Within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the release or discharge of any civilly committed patient, other than a temporary pass due to sickness or death in the patient's family, the director shall give or cause to be given notice of such release or discharge to one (1) member of the patient's immediate family, provided the member of the patient's immediate family has signed the consent to release form provided under subsection (5) and has furnished in writing a current address and telephone number, if applicable, to the director for such purpose. The notice of release shall also be provided to any victim of such person and/or to any person to whom a restraining order has been entered to protect from such person. The notice to the family member shall include the psychiatric diagnosis of any chronic mental disorder incurred by the civilly committed patient and any medications provided or prescribed to the patient for such conditions.

(5) All providers of service in a treatment facility, whether in a community mental health/intellectual disability center, region or state psychiatric hospital, are authorized and directed to request a consent to release information from all patients which will allow that entity to involve the family in the patient's treatment. Such release form shall be developed by the Department of Mental Health and provided to all treatment facilities, community mental health/intellectual disability centers and state facilities. All such facilities shall request such a release of information upon the date of admission of the patient to the facility or at least by the time the patient is discharged.

(6) Each month the Department of Mental Health-operated facilities shall provide the directors of community mental health centers the names of all individuals who were discharged to their catchment area with referral for community-based services. The department shall require community mental health care providers to report monthly the date that service(s) were initiated and type of service(s) initiated.

§ 41-21-88

A person committed pursuant to Section 99-13-7 shall not be released for any reason without order of the court having confined the person. Prior to release, the sheriff of the county where the offense was committed, the sheriff of the county of the committed person's destination and the crime victim or an immediate family member shall be notified of the release.

§ 41-21-89

Nothing in Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 shall preclude any patient, his attorney, or relative or guardian from seeking a patient's release from a treatment facility by application for writ of habeas corpus; provided that the application shall be made to the chancellor of the county in which the patient is hospitalized. Provided, further, that if the patient is hospitalized at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, Mississippi, the said application shall be made to a chancellor of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi.

§ 41-21-91

The director of the treatment facility may transport any person who is now or may hereafter become a patient at a treatment facility and who is a legal resident of another state to the state of the residence of such patient, but only if arrangements to receive the patient have been made in the state to which he is to be returned.

§ 41-21-93

If any such patient admitted or committed by a court to a treatment facility leaves without authorization, the director may immediately issue a warrant to any officer authorized to make arrests, commanding the arrest and return of said patient to the hospital from which he is departed.

§ 41-21-95

Costs of returning a patient who has left without authorization may be borne by the treatment facility from which the patient has been discharged or from which he has left without authorization.

§ 41-21-97

(1) The hospital records of and information pertaining to patients at treatment facilities or patients being treated by physicians, psychologists (as defined in Section 73-31-3(e)), licensed master social workers or licensed professional counselors shall be confidential and shall be released only: (a) upon written authorization of the patient; (b) upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction; (c) when necessary for the continued treatment of a patient; (d) when, in the opinion of the director, release is necessary for the determination of eligibility for benefits, compliance with statutory reporting requirements, or other lawful purpose; or (e) when the patient has communicated to the treating physician, psychologist (as defined in Section 73-31-3(e)), master social worker or licensed professional counselor an actual threat of physical violence against a clearly identified or reasonably identifiable potential victim or victims, and then the treating physician, psychologist (as defined in Section 73-31-3(e)), master social worker or licensed professional counselor may communicate the threat only to the potential victim or victims, a law enforcement agency, or the parent or guardian of a minor who is identified as a potential victim.

(2) The Mississippi State Asylum Records shall not be considered confidential for purposes of this section, provided that any Mississippi State Asylum Record relating to any person who has not been deceased for at least fifty (50) years shall still be considered confidential in accordance with subsection (1) of this section.

§ 41-21-99

The director shall obtain all the available facts relative to the illness of each patient admitted to said treatment facility. The director or a physician on the staff of said treatment facility shall, as often as practicable but not less frequently than every six (6) months, examine the patient and review the records as to the need for continued treatment of each patient and make the results of such examination a part of the patient's clinical record. The patient shall have the right to request a hearing at least annually, pursuant to Section 41-21-83. The patient shall be advised of his right to request a hearing and of his right to consult an attorney prior to his decision concerning whether or not to request such hearing, and the fact that the patient has been so advised shall be documented in the clinical record.

§ 41-21-101

No admission or commitment to a treatment facility under Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 or any finding of need for treatment, or any authorization of continued treatment under said sections (a) is an adjudication of legal incompetency, or (b), except as provided in Sections 45-9-101 and 45-9-103, deprives the person of his right to exercise his civil rights, including, but not limited to, civil service status, the right to vote, rights relating to the granting renewal, forfeiture or denial of a license, permit, privilege or benefit pursuant to any law, or the right to enter into contractual relationships and to manage his property; nor does an admission, hospitalization, finding or authorization of continued hospitalization create any presumption that the person is incompetent.

§ 41-21-102

(1) A patient has the right to be free from restraints. Restraints shall not be applied to a patient unless the director of the treatment facility or a member of the medical staff determines that they are necessary for the safety of the patient or others. Each use of a restraint and reason for such use shall be made part of the clinical record of the patient under the signature of the director of the treatment facility.

(2) A patient has the right to correspond freely without censorship. The director of the treatment facility may restrict receipt of correspondence if he determines that the medical welfare of the patient requires it. Any limitation imposed on the exercise of patient's correspondence rights and the reason for it shall be made a part of the clinical record of the patient. Any communication which is not delivered to a patient shall be immediately returned to the sender. No restriction shall be placed upon correspondence between a patient and his attorney or any court of competent jurisdiction.

(3) Subject to the general rules of the treatment facility, a patient has the right to receive visitors and make phone calls. The director of the treatment facility may restrict visits and phone calls if he determines that the medical welfare of the patient requires it. Any limitation imposed on the exercise of the patient's visitation and phone call rights and the reason for it shall be made a part of the clinical record of the patient. No restriction shall be placed upon a patient's visitation at the treatment facility with or upon calls to or from his attorney.

(4) A patient has the right to meet with or call his personal physician, spiritual advisor, and counsel at all reasonable times. The patient has the right to reasonable accommodation of religious practice.

(5) A patient has the right to periodic medical assessment. The director of a treatment facility shall have the physical and mental condition of every patient assessed as frequently as necessary, but not less often than every six (6) months.

(6) A person receiving services under Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 has the right to receive proper care and treatment, best adapted, according to contemporary professional standards, to rendering further custody, institutionalization, or other services unnecessary. The treatment facility shall devise a written program plan for each person which describes in behavioral terms the case problems, the precise goals, and to modify the program plan as necessary. The program plan shall be reviewed with the patient.

(7) Unless disclosure is determined to be detrimental to the physical or mental health of the patient, and unless notation to that effect is made in the patient's record, a patient has the right of access to his medical records.

(8) A patient has the right to be represented by counsel at any proceeding under Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107. The court shall appoint counsel to represent the proposed patient if neither the proposed patient nor others provide counsel. In all proceedings under Section 41-21-61 through 41-21-107, counsel shall: (a) consult with the person prior to any hearing; (b) be given adequate time to prepare for all hearings; (c) continue to represent the person throughout any proceedings under this charge unless released as counsel by the court; and (d) be a vigorous advocate on behalf of his client.

(9) All persons admitted or committed to a treatment facility shall be notified in writing of their rights under Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 at the time of admission.

§ 41-21-103

(1) Unless he or she has a legal guardian or conservator, a married person or a person eighteen (18) years of age or older may be admitted to a treatment facility as a voluntary admittee for treatment, provided that the director deems the person suitable for admission, upon the filing of an application with the director, accompanied by certificates of two (2) physicians or by one (1) physician and one (1) psychologist, one (1) nurse practitioner or one (1) physician assistant who certify that they examined the person within the last five (5) days and that the person is in need of observation, diagnosis and treatment. The director may accept applications from the person seeking admission or any interested person with the applicant's written consent.

(2) A person with an intellectual disability who is under the age of eighteen (18) years and who is not married may be admitted to a treatment facility upon application of his or her parent or legal guardian if the following has occurred:

(a) An investigation by the director that carefully probes the person's social, psychological and developmental background; and

(b) A determination by the director that the person will benefit from care and treatment of his or her disorder at the facility and that services and facilities are available. The reasons for the determination shall be recorded in writing.

(3) A person with an intellectual disability or with mental illness who is married or eighteen (18) years of age or older and who has a legal guardian or conservator may be admitted to a treatment facility upon application of his or her legal guardian or conservator if authorization to make the application has been received from the court having jurisdiction of the guardianship or conservatorship and the following has occurred:

(a) An investigation by the director that carefully probes the person's social, psychological and developmental background; and

(b) A determination by the director that the person will benefit from care and treatment of his or her disorder at the facility and that services and facilities are available. The reasons for the determination shall be recorded in writing.

(4) A person with mental illness who is under the age of fourteen (14) years may be admitted to a treatment facility upon the application of his or her parent or legal guardian if the following has occurred:

(a) An investigation by the director that carefully probes the person's social, psychological and developmental background; and

(b) A determination by the director that the person will benefit from care and treatment of his or her disorder at the facility and that services and facilities are available. The reasons for the determination shall be recorded in writing.

(5) A person with mental illness who is fourteen (14) years of age or older but less than eighteen (18) years of age may be admitted to a treatment facility in the same manner as an adult may be involuntarily committed.

(6) Any voluntary admittee may leave a treatment facility after five (5) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after he or she gives any member of the treatment facility staff written notice of his or her desire to leave, unless before leaving, the patient withdraws the notice by written withdrawal or unless within those five (5) days a petition and the certificates of two (2) examining physicians, or one (1) examining physician and one (1) psychologist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, stating that the patient is in need of treatment, are filed with the chancery clerk in the county of the patient's residence or the county in which the treatment facility is located; however, if the admittee is at Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, the petition and certificate shall be filed with the chancery clerk in the county of patient's residence or with the Chancery Clerk for the First Judicial District of Hinds County, and the chancellor or clerk shall order a hearing under Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107. The patient may continue to be hospitalized pending a final order of the court in the court proceedings.

(7) The written application form for voluntary admission shall contain in large, bold-face type a statement in simple, nontechnical terms that the admittee may not leave for five (5) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after giving written notice of his or her desire to leave. This right to leave must also be communicated orally to the admittee at the time of his or her admission, and a copy of the application form given to the admittee and to any parent, guardian, relative, attorney or friend who accompanied the patient to the treatment facility.

§ 41-21-104

The court shall have continuing jurisdiction over a person committed to an inpatient or outpatient treatment program under this chapter for one (1) year after completion of the treatment program. During that time, the court, upon affidavit in the same cause of action, may conduct a hearing consistent with this chapter or Title 41, Chapter 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, to determine whether the person needs to be recommitted for further mental health treatment or to determine whether the person is in need of alcohol and drug treatment. Upon a finding by the court that the person is in need of further treatment, the court may commit the person to an appropriate treatment facility. The person subject to commitment must be afforded the due process to which he or she is entitled under Chapters 21 and 31 of Title 41, Mississippi Code of 1972. This section may not be construed so as to conflict with the provisions of Section 41-21-87.

§ 41-21-105

(1) All persons acting in good faith in connection with the preparation or execution of applications, affidavits, certificates or other documents; apprehension; findings; determinations; opinions of physicians and psychologists; transportation; examination; treatment; emergency treatment; detention or discharge of an individual, under the provisions of Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107, shall incur no liability, civil or criminal, for such acts.

(2) No civil suit of any kind whatsoever shall be brought or prosecuted against the board, any member thereof, any director or employee for acts committed within the scope of their employment, except for wilful or malicious acts or acts of gross negligence.

§ 41-21-107

Any person who conspires unlawfully to cause, or unlawfully causes, any person to be adjudicated in need of treatment or as incompetent or to be detained at, or admitted to, or hospitalized in a treatment facility, or any person who receives or detains any person in need of treatment, contrary to Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107, or any person who maltreats any person in need of treatment, or any person who knowingly aids, abets or assists and encourages any person in need of treatment, to be absent without permission from any treatment facility or custodian in which or by whom such person is lawfully detained, or any person who violates any provision contained in Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction be fined not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisoned in the county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or both.

§ 41-21-109

(1) The purpose of this section is to provide modern and efficient rehabilitation facilities for adolescents with mental illness or with an intellectual disability who have been committed for treatment by a court of competent jurisdiction under Section 41-21-61 et seq.

(2) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, using funds from bonds, monies appropriated by the Legislature for those purposes, federal matching or other federal funds, federal grants or other available funds from whatever source, shall provide for by construction, lease, lease-purchase or otherwise and equip the following juvenile rehabilitation facilities under the jurisdiction and responsibility of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health: Construction and equipping of two (2) separate facilities each of which could serve up to fifty (50) adolescents, and each of which will be located at sites approved by the Department of Mental Health that would be specifically designed to serve adolescents who meet commitment criteria as defined by Section 41-21-61. One (1) fifty-bed facility shall house adolescent offenders with mental illness, and the other facility shall house adolescent offenders with an intellectual disability. Priority admission to these facilities shall be those adolescents who have some involvement in the judicial system. These facilities shall be self-contained and offer a secure but therapeutic environment allowing persons to be habilitated apart from persons who are more vulnerable and who have disabilities that are more disabling. The number of persons admitted to these facilities shall not exceed the number of beds authorized under this section or the number of beds licensed or authorized by the licensure and certification agency, whichever is less.

Those facilities shall be on property owned by the Department of Mental Health, or its successor, at one or more sites selected by the Department of Mental Health on land that is either donated to the state or purchased by the state specifically for the location of those facilities.

(3) The facility located in Harrison County shall be known as the Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed, and the facility located in Brookhaven shall be known as the Mississippi Adolescent Center.

§ 41-21-131

As used in Sections 41-21-131 through 41-21-143, the following terms shall have the meanings as defined in this section:

(a) “Crisis Intervention Team” means a community partnership among a law enforcement agency, a community mental health center, a hospital, other mental health providers, consumers and family members of consumers.

(b) “Participating partner” means a law enforcement agency, a community mental health center or a hospital that has each entered into collaborative agreements needed to implement a Crisis Intervention Team.

(c) “Catchment area” means a geographical area in which a Crisis Intervention Team operates and is defined by the jurisdictional boundaries of the law enforcement agency that is the participating partner.

(d) “Crisis Intervention Team officer” or “CIT officer” means a law enforcement officer who is authorized to make arrests under Section 99-3-1 and who is trained and certified in crisis intervention and who is working for a law enforcement agency that is a participating partner in a Crisis Intervention Team.

(e) “Substantial likelihood of bodily harm” means that:

(i) The person has threatened or attempted suicide or to inflict serious bodily harm to himself; or

(ii) The person has threatened or attempted homicide or other violent behavior; or

(iii) The person has placed others in reasonable fear of violent behavior and serious physical harm to them; or

(iv) The person is unable to avoid severe impairment or injury from specific risks; and

(v) There is substantial likelihood that serious harm will occur unless the person is placed under emergency treatment.

(f) “Single point of entry” means a specific hospital that is the participating partner in a Crisis Intervention Team and that has agreed to provide psychiatric emergency services and triage and referral services.

(g) “Psychiatric emergency services” means services designed to reduce the acute psychiatric symptoms of a person who is mentally ill or a person who has an impairment caused by drugs or alcohol and, when possible, to stabilize that person so that continuing treatment can be provided in the local community.

(h) “Triage and referral services” means services designed to provide evaluation of a person with mental illness or a person who has an impairment caused by drugs or alcohol in order to direct that person to a mental health facility or other mental health provider that can provide appropriate treatment.

(i) “Comprehensive psychiatric emergency service” means a specialized psychiatric service operated by the single point of entry and located in or near the hospital emergency department that can provide psychiatric emergency services for a period of time greater than can be provided in the hospital emergency department.

(j) “Extended observation bed” means a hospital bed that is used by a comprehensive psychiatric emergency service and is licensed by the State Department of Health for that purpose.

(k) “Psychiatric nurse practitioner” means a registered nurse who has completed the educational requirements specified by the State Board of Nursing, has successfully passed either the adult or family psychiatric nurse practitioner examination and is licensed by the State Board of Nursing to work under the supervision of a physician at a single point of entry following protocols approved by the State Board of Nursing.

(l) “Psychiatric physician assistant” means a physician assistant who has completed the educational requirements and passed the certification examination as specified in Section 73-26-3, is licensed by the State Board of Medical Licensure, has had at least one (1) year of practice as a physician assistant employed by a community mental health center, and is working under the supervision of a physician at a single point of entry.

§ 41-21-133

(1) Any law enforcement agency or community mental health center, as a participating partner, is authorized to establish Crisis Intervention Teams to provide for psychiatric emergency services and triage and referral services for persons who are with substantial likelihood of bodily harm as a more humane alternative to confinement in a jail.

(2) A Crisis Intervention Team shall have one or more designated hospitals within the specified catchment area that has agreed to serve as a single point of entry and to provide psychiatric emergency services, triage and referral services and other appropriate medical services for persons in custody of a CIT officer or referred by the community mental health center within the specified catchment area.

(3) Any hospital, as a participating partner and serving as a single point of entry, is authorized to establish a comprehensive psychiatric emergency service to provide psychiatric emergency services to a person with mental illness or an impairment caused by drugs or alcohol for a period of time greater than allowed in a hospital emergency department when, in the opinion of the treating physician, psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric physician assistant, that person likely can be stabilized within seventy-two (72) hours so that continuing treatment can be provided in the local community rather than a crisis intervention center or state psychiatric hospital.

(4) Two (2) or more governmental entities may jointly provide Crisis Intervention Teams and comprehensive psychiatric emergency services authorized under Sections 41-21-131 through 41-21-143. For the purpose of addressing unique rural service delivery needs and conditions, the State Department of Mental Health may authorize two (2) or more community mental health centers to collaborate in the development of Crisis Intervention Teams and comprehensive psychiatric emergency services and will facilitate the development of those programs.

§ 41-21-135

(1) Community mental health centers shall have oversight of Crisis Intervention Teams operating within their service areas. Proposals for Crisis Intervention Teams shall include the necessary collaborative agreements among the community mental health center, a law enforcement agency and a hospital that will serve as the single point of entry for the Crisis Intervention Team catchment area.

(2) The collaborative agreements shall specify that the hospital acting as the single point of entry shall accept all persons who are in custody of a CIT officer operating within the catchment area, when custody has been taken because of substantial likelihood of bodily harm, and shall accept all persons with mental illness and persons with impairment caused by drugs or alcohol who are referred by the community mental health center serving the catchment area, when a qualified staff member of the community mental health center has evaluated the person and determined that the person needs acute psychiatric emergency services that are beyond the capability of the community mental health center.

(3) The director of the community mental health center shall determine if all collaborative agreements address the needs of the proposed Crisis Intervention Team, including generally accepted standards of law enforcement training, before authorizing operation of the plan. Those generally accepted standards for law enforcement training shall be verified by the State Department of Mental Health.

(4) If the director of the community mental health center has reason to believe that an authorized Crisis Intervention Team is not operating in accordance with the collaborative agreements and within general acceptable guidelines and standards, the director has the authority to review the operation of the Crisis Intervention Team and, if necessary, suspend operation until corrective measures are taken.

(5) The director of the community mental health center shall establish a process by which complaints from the public regarding the operation of a Crisis Intervention Team may be evaluated and addressed and provide for the inclusion of consumer representatives in that process.

§ 41-21-137

(1) The internal operation of a single point of entry shall be governed by the administration of the hospital and regulated by the State Department of Health, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and other state and federal agencies that have regulatory authority over hospitals. All collaborative agreements must be in compliance with these governing authorities.

(2) A hospital operating as a single point of entry for a Crisis Intervention Team shall appoint a medical director to oversee the operation of the hospital-based service. The medical director will assure that the services provided are within the guidelines established by the collaborative agreements.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, nothing in Sections 41-21-131 through 41-21-143 shall be interpreted to create an entitlement for any individual to receive psychiatric emergency services at a single point of entry.

§ 41-21-139

(1) If a CIT officer determines that a person is with substantial likelihood of bodily harm, that officer may take the person into custody for the purpose of transporting the person to the designated single point of entry serving the catchment area in which the officer works. The CIT officer shall certify in writing the reasons for taking the person into custody.

(2) A CIT officer shall have no further legal responsibility or other obligations once a person taken into custody has been transported and received at the single point of entry.

(3) A CIT officer acting in good faith in connection with the detention of a person believed to be with substantial likelihood of bodily harm shall incur no liability, civil or criminal, for those acts.

(4) Only CIT officers authorized to operate within a catchment area may bring persons in custody to the single point of entry for that catchment area. Law enforcement officers working outside the designated catchment area are not authorized to transport any person into the catchment area for the purpose of bringing that person to the single point of entry.

(5) Any person transported by a CIT officer to the single point of entry or any person referred by the community mental health center following guidelines of the collaborative agreements shall be examined by a physician, psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric physician assistant. If the person does not consent to voluntary evaluation and treatment, and the examiner determines that the person is a mentally ill person, as defined in Section 41-21-61(e), the examiner shall then determine if that person can be held under the provisions of Section 41-21-67(5). All other provisions of Section 41-21-67(5) shall apply and be extended to include licensed psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatric physician assistants employed by the single point of entry, including protection from liability, as provided in this section, when acting in good faith. If the examiner determines that the person is with substantial likelihood of bodily harm because of impairment caused by drugs or alcohol and determines that there is no reasonable, less-restrictive alternative, the person may be held at the single point of entry until the impairment has resolved and the person is no longer with substantial likelihood of bodily harm. Persons acting in good faith in connection with the detention of a person with impairment caused by drugs or alcohol shall incur no liability, civil or criminal, for those acts.

§ 41-21-140

A law enforcement officer shall transport the person who is in crisis to the appropriate health care facility in the county or outside of the county at the request of the crisis intervention team or mobile crisis response team.

§ 41-21-141

(1) To implement a comprehensive psychiatric emergency service, a single point of entry must request licensure from the State Department of Health for the number of extended observation beds that are required to adequately serve the designated catchment area. A license for the requested beds must be obtained before beginning operation.

(2) If the State Department of Health determines that a comprehensive psychiatric emergency service can provide for the privacy and safety of all patients receiving services in the hospital, the department may approve the location of one or more of the extended observation beds within another area of the hospital rather than in proximity to the emergency department.

(3) Each comprehensive psychiatric emergency service shall provide or contract to provide qualified physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatric physician assistants and ancillary personnel necessary to provide services twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.

(4) A comprehensive psychiatric emergency service shall have at least one (1) physician, psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric physician assistant, who is a member of the staff of the hospital, on duty and available at all times. However, the medical director of the service may waive this requirement if provisions are made for a physician in the emergency department to assume responsibility and provide initial evaluation and treatment of a person in custody of a CIT officer or referred by the community mental health center and provisions are made for the physician, psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric physician assistant on call for the comprehensive psychiatric emergency service to evaluate the person onsite within thirty (30) minutes of notification that the person has arrived.

(5) Any person admitted to a comprehensive psychiatric emergency service must have a final disposition within a maximum of seventy-two (72) hours. If a person cannot be stabilized within seventy-two (72) hours, that person shall be transferred from an extended observation bed to a more appropriate inpatient unit.

§ 41-21-143

(1) Community mental health center directors shall actively encourage hospitals to develop comprehensive psychiatric emergency services. If a collaborative agreement can be negotiated with a hospital that can provide a comprehensive psychiatric emergency service, that hospital shall be given priority when designating the single point of entry.

(2) The State Department of Mental Health shall encourage community mental health center directors to actively work with hospitals and law enforcement agencies to develop Crisis Intervention Teams and comprehensive psychiatric emergency services and shall facilitate the development of those programs.

(3) State colleges and universities that provide classes in criminal justice are encouraged to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to develop training guidelines and standards for CIT officers and to provide educational classes and continuing education programs by which CIT officers can earn continuing education credits.

§ 41-21-151

There is created in the State Treasury a special interest-bearing fund to be known as the Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide funding for the seven (7) mental health crisis centers in the state and the Special Treatment Facility located in Harrison County. Monies from the fund derived from assessments under Section 99-19-73 shall be administered and distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Mental Health. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal-year limitations, and shall consist of: (a) monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding mental health crisis centers and the Special Treatment Facility; (b) the interest accruing to the fund; (c) monies received under the provisions of Section 99-19-73; (d) monies received from the federal government; and (e) monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.

§ 41-21-201

(1) The State Department of Health shall establish, maintain and carry out a comprehensive newborn screening program designed to detect hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria (PKU), hemoglobinopathy, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), galactosemia, any other conditions listed on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), and such other conditions as specified by the State Board of Health. The State Board of Health shall ensure that each condition listed on the RUSP is included in the comprehensive newborn screening program within three (3) years after being added to the RUSP and shall adopt any rules and regulations necessary to accomplish the program. If the department does not include a RUSP-listed condition in the comprehensive newborn screening program within three (3) years, the department shall provide a report on the status and reasons for the delay to the House and Senate Public Health Committees once a year after the three-year period.

(2) The State Board of Health shall determine and specify the conditions that will be included in the comprehensive newborn screening program in addition to those conditions named in subsection (1) of this section and any other conditions listed on the RUSP, upon the advice and recommendations of a genetics advisory committee. The advisory committee shall be appointed by the Executive Director of the State Department of Health, and shall include at least two (2) pediatricians and one (1) consumer representative from a family that has experience with a newborn infant with an abnormal screening test. The State Department of Health shall maintain a list of each of the conditions included in the comprehensive newborn screening program, which shall be made available to physicians and other health care providers who are required to provide for newborn screening testing under Section 41-21-203.

(3) The State Department of Health shall develop information materials about newborn screening tests that are available, which may be used by physicians and other health care providers to inform pregnant women and parents.

§ 41-21-203

(1) All newborn infants shall be screened by the physician or other health care provider attending the infant, using tests that have been approved by the State Board of Health, to detect those conditions listed in Section 41-21-201, any other conditions listed on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), and the other conditions specified by the State Board of Health for the comprehensive newborn screening program. However, no such tests shall be given to any child whose parents object thereto on the grounds that the test conflicts with his religious practices or tenets. The tests provided under the comprehensive newborn screening program shall be evaluated in laboratories located in the United States. The State Department of Health shall follow up all positive tests with the attending physician or other health care provider who notified the department thereof, and with the parents of the newborn child. The services and facilities of the State Department of Health and those of other state boards, departments and agencies cooperating with the State Department of Health in carrying out the comprehensive newborn screening program shall be made available to all newborn infants with abnormal screening tests.

(2) The State Department of Health shall provide ongoing epidemiologic surveillance of the comprehensive newborn screening program to determine the efficacy and cost effectiveness of screening newborn infants.

§ 41-21-205

(1) The State Board of Health shall establish in the State Department of Health a program to:

(a) Identify and investigate birth defects; and

(b) Maintain a central registry of cases of birth defects.

(2) The department shall design the registry program so that it will:

(a) Provide information to identify risk factors and causes of birth defects;

(b) Provide information on other possible causes of birth defects;

(c) Provide for the development of strategies to prevent birth defects;

(d) Provide for interview studies about the causes of birth defects; and

(e) Provide for the collection of birth defect information.

(3) The board shall adopt rules, regulations and procedures to govern the operation of the registry program and to carry out the intent of this section.

(4) The board in its rules and regulations shall specify the types of information to be provided to the birth defects registry and the persons and entities who are required to provide such information to the birth defects registry.

(5) The board by rule shall prescribe the manner in which records and other information are made available to the department.

(6) The department may obtain records and/or test results of individuals not reported or observed to have a birth defect reported to the department at a later date.

(7) The following persons who act in compliance with this section are not civilly or criminally liable for furnishing the information required under this section:

(a) A hospital, clinical laboratory, genetic treatment center or other health-care facility;

(b) An administrator, officer or employee of a hospital, clinical laboratory, genetic treatment center or other health-care facility; and

(c) A physician or employee of a physician.

(8) Information collected and analyzed by the department under this section shall be placed in a central registry to facilitate research and to maintain security.

(a) Data obtained under this section directly from the medical records of a patient is for the confidential use of the department and the persons or public or private entities that the department determines are necessary to carry out the intent of this section. The data is privileged and may not be divulged or made public in a manner that discloses the identity of an individual whose medical records have been used for obtaining data under this section.

(b) Information that may identify an individual whose medical records have been used for obtaining data under this section is not available for public inspection under the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.

(c) Statistical information collected under this section is public information.

(9) The department may use the registry to:

(a) Investigate the causes of birth defects and other health conditions as authorized by statute;

(b) Design and evaluate measures to prevent the occurrence of birth defects, and other conditions; and

(c) Conduct other investigations and activities necessary for the board and the department to fulfill their obligation to protect the public health.

(10) Any person or entity who misuses the information provided to the registry shall be subject to a civil penalty of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each such failure or misuse. Such penalty shall be assessed and levied by the board after a hearing, and all such penalties collected shall be deposited into the State General Fund.

(11) The State Health Officer may appoint or delegate his authority for the purposes of this section to an advisory committee, not to exceed ten (10) persons, to assist in the design and implementation of this central registry with representation from relevant groups including, but not limited to, hospitals, physicians, board-certified clinical geneticists, personnel of the department, personnel of other appropriate state agencies, disabled persons (resulting from a birth defect) and parents of disabled children (resulting from a birth defect). If a central registry advisory committee is created by the State Health Officer, the board shall consult and be advised by the committee on the promulgation of rules, regulations and procedures for the purposes of this section.

§ 41-21-251

This section and Section 41-21-253 shall be known and may be cited as “Hudson's Law.”

§ 41-21-253

The Legislature finds the following:

(a) For purposes of this section, the term “chromosomal disorder” means trisomy 13 (otherwise known as Patau syndrome); trisomy 18 (otherwise known as Edwards syndrome); or trisomy 21 (otherwise known as Down syndrome). 1

(b) Any facility, physician, health care provider, nurse midwife or genetic counselor who renders prenatal care, postnatal care or genetic counseling, upon receipt of a positive test result from a test for a chromosomal disorder, shall provide the expectant or new parent with information provided by the department under paragraph (c) of this section.

(c) The Department of Health shall make available to any person who renders prenatal care, postnatal care or genetic counseling of parents who receive a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of a chromosomal disorder the following:

(i) Up-to-date, evidence-based written information about a chromosomal disorder that has been reviewed by medical experts and national advocacy organizations for people with intellectual and other developmental disorders. The written information provided shall include physical, developmental, educational and psychosocial outcomes, life expectancy, clinical course, and intellectual and functional development and treatment options; and

(ii) The contact information regarding first-call programs and support services, including a hotline specific to a chromosomal disorder, resource centers or clearinghouses, national and local organizations, and other education and support programs. The department may also make such available to any other person who has received a positive test for a chromosomal disorder.

(d) Information provided under this section shall be culturally and linguistically appropriate for women receiving a positive prenatal diagnosis or for the family of a child receiving a postnatal diagnosis of a chromosomal disorder.

1

So in original

Chapter 22 Hemophilia

§ 41-22-1

The words and terms as used in this chapter have the following meanings:

(1) “State health officer” shall mean the state health officer of the state board of health, or his designated representative.

(2) “Board” shall mean the state board of health.

(3) “Hemophilia” shall mean a bleeding tendency resulting from a genetically determined deficiency factor in the blood.

§ 41-22-3

The State Board of Health is authorized to establish a program for the care and treatment of persons suffering from hemophilia. The program shall assist persons who require continuing treatment with blood and blood derivatives to avoid crippling, extensive hospitalization and other effects associated with this bleeding condition, but who are unable to pay for the entire cost of such services on a continuing basis despite the existence of various types of hospital and medical insurance.

§ 41-22-5

The board is authorized to:

(1) Develop standards for determining eligibility for care and treatment under this program;

(2) Assist in the development and expansion of programs for the care and treatment of persons suffering from hemophilia, including self-administration, prevention and home care and other medical and dental procedures and techniques designed to provide maximum control over bleeding episodes typical of this condition;

(3) Extend financial assistance in order to provide diagnosis of and treatment for persons suffering from hemophilia and other related hemorrhagic disorders in obtaining blood, blood derivatives and concentrates and any other such necessary medical, surgical, dental, hospital, outpatient clinic service, rehabilitation or may participate in the cost of blood processing to the extent that such support will facilitate the supplying of blood, blood derivatives and concentrates and other efficacious agents to patients with hemorrhagic disorders.

(4) Employ all necessary administrative personnel as may be provided in its budget to carry out the provisions of this chapter; and

(5) Promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

Chapter 23 Contagious and Infectious Diseases; Quarantine

§ 41-23-1

(1) The State Board of Health shall adopt rules and regulations (a) defining and classifying communicable diseases and other diseases that are a danger to health based upon the characteristics of the disease; and (b) establishing reporting, monitoring and preventive procedures for those diseases.

(2) Upon the death of any person who has been diagnosed as having Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) or any Class 1 disease as designated by the State Board of Health, in a hospital or other health-care facility, in all other cases where there is an attending physician, and in cases in which the medical examiner, as defined in Section 41-61-53(f), investigates and certifies the cause of death, the attending physician, the person in charge of the hospital or health-care facility, or the medical examiner, as the case may be, shall report as soon as practicable to the Executive Officer of the State Board of Health or to other authorities the cause or contributing cause of death as required by the State Board of Health. Such reporting shall be according to procedures as required by the State Board of Health.

(3) Upon the death of any person who has been diagnosed as having Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), where there is not an attending physician, any family member or other person making disposition of the body who knows that such decedent had been diagnosed as having HIV/AIDS shall report this fact to the medical examiner as defined in Section 41-61-53(f), who shall report as soon as practicable to the Executive Officer of the State Board of Health or to other authorities the cause or contributing cause of death as required by the State Board of Health. Such reporting shall be according to procedures as required by the State Board of Health.

(4) Every practicing or licensed physician, or person in charge of a hospital, health-care facility, insurance company which causes to be performed blood tests for underwriting purposes or laboratory, shall report immediately to the Executive Officer of the State Board of Health or to other authorities as required by the State Board of Health every case of such diseases as shall be required to be reported by the State Board of Health. Such reporting shall be according to procedures, and shall include such information about the case, as shall be required by the State Board of Health. Insurance companies having such blood test results shall report immediately to the Executive Officer of the State Board of Health or to other authorities as required by the State Board of Health every case of such diseases as shall be required to be reported by the State Board of Health. The insurance company shall notify the individual on whom the blood test was performed in writing by certified mail of an adverse underwriting decision based upon the results of such individual's blood test but shall not disclose the specific results of such blood tests to the individual. The insurance company shall also inform the individual on whom the blood test was performed that the results of the blood test will be sent to the physician designated by the individual at the time of application and that such physician should be contacted for information regarding the blood test results. If a physician was not designated at the time of application, the insurance company shall request that the individual name a physician to whom a copy of the blood test can be sent.

(5) Any practicing or licensed physician, or person in charge of a hospital or health-care facility, who knows that a patient has a medical condition specified by the Department of Health as requiring special precautions by health-care providers, shall report this fact and the need for appropriate precautions to any other institution or provider of health-care services to whom such patient is transferred or referred, according to regulations established by the State Board of Health.

(6) Any practicing or licensed physician or person in charge of a hospital, health-care facility or laboratory who fails to make the reports required under this section regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) or any Class 1 disease or condition as designated by the State Board of Health shall be reported to the Board of Medical Licensure, in the case of a physician, or to the applicable licensing agency in the case of institutions, and such failure shall be grounds for suspension of license.

(7) Any person other than a practicing or licensed physician, or person in charge of a hospital or health-care facility, willfully failing to make the reports required under this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by confinement in the county jail for not more than thirty (30) days, or both.

(8) The provisions of this section are cumulative and supplemental to any other provision of law, and a conviction or penalty imposed under this section shall not preclude any other action at law, proceedings for professional discipline or other criminal proceedings.

(9) Notwithstanding any law of this state to the contrary, the State Board of Health is authorized to establish the rules by which exceptions may be made to the confidentiality provisions of the laws of this state for the notification of third parties of an individual's infection with any Class 1 or Class 2 disease, as designated by the State Board of Health, when exposure is indicated or there exists a threat to the public health and welfare. All notifications authorized by this section shall be within the rules established according to this subsection. All persons who receive notification of the infectious condition of an individual under this subsection and the rules established under this subsection shall hold such information in the strictest of confidence and privilege, shall not reveal the information to others, and shall take only those actions necessary to protect the health of the infected person or other persons where there is a foreseeable, real or probable risk of transmission of the disease.

(10) Each public or private correctional facility housing state offenders, federal offenders or offenders from any other jurisdiction shall require all offenders in the facility to be tested for tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the State Department of Health. The reporting shall be according to procedures and shall include any information about the case that is required by the State Board of Health. In order to carry out the provisions of this section, the following shall apply:

(a) Any such public or private correctional facility may contract with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, the Mississippi State Department of Health, or other such appropriate state, federal or local entity for the inspection, monitoring or provision of any assistance necessary or desirable to maintain appropriate facilities for the purpose of identification, prevention, and treatment of communicable diseases and other conditions considered prejudicial to public health; and

(b) Any such public or private correctional facility shall grant representatives of the State Department of Health, in the discharge of its duties, access to all areas of the facility and to the offenders and staff at all times. The facility shall reimburse the State Department of Health for all costs incurred for the control of communicable diseases or other conditions prejudicial to public health in the facility and for the costs incurred for the control of communicable diseases or other conditions prejudicial to public health spreading from the facility, staff or inmates to other individuals or property in the county or state.

§ 41-23-2

Any person who shall knowingly and willfully violate the lawful order of the county, district or state health officer where that person is afflicted with a life-threatening communicable disease or the causative agent thereof shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment in the penitentiary for not more than five (5) years, or by both.

§ 41-23-5

The State Department of Health shall have the authority to investigate and control the causes of epidemic, infectious and other disease affecting the public health, including the authority to establish, maintain and enforce isolation and quarantine, and in pursuance thereof, to exercise such physical control over property and individuals as the department may find necessary for the protection of the public health. The State Department of Health is further authorized and empowered to require the temporary detainment of individuals for disease control purposes based upon violation of any order of the State Health Officer. For the purpose of enforcing such orders of the State Health Officer, persons employed by the department as investigators shall have general arrest powers. All law enforcement officers are authorized and directed to assist in the enforcement of such orders of the State Health Officer.

§ 41-23-13

The State Board of Health, when informed by a county health officer, or otherwise, of the existence of any matter or thing calculated to produce, aggravate, or cause the spread of any epidemic or contagious disease, or to affect injuriously the health of the public or community, may declare the same a nuisance. When it does so, it shall notify the district attorney, county attorney, municipal attorney, county health officer, municipal health officer or town marshal, of the district where the nuisance exists, who shall forthwith commence proceedings by information in the circuit court to have the same abated. The parties in interest shall have five days' notice of the proceedings, which shall be served as in ordinary suits. Such proceedings may be tried by the judge, in term-time or in vacation, in a summary way, and if the matter be urgent, it shall be tried without delay. However, the parties in interest shall have a jury if they demand it, which the judge shall cause to be summoned, if in vacation, returnable at some early day, to be fixed by him, and the matter shall be tried as other causes by judge and jury. If the matter be found to be a nuisance, the judge shall order the same abated, which order shall be executed by the sheriff or other proper officer, and an appeal shall not be allowed therefrom. This section shall not affect the right which municipalities may have to abate a nuisance, or any common law or equity proceedings for that purpose.

§ 41-23-27

The State Board of Health shall have full power to isolate, quarantine or otherwise confine, intern, and treat such person afflicted with such infectious sexually transmitted disease for such time and under such restrictions as may seem proper. Said board shall have full power to pass all such rules and regulations as to the isolation, quarantine, confinement, internment and treatment as may be needful.

Any person knowingly violating any rule or regulation promulgated by the state board of health, under the authority of this section, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by fine or imprisonment or both.

§ 41-23-29

Any person suspected of being afflicted with any such infectious sexually transmitted disease shall be subject to physical examination and inspection by any representative of the state board of health. For failure or refusal to allow such inspection or examination, such person may be punished as for a misdemeanor.

§ 41-23-30

County health departments shall provide testing for and treatment of sexually transmitted disease. Such testing and/or treatment shall be kept in strict confidence. The county boards of supervisors are directed to make known to the public, through available media, the confidentiality of the testing for and treatment of sexually transmitted disease.

§ 41-23-31

Any town, city or county is hereby authorized to make donations to the state board of health to assist in the enforcement of Sections 41-23-25 through 41-23-29.

§ 41-23-33

The State Board of Health, with the consent of the governor, when it deems it proper or necessary to do so, may call upon the government of the United States for such financial and medical aid as the necessities created by an epidemic or any other health emergency may require.

§ 41-23-37

Whenever indicated, the state health officer shall specify such immunization practices as may be considered best for the control of vaccine preventable diseases. A listing shall be promulgated annually or more often, if necessary.

Except as provided hereinafter, it shall be unlawful for any child to attend any school, kindergarten or similar type facility intended for the instruction of children (hereinafter called “schools”), either public or private, with the exception of any legitimate home instruction program as defined in Section 37-13-91, Mississippi Code of 1972, for ten (10) or less children who are related within the third degree computed according to the civil law to the operator, unless they shall first have been vaccinated against those diseases specified by the state health officer.

A certificate of exemption from vaccination for medical reasons may be offered on behalf of a child by a duly licensed physician and may be accepted by the local health officer when, in his opinion, such exemption will not cause undue risk to the community.

Certificates of vaccination shall be issued by local health officers or physicians on forms specified by the Mississippi State Board of Health. These forms shall be the only acceptable means for showing compliance with these immunization requirements, and the responsible school officials shall file the form with the child's record.

If a child shall offer to enroll at a school without having completed the required vaccinations, the local health officer may grant a period of time up to ninety (90) days for such completion when, in the opinion of the health officer, such delay will not cause undue risk to the child, the school or the community. No child shall be enrolled without having had at least one (1) dose of each specified vaccine.

Within thirty (30) days after the opening of the fall term of school (on or before October 1 of each year) the person in charge of each school shall report to the county or local health officer, on forms provided by the Mississippi State Board of Health, the number of children enrolled by age or grade or both, the number fully vaccinated, the number in process of completing vaccination requirements, and the number exempt from vaccination by reason for such exemption.

Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the opening of the fall term (on or before December 31), the person in charge of each school shall certify to the local or county health officer that all children enrolled are in compliance with immunization requirements.

For the purpose of assisting in supervising the immunization status of the children the local health officer, or his designee, may inspect the children's records or be furnished certificates of immunization compliance by the school.

It shall be the responsibility of the person in charge of each school to enforce the requirements for immunization. Any child not in compliance at the end of ninety (90) days from the opening of the fall term must be suspended until in compliance, unless the health officer shall attribute the delay to lack of supply of vaccine or some other such factor clearly making compliance impossible.

Failure to enforce provisions of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and upon conviction be punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.

§ 41-23-39

The following terms when used in Sections 41-23-39 and 41-23-41 shall have the following meanings ascribed in this section:

(a) “Emergency medical technician” means a person licensed under Section 41-59-1 et seq. to provide emergency medical services as an emergency medical technician-ambulance, emergency medical technician- advanced, emergency medical technician-paramedic, or emergency medical technician-nurse-paramedic.

(b) “Fire department” means service groups (paid or volunteer) that are organized and trained for the prevention and control of loss of life and property from fire and/or other emergencies.

(c) “Firefighter” means an individual who is assigned to fire fighting activity and is required to respond to alarms and perform emergency actions at the location of a fire, hazardous materials or other emergency incident.

(d) “Infectious disease” means any condition as listed or determined by the State Department of Health that may be transmitted by an infected person.

(e) “Licensed facility” means hospital, nursing home, medical clinic or dialysis center, as licensed by the state to provide medical care, but shall not include a physician's office.

(f) “Bystanding caregiver” means any person who is unlicensed or noncertified in providing medical services or emergency medical services, who provides care or services to an injured person at the scene of an emergency before the arrival and rendering of emergency medical services by a licensed or certified emergency medical services provider.

§ 41-23-41

If, in the course of providing emergency services to any person subsequently transported to a licensed facility, an emergency medical technician, fire fighter, bystanding caregiver or other provider of emergency rescue services is exposed by direct contact to the patient's blood or other internal body fluids, the emergency medical technician, fire fighter, bystanding caregiver or the emergency service provider, or his/her employer, shall notify the licensed facility to which the patient is transported of the blood and/or body fluid exposure. If the patient is subsequently diagnosed as having an infectious disease specified by the State Department of Health as being transmissible by blood or other internal body fluids, the licensed facility shall notify the emergency medical technician, fire fighter, bystanding caregiver, emergency service provider, or his/her employer, in such detail and according to the manner prescribed by the State Board of Health in its regulations. The State Board of Health shall adopt appropriate regulations to address the diseases involved.

§ 41-23-43

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Department” means the Mississippi State Department of Health, Bioterrorism Division;

(b) “Director” means the Executive Director of the State Board of Health;

(c) “Bioterrorism” means the intentional use of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance or biological product, to cause or attempt to cause death, disease or other biological malfunction in any living organism;

(d) “Disaster locations” means any geographical location where a bioterrorism attack, terrorist attack, catastrophic or natural disaster or emergency occurs;

(e) “First responders” means state and local law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel, emergency medical personnel, emergency management personnel and public works personnel who may be deployed to bioterrorism attacks, terrorist attacks, catastrophic or natural disasters and emergencies.

(2) The department shall offer a vaccination program for first responders who may be exposed to infectious diseases when deployed to disaster locations. The vaccinations shall include, but are not limited to, hepatitis A vaccination, hepatitis B vaccination, diphtheria-tetanus vaccination, influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination and other vaccinations when recommended by the United States Public Health Service and in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Directors Policy. Immune globulin will be made available when necessary.

(3) Participation in the vaccination program shall be voluntary by the first responders, except for first responders who are classified as having “occupational exposure” to blood borne pathogens as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standard contained at 29 CFR 1910.10300 who shall be required to take the designated vaccinations or otherwise required by law.

(4) A first responder shall be exempt from vaccinations when a written statement from a licensed physician is presented indicating that a vaccine is medically contraindicated for that person or the first responder signs a written statement that the administration of a vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets.

(5) If there is a vaccine shortage, the director, in consultation with the Governor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall give priority for vaccination to first responders.

(6) The department shall notify first responders to the availability of the vaccination program and shall provide educational materials on ways to prevent exposure to infectious diseases.

(7) The department may contract with county and local health departments, not-for-profit home health-care agencies, hospitals and physicians to administer a vaccination program for first responders.

(8) This section shall be effective upon receipt of federal funding and/or federal grants for administering a first responders vaccination program. Upon receipt of that funding, the department shall make available the vaccines to first responders as provided in this section.

§ 41-23-45

The State Department of Health shall prepare written educational information on the risks associated with meningitis and hepatitis A and B and the availability and effectiveness of available vaccines for these diseases. The department shall provide this written educational information to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Mississippi Community College Board to be used to inform students about meningitis and hepatitis A and B. This information shall be sent to students with their letters of acceptance for admission or included in the students' admission packets.

§ 41-23-47

Not later than January 1, 2006, the State Department of Health, in collaboration with the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, shall prepare and deliver to the Legislature a statewide Hepatitis C Virus plan.

§ 41-23-49

(1) As used in Sections 41-23-49 and 43-23-51, the following words and phrases have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “Immunity passport” means a document, digital record, or software application indicating that a person has immunity to COVID-19, either through vaccination or infection and recovery.

(b) “COVID-19 vaccination status” means an indication of whether a person has received one or more doses of a vaccine for COVID-19.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, it is an unlawful discriminatory practice for:

(a) A state agency, public official, state institution of higher learning, public community or junior college, county, municipality or other political subdivision of the state to refuse, withhold from, or deny to a person any local or state services, goods, facilities, advantages, privileges, licensing, educational opportunities, health care access, or employment opportunities based on the person's COVID-19 vaccination status or whether the person has an immunity passport;

(b) A state agency, public official, state institution of higher learning, public community or junior college, county, municipality or other political subdivision of the state to refuse employment to a person, to bar a person from employment, or to discriminate against a person in compensation or in a term, condition, or privilege of employment based on the person's COVID-19 vaccination status or whether the person has an immunity passport; or

(c) A state agency, public official, state institution of higher learning, public community or junior college, county, municipality or other political subdivision of the state to exclude, limit, segregate, refuse to serve, or otherwise discriminate against a person based on the person's COVID-19 vaccination status or whether the person has an immunity passport.

(3) Children attending any school, kindergarten or similar type of facility intended for the instruction of children, either public or private, shall not be required to receive a vaccine for COVID-19 as a condition of attendance.

(4)(a) A state agency, public official, state institution of higher learning, public community or junior college, county, municipality or other political subdivision of the state does not unlawfully discriminate under this section if they recommend that an employee receive a vaccine for COVID-19.

(b) A health care facility does not unlawfully discriminate under Sections 41-23-49 and 43-23-51 if it:

(i) Asks an employee to volunteer the employee's COVID-19 vaccination status for the purpose of determining whether the health care facility should implement reasonable accommodation measures to protect the safety and health of employees, patients, visitors, and other persons from COVID-19. A health care facility may consider an employee to be unvaccinated if the employee declines to provide the employee's COVID-19 vaccination status to the health care facility for purposes of determining whether reasonable accommodation measures should be implemented; or

(ii) Implements reasonable accommodation measures for employees, patients, visitors, and other persons who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 to protect the safety and health of employees, patients, visitors, and other persons from COVID-19.

(5) An employee of any public or private employer who has a sincerely held religious objection to receiving a vaccine for COVID-19 shall not be required to receive a vaccine for COVID-19.

§ 41-23-101

The state board of health is hereby authorized to offer rubella screening tests to all females of childbearing age and to collect fees to defray the costs of such tests, provided that such fees shall not exceed the applicable Medicaid rate.

§ 41-23-103

The state board of health shall counsel all females found after testing to be nonimmune to rubella as to the risks and benefits of immunization and as to the associated risks of birth defects in pregnancies occurring within ninety (90) days of vaccination.

§ 41-23-105

Neither the state board of health nor any physician or nurse employed by the board who, in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable care, performs testing for susceptibility to rubella, renders counseling as provided in Section 41-23-103, or administers vaccinations against rubella shall be liable for any civil damages as a result of any acts committed in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable care or omissions in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable care by such persons in performing such testing, counseling or vaccinations.

§ 41-23-121

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Department of Health apply for federal grants and appropriations under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Public Law 111-148, to fund, build infrastructure, promote and expand school-located influenza vaccination programs to provide seasonal influenza vaccinations for school-aged children. The agency may seek grants and appropriations from any source.

(2) The State Department of Health shall make information regarding federal grant and appropriations opportunities under PPACA available to local government agencies, local public health departments, school districts, and state and local nonprofit organizations via the agency's website.

Chapter 24 Sickle Cell Testing Program

§ 41-24-1

The state board of health is hereby authorized and empowered to promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to establish a program of testing to determine the presence of the disease or condition known as sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait.

§ 41-24-3

In order to accomplish a program of testing for the disease or condition known as sickle cell anemia and/or sickle cell trait which will be most effective and efficient throughout the state, the state board of health may, by rule or regulation, require testing of only those persons who, because of race, ethnic group or other reasons are determined to be particularly susceptible to the condition.

§ 41-24-5

The state board of health is hereby authorized and empowered to prepare and distribute educational materials relating to sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait in conjunction with the program of testing as provided for above. Such materials shall be distributed to school teachers and administrators in charge of children who are susceptible to the condition, as well as being distributed generally.

Chapter 25 Disinfection and Sanitation of Buildings and Premises

§ 41-25-1

The State Board of Health shall have authority to make such sanitary investigations and prepare such rules and regulations governing the disinfection and sanitation of public buildings and vehicles as it may deem necessary for the protection and improvement of health.

§ 41-25-3

The board shall assess a fee in the following amount and for the following purpose:

Mobile home and recreational vehicle park annual permit fee. . . . .$50.00

The fee authorized under this section shall not be assessed for any mobile home and recreational vehicle park operated by a state or federal agency or institution.

§ 41-25-13

The state board of health shall have the power to establish sanitary regulations for house trailers, house trailer camps, and tourist camps, which shall be called the sanitary code. The sanitary code may include provisions for the sanitary construction, maintenance, regulation, inspection, equipment and control of house trailer camps, tourist camps, and house trailers, and for their registration, with particular and special provisions with respect to plumbing, drainage, water supply and disposal or removal of toilet excretion, garbage and all other waste or refuse substances and accumulations. No house trailer camp, tourist camp, or house trailer shall be located, operated or drawn within this state unless and until it has complied with such provisions. Nothing herein contained shall limit or qualify the power of the state department of health to adopt and enforce other, additional or emergency regulations for house trailer or tourist camps and house trailers whenever the health of the people of this state is endangered or threatened.

Every regulation adopted by the state board of health shall state the date on which it takes effect, and a copy thereof, duly signed by the executive officer of the state board of health, shall be filed as a public record in the state department of health and a copy thereof shall be sent by the state board of health to each health officer within the state. The state board of health shall furnish certified copies of such code and its amendments and such certified copies shall be received in evidence in all courts or other judicial proceedings in the state. The provisions of the sanitary code shall have the force and effect of law.

Violations of the provisions of the sanitary code relating to house trailer camps, tourist camps, and house trailers are a misdemeanor. Each day on which a violation thereof continues is a separate offense.

Chapter 26 Mississippi Safe Drinking Water Act of 1997

§ 41-26-1

This chapter shall be known and cited as the “Mississippi Safe Drinking Water Act of 1997.”

§ 41-26-2

(1) The Legislature finds that:

(a) An adequate supply of safe, pure drinking water is essential to the public health and welfare and the maintenance of that supply through viable water systems is an important natural resource in the economic development of the state;

(b) The federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, provides a comprehensive framework for regulating the collection, treatment, storage and distribution of potable water; and

(c) It is in the public interest of the state to assume primary enforcement responsibility under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended.

(2) The purposes of this chapter shall be:

(a) To establish a state program to assure provision of safe drinking water to the public by establishing drinking water standards consistent with the federal act and developing a state program to implement and enforce the standards. The standards shall protect the public health and welfare to the extent feasible using technology, treatment techniques and other means which are generally available.

(b) To develop a process for implementing plans for the provision of safe drinking water in emergencies;

(c) To provide public notice of potentially hazardous conditions that may exist in a water supply; and

(d) To authorize the director to prevent the creation of new potentially non-viable community water systems, to provide technical assistance to existing potentially non-viable systems to help those systems become viable and to encourage the elimination of non-viable systems whose problems cannot be corrected.

(3) It is the intent of the Legislature that the board in implementing Section 41-26-5(3) shall work cooperatively with organizations which provide training and assistance to public water systems. The board shall, consistent with state and federal law and rules and regulations and subject to the availability of funds, contract annually with and provide funding for those organizations. Any contract and funding shall be contingent upon receipt of an acceptable scope of work and cost proposal, as determined by the department and upon the contractor satisfactorily meeting performance objectives established in the contract.

§ 41-26-3

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “Administrator” means the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the administrator's designee.

(b) “Board” means the Mississippi State Board of Health.

(c) “Community public water system” means a public water system serving at least fifteen (15) individual service connections used by year-round consumers or regularly servicing at least twenty-five (25) individual consumers year-round.

(d) “Construction” means any placement, assembly or installation of facilities or equipment, including contractual obligations to purchase those facilities or equipment, at the location where the equipment will be used, including any preparation work at any location.

(e) “Contaminant” means any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance or matter in water.

(f) “Cross connection” means any direct interconnection between a public water system and a non-public water system or other source which may result in the contamination of the drinking water provided by the public water system.

(g) “Department” means the Mississippi State Department of Health.

(h) “Director” means the State Health Officer or the health officer's designee.

(i) “Federal act” means the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, principally codified as 42 U.S.C. Section 300(f) et seq.

(j) “Federal agency” means any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States.

(k) “Interested party” means any person claiming an interest in the water system operation that is the subject of the hearing and who may be affected by the water system.

(l) “Maximum contaminant level” means the maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water which is delivered to any user of a public water system.

(m) “Municipality” means a city, town, village or other public body created by state law, or an Indian tribal organization authorized by law.

(n) “National primary drinking water regulations” means primary drinking water regulations promulgated by the administrator under the federal act.

(o) “Nontransient, noncommunity public water system” means a public water system that is not a community water system and that regularly serves at least twenty-five (25) of the same persons over six (6) months per year.

(p) “Person” means an individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, municipality or federal agency.

(q) “Public water system” means a system for providing to the public piped water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances if the system has at least fifteen (15) service connections or regularly serves at least twenty-five (25) individuals. The term includes but is not limited to:

(i) Any collection, treatment, storage and distribution facilities under control of the operator of the system and used primarily in connection with the system; and

(ii) Any collection or pre-treatment storage facilities not under the control which are used primarily in connection with the system.

(r) “Semi-public water system” means a system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances if the system has more than one but less than fifteen (15) service connections.

(s) “Supplier of water” means any person who owns, or controls a public water system.

(t) “Violator” means a public water system, an officer or director of a public water system, an operator, certified or otherwise, or any other person designated by a public water system or the department as the official responsible for the operation of a public water system.

§ 41-26-5

(1) In addition to any other duties required by law, the board shall have the following powers and duties concerning safe drinking water:

(a) To establish policies, requirements or standards governing the source, collection, distribution, purification, treatment and storage of water for public water systems as it deems necessary for the provision of safe drinking water;

(b) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing and in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law and Section 41-26-6, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing the powers and duties of the board under this chapter;

(c) To enter into, and to authorize the director to execute contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with, any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, interstate agency, or any other person in connection with carrying out this chapter; and

(d) To discharge other powers, duties and responsibilities which may be necessary to implement this chapter.

(2)(a) Except as provided in Section 41-26-5(2)(b), regulations adopted under this section shall apply to each public water system in the state.

(b) Regulations shall not apply to a public water system:

(i) Which consists only of distribution and storage facilities, and which does not have any collection and treatment facilities;

(ii) Which obtains all of its water from, but is not owned or operated by, a public water system to which such regulations apply;

(iii) Which does not sell water to any person; and

(iv) Which is not a carrier which conveys passengers in interstate commerce.

(3) The board shall develop and implement a technical assistance program to help existing potentially non-viable community public water systems to become viable and to improve the technical, managerial or financial capabilities of small community public water systems. In developing this program, the board shall work cooperatively with organizations which currently provide training and assistance to public water systems.

§ 41-26-6

(1) The board may adopt rules and regulations governing public water systems, but those rules and regulations shall, except as expressly required by law, be no more stringent or extensive in scope, coverage and effect than regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

(2) If federal regulations do not provide a standard, criteria or guidance addressing public water systems, the board may promulgate rules and regulations to address these matters when the board determines that the rules and regulations are necessary to protect the public health and welfare.

(3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the director by order or in the approval of plans for construction or changes from placing additional requirements on a public water system on a case by case basis in order to provide for the quantity and quality of drinking water or to protect the public health and welfare.

§ 41-26-7

In addition to any other duties required by law, the director shall have the following powers and duties concerning safe drinking water:

(a) To exercise general supervision over the administration and enforcement of this chapter and applicable rules and regulations;

(b) To make inspections and investigations, collect samples and carry on research and analyses as may be necessary to carry out this chapter and applicable rules and regulations;

(c) To enter at all reasonable times onto any property other than the interior of a private dwelling to make inspections, conduct investigations or studies or enforce this chapter and applicable rules and regulations;

(d) To enter into contracts, grants or cooperative arrangements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, interstate agency or any other person;

(e) To receive financial and technical assistance from the federal government and other public or private agencies or organizations;

(f) To participate in related programs of the federal government, other states, interstate agencies, or other public or private agencies or organizations;

(g) To establish adequate fiscal controls and accounting procedures to assure proper disbursement of and account for funds appropriated or otherwise necessary to carry out this chapter;

(h) To hold hearings, issue, modify or revoke orders, levy and collect any administrative fine or penalty and to enforce the laws, rules and regulations governing safe drinking water;

(i) To keep any records and make reports with respect to the activities of the department;

(j) To delegate any powers, duties and responsibilities as deemed appropriate to administer this chapter including delegation of any powers and duties regarding administrative enforcement to a designated administrative law judge or hearing officer; and

(k) To perform all acts necessary to carry out this chapter or the federal act.

§ 41-26-8

(1) The director shall exercise general supervision over the construction and operation of public water systems throughout the state. The general supervision shall include all of the features of construction and operation of public water systems which do or may affect the sanitary quality or the quantity of the water supply.

(2)(a) No person shall construct or change any community public water system or nontransient, noncommunity public water system until the plans for that construction or change have been submitted to and approved by the director. Plans for the construction or change must be prepared by a professional engineer registered in this state.

(b) In addition, each applicant for a new community public water system or nontransient, noncommunity public water system shall submit an operation and maintenance plan for review and approval by the director. The plan must be approved before beginning construction.

(c) In granting any approval under this section, the director may specify any modifications, conditions or limitations as may be required for the protection of the public health and welfare.

(d) The director may also review the source of the water and the quantity of water to be withdrawn.

(e) Records of construction, including plans and descriptions of existing portions of a public water system, shall be made available to the department upon request.

(f) Each applicant for a new community public water system or nontransient, noncommunity public water system shall submit financial and managerial information as required by the public utilities staff. Following review of that information, the executive director of the public utilities staff shall certify in writing to the director the financial and managerial viability of the system if the executive director determines the system is viable. The director shall not approve the construction until that certification is received.

(g) The director shall not approve any plans for changes to an existing community public water system or nontransient, noncommunity public water system, if the director determines the changes would threaten the viability of the system or if the changes may overload the operational capabilities of the system.

(h) Those public water systems determined by the director to be appropriately providing corrosion control treatment shall effectively operate and maintain the system's water treatment facilities in order to continuously provide the optimum pH of the treated water or optimum dosage of corrosion inhibitor.

(3) Each semipublic water system shall notify the department of its location, a responsible party and the number of connections served. The department shall, to the extent practicable, take appropriate actions to ensure that records on semipublic water systems are up-to-date. The board may require water well drillers to provide information on wells drilled for use by semipublic water systems. The department shall at least annually collect a sample from each semipublic water system and shall analyze that sample at no cost to the semipublic water system for microbiological contaminants and any other contaminants deemed appropriate by the department. If the department finds levels of contaminants exceeding the Mississippi Primary Drinking Water Standards, the department shall notify the responsible party and shall provide technical assistance to the system to correct the problem. No semipublic water system shall be subject to the penalty provided under Section 41-26-31.

§ 41-26-9

The director, upon receipt of information that a contaminant which is present in or is likely to enter a public water system may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health, may take any actions deemed necessary to protect the public health. The actions may include, but shall not be limited to:

(a) Issuing any orders either on the initiative of the director or through a designated administrative law judge or hearing officer as may be necessary to protect the public health of users of the system, including travelers; and

(b) Commencing a civil action for appropriate relief, including a restraining order or permanent or temporary injunction.

§ 41-26-11

The director shall develop an adequate plan for the provision of safe drinking water under emergency circumstances. If, in the judgment of the director, emergency circumstances exist in the state for safe drinking water, the director may take any actions deemed necessary to provide safe drinking water where it otherwise would not be available.

§ 41-26-13

(1) A public water system shall, as soon as practicable, notify the county or district health department, the board and the administrator if one (1) of the following conditions exist: (a) the system is not in compliance with the Mississippi Primary Drinking Water Regulations; (b) the system fails to perform monitoring required by regulations adopted by the board; (c) the system is subject to a variance granted for an inability to meet a maximum contaminant level requirement; (d) the system is subject to an exemption; or (e) the system fails to comply with the requirements prescribed by a variance or exemption.

(2) In addition, the system shall provide public notice. The notice shall be provided to the Mississippi State Department of Health at least once every three (3) months, and that public notice shall be published by the department on its Web site. The system shall provide notice that the drinking water quality reports are available on the Mississippi State Department of Health Web site by placing the notice, including the Web site address, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area which is served by the water system, as determined by the director. The notice shall not be placed in the legal section of the newspaper. The notice shall be furnished to the other communications media serving the area as soon as practicable after the discovery of any condition for which the notice is required. If the water bills of a public water system are issued more often than once every three (3) months, the notice shall be included in at least one (1) water bill of the system every three (3) months, and if a public water system issues its water bills less often than once every three (3) months, the notice shall be included in each water bill issued by the system.

§ 41-26-14

(1) The department shall develop and implement a cross connection control program in accordance with this section. Before development of the cross connection control program, the department shall consult with the United States Environmental Protection Agency regarding the development of a federal cross connection control program. It is the intent of the Legislature that any cross connection control program developed and implemented by the department be equivalent to a federal program, unless otherwise provided in this section.

(2)(a) The board shall adopt regulations defining a high hazard cross connection and a low hazard cross connection. The board shall determine which low hazard cross connections pose a very low risk and therefore are below regulatory concern. Those low hazard cross connections posing a very low risk shall be exempt from the requirements of this section and shall not be required to have a backflow preventer device. In addition, the regulations shall specify those backflow preventer devices which are recommended to address both high hazard and low hazard cross connections.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the following cross connections shall be considered as low hazard cross connections posing a very low risk:

(i) Any lawn sprinkler system or lawn irrigation system that is connected to a public water system and was professionally installed, regardless of whether the system is underground or above ground or whether the system has pop-up sprinkler heads;

(ii) Any swimming pool that is connected to a public water system and was professionally installed, or any swimming pool that is connected to a public water system and has a fill line with an anti-siphon air gap;

(iii) Any water fountain or cooler that provides drinking water for human consumption, that is connected to a public water system and was professionally installed;

(iv) Any fire sprinkler system that contains only water or a dry pipe and no chemicals, that is connected to a public water system and was professionally installed; and

(v) Any commercial establishment that is connected to a public water system, that contains no cross connections directly with a dangerous or hazardous substance or material.

(c) For the purposes of this section, any lawn sprinkler system or lawn irrigation system that is connected to a public water system and either injects or stores lawn chemicals or is connected to a wastewater supply shall be considered as high hazard cross connections and not exempt from the requirements of this section; however, the local public water system shall not be required to conduct an on-site inspection to identify any such system under this paragraph (c).

(d) Any regulations that were adopted before April 12, 2001, to implement a cross connection control program shall be void to the extent those regulations are in conflict or inconsistent with this section.

(3) Before December 31, 2000, each public water system shall develop and implement a cross connection control program and shall conduct a survey and on-site visits, as necessary, to locate cross connections within its system. Single family dwellings and multifamily dwellings shall be excluded from the survey, unless the public water system has reason to believe a cross connection exists.

(4) Before June 30, 2001, each property owner identified by the public water system as having a high hazard cross connection shall install a backflow preventer device. If the property owner already has a backflow preventer device installed and the backflow preventer device functions properly, the public water system shall consider the backflow preventer device approved and shall allow the installed backflow preventer device to remain in place until the backflow preventer device fails to function properly. Additional backflow preventer devices shall not be required for carbonated beverage dispensers if (a) the water supply connection to the carbonated beverage dispenser is protected against backflow by a backflow preventer device conforming to ASSE 1022 or by an air gap, and (b) the backflow preventer device and the piping downstream from the device are not affected by carbon dioxide gas.

(5) Before June 30, 2004, each property owner identified by the public water system as having a low hazard cross connection shall install a backflow preventer device. This requirement does not apply to any low hazard cross connection that poses a very low risk. If the property owner already has a backflow preventer device installed and the backflow preventer device functions properly, the public water system shall consider the backflow preventer device approved and shall allow the installed backflow preventer device to remain in place until the backflow preventer device fails to function properly.

(6) Each high hazard backflow preventer device shall be inspected and tested at least annually. If a high hazard backflow preventer device fails to function properly, the property owner shall have the backflow preventer device repaired and retested or shall install a new approved backflow preventer device within thirty (30) days of the initial test. If a low hazard backflow preventer device fails to function properly, the property owner shall have the backflow preventer device repaired or shall install a new backflow preventer device within ninety (90) days after the date the backflow preventer device first fails to function properly.

(7) All inspection and testing of backflow preventer devices under this section shall be conducted by a certified tester, unless otherwise provided in the regulations of the board. Certified backflow preventer device testers shall be licensed by the department under those conditions as the department deems appropriate.

(8) If a property owner fails to install a backflow preventer device or fails to have a backflow preventer device tested as required by this section, the public water system may discontinue service to that property owner until the failure is corrected.

(9) After the dates specified in subsections (4) and (5) of this section, it is unlawful to install or allow the installation or maintenance of any cross connection, auxiliary intake or bypass, unless the source and quality of water from the auxiliary supply, the method of connection and the use and operation of that cross connection, auxiliary intake or bypass has been approved by the director. However, this subsection does not authorize the director to modify, supersede or suspend any provision of this section regarding backflow preventer devices.

(10)(a) A municipality, county or public water system shall not adopt or implement any ordinance, rule, regulation, standard or policy regarding cross connections or backflow preventer devices that is more stringent or extensive in scope, coverage or effect than the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section, or is in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section. Any such ordinance, rule, regulation, standard or policy regarding cross connections or backflow preventer devices that was adopted before April 12, 2001, is void to the extent that it is more stringent or extensive in scope, coverage or effect than the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section, or is in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section.

(b) If any municipality or county adopts or has previously adopted a building code, plumbing code or any other code that contains requirements or standards regarding cross connections or backflow preventer devices, the municipality or county or any public water system operating in the municipality or county shall not implement or enforce any such requirements or standards that are more stringent or extensive in scope, coverage or effect than the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section, or are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section.

§ 41-26-15

The following acts and the causing of these acts are prohibited:

(a) Failure by a supplier of water to comply with the requirements of Section 41-26-13, or dissemination by that supplier of any false or misleading information with respect to notices required under Section 41-26-13, or with respect to remedial actions being undertaken to achieve compliance with Mississippi Primary Drinking Water Regulations;

(b) Failure by a supplier of water to comply with this chapter or applicable rules or regulations promulgated under this chapter, or with conditions of any variances or exemptions granted under this chapter;

(c) Failure by any person to comply with any order issued by the director, administrative law judge or hearing officer under this chapter;

(d) Refusal by a supplier of water to allow an authorized representative of the department to inspect any public water system;

(e) Contamination of a public water system;

(f) Intentionally damaging any pipe or other part of a public water system;

(g) Discharge of sewage or other waste at any location that may come into contact with a public water system intake, unless that discharge is permitted or authorized by a state or federal agency; and

(h) Abandonment or other termination of water services to more than fifty percent (50%) of the customers of a system by a supplier of water, without providing at least sixty (60) days' notice to all customers served by the public water system and the department.

§ 41-26-17

(1) When the director or an employee of the department has reason to believe that a violation of this chapter, a rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter, any order of the director, or any limitation or condition of an approval has occurred, the director shall cause a written complaint to be served upon the alleged violator. The complaint shall specify the provisions of this chapter, rule or regulation, order or approval alleged to be violated and the facts alleged to constitute that violation. The complaint shall also require the alleged violator to appear before the director at a time and place specified in the notice to answer the charges. The time of appearance shall be at least five (5) days from the date of the service of the complaint.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (1) of this section, upon the filing of a complaint by any person alleging a violation of this chapter, a rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter, any order of the director or any limitation or condition of an approval, the director shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. Any complaint filed under this subsection shall be in writing, signed by the person making the allegation and filed with the director. If the director finds a basis for the complaint, the director shall cause written notice of the complaint, specifying the charges or allegations made, to be served upon the alleged violator. The notice shall also require the alleged violator to appear before the director at a time and place specified in the notice to answer the charges. The time of appearance shall be at least five (5) days from the date of the service of the complaint. If the director finds no basis for the complaint, the director shall dismiss the complaint.

(3) The director shall afford an opportunity for a hearing to the alleged violator at the time and place specified in the notice. On the basis of the facts determined at the hearing, the presiding official shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and enter an order. The director shall give written notice of that order to the alleged violator and to any other persons appearing at the hearing or making written request for notice of the order. In addition to ordering corrections in the operation or maintenance of a public water system, and other measures which, in the opinion of the director, are necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter or the federal act or to safeguard the public health, the director may assess penalties as provided in Section 41-26-31.

(4) Except as otherwise expressly provided, any notice or other instrument issued by or under authority of this chapter may be served on any person affected and proof of that service may be made in like manner as in case of service of a summons in a civil action. Proof of service shall be filed in the office of the director. In addition, service may be made by mailing a copy of the notice, order or other instrument by certified mail, directed to the person affected at the person's last known post office address as shown by the files or records of the department, and proof thereof may be made by the affidavit of the person who did the mailing, filed in the office of the director.

§ 41-26-19

(1)(a) Any hearing under this chapter may be conducted by the director or an administrative law judge or an administrative hearing officer designated by the director. The presiding official may conduct the hearings in the name of the director at any time and place as conditions and circumstances may warrant. The presiding official shall have the record of any hearing prepared which the official has conducted for the director.

(b) In any pending matters under this chapter, the director shall have the same powers to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, examine witnesses under oath and conduct the hearing, as is now vested by law in the Mississippi Public Service Commission, for hearings before it. In addition, the director may issue all subpoenas, both at the instance of the petitioner and of the director. At any hearing the director, the staff of the department, any other petitioner or any other interested person, may offer proof, present witnesses and submit evidence. At the discretion of the presiding official, comments may be taken from members of the public who are subscribers of the public water system. Witnesses who are subpoenaed shall receive the same fees and mileage as in civil actions. In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a notice of hearing or subpoena issued under this section, the circuit court shall have jurisdiction, upon application of the director or the director's representative, to issue an order requiring that person to appear and testify or produce evidence as the case may require and any failure to obey that order of the court may be punished by the court as contempt. Failure to appear at any hearing, without prior authorization to do so from the director or the director's representative, may result in the director finding the alleged violator guilty of the charges complained of by default. An order may be entered, including the assessment of a penalty, which, in the opinion of the director, will best further the purposes of this chapter.

(2) All hearings shall be recorded either by a court reporter or by tape or mechanical recorders and subject to transcription upon order of the director or any interested person. If the request for transcription originates with an interested person, that person shall pay the cost prior to the production of the transcription.

§ 41-26-21

Following the hearing, the presiding official shall enter an order which shall become a final order of the director, unless the petitioner or other interested person appearing at the hearing, shall, within ten (10) days after the date of the final order was made, appeal to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County or the chancery court of the county of the situs, in whole or in part. The petitioner or other interested person shall give a cost bond with sufficient sureties, payable to the state in the sum of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), to be fixed in the order appealed from. The cost bond shall be filed with and approved by the director, who shall certify the bond, together with a certified copy of the record of the hearing in the matter, to the chancery court, which shall be the record of the cause. Except as provided in this section, an appeal to the chancery court as provided in this section shall not stay the execution of a final order of the director.

Any person who is aggrieved by any final order or other decision issued under this section may, within ten (10) days after the date of that order or decision, petition the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County or the chancery court of the county of the situs, in whole or in part, for an appeal with supersedeas. The chancellor shall grant a hearing on that petition. Upon good cause shown, the chancellor may grant the appeal with supersedeas. The appellant shall be required to post a bond with sufficient sureties according to law in an amount to be determined by the chancellor. Appeals shall be considered only upon the record as made at the hearing before the presiding official. The chancery court shall always be deemed open for hearing of appeals and the chancellor may hear the appeal in termtime or in vacation at any place in the chancellor's district. The appeal shall have precedence over all civil cases, except election contests. The chancery court shall review all questions of law and of fact. If no prejudicial error is found, the matter shall be affirmed and remanded to the director for enforcement. If a prejudicial error is found, the matter shall be reversed and the chancery court shall remand the matter to the director for appropriate action as may be indicated or necessary under the circumstances. Appeals may be taken from the chancery court to the Supreme Court in the manner as now required by law, but if a supersedeas is desired by the party appealing to the chancery court, that party may apply for the supersedeas to the chancellor, who shall award a writ of supersedeas, without additional bond, if in the chancellor's judgment material damage is not likely to result. If material damage is likely to result, the chancellor shall require a supersedeas bond as deemed proper, which shall be liable to the state for any damage.

§ 41-26-23

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a fund to be designated as the “Drinking Water Quality Analysis Fund.” The fund shall be treated as a special trust fund. Interest earned on the principal in the fund shall be credited by the Treasurer to the fund. The fund may receive monies from any available public or private source, including fees, proceeds and grants. The department shall expend or utilize monies in the fund to pay all reasonable direct and indirect costs of water quality analysis and related activities as required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended. Monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall be retained in the fund for use in the succeeding fiscal year. Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, if the annual fees collected exceed the cost of administering the water quality analysis program in that fiscal year, the excess shall be applied to the cost of administering the program in the succeeding fiscal year. In the succeeding fiscal year, the total to be collected from fees shall be reduced by the excess retained in the fund and the assessment rates shall be adjusted proportionately.

(2) The department annually shall assess and collect fees for water quality analysis and related activities as required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, which shall not exceed Three Dollars ($3.00) per connection or Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00) per system, whichever is less. Any increase in the fees charged by the department under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. The department annually shall adopt by rule, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Law and following a public hearing, a fee schedule to cover all reasonable direct and indirect costs of water quality analysis and related activities as required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended. In adopting a fee schedule, the department shall consider the recommendations of the advisory committee created in this section, if those recommendations are made in a timely manner as provided.

(3) An advisory committee is created to study the program needs and costs for the implementation of the water quality analysis program and to conduct an annual review of the needs and costs of administering that program. The annual review shall include an independent recommendation on an equitable fee schedule for the succeeding fiscal year. Each annual review report shall be due to the department by May 1. The advisory committee shall consist of one (1) member appointed by the Mississippi Rural Water Association, one (1) member appointed by the Mississippi Municipal Association, one (1) member appointed by the Mississippi Association of Supervisors and one (1) member appointed by the Mississippi Water and Pollution Control Operators Association, Inc.

(4) All suppliers of water for which water quality analysis and related activities as required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, are performed by the State Department of Health shall pay the water quality analysis fee within forty-five (45) days following receipt of an invoice from the department. In the discretion of the department, any supplier of water required to pay the fee shall be liable for a penalty equal to a maximum of two (2) times the amount of fees due and payable plus an amount necessary to reimburse the costs of delinquent fee collection for failure to pay the fee within ninety (90) days following the receipt of the invoice. Any person making sales to customers of water for residential, noncommercial or nonagricultural use and who recovers the fee required by this section or any portion thereof from any customer shall indicate on each statement rendered to customers that these fees are for water quality analyses required by the federal government under the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended.

(5) There is created within the Drinking Water Quality Analysis Fund an equipment capital expenditure account, hereinafter referred to as the “account.” The department may transfer any excess fees, not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the total fees assessed under this section, to the account. The balance in the account shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00). Funds in the account shall be used by the department, as appropriated by the Legislature, to defray the costs of purchasing new equipment or repairing existing equipment for the analysis of drinking water.

§ 41-26-25

(1)(a) There is created in the State Treasury a fund to be designated as the “Public Water System Assistance Fund.” The fund shall contain two (2) accounts, designated as the “Public Water System Technical Assistance Account” and the “Public Water Systems Bond Operations Account.”

(b) Monies in the Public Water System Technical Assistance Account shall be used to pay the reasonable direct and indirect costs of providing technical assistance to public water systems under the program established in Section 41-26-5. Monies in the Public Water Systems Bond Operations Account shall be used as ordered by the court under Section 41-26-31.

(2) Expenditures may be made from the fund upon requisition by the director.

(3) The fund shall be treated as a special trust fund. Interest earned on the principal shall be credited by the Treasurer to the fund.

(4) The fund may receive monies from any available public or private source, including, but not limited to, collection of fines, penalties or fees, proceeds from bond or other financial security forfeitures, interest, grants, taxes, public and private donations, petroleum violation escrow funds or refunds, and appropriated funds.

§ 41-26-31

(1) If the director finds any person guilty of a violation of this chapter, any rule or regulation or written order of the director or any condition or limitation of an approval, the director may assess and levy a civil penalty of not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each violation, except as provided in Section 41-26-8(3). Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation. Any penalty shall be assessed and levied by the director after a hearing as provided in this chapter. Appeals from the imposition of the civil penalty may be taken to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County or the chancery court of the county of the situs, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 41-26-15. If the appellant desires to stay the execution of a civil penalty assessed under this section, the appellant shall give bond with sufficient sureties of one or more guaranty or surety companies authorized to do business in this state, payable to the State of Mississippi, in an amount equal to double the amount of any civil penalty assessed by the director, as to which the stay of execution is desired. If the judgment is affirmed, the appellant shall pay all costs of the assessment entered against the appellant.

(2) In addition to or in lieu of the penalty provided in subsection (1) of this section, the director may institute and maintain in the name of the state any proceedings necessary or appropriate to enforce this chapter, any rule or regulation or written order of the director or any condition or limitation of an approval. The proceedings may be filed and heard in the appropriate circuit, chancery, county or justice court of the county in which venue may lie, or in the Circuit, Chancery or County Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, as the case may be. The director may obtain mandatory or prohibitory injunctive relief, either temporary or permanent. In cases of imminent and substantial hazard or endangerment, it shall not be necessary that the state plead or prove: (a) that irreparable damage would result if the injunction did not issue; (b) that there is no adequate remedy at law; or (c) that a written order has first been issued for the alleged violation.

(3) In determining the amount of any penalty under this section, the director shall consider at a minimum:

(a) The willfulness of the violation;

(b) Costs of restoration and abatement;

(c) Economic benefit as a result of noncompliance;

(d) The seriousness of the violation, including any harm or hazard to the public health and welfare; and

(e) Past performance history.

(4)(a) The owner of any public water system found in violation of this chapter may submit to the director a plan for:

(i) The physical consolidation of the system with one or more other viable public water systems;

(ii) The consolidation of significant management and administrative functions of the system with one or more other viable public water systems or contract or satellite management of the system; or

(iii) The transfer of ownership of the system.

(b) If the director approves the plan and the plan is fully implemented as determined by the director, the director shall waive any penalty assessed under this section for a violation identified in the approved plan before the date on which the action specified in the approved plan was completed.

(5)(a) In addition to or in lieu of any other penalty imposed under this section, the director may require the owner of any public water system found in violation to provide a performance bond or other acceptable financial security instrument including, but not limited to, cash, negotiable bonds of the United States government or the state, or negotiable certificates of deposit or a letter of credit of any bank organized or transacting business in the state and insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation or a similar federal banking or savings and loan insurance organization to the department. The bond or financial security must be approved by the director. The purpose of the bond or other financial security shall be the protection of the health and welfare of the customers of the system. The board shall establish by regulation the acceptable forms of financial security and the amount of financial security required for the various types and sizes of facilities. The director shall notify the owner, in writing, of the form and amount of security required.

(b) The director may petition the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County for forfeiture of the bond or other financial security, if the director determines that:

(i) The continued operation or lack of operation of the system covered by this section represents a threat to the public health and welfare;

(ii) All reasonable and practical efforts under the circumstances have been made to obtain corrective actions from the violators; and

(iii) It does not appear that corrective actions can or will be taken within an appropriate time as determined by the director, or it appears the facility has been abandoned.

(c) The proceeds of any forfeiture shall be deposited in the Public Water Systems Bond Operations Account of the Public Water Systems Assistance Fund and shall be used as ordered by the court to address or correct the noncompliance at the system. The proceeds shall be in addition to any other funds otherwise appropriated to the department and may be expended under the authority of this section without additional action of the Legislature or the Department of Finance and Administration.

(d) If the court finds that a system has been abandoned or that services of a system have been terminated, the court may enter any orders regarding continued operations of that system as it deems necessary to protect the public health and welfare.

(6)(a) Any penalty assessed by the director under this section shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days after notification of the violator of the order, and shall be due and payable jointly or severally, as the order may require or allow.

(b) If the assessed penalty is not paid within the thirty (30) days, or within any additional time as the director may allow, the director may file suit in the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County or any other court with appropriate jurisdiction to enforce the order, collect the penalty and recover reasonable attorney's fees and all court costs.

(c) A copy of the administrative order shall be sufficient proof as to the decision of the director.

(7) All fines and penalties recovered or collected by the director under subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited in the Public Water Systems Technical Assistance Account of the Public Water Systems Assistance Fund.

§ 41-26-101

(1) Each member elected or reelected after June 30, 1998, to serve on a governing board of any community public water system, except systems operated by municipalities with a population greater than ten thousand (10,000), shall attend a minimum of eight (8) hours of management training within two (2) years following the election of that board member. Any member failing to complete the management training within two (2) years after his election shall be subject to removal from the board by the remaining members. If a board member has undergone training and is reelected to the board, that board member shall not be required to attend training as provided by this subsection.

(2) The management training shall be organized by the State Department of Health, in cooperation with the Mississippi Rural Water Association and other organizations. The management training shall include information on water system management and financing, rate setting and structures, operations and maintenance, applicable laws and regulations, ethics, the duties and responsibilities of a board member and other information deemed necessary by the department after consultation with the association and other organizations. The department shall develop and provide all training materials. The association and other training organizations may charge a fee in the amount of Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00) per member plus the cost of the manual and materials. These costs shall be reimbursed to the board member as an expense of the community public water system.

(3) Two (2) officers of each board shall also obtain an additional four (4) hours of updated and advanced training within a four-year period. The term “officers” shall include the legally responsible official of the community public water system and the mayor, mayor pro tem, the president, and the vice president of the board. If one (1) of the officers is not able to attend the training, then he may appoint someone from among the existing board to attend in his place; however, the board member attending this training must have first completed the eight (8) hours of management training. This training will be held at a time and place that will accommodate those members who have other responsibilities. The training shall consist of, but not be limited to, updated regulatory rules and regulations, an in-depth look at the Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation Act as well as any updated information that would aid them in making decisions for their utility system. The association and other training organizations may charge a fee in the amount of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) per member plus the cost of the material needed for the training. These costs shall also be reimbursed to the board member as an expense of the community water system.

(4) To avoid board members having to interfere with their jobs or employment, management training sessions may be divided into segments and, to the greatest extent possible, shall be scheduled for evening sessions. The department shall conduct management training on a regional basis and shall use community college or other public facilities for the convenience of board members.

(5) The department may make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances to the requirements of this section for good cause shown.

Chapter 27 Mosquito Control

§ 41-27-1

The county board of supervisors in any county of this state may, with the approval of the state health officer, appoint three (3) persons who will constitute a board of commissioners of said county to be known as “The __________ County Mosquito Control Commission,” (inserting the name of the county in and for which the commissioners are appointed). The commissioners first so appointed in any county shall hold office respectively for the term of one (1), two (2) and three (3) years, as indicated and fixed in the order of appointment. All such commissioners, after the first appointment, shall be so appointed for the full term of three (3) years. Vacancies in the said commission occurring by resignation or otherwise shall be filled by the county board of supervisors with the approval of the state health officer, and the persons appointed to fill such vacancies shall be appointed for the unexpired term only. Such persons so appointed, when duly qualified, constituting such commission, and their successors are hereby created a body politic, with power to sue and be sued, to use a common seal and make bylaws.

The members of any such commission shall serve without compensation, except that the necessary expenses of each commissioner for actual attendance of meetings and a per diem as provided in Section 25-3-69 shall be allowed and paid. No commissioner shall be paid per diem in excess of two (2) meetings per month. The president and secretary shall furnish bond in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) each, the fee for same to be charged to available funds obtained for the work herein mentioned. No persons employed by the said commission shall be a member thereof. Before entering upon the duties of his office each commissioner shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation before the clerk of the county in and for which he is appointed, to faithfully and impartially perform the duties of his office, which oath or affirmation shall be filed with the clerk of the county wherein the commission of which he is a member is appointed. Every such commission shall annually choose from among its members a president and treasurer, and employ a director who is trained in mosquito control operations, and whose duty it shall be to direct the work of the commission as its executive. Every such commission shall employ a clerk or secretary, and such other help as it may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this article. It may also determine the duties and compensation of such employees, and make all rules and regulations respecting the same.

It shall be the duty of the county board of supervisors in each county to provide such commission with a suitable office where its meetings may be held, its maps, plans, documents, records, and accounts shall be kept, and office work carried on. The commission shall hold monthly meetings, and not less than two (2) members shall constitute a quorum.

§ 41-27-3

The state health officer shall be a member ex-officio of each county mosquito control commission and shall co-operate with them for the effective carrying out of their plans and work. The said state health officer shall serve without compensation, except that the necessary expenses actually incurred by him in the attendance of meetings of said commissions shall be allowed and paid.

§ 41-27-5

The State Board of Health, or its representative, shall, upon request of a county mosquito control commission, furnish the said commission with such surveys, maps, information, and advice as may be available for the prosecution of the work, or, as in its opinion, will be of advantage in connection therewith. The expenses of surveys shall be paid, in whole or in part, by the said commission.

§ 41-27-7

The county board of supervisors and the county mosquito control commission, may with the approval of the state health officer receive and accept any aid whatsoever from any source calculated to further the success of a plan or plans based on this article.

§ 41-27-9

Every such county mosquito control commission shall have the power to eliminate all breeding and producing places of mosquitoes within the county where it is appointed, and to do and perform all acts and to carry out all plans which in its opinion and judgment may be necessary or proper for the survey and elimination of breeding and producing places of mosquitoes or which will tend to exterminate mosquitoes within said county.

In addition to its primary responsibility for mosquito control, each commission shall also have the power and authority within its discretion and capability to provide services to any member county or any municipality within a member county on a one (1) time or continuing basis for the control and elimination of other pests of a public health or annoyance nature on any public property belonging to such county or municipality; provided, however, that the board of supervisors of a county or a governing body of a municipality located in a member county may request such services for specified private property by adoption of an order spread upon the minutes of such board or governing body stating that such services are necessary in the interest of public health and setting forth the facts upon which such finding is based. The actual cost of such services shall be paid in full by the county or municipality requesting same. All claims arising hereunder shall be billed directly to the requesting county or municipality and shall be processed by such county or municipality under normal claims procedure.

§ 41-27-11

Each county mosquito control commission shall, on or before the first day of November in each and every year, file with the state health officer a detailed estimate of the moneys required for the ensuing year, and a plan of the work to be done and the methods to be employed. The said state health officer shall have the power to approve, modify, or alter the said estimates, plans and methods. The estimate, plan and method finally approved by him shall be forwarded to the county board of supervisors in each county on or before the first day of December following its receipt.

§ 41-27-13

The county board of supervisors of each county, or other body having control of the finances thereof, may include the amount of money, approved by the County Mosquito Control Commission and the State Health Officer, annually in the general fund levy.

§ 41-27-15

The moneys so raised, or so much thereof as may be required, may be paid from time to time for the operations, work, materials and labor of the county mosquito control commission, duly signed and approved by the president and secretary thereof by order of the board of supervisors.

§ 41-27-17

It shall be the duty of each county mosquito control commission annually, on or before the 20th day of January in each year, to submit to the state health officer and the county board of supervisors in its respective county, a report setting forth the amount of moneys expended during the previous year, the methods employed, the work accomplished, and any other information which, in the judgment of the board of supervisors, may seem pertinent.

§ 41-27-19

Two or more counties may combine for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this article in the respective counties, each county retaining all rights set forth in this article. The commissioners in the counties combined may enter into agreement to employ for purposes of economy, the same director and other personnel for the work of the commission in the counties so combined, all expenses, including salaries, labor, material, and the like being paid by the county in which the work is performed.

§ 41-27-21

When two or more counties act jointly under the mosquito control provisions of this article, especially under the provisions of Section 41-27-19, the fiscal control thereof, including the apportionment of funds and the payment of expenses in connection with such work, shall be made as provided in Sections 41-27-23 through 41-27-31.

§ 41-27-23

The board of supervisors of each county so combined in such joint agreement shall, at the time of making and approving the budget of such county for the ensuing year, clearly state the amount of funds to be applied to mosquito control work under the authority of such joint agreement. It shall be the duty of the clerk of each board of supervisors, upon the fixing and approving of such budget, to notify by letter addressed to the presidents of the boards of supervisors of each other county included in such joint activity the amount provided for such mosquito control work in said budget. In event any county included in such joint activity by its board of supervisors should be dissatisfied with the amount of funds allocated by any other county within such group for the aforesaid purpose, such county shall have the right, by order spread upon its minutes and a copy thereof mailed to the president of the board of supervisors of each other county in such joint agreement, of the withdrawal of such dissatisfied county from said agreement and, insofar as such dissatisfied county shall be concerned, the said agreement shall be terminated.

§ 41-27-25

On or before the first day of each month following such agreement, and as long as the agreement remains in effect, the county mosquito control commission for each of the counties in such joint agreement shall meet and approve and allow for payment of all expenses, including salaries, labor, material, and the like to be paid by the county in which the work for such claims was done or performed and for which such materials were purchased during the month. The claims so approved for payment shall be entered upon the minutes of such county mosquito control commission and a copy thereof, certified by either the president or secretary of such county mosquito control commission, shall be mailed to the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county for which such county mosquito control commission was appointed, and a copy thereof mailed to the president of the board of supervisors and the president of the county mosquito control commission appointed and acting for the other counties in said agreement.

§ 41-27-27

Upon receipt of a certified copy of such approved list of claims and expenses, and at the time when other claims are considered by the several boards of supervisors of the counties in such agreement, the clerks of such boards of supervisors shall submit such list of approved claims to such boards of supervisors for their approval, and a county warrant shall be ordered issued, payable to the president and secretary of the joint, or combined, mosquito control commission of such counties.

§ 41-27-29

Each county mosquito control commission and the joint mosquito control commission shall be subject to and perform the following:

(a) Upon receipt of the county warrant from each of the cooperating counties, the president and secretary of the joint commission shall cause said warrant to be deposited into the credit of an appropriate fund to be established by said joint commission in a bank which shall be one of the banks then or theretofore designated as a county depository by the board of supervisors of the county in which such bank is located and be disbursed by check or pay warrant over the signatures of the president and secretary for such purposes and only for such purposes as have been approved and allowed as provided in Section 41-27-25. The president and secretary of the joint commission shall be liable on their official bonds for the disbursement of funds as herein provided.

(b) All purchases and expenditures shall be made in accordance with the laws applicable to county purchases and expenditures.

(c) The president and secretary issuing checks or pay warrants shall withhold from wages and salaries paid to each employee each month the required federal income tax, social security tax, and state retirement contribution in accordance with the requirements of the county in which the respective employees reside.

(d) At the end of each month the commission making disbursements shall report and remit the respective amounts so withheld to the chancery clerk of the county in which each employee resides, for incorporation by said clerk in the reports required to be made by said clerk, as county auditor for said county. Said report shall be made in such form as required by the chancery clerk in each county.

(e) The books and all records of each county commission and the joint commission shall be made available and subject to such audits as the respective county auditors of the cooperating counties and the state auditor may deem proper and necessary.

§ 41-27-31

In event a county being a member of such joint mosquito control commission shall fail or refuse, within a reasonable time, to issue and deliver to the president of such joint mosquito control commission a valid warrant in payment of its proportionate part of such expenses, the other county or counties being members of such joint mosquito control commission shall have the right, upon written notice to the president of the board of supervisors so in default, to eliminate such default county from membership in such joint mosquito control commission.

§ 41-27-33

Nothing in this article shall be construed to alter, amend, modify, or repeal any statute conferring upon state or local boards of health any powers or duties in connection with the extermination of mosquitoes in this state, but this article shall be construed to be supplementary thereto.

§ 41-27-101

This article is passed with the knowledge and in recognition of the fact that the cultivation of rice systematically breeds a mosquito known as the “rice field mosquito,” and that in areas where rice is produced within the State of Mississippi, such mosquitoes have become a nuisance affecting the health and welfare of residents in and around such areas, and this article is designed to provide a method of control and extermination of such mosquitos in rice producing areas.

§ 41-27-103

When, in any county of this state other than a county bordering on the Mississippi Sound or Gulf of Mexico, a petition, signed by fifty (50) or more qualified electors of such county, shall be presented to the board of supervisors of such county, requesting that a county mosquito control commission for such county be created, the board of supervisors may, within sixty (60) days from the date of the filing of the petition with the clerk of the board, create a county mosquito control commission, and the order creating said county mosquito control commission shall be entered on the minutes of the board of supervisors. The said order shall name three (3) commissioners, one (1) of whom shall be designated as temporary chairman, and shall set a time, date, and place for a meeting to organize said commission. The date of said organizational meeting shall be within sixty (60) days from the date of said order.

§ 41-27-105

There shall be three (3) members of the county mosquito control commission composed of the county agricultural extension agent, the county health officer and a rice producer. The county agricultural extension agent and the county health officer shall serve as permanent members by virtue of their office. The rice producer shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. The board of supervisors shall have power to fill the vacancy caused by resignation or otherwise of the rice producer.

§ 41-27-107

When the county mosquito control commission has been created and the members thereof appointed and qualified, the members of the commission and their successors are hereby created and empowered as a body politic, with the power to sue and be sued, to use a common seal, to make bylaws and to do all other acts and things necessary and incident to carrying out the provisions of this article. The commission shall have the power to employ sufficient personnel to carry out the provisions of this article.

§ 41-27-109

The first meeting of the county mosquito control commission shall be held at the time, date and place designated in the order of the board of supervisors creating same. The temporary chairman named by the board of supervisors shall preside at such meeting until a president and secretary shall be elected from among the members of the commission. The secretary shall keep a record of the minutes and proceedings of such commission in a minute book of the commission. The commission shall have power to make such bylaws, rules, and regulations as may be necessary to carry out their duties and the commission shall provide for such regular meetings as are necessary, not to exceed one regular meeting per month, and to make provisions for calling special meetings. Before entering upon their duties as commissioners, such persons so appointed shall enter into a bond with sufficient sureties in the penal sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) conditioned upon the faithful performance of their duties. Said bond must be approved by the board of supervisors.

§ 41-27-111

The two (2) members of the county mosquito control commission who serve by virtue of their office shall serve without compensation. The appointed member of the commission shall serve without compensation except that the necessary expenses for actual attendance of the meetings of the commission and a per diem of Five Dollars ($5.00), not to exceed the sum of Twenty-Five dollars ($25.00) for any one (1) month, shall be allowed and paid by the board of supervisors as provided in this article.

§ 41-27-113

The county mosquito control commission shall, immediately after the organizational meeting, make an investigation to ascertain and determine a feasible method for the control and extermination of rice field mosquitoes within the county. If a feasible method of control and extermination be found, the commission shall make investigations to determine the estimated cost of a mosquito control program on the following basis:

The commission shall, as nearly as possible, ascertain the estimated number of acres of land within the county upon which rice will be planted the next following crop year. The commission shall then estimate the total cost of the poison or other control material which would be needed for the control of rice field mosquitoes on the estimated acreage to be planted, the total cost of application of the poison or other control material, and the cost of administering the program, including salaries of such personnel as may be needed for the efficient administration of the program. When such information has been obtained by the commission, it shall submit a detailed report to the board of supervisors, showing all such costs and information, and the basis for such determination. Such investigation and report shall be submitted to the board of supervisors annually thereafter so long as a mosquito control program is continued, with such annual reports being filed not later than January 1st of each year.

The board of supervisors shall, within sixty (60) days after the commission's report is filed, determine whether or not the mosquito control program described in said report is feasible or practical, considering among other factors the cost involved. If the board of supervisors finds that such a program is not feasible or practical, it shall enter an order abolishing the commission. All expenses incurred by said commission shall be paid by the board of supervisors out of the general county fund.

§ 41-27-115

If the board of supervisors finds that a mosquito control program is feasible and practical, it shall enter an order requiring all persons, firms, associations and corporations who are to engage in planting or producing rice for the following crop year to obtain permits for such rice production. The fee for such permits shall be based on the total acreage of the applicant which is to be devoted to rice production. The board of supervisors may fix the cost per acre of such permit so that each of the estimated acres of rice to be planted during the following crop year shall bear its pro rata part of the total cost of the program.

§ 41-27-117

The permits and applications therefor, shall be in a form prescribed by the board of supervisors. Each applicant shall, on or before March 31st of each year, make application for said permit at the office of the tax collector of said county. Such application shall include the name or names of the persons applying for such permit, a description of the land to be planted in rice for the following crop year, and such other information as may be required by the board of supervisors. Said application shall contain a statement to the effect that the applicant thereby gives his consent for the application of poison or other mosquito control material to the land to be planted in rice, by the commission or its employees. The tax collector, upon receipt of the application and the payment of the fee which shall be computed by multiplying the total number of acres of land to be planted in rice by such applicant by the cost per acre set by the board of supervisors, shall issue the permit to the applicant. All moneys collected from the sale of such permits shall be placed in a special fund for the mosquito control district in the county depository.

§ 41-27-119

The board of supervisors shall furnish office facilities for the commission, and shall pay all expenses of the commission, including reimbursement for expenses per diem, and salaries of employees, out of the funds obtained from the sale of permits. The tax collector of any county in which a county mosquito control program is in effect, may employ such person or persons as are necessary to take such applications and issue such permits. The compensation of said employees shall be allowed by the board of supervisors and paid out of the funds obtained from the sale of permits.

§ 41-27-121

The county mosquito control commission shall have the right to employ such individuals as are necessary, and to purchase such equipment as shall be necessary, for the application of poison or other mosquito control material to the lands within the county to be planted in rice. The commission shall also have authority to contract with persons, firms or corporations, for the application of poison or other mosquito control material to the lands which will be planted in rice. The commission, its employees, or individuals contracted with for the purpose of applying such poison or other mosquito control material shall have the right to go upon the lands to be planted in rice within such district and apply such poison or other mosquito control material as may be needed to control and exterminate rice field mosquitoes.

§ 41-27-123

Any person, firm, association or corporation, engaging in the planting or producing of rice, who fails to comply with the provisions of this article where a county mosquito control program is in effect, shall be penalized as follows:

(1) Five percent (5%) penalty, on total cost of permit, for applications filed after March 31st;

(2) Five percent (5%) penalty, for applications in which the total acreage stated is less than the actual total acreage planted, where such mistake is not willful, such assessment applying to the additional cost of such permit;

(3) Fifty percent (50%) penalty, for each acre where applicant willfully states acreage lower than that planted, the penalty applying to the acreage planted in excess of that stated in the permit.

The above penalties are to be in addition to the cost of the permit as determined by the board of supervisors. Said penalties shall be assessed by the county mosquito control commission whenever a violation of this article is discovered. In the event a proper permit is not obtained, then the cost of said permit and the penalties herein provided for, shall be a lien against all rice grown or produced by the person or persons failing to comply with the provisions of this article.

§ 41-27-125

Anyone willfully refusing to comply with this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or be imprisoned in the county jail not less than fifteen (15) days, nor more than ninety (90) days, or be both so fined and imprisoned.

§ 41-27-127

If the cost of the mosquito control program for any year exceeds the estimated cost and if the program funds become exhausted, then the board of supervisors may transfer from the general county fund, sufficient money to complete the program for such year. Such board may borrow money for such purpose by issuance of its note, said note and interest thereon to be paid on or before April 15th of the following year, and such board may levy a tax on the taxable property in the county sufficient to produce funds to pay said note and interest thereon.

§ 41-27-129

The board of supervisors and the county mosquito control commission are hereby authorized and empowered to accept funds from any state or federal agency and to cooperate with any state or federal agency in carrying out the provisions of this article.

§ 41-27-131

All funds used for a mosquito control program shall be placed in a special fund in the county depository and shall be paid out by the county auditor on order of the board of supervisors. The board of supervisors shall not order such funds paid except on orders signed by a majority of the members of the commission and supported by properly itemized invoices or accounts.

§ 41-27-133

At any time the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may decide that a county mosquito control program is not feasible or that the need therefor no longer exists, in such event, the board of supervisors by order spread upon its minutes may abolish the county mosquito control commission and terminate such mosquito control program. In the event any such commission is abolished, any funds on hand for the use of such program, shall be transferred to the general fund of the county.

Chapter 28 Diabetes

§ 41-28-1

The words and terms as used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:

(a) “State health officer” shall mean the state health officer of the state board of health, or his designated representative.

(b) “Board” shall mean the state board of health.

§ 41-28-3

The State Board of Health is authorized to establish a program of public education and awareness of the symptoms and care and treatment of persons suffering from diabetes. The program shall be designed to disseminate information to the public, to the medical and para-medical communities, and others, relating to the symptoms, care and treatment of diabetes.

§ 41-28-5

The board is authorized to:

(a) Assist in the development and expansion of educational programs for persons suffering from diabetes, including self-administration, prevention and home care and other medical and dental procedures and techniques designed to provide maximum control over any episodes typical of this condition;

(b) Enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations for the dissemination of such public information, through all forms of news media, local chapters or organizations, and other persons qualified to perform such functions;

(c) Employ all necessary administrative personnel as may be provided in its budget to carry out the provisions of this chapter; and

(d) Promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

Chapter 29 Poisons, Drugs and Other Controlled Substances

§ 41-29-1

This article may be cited as the Mississippi Caustic Poison Law of 1930.

§ 41-29-3

The distribution and/or sale of certain dangerous, caustic or corrosive acids, alkalis and other nonlabeled poisonous substances or articles in the State of Mississippi, shall be in keeping with the regulations mentioned and outlined in this article.

§ 41-29-5

The term “dangerous caustic or corrosive substance” means each and all of the acids, alkalis, and substances named below:

(a) Hydrochloric acid and any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a concentration of ten percent (10%) or more;

(b) Sulphuric acids and any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized sulphuric acid (H2SO4) in a concentration of ten percent (10%) or more;

(c) Nitric acid or any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized nitric acid (HNO₃) in a concentration of five percent (5%) or more;

(d) Carbolic acid (C₆H₅OH), otherwise known as phenol, and any preparation containing carbolic acid in a concentration of five percent (5%) or more;

(e) Oxalic acid and any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) in a concentration of ten percent (10%) or more;

(f) Any salt of oxalic acid, other than cerium oxalate, and any preparation containing any such salt in a concentration of ten percent (10%) or more;

(g) Acetic acid or any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized acetic acid (HC₂H₃O₂) in a concentration of twenty percent (20%) or more;

(h) Hypochlorous acid, either free or combined, and any preparation containing the same in a concentration so as to yield ten percent (10%) or more by weight of available chlorine, excluding calx chlorinata, bleaching powder, and chloride of lime;

(i) Potassium hydroxide and any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized potassium hydroxide (KOH), including caustic potash and Vienna paste, in a concentration of ten percent (10%) or more;

(j) Sodium hydroxide and any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized sodium hydroxide (NaOH), including caustic soda and lye, in a concentration of ten percent (10%) or more;

(k) Silver nitrate, sometimes known as lunar caustic, and any preparation containing silver nitrate (AgNO₃) in a concentration of five percent (5%) or more, and

(l) Ammonia water and any preparation yielding free or chemically uncombined ammonia (NH₃), including ammonium hydroxide and “hartshorn” in a concentration of five percent (5%) or more.

However, the provisions of this article shall not apply to “white arsenic and sal soda.”

§ 41-29-7

The term “misbranded parcel, package, or container” means a retail parcel, package, or container of any dangerous caustic or corrosive substance for household use, not bearing a conspicuous, easily legible label or sticker, containing:

(a) The name of the article;

(b) The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, seller, or distributor;

(c) The word “POISON,” running parallel with the main body of reading matter on said label or sticker, on a clear, plain background of a distinctly contrasting color, in uncondensed gothic capital letters, the letters to be not less than 24 point size, unless there is on said label or sticker no other type so large, in which event the type shall be not smaller than the largest type on the label or sticker, and

(d) Directions for treatment in case of accidental personal injury by the dangerous caustic or corrosive substance. Such directions need not, however, appear on labels or stickers on parcels, packages, or containers at the time of shipment or of delivery for shipment by manufacturers or wholesalers for other than household use.

§ 41-29-9

No person shall sell, barter, or exchange, or receive, hold, pack, or display, or offer for sale, barter, or exchange, in the State of Mississippi, any dangerous caustic or corrosive substance, in a misbranded parcel, package, or container, said parcel, package, or container being designed for household use. However, household products for cleaning and washing purposes, subject to this article, and labeled in accordance therewith, may be sold, offered for sale, held for sale and distributed in this state by any dealer, wholesale or retail.

No person shall be liable to prosecution and conviction under this article when he establishes a guaranty bearing the signature and address of a vendor residing in the United States from whom he purchased the dangerous caustic or corrosive substance, to the effect that such substance is not misbranded within the meaning of this article. No person in this state shall give any such guaranty when such dangerous caustic or corrosive substance is in fact misbranded within the meaning of this article.

This article is not to be construed as applying to any substance, subject to this article, sold at wholesale or retail for use by a retail druggist in filling, or in dispensing in pursuance of a prescription by a physician, dentist or veterinarian, or for use by or under the direction of a physician, dentist or veterinarian, or for use by a chemist in the practice or teaching of his profession, or for any industrial or professional use or for use in any of the arts and sciences.

§ 41-29-11

Any person violating the provisions of Section 41-29-9 shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), or more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), or by imprisonment of not more than ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

§ 41-29-13

Any dangerous caustic or corrosive substance in a misbranded parcel, package, or container suitable for household use, that is being sold, bartered, or exchanged, or held, displayed, or offered for sale, barter, or exchange, shall be liable to be proceeded against in any court within the jurisdiction of which the same is found, and seized for confiscation by a process of libel. If such substance is condemned as misbranded, by said court, it shall be disposed of by destruction or sale, as the court may direct. If sold, the proceeds, less the actual costs and charges, shall be paid over to the state treasurer, but such substance shall not be sold contrary to the laws of the state. However, upon the payment of the costs of such proceedings and the execution and delivery of a good and sufficient bond to the effect that such substance will not be unlawfully sold or otherwise disposed of, the court may by order direct that such substance be delivered to the owner thereof. Such condemnation proceeding shall conform as near as may be to proceedings in the condemnation of any article held contrary to the laws of this state.

§ 41-29-15

The sheriff's office in each county in the state shall enforce the provisions of this article, and the sheriff is authorized and empowered to approve and register such brands and labels intended for use under the provisions of this article as may be submitted to him for that purpose and as may in his judgment conform to the requirements of this article. However, in any prosecution under this article, the fact that any brand or label involved in said prosecution has not been submitted to said sheriff's office for approval, or if submitted, has not been approved by him, shall be immaterial.

§ 41-29-17

Every district attorney, county attorney or justice of the peace, to whom there is presented, or who in any way procures, satisfactory evidence of any violation of the provisions of this article, shall cause appropriate proceedings to be commenced and prosecuted in the proper courts, without delay, for the enforcement of the penalties provided in this article.

§ 41-29-101

This article is to be known as the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.

§ 41-29-103

The purpose of this article is to make, wherever possible, the law of Mississippi uniform with that of states having the same or similar laws.

§ 41-29-105

The following words and phrases, as used in this article, shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “Administer” means the direct application of a controlled substance, whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion or any other means, to the body of a patient or research subject by:

(i) A practitioner (or, in his presence, by his authorized agent); or

(ii) The patient or research subject at the direction and in the presence of the practitioner.

(b) “Agent” means an authorized person who acts on behalf of or at the direction of a manufacturer, distributor or dispenser. Such word does not include a common or contract carrier, public warehouseman or employee of the carrier or warehouseman. This definition shall not be applied to the term “agent” when such term clearly designates a member or officer of the Bureau of Narcotics or other law enforcement organization.

(c) “Board” means the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure.

(d) “Bureau” means the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. However, where the title “Bureau of Drug Enforcement” occurs, that term shall also refer to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

(e) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

(f) “Controlled substance” means a drug, substance or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V of Sections 41-29-113 through 41-29-121.

(g) “Counterfeit substance” means a controlled substance which, or the container or labeling of which, without authorization, bears the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, number or device, or any likeness thereof, of a manufacturer, distributor or dispenser other than the person who in fact manufactured, distributed or dispensed the substance.

(h) “Deliver” or “delivery” means the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer from one person to another of a controlled substance, whether or not there is an agency relationship.

(i) “Director” means the Director of the Bureau of Narcotics.

(j) “Dispense” means to deliver a controlled substance to an ultimate user or research subject by or pursuant to the lawful order of a practitioner, including the prescribing, administering, packaging, labeling or compounding necessary to prepare the substance for that delivery.

(k) “Dispenser” means a practitioner who dispenses.

(l) “Distribute” means to deliver other than by administering or dispensing a controlled substance.

(m) “Distributor” means a person who distributes.

(n) “Drug” means (i) a substance recognized as a drug in the official United States Pharmacopoeia, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them; (ii) a substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or animals; (iii) a substance (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or animals; and (iv) a substance intended for use as a component of any article specified in this paragraph. Such word does not include devices or their components, parts, or accessories.

(o) “Hashish” means the resin extracted from any part of the plants of the genus Cannabis and all species thereof or any preparation, mixture or derivative made from or with that resin.

(p) “Immediate precursor” means a substance which the board has found to be and by rule designates as being the principal compound commonly used or produced primarily for use, and which is an immediate chemical intermediary used or likely to be used in the manufacture of a controlled substance, the control of which is necessary to prevent, curtail, or limit manufacture.

(q) “Manufacture” means the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion or processing of a controlled substance, either directly or indirectly, by extraction from substances of natural origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, and includes any packaging or repackaging of the substance or labeling or relabeling of its container. The term “manufacture” does not include the preparation, compounding, packaging or labeling of a controlled substance in conformity with applicable state and local law:

(i) By a practitioner as an incident to his administering or dispensing of a controlled substance in the course of his professional practice; or

(ii) By a practitioner, or by his authorized agent under his supervision, for the purpose of, or as an incident to, research, teaching or chemical analysis and not for sale.

(r) “Marijuana” means all parts of the plant of the genus Cannabis and all species thereof, whether growing or not, the seeds thereof, and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of the plant or its seeds, excluding hashish.

The term “marijuana” does not include “hemp” as defined in and regulated by Sections 69-25-201 through 69-25-221.

(s) “Narcotic drug” means any of the following, whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of vegetable origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis:

(i) Opium and opiate, and any salt, compound; derivative or preparation of opium or opiate;

(ii) Any salt, compound, isomer, derivative or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of the substances referred to in subparagraph (i), but not including the isoquinoline alkaloids of opium;

(iii) Opium poppy and poppy straw; and

(iv) Cocaine, coca leaves and any salt, compound, derivative or preparation of cocaine, coca leaves, and any salt, compound, isomer, derivative or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of these substances, but not including decocainized coca leaves or extractions of coca leaves which do not contain cocaine or ecgonine.

(t) “Opiate” means any substance having an addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability similar to morphine or being capable of conversion into a drug having addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability. It does not include, unless specifically designated as controlled under Section 41-29-111, the dextrorotatory isomer of 3-methoxy-n-methylmorphinan and its salts (dextromethorphan). Such word does include its racemic and levorotatory forms.

(u) “Opium poppy” means the plant of the species Papaver somniferum L., except its seeds.

(v)(i) “Paraphernalia” means all equipment, products and materials of any kind which are used, intended for use, or designed for use, in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance in violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law. It includes, but is not limited to:

1. Kits used, intended for use, or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing or harvesting of any species of plant which is a controlled substance or from which a controlled substance can be derived;

2. Kits used, intended for use, or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing or preparing controlled substances;

3. Isomerization devices used, intended for use or designed for use in increasing the potency of any species of plant which is a controlled substance;

4. Testing equipment used, intended for use, or designed for use in identifying or in analyzing the strength, effectiveness or purity of controlled substances;

5. Scales and balances used, intended for use or designed for use in weighing or measuring controlled substances;

6. Diluents and adulterants, such as quinine hydrochloride, mannitol, mannite, dextrose and lactose, used, intended for use or designed for use in cutting controlled substances;

7. Separation gins and sifters used, intended for use or designed for use in removing twigs and seeds from, or in otherwise cleaning or refining, marijuana;

8. Blenders, bowls, containers, spoons and mixing devices used, intended for use or designed for use in compounding controlled substances;

9. Capsules, balloons, envelopes and other containers used, intended for use or designed for use in packaging small quantities of controlled substances;

10. Containers and other objects used, intended for use or designed for use in storing or concealing controlled substances;

11. Hypodermic syringes, needles and other objects used, intended for use or designed for use in parenterally injecting controlled substances into the human body;

12. Objects used, intended for use or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing marijuana, cocaine, hashish or hashish oil into the human body, such as:

a. Metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic or ceramic pipes with or without screens, permanent screens, hashish heads or punctured metal bowls;

b. Water pipes;

c. Carburetion tubes and devices;

d. Smoking and carburetion masks;

e. Roach clips, meaning objects used to hold burning material, such as a marijuana cigarette, that has become too small or too short to be held in the hand;

f. Miniature cocaine spoons and cocaine vials;

g. Chamber pipes;

h. Carburetor pipes;

i. Electric pipes;

j. Air-driven pipes;

k. Chillums;

l. Bongs; and

m. Ice pipes or chillers.

(ii) In determining whether an object is paraphernalia, a court or other authority should consider, in addition to all other logically relevant factors, the following:

1. Statements by an owner or by anyone in control of the object concerning its use;

2. Prior convictions, if any, of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object, under any state or federal law relating to any controlled substance;

3. The proximity of the object, in time and space, to a direct violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law;

4. The proximity of the object to controlled substances;

5. The existence of any residue of controlled substances on the object;

6. Direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object, to deliver it to persons whom he knows, or should reasonably know, intend to use the object to facilitate a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law; the innocence of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object, as to a direct violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law shall not prevent a finding that the object is intended for use, or designed for use as paraphernalia;

7. Instructions, oral or written, provided with the object concerning its use;

8. Descriptive materials accompanying the object which explain or depict its use;

9. National and local advertising concerning its use;

10. The manner in which the object is displayed for sale;

11. Whether the owner or anyone in control of the object is a legitimate supplier of like or related items to the community, such as a licensed distributor or dealer of tobacco products;

12. Direct or circumstantial evidence of the ratio of sales of the object(s) to the total sales of the business enterprise;

13. The existence and scope of legitimate uses for the object in the community;

14. Expert testimony concerning its use.

(iii) “Paraphernalia” does not include any materials used or intended for use in testing for the presence of fentanyl or a fentanyl analog in a substance.

(w) “Person” means individual, corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity.

(x) “Poppy straw” means all parts, except the seeds, of the opium poppy, after mowing.

(y) “Practitioner” means:

(i) A physician, dentist, veterinarian, scientific investigator, optometrist certified to prescribe and use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents under Sections 73-19-153 through 73-19-165, or other person licensed, registered or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to or to administer a controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research in this state; and

(ii) A pharmacy, hospital or other institution licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to or to administer a controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research in this state.

(z) “Production” includes the manufacture, planting, cultivation, growing or harvesting of a controlled substance.

(aa) “Sale,” “sell” or “selling” means the actual, constructive or attempted transfer or delivery of a controlled substance for remuneration, whether in money or other consideration.

(bb) “State,” when applied to a part of the United States, includes any state, district, commonwealth, territory, insular possession thereof, and any area subject to the legal authority of the United States of America.

(cc) “Ultimate user” means a person who lawfully possesses a controlled substance for his own use or for the use of a member of his household or for administering to an animal owned by him or by a member of his household.

§ 41-29-107

(1) There is created within the Mississippi Department of Public Safety an office to be known as the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. The office shall have a director who shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Public Safety. The commissioner may assign to the appropriate offices of the department such powers and duties deemed appropriate to carry out the lawful functions of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

(2) The Commissioner of Public Safety is empowered to employ or appoint necessary agents. The commissioner may also employ such secretarial, clerical and administrative personnel, including a duly licensed attorney, as necessary for the operation of the bureau, and shall have such quarters, equipment and facilities as needed. The salary and qualifications of the attorney authorized by this section shall be fixed by the director, but the salary shall not exceed the salary authorized for an assistant attorney general who performs similar duties.

(3) The director and agents so appointed shall be citizens of the United States and of the State of Mississippi, and of good moral character. The agents shall be not less than twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of such appointment. In addition thereto, those appointed shall have satisfactorily completed at least two (2) years of college studies. However, two (2) years of satisfactory service as a law enforcement officer and the completion of the prescribed course of study at a school operated by the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, United States Justice Department, shall satisfy one (1) year of such college studies, and four (4) years of satisfactory service as a law enforcement officer and the completion of the prescribed course of study at such federal bureau school as stated heretofore shall fully satisfy the two (2) years of college requirement.

During the period of the first twelve (12) months after appointment, any agent of the bureau shall be subject to dismissal at the will of the director. After twelve (12) months' service, no agent of the bureau shall be subject to dismissal or otherwise have their salary adversely affected except for cause, and any such action against an agent shall be subject to and proceed under the laws, rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board.

(4) The Commissioner of Public Safety may assign members of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, regardless of age, to the bureau; however, when any highway patrolman or other employee, agent or official of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety is assigned to duty with, or is employed by, the bureau, he shall not be subject to assignment or transfer to any other office or department within the Mississippi Department of Public Safety except by the commissioner. Any highway patrolman assigned to duty with the bureau shall retain his status as a highway patrolman, but shall be under the supervision of the director. For purposes of seniority within the Highway Safety Patrol and for purposes of retirement under the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System, highway patrolmen assigned to the bureau will be credited as if performing duty with the Highway Safety Patrol. The commissioner may assign employees of the Highway Safety Patrol to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and may assign agents of the bureau to the Highway Safety Patrol; however, any employees so assigned must meet all established requirements for the duties to which they are assigned.

(5) The Commissioner of Public Safety may enter into agreements with bureaus or departments of other states or of the United States for the exchange or temporary assignment of agents for special undercover assignments and for performance of specific duties.

(6) The Commissioner of Public Safety may assign agents of the bureau to such duty and to request and accept agents from such other bureaus or departments for such duty.

§ 41-29-107.1

(1) The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics shall establish and maintain a public website that is searchable by case numbers created by the bureau which tracks seized property from the time of seizure to final disposition of the property. The website shall be designed in a manner that allows the information required by this section to be uploaded to the website. The website shall include the following information regarding property that is seized by a law enforcement agency pursuant to Section 41-29-153:

(a) The name of the law enforcement agency that seized the property;

(b) A description of each item seized, including the approximate value of the property;

(c) A copy of the notice of intent to forfeit as described in Section 41-29-176 or the petition for forfeiture as described in Section 41-29-177, whichever is applicable;

(d) A copy of any petition to contest forfeiture filed as described in Section 41-29-176;

(e) If a forfeiture was obtained because no petition to contest forfeiture was timely filed as provided in Section 41-29-176, a copy of the written declaration of forfeiture as required by Section 41-29-176;

(f) If a forfeiture is obtained under Section 41-29-177, a copy of any final judgment or dispositive order regarding the merits of the petition for forfeiture; and

(g) If the forfeiture was initiated under Section 41-29-176 and a petition to contest is filed, a copy of any final order or other dispositive order regarding the forfeiture.

(2)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section for the bureau, upon seizure of any property by a law enforcement agency pursuant to Section 41-29-153, the seizing law enforcement agency shall provide the applicable information required by subsection (1) of this section to the district attorney of the county in which the property was seized within thirty (30) days of such seizure. However, if the bureau is conducting the seizure of property on behalf of a law enforcement agency, the provisions of paragraph (b) of this subsection shall apply. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of intent to forfeit as described in Section 41-29-176 or the filing of a petition for forfeiture as described in Section 41-29-177 in a court of competent jurisdiction, the district attorney shall upload the information required by this section to the bureau's website. Within thirty (30) days of service of a petition to contest forfeiture as described by Section 41-29-176, the district attorney shall upload the information required by the section to the bureau's website. Within thirty (30) days of dispositive actions regarding any seized property, the district attorney shall upload the applicable information required by subsection (1) of this section to the bureau's website. The commander of a multijurisdictional taskforce may appoint one (1) agency to report its seizures to the district attorney of the county in which the property was seized. Any law enforcement agency that fails to provide the information required by this section shall be disqualified from applying for or receiving state grants.

(b) Upon seizure of any property by the bureau pursuant to Section 41-29-153 or pursuant to a request by a law enforcement agency for the bureau to seize property on behalf of the law enforcement agency, the bureau shall upload the information required by this subsection on its website within thirty (30) days of the seizure, or from the time of the receipt of the request from the law enforcement agency.

(3) Failure to upload the information required by this section shall not invalidate the seizure or otherwise preclude the same.

(4) The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics shall adopt rules and regulations that are necessary to implement this section.

(5) For purposes of this section, the term “law enforcement agency” includes any person or entity having seizure authority under Section 41-29-159.

(6) Failure to substantially comply with the provisions of this section shall disqualify the seizing law enforcement agency from applying for or receiving federal or state grants until such time as in compliance with this section.

(7) The provisions of this section shall be required only at such time as the Legislature has appropriated funds for the bureau to create and maintain the required website. The website shall be created and functionally operational, not more than twelve (12) months from the date that sufficient funds have been appropriated for that purpose. The bureau shall provide at least thirty (30) days notice in advance of the date when the website will be operational to each district attorney in the state.

§ 41-29-108

(1) The Commissioner of Public Safety is authorized to accept vehicles which may be available from the federal government for use in enforcement of this article. The commissioner is further authorized to expend reasonable funds from any funds appropriated for the bureau for the delivery, repair and maintenance of such automobiles.

(2) The commissioner is further authorized to rent or lease motor vehicles for undercover missions. Such vehicles shall be used only on specified missions and not as additions to the regularly authorized and budgeted vehicles of the bureau.

§ 41-29-109

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics shall have the full cooperation and use of facilities and personnel of the State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Medical Licensure, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the Mississippi Board of Nursing, the State Board of Optometry, the district and county attorneys, and of the Attorney General's office.

It shall be the duty of all duly sworn peace officers of the State of Mississippi to enforce the provisions of this article with reference to illicit narcotic and drug traffic. The provisions of this article may likewise be enforced by agents of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

§ 41-29-110

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics is hereby authorized and empowered to request and to accept the use of persons convicted of an offense, whether a felony or a misdemeanor, for work in support of the bureau. The bureau is authorized to enter into any agreements with the Department of Corrections, the State Parole Board, any criminal court of this state, and any other proper official regarding the working, guarding, safekeeping, clothing and subsistence of such persons performing work for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Such persons shall not be deemed agents, employees or involuntary servants of the bureau while performing such work or while going to and from work or other specified areas.

§ 41-29-111

<Laws 2020, Ch. 497 (S.B. No. 3056), § 3, retroactively amended this section effective July 1, 2020. The retroactive amendment was incorporated into the July 1, 2020 version of this section.

(1) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall administer this article and shall work in conjunction and cooperation with the State Board of Pharmacy, county and municipal law enforcement agencies, the district and county attorneys, the Office of the Attorney General and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. The State Board of Health shall work with the bureau in an advisory capacity and shall be responsible for recommending to the Legislature the appropriate schedule for all substances to be scheduled or rescheduled in Sections 41-29-113 through 41-29-121. In making a recommendation regarding a substance, the State Board of Health shall consider the following:

(a)(i) The actual or relative potential for abuse;

(ii) The scientific evidence of its pharmacological effect, if known;

(iii) The state of current scientific knowledge regarding the substance;

(iv) The history and current pattern of abuse;

(v) The scope, duration and significance of abuse;

(vi) The risk to the public health;

(vii) The potential of the substance to produce psychic or physiological dependence liability; and

(viii) Whether the substance is an immediate precursor of a substance already controlled under this article.

(b) After considering the factors enumerated in paragraph (a), the State Board of Health shall make findings with respect thereto and issue a recommendation to control the substance if it finds the substance has a potential for abuse.

(c) If the State Board of Health designates a substance as an immediate precursor, substances that are precursors of the controlled precursor shall not be recommended for control solely because they are precursors of the controlled precursor.

(d) If any substance is designated, rescheduled, or deleted as a controlled substance under federal law and notice thereof is given to the State Board of Health, it shall recommend the control of the substance under this article at the next session of the Legislature.

(e)(i) Authority to control under this article does not extend to distilled spirits, wine, malt beverages, or tobacco as those terms are defined or used in the Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, being Sections 67-1-1 through 67-1-91, and the Tobacco Tax Law of 1934, being Sections 27-69-1 through 27-69-77. It is the intent of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi that the bureau shall concentrate its efforts and resources on the enforcement of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law with respect to illicit narcotic and drug traffic in the state.

(ii) The controlled substances listed in the schedules in Sections 41-29-113 through 41-29-121 are included by whatever official, common, usual, chemical or trade name designated.

(f) The State Board of Health shall recommend the exclusion of any nonnarcotic substance from a schedule if such substance may, under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the laws of this state, be lawfully sold over the counter without a prescription.

(2) Any drug that is scheduled on the federal schedule for the purpose of preventing or treating COVID-19 is automatically scheduled on the corresponding state schedule in Sections 41-29-113 through 41-29-121. This automatic scheduling is effective from the date that the COVID-19-related drug is designated on the federal schedule until the effective date of legislation amending the corresponding state schedule in the next regular session of the Legislature.

§ 41-29-112

(1) The Director of the Bureau of Narcotics is authorized to retain on a contractual basis such persons as he shall deem necessary to detect and apprehend violators of the criminal statutes pertaining to the possession, sale or use of narcotics or other dangerous drugs.

(2) Those persons contracting with the Director of the Bureau of Narcotics, pursuant to subsection (1), shall be known as, and are hereinafter referred to as, “special contract agents.”

(3) The investigative services provided for in this section shall be designed to support law enforcement efforts of state agencies and to support local law enforcement efforts.

(4) Special contract investigators shall have all powers necessary and incidental to the fulfillment of their contractual obligations, including the power of arrest when authorized by the Director of the Bureau of Narcotics.

(5) No person shall be a special contract investigator unless he is at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(6) The Director of the Bureau of Narcotics shall conduct a background investigation of all potential special contract investigators. If the background investigation discloses a criminal record, the applicant shall not be retained without the express approval of the Director of the Bureau of Narcotics. Any matters pertaining to special contract investigators shall be exempt from the provisions of a law relating to meetings open to the public, approved as now or hereafter amended.

(7) Any contract pursuant to subsection (1) shall be:

(a) Reduced to writing; and

(b) Terminable upon written notice by either party, and shall in any event terminate one (1) year from the date of signing; and

(c) Approved as to form by the Commissioner of Public Safety.

Such contracts shall not be public records and shall not be available for inspection under the provisions of a law providing for the inspection of public records as now or hereafter amended.

(8) Special contract investigators shall not be considered employees of the Bureau of Narcotics for any purpose.

(9) The Director of the Bureau of Narcotics shall have all powers necessary and incidental to the effective operation of this section.

(10) Notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this section, all said contracts and related matters shall be made available to the Legislative Budget Office and the State Fiscal Management Board.

§ 41-29-113

SCHEDULE I

(a) Schedule I consists of the drugs and other substances, by whatever official name, common or usual name, chemical name, or brand name designated, that is listed in this section.

(b) Opiates. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any of the following opiates, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers, whenever the existence of these isomers, esters, ethers and salts is possible within the specific chemical designation:

(1) Acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl (N-[1-(1-methyl-2-phenethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-N-phenylacetamide);

(2) Acetylmethadol;

(3) Acetyl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylacetamide);

(4) Acryl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylacrylamide), also known as acryloylfentanyl;

(5) AH-7921 (3,4-dichloro-N-[(1-dimethylamino) cyclohexylmethyl]benzamide);

(6) Allylprodine;

(7) Alphacetylmethadol, except levo-alphacetylmethadol (levo-alpha-acetylmethadol, levomethadyl acetate, or LAAM);

(8) Alphameprodine;

(9) Alphamethadol;

(10) Alpha-Methylfentanyl (N-[1-alpha-methyl-beta-phenyl)ethyl-4-piperidyl]propionanilide; 1-(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl)-4-(N-propanilido)piperidine);

(11) Alpha-Methylthiofentanyl (N-[1-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)ethyl-4-piperidinyl]-N-phenylpropanamide);

(12) Benzethidine;

(13) Betacetylmethadol;

(14) Beta-Hydroxyfentanyl (N-[1-(2-hydroxy-2-phenethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-N-phenylpropanamide);

(15) Beta-Hydroxy-3-methylfentanyl (N-[1-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-3-methyl-4-piperidinyl]-N-phenylpropanamide);

(16) Beta-Hydroxythiofentanyl (N-[1-[2-hydroxy-2-(thiophen-2-yl)ethyl]piperidin-4-yl]-N-phenylpropionamide);

(17) Betameprodine;

(18) Betamethadol;

(19) Beta-Methyl fentanyl (N-phenyl-N-(1-(2-phenylpropyl)piperidin-4-yl)propionamide), also known as ß-methyl fentanyl;

(20) Beta'-Phenyl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N,3-diphenylpropanamide), also known as ß'-phenyl fentanyl or 3-phenylpropanoyl fentanyl;

(21) Betaprodine;

(22) Brorphine (1-(1-(1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-one);

(23) Butyrl fentanyl (N- ( 1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylbutyramide);

(24) Clonitazene;

(25) Crotonyl fentanyl ((E)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylbut-2-enamide);

(26) Cyclopentyl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylcyclopentanecarboxamide);

(27) Cyclopropyl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylcyclopropanecarboxamide);

(28) Dextromoramide;

(29) Diampromide;

(30) Diethylthiambutene;

(31) Difenoxin;

(32) Dimenoxadol;

(33) Dimepheptanol;

(34) Dimethylthiambutene;

(35) Dioxaphetyl butyrate;

(36) Dipipanone;

(37) Ethylmethylthiambutene;

(38) Etonitazene;

(39) Etoxeridine;

(40) Fentanyl carbamate (ethyl(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)(phenyl)carbamate);

(41) Fentanyl-related substances, meaning any substance not otherwise listed under another schedule and for which no exemption or approval is in effect under Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 USC 355] that is structurally related to fentanyl by one or more of the following modifications:

(A) Replacement of the phenyl portion of the phenethyl group by any monocycle, whether or not further substituted in or on the monocycle;

(B) Substitution in or on the phenethyl group with alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyl, hydroxyl, halo, haloalkyl, amino or nitro groups;

(C) Substitution in or on the piperidine ring with alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyl, ester, ether, hydroxyl, halo, haloalkyl, amino or nitro groups;

(D) Replacement of the aniline ring with any aromatic monocycle whether or not further substituted in or on the aromatic monocycle; and/or

(E) Replacement of the N-propionyl group by another acyl group.

(42) 4-Fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl (N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)isobutyramide), also known as para-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl);

(43) 2'-Fluoro ortho-fluorofentanyl (N-(1-(2-fluorophenethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-N-(2-fluorophenyl) propionamide), also known as 2'-fluoro 2-fluorofentanyl;

(44) Furanyl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylfuran-2-carboxamide);

(45) Furethidine;

(46) Hydroxypethidine;

(47) Isobutyryl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylisobutyramide);

(48) Isotonitazene (N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4 isopropoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)ethan-1-amine);

(49) Ketobemidone (including the optical and geometric isomers);

(50) Levomoramide;

(51) Levophenacylmorphan;

(52) Methoxyacetyl fentanyl (2-methoxy-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylacetamide);

(53) 4'-Methyl acetyl fentanyl (N-(1-(4-methylphenethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylacetamide);

(54) 3-Methylfentanyl (N-[3-methyl-1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidyl]-N-phenylpropanamide);

(55) 3-Methylthiofentanyl (N-[3-methyl-1-(2-thienylethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-N-phenylpropanamide);

(56) Metonitazene (N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)ethan-1-amine (metonitazene);

(57) Morpheridine;

(58) MPPP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-4-propionoxypiperidine);

(59) MT-45 (1-cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine);

(60) Noracymethadol;

(61) Norlevorphanol;

(62) Normethadone;

(63) Norpipanone;

(64) Ocfentanil (N-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-methoxy-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)acetamide);

(65) Ortho-Fluoroacryl fentanyl (N-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)acrylamide);

(66) Ortho-Fluorobutyryl fentanyl (N-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)butyramide), also known as 2-fluorobutyryl fentanyl;

(67) Ortho-Fluorofentanyl (N-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)propionamide), also known as 2-fluorofentanyl;

(68) Ortho-Fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl (N-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)isobutyramide);

(69) Ortho-Methyl acetylfentanyl (N-(2-methylphenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)acetamide), also known as 2-methyl acetylfentanyl;

(70) Ortho-Methyl methoxyacetyl fentanyl (2-methoxy-N-(2-methylphenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl) acetamide), also known as 2-methyl methoxyacetyl fentanyl;

(71) Para-Chloroisobutyryl fentanyl (N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)isobutyramide);

(72) Para-Fluorobutyryl fentanyl (N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)butyramide);

(73) Para-Fluorofentanyl (N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl]propanamide);

(74) Para-Fluoro furanyl fentanyl N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)furan-2-carboxamide);

(75) Para-Methoxybutyryl fentanyl (N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)butyramide);

(76) Para-Methylfentanyl (N-(4-methylphenyl)-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)propionamide), also known as 4-methylfentanyl);

(77) PEPAP (1-(-2-phenethyl)-4-phenyl-4-acetoxypiperidine);

(78) Phenadoxone;

(79) Phenampromide;

(80) Phenomorphan;

(81) Phenoperidine;

(82) Phenyl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylbenzamide), also known as benzoyl fentanyl;

(83) Piritramide;

(84) Proheptazine;

(85) Properidine;

(86) Propiram;

(87) Racemoramide;

(88) Tetrahydrofuranyl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenyltetrahydrofuran-2-carboxamide);

(89) Thiofentanyl (N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-thienyl)ethyl-4-piperidinyl]propanamide);

(90) Thiofuranyl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylthiophene-2-carboxamide), also known as 2-thiofuranyl fentanyl or thiophene fentanyl;

(91) Tilidine;

(92) Trimeperidine;

(93) U-47700, (3,4-dichloro-N-[2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide);

(94) Valeryl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylpentanamide).

(c) Opium derivatives. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any of the following opium derivatives, their salts, isomers and salts of isomers, whenever the existence of these salts, isomers and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

(1) Acetorphine;

(2) Acetyldihydrocodeine;

(3) Benzylmorphine;

(4) Codeine methylbromide;

(5) Codeine-N-Oxide;

(6) Cyprenorphine;

(7) Desomorphine;

(8) Dihydromorphine;

(9) Drotebanol;

(10) Etorphine (except hydrochloride salt);

(11) Heroin;

(12) Hydromorphinol;

(13) Methyldesorphine;

(14) Methyldihydromorphine;

(15) Monoacetylmorphine;

(16) Morphine methylbromide;

(17) Morphine methylsulfonate;

(18) Morphine-N-Oxide;

(19) Myrophine;

(20) Nicocodeine;

(21) Nicomorphine;

(22) Normorphine;

(23) Pholcodine;

(24) Thebacon.

(d) Hallucinogenic substances. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances, their salts, isomers (whether optical, positional, or geometric) and salts of isomers, whenever the existence of these salts, isomers and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

(1) Alpha-ethyltryptamine;

(2) 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-amphetamine;

(3) 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine;

(4) 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine;

(5) 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine (DOET);

(6) 2,5-dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylthiophenethylamine (2C-T-7);

(7) 4-methoxyamphetamine;

(8) 5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine;

(9) 4-methyl-2,5-dimethoxy-amphetamine;

(10) 3,4-methylenedioxy amphetamine;

(11) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA);

(12) 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (also known as N-ethyl-alpha-methyl-3,4(methylenedioxy)phenethylamine, N-ethyl MDA, MDE, MDEA);

(13) N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (also known as N-hydroxy MDA, N-OHMDA, and N-hydroxy-alpha-methyl-3,4(methylenedioxy)phenethylamine);

(14) 3,4,5-trimethoxy amphetamine;

(15) 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT);

(16) Alpha-methyltryptamine (also known as AMT);

(17) Bufotenine;

(18) Diethyltryptamine;

(19) Dimethyltryptamine;

(20) 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT);

(21) Ibogaine;

(22) Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);

(23)(A) Marijuana (Hemp as defined and regulated under Sections 69-25-201 through 69-25-221 and Cannabidiol contained in a legend drug product approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration or obtained under Section 41-29-136 are exempt under Schedule I);

(B) Hashish;

(24) Mescaline;

(25) Parahexyl;

(26) Peyote;

(27) N-ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate;

(28) N-methyl-3-piperidyl benzilate;

(29) Psilocybin;

(30) Psilocyn;

(31) Tetrahydrocannabinols, meaning tetrahydrocannabinols contained in a plant of the genus Cannabis (cannabis plant), as well as the synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the cannabis plant, or in the resinous extractives of such plant, and/or synthetic substances, derivatives, and their isomers with similar chemical structure and pharmacological activity to those substances contained in the plant such as the following:

(A) 1 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol;

(B) 6 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol;

(C) 3,4 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol.

(Since nomenclature of these substances is not internationally standardized, compounds of these structures, regardless of atomic positions, are covered.)

(“Tetrahydrocannabinols” excludes dronabinol and nabilone.) For purposes of this paragraph, tetrahydrocannabinols do not include hemp or hemp products regulated under Sections 69-25-201 through 69-25-221.

However, the following products are exempted from control:

(i) THC-containing industrial products made from cannabis stalks (e.g., paper, rope and clothing);

(ii) Processed cannabis plant materials used for industrial purposes, such as fiber retted from cannabis stalks for use in manufacturing textiles or rope;

(iii) Animal feed mixtures that contain sterilized cannabis seeds and other ingredients (not derived from the cannabis plant) in a formula designed, marketed and distributed for nonhuman consumption;

(iv) Personal care products that contain oil from sterilized cannabis seeds, such as shampoos, soaps, and body lotions (if the products do not cause THC to enter the human body);

(v) Hemp as regulated under Sections 69-25-201 through 69-25-221; and

(vi) Any product derived from the hemp plant designed for human ingestion and/or consumption that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration;

(32) Phencyclidine;

(33) Ethylamine analog of phencyclidine (PCE);

(34) Pyrrolidine analog of phencyclidine (PHP, PCPy);

(35) Thiophene analog of phencyclidine;

(36) 1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl] pyrrolidine (TCPy);

(37) 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone);

(38) 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV);

(39) 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylphenyl)ethanamine (2C-E);

(40) 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)ethanamine (2C-D);

(41) 2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine (2C-C);

(42) 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine (2C-I); or 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine;

(43) 2-[4-(ethylthio)-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl]ethanamine (2C-T-2);

(44) 2-[4-(isopropylthio)-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl]ethanamine (2C-T-4);

(45) 2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine (2C-H);

(46) 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitro-phenyl)ethanamine (2C-N);

(47) 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylphenyl)ethanamine (2C-P);

(48) 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone(methylone);

(49) 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-NBOMe; 2C-B-NBOMe; 25B; Cimbi-36);

(50) 2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-NBOMe; 2C-C-NBOMe; 25C; Cimbi-82);

(51) 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine or N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine (25I-NBOMe; 2C-I-NBOMe; 25I; Cimbi-5);

(52) 7-bromo-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1, 4-benzodiazepin-2-one (also known as Phenazepam);

(53) 7-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-ethyl-13-methyl-3-thia-1,8, 11,12-tetraazatricyclo[8.3.0.0]trideca-2(6),4,7,10,12-pentaene (also known as Etizolam);

(54) Salvia divinorum;

(55) Synthetic cannabinoids. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of a synthetic cannabinoid found in any of the following chemical groups, whether or not substituted to any extent, or any of those groups which contain any synthetic cannabinoid salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, or salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation, including all synthetic cannabinoid chemical analogues in such groups:

(A) (6aR,10aR)-9-(hydroxymethyl)-6, 6-dimethyl-3-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydrobenzo[c] chromen-1-ol (also known as HU-210 or 1,1-dimethylheptyl-11-hydroxy-delta8-tetrahydrocannabinol);

(B) Naphthoylindoles and naphthylmethylindoles, being any compound structurally derived from 3-(1-naphthoyl)indole or 1H-indol-3-yl-(1-naphthyl)methane, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent, or in the naphthyl ring to any extent;

(C) Naphthoylpyrroles, being any compound structurally derived from 3-(1-naphthoyl)pyrrole, whether or not substituted in the pyrrole ring to any extent, or in the naphthyl ring to any extent;

(D) Naphthylmethylindenes, being any compound structurally derived from 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)indene, whether or not substituted in the indene ring to any extent or in the naphthyl ring to any extent;

(E) Phenylacetylindoles, being any compound structurally derived from 3-phenylacetylindole, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent or in the phenyl ring to any extent;

(F) Cyclohexylphenols, being any compound structurally derived from 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyl)phenol, whether or not substituted in the cyclohexyl ring to any extent or in the phenolic ring to any extent;

(G) Benzoylindoles, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent or in the phenyl ring to any extent;

(H) Adamantoylindoles, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent or in the adamantoyl ring system to any extent;

(I) Tetrahydro derivatives of cannabinol and 3-alkyl homologues of cannabinol or of its tetrahydro derivatives, except where contained in cannabis or cannabis resin;

(J) 3-Cyclopropylmethanone indole or 3-Cyclobutylmethanone indole or 3-Cyclopentylmethanone indole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl or cyclopentyl rings to any extent;

(K) Quinolinyl ester indoles, being any compound structurally derived from 1H-indole-3carboxylic acid-8-quinolinyl ester, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent or the quinolone ring to any extent;

(L) 3-carboxamide-1H-indazoles, whether or not substituted in the indazole ring to any extent and substituted to any degree on the carboxamide nitrogen and 3-carboxamide-1H-indoles, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent and substituted to any degree on the carboxamide nitrogen;

(M) Cycloalkanemethanone Indoles, whether or not substituted at the nitrogen atom on the indole ring, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the cycloalkane ring to any extent;

(56) Naphthalen-1-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate, also known as NM2201 or CBL2201;

(57) 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-N-(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carboxamide, also known as 5F-CUMYL-P7AICA or SGT-25;

(58) Methyl 2-(1-(4-fluorobutyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate, also known as 4F-MDMB-BINACA or 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA);

(59) 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine, also known as para-methoxymethamphetamine or PMMA;

(60) Ethyl 2-(1-(5-fluoropentyl) -1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate, also known as 5F-EDMB-PINACA;

(61) Methyl 2-(1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate, also known as 5F-MDMB-PICA or 5F-MDMB-2201;

(62) N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide, also known as FUB-AKB48 or FUB-APINACA or AKB48 N-(4-fluorobenzyl);

(63) (1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone, also known as FUB-144;

(64) N-ethylhexedrone, also known as α-ethylaminohexanophenone or 2-(ethylamino)-1-phenylhexan-1-one;

(65) Alpha-pyrrolidinohexanophenone, also known as α-PHP or α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone or 1-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)hexan-1-one);

(66) 4-methyl-alpha-ethylaminopentiophenone, also known as 4-MEAP or 2-(ethylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)pentan-1-one);

(67) 4'-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinohexiophenone, also known as MPHP or 4'-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinohexanophenone or 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)hexan-1-one);

(68) Alpha-pyrrolidinoheptaphenone (also known as PV8; 1-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)heptan-1-one);

(69) 4'-chloro-alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, also known as 4-chloro-α-PVP or 4'-chloro-α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone or 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one);

(70) 2-(ethylamino)-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-one, also known as methoxetamine or MXE;

(71) Zipeprol (1-methoxy-3-[4-(2-methoxy-2-phenylethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-1-phenylpropan-2-ol); and

(72) Eutylone (1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(ethylamino)butan-1-one).

(e) Depressants. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a depressant effect on the central nervous system, including their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

(1) Clonazolam, 6-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-8-nitro-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine;

(2) Flualprazolam, 8-chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine;

(3) Flubromazepam, 7-bromo-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one;

(4) Flubromazolam, 8-bromo-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepin;

(5) Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (other names include: GHB, gamma-hydroxybutyrate; 4-hydroxybutyrate; 4-hydroxybutanoic acid; sodium oxybate; sodium oxybutyrate);

(6) Mecloqualone;

(7) Methaqualone.

(f) Stimulants. Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following central nervous system stimulants including optical salts, isomers and salts of isomers unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule:

(1) Aminorex;

(2) Amineptine (7-[(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)amino]heptanoic acid);

(3) N-benzylpiperazine (also known as BZP and 1-benzylpiperazine);

(4) Cathinone;

(5) 4,4'-Dimethylaminorex, also known as 4,4'-DMAR or 4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-2-oxazolamine; 4-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-amine);

(6) Fenethylline;

(7) Mesocarb (N-phenyl-N' -(3-(1-phenylpropan-2-yl)-1,2,3-oxadiazol-3- ium-5-yl)carbamimidate);

(8) Methcathinone;

(9) Methiopropamine (N-methyl-1-(thiophen-2-yl)propan-2-amine));

(10) 4-methylaminorex (also known as 2-amino-4-methyl-5-phenyl-2-oxazoline);

(11) N-ethylamphetamine;

(12) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of N,N-dimethylamphetamine. (Other names include: N,N,-alpha-trimethyl-benzeneethanamine and N,N-alpha-trimethylphenethylamine);

(13) Synthetic cathinones.(A) Unless listed in another schedule, any compound other than bupropion that is structurally derived from 2-Amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone by modification in any of the following ways:

(i) By substitution in the phenyl ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, haloalkyl or halide substituents, whether or not further substituted in the phenyl ring by one or more other univalent substituents;

(ii) By substitution at the 3-position with an alkyl substituent;

(iii) By substitution at the nitrogen atom with alkyl or dialkyl groups, or by inclusion of the nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure.

(B) The compounds covered in this paragraph (10) include, but are not limited to, any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of a synthetic cathinone found in any of the following compounds, whether or not substituted to any extent, or any of these compounds which contain any synthetic cathinone, or salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers or salts of isomers is possible, unless specifically excepted or listed in another schedule:

(i) 4-methyl-N-ethylcathinone (“4-MEC”);

(ii) 4-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (“4-MePPP”);

(iii) Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (“α-PVP”);

(iv) 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2- (methylamino)butan-1-one (“butylone”);

(v) 2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpentan-1-one (“pentedrone”);

(vi) 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2- (methylamino)pentan-1-one (“pentylone”);

(vii) 4-fluoro-N-methylcathinone (“4-FMC”);

(viii) 3-fluoro-N-methylcathinone (“3-FMC”);

(ix) 1-(naphthalen-2-yl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl) pentan-1-one (“naphyrone”);

(x) Alpha-pyrrolidinobutiophenone (“α-PBP”); and

(xi) 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(ethylamino) -pentan-1-one (N-ethylpentylone, ephylone).

§ 41-29-115

(a) The controlled substances listed in this section, by whatever official name, common or usual name, chemical name, or brand name designated, are included in Schedule II.

SCHEDULE II

(b) Substances, vegetable origin or chemical synthesis. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in other schedules, any of the following substances, whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of vegetable origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by combination of extraction and chemical synthesis:

(1) Opium and opiate, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of opium or opiate, excluding apomorphine, thebaine-derived butorphanol, dextrorphan, nalbuphine, naldemedine, nalmefene, naloxegol, naloxone and naltrexone, but including the following:

(i) Codeine;

(ii) Dihydroetorphine;

(iii) Ethylmorphine;

(iv) Etorphine hydrochloride;

(v) Granulated opium;

(vi) Hydrocodone, whether alone or in combination with any material, compound, mixture or preparation;

(vii) Hydromorphone;

(viii) Metopon;

(ix) Morphine;

(x) Opium extracts;

(xi) Opium fluid extracts;

(xii) Oripavine;

(xiii) Oxycodone;

(xiv) Oxymorphone;

(xv) Powdered opium;

(xvi) Raw opium;

(xvii) Thebaine;

(xviii) Tincture of opium;

(2) Any salt, compound, isomer, derivative, or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of the substances referred to in paragraph (1), but not including the isoquinoline alkaloids of opium;

(3) Opium poppy and poppy straw;

(4) Coca leaves and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of cocaine or coca leaves, including cocaine and ecgonine and any salt, compound, derivative, isomer, or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of these substances, but not including:

(i) Decocainized coca leaves or extraction of coca leaves, which extractions do not contain cocaine or ecgonine; or

(ii) Ioflupane;

(5) Concentrate of poppy straw (the crude extract of poppy straw in either liquid, solid or powder form which contains the phenanthrene alkaloids of the opium poppy).

(c) Opiates. Any of the following opiates, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, whenever the existence of these isomers, esters, ethers and salts is possible within the specified chemical designation, dextrorphan and levopropoxyphene excepted:

(1) Alfentanil;

(2) Alphaprodine;

(3) Anileridine;

(4) Bezitramide;

(5) Bulk dextropropoxyphene (nondosage forms);

(6) Carfentanil;

(7) Dihydrocodeine;

(8) Diphenoxylate;

(9) Fentanyl;

(10) Isomethadone;

(11) Levo-alphacetylmethadol (levo-alpha-acetylmethadol, levomethadyl acetate, LAAM);

(12) Levomethorphan;

(13) Levorphanol;

(14) Metazocine;

(15) Methadone;

(16) Methadone-intermediate, 4-cyano-2-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenyl butane;

(17) Moramide-intermediate, 2-methyl-3-morpholino-1,1-diphenylpropane-carboxylic acid;

(18) Oliceridine (N-(3-methoxythiophen-2-yl)methylamine);

(19) Pethidine (meperidine);

(20) Pethidine-Intermediate-A, 4-cyano-1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine;

(21) Pethidine-Intermediate-B, ethyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylate;

(22) Pethidine-Intermediate-C, 1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid;

(23) Phenazocine;

(24) Piminodine;

(25) Racemethorphan;

(26) Racemorphan;

(27) Remifentanil;

(28) Sufentanil;

(29) Tapentadol;

(30) Thiafentanil, methyl 4-(2-methoxy-N-phenylacetamido)-1-(2-(thiophen-2-yl)ethyl)piperidine-4-carboxylate).

(d) Stimulants. Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances:

(1) Amphetamine, its salts, optical isomers, and salts of its optical isomers;

(2) Phenmetrazine and its salts;

(3) Any substance which contains any quantity of methamphetamine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers;

(4) Methylphenidate and its salts;

(5) Lisdexamfetamine, its salts, isomers and salts of isomers.

(e) Depressants. Unless specifically exempted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances:

(1) Amobarbital;

(2) Secobarbital;

(3) Pentobarbital;

(4) Glutethimide.

(f) Hallucinogenic substances.

(1) Dronabinol oral solution [(-)-delta-9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC)];

(2) Nabilone [other names include: (+/-)-trans-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-6,6a,7,8,10,10a- hexahydro-1-hydroxy-6,6-dimethyl-9H-dibenzo(b,d)pyran-9-one].

(g) Immediate precursors. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances:

(1) Amphetamine and methamphetamine immediate precursor: Phenylacetone (other names include: phenyl-2-propanone; P2P; benzyl methyl ketone; and methyl benzyl ketone);

(2) Phencyclidine immediate precursors:

(i) 1-phenylcyclohexylamine;

(ii) 1-piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile (PCC);

(3) Fentanyl immediate precursor: 4-anilino-N-phenethyl-4-piperidine (ANPP).

(h) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of a Schedule II controlled substance and is listed as an exempt substance in 21 CFR, Section 1308.24 or 1308.32, shall be exempted from the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.

§ 41-29-117

(A) The controlled substances listed in this section are included in Schedule III.

SCHEDULE III

(a) Stimulants. Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances or their salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, of the following substances:

(1) Benzphetamine;

(2) Chlorphentermine;

(3) Clortermine;

(4) Phendimetrazine.

(b) Depressants. Unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances:

(1) Any substance which contains any quantity of a derivative of barbituric acid, or any salt of a derivative of barbituric acid, except those substances which are specifically listed in other schedules;

(2) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any compound, mixture or preparation containing any of the following substances or any salt of the substances specifically included in this subsection (2) and one or more other active medicinal ingredients which are not listed in any other schedule:

(i) Amobarbital;

(ii) Secobarbital;

(iii) Pentobarbital;

(3) Any suppository dosage form containing any of the following substances or any salt of any of the substances specifically included in this subsection (3) approved by the Food and Drug Administration for marketing only as a suppository:

(i) Amobarbital;

(ii) Secobarbital;

(iii) Pentobarbital;

(4) Chlorhexadol;

(5) Embutramide;

(6) Any drug product containing gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, including its salts, isomers and salts of isomers, for which an application is approved under Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act;

(7) Ketamine; its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers; other names include (+)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexanone;

(8) Lysergic acid;

(9) Lysergic acid amide;

(10) Methyprylon;

(11) Perampanel; its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers;

(12) Sulfondiethylmethane;

(13) Sulfonethylmethane;

(14) Sulfonmethane;

(15) Tiletamine and zolazepam or any salt thereof; other names for the tiletamine and zolazepam combination product include: telazol; other names for tiletamine include: 2-(ethylamino)-2-(2-thienyl)-cyclohexanone; other names for zolazepam include: 4-(2-fluorophenyl)-6,8-dihydro 1,3, 8-trimethylpyrazolo-3,4-e-diazepin-7(1H)-one, flupyrazapon.

(c) Nalorphine.

(d) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, except for any product that contains any quantity of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine that is sold subject to the quantity restrictions authorized in Section 73-21-124.

(e) Narcotic drugs. Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing limited quantities of any of the following narcotic drugs, or any salts thereof:

(1) Not more than one and eight-tenths (1.8) grams of codeine, or any of its salts, per one hundred (100) milliliters or not more than ninety (90) milligrams per dosage unit, with an equal or greater quantity of an isoquinoline alkaloid of opium;

(2) Not more than one and eight-tenths (1.8) grams of codeine, or any of its salts, per one hundred (100) milliliters or not more than ninety (90) milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts;

(3) Not more than one and eight-tenths (1.8) grams of dihydrocodeine, or any of its salts, per one hundred (100) milliliters or not more than ninety (90) milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts;

(4) Not more than three hundred (300) milligrams of ethylmorphine, or any of its salts, per one hundred (100) milliliters or not more than fifteen (15) milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts;

(5) Not more than five hundred (500) milligrams of opium per one hundred (100) milliliters or per one hundred (100) grams, or not more than twenty-five (25) milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts;

(6) Not more than fifty (50) milligrams of morphine, or any of its salts, per one hundred (100) milliliters or per one hundred (100) grams with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.

(f) Anabolic steroids. Unless specifically exempted or listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture or preparation containing any quantity of any of the following anabolic steroids (any drug or hormonal substance chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone other than estrogens, progestins, corticosteroids and dehydroepiandrosterone):

(1) 3beta,17-dihydroxy-5a-androstane;

(2) 3alpha,17beta-dihydroxy-5a-androstane;

(3) 5alpha-androstan-3,17-dione;

(4) 1-androstenediol (3beta,17beta-dihydroxy-5alpha-androst-1-ene);

(5) 1-androstenediol (3alpha,17beta-dihydroxy-5alpha-androst-1-ene);

(6) 4-androstenediol (3beta,17beta-dihydroxy-androst-4-ene);

(7) 5-androstenediol (3beta,17beta-dihydroxy-androst-5-ene);

(8) 1-androstenedione ([5alpha]-androst-1-en-3, 17-dione);

(9) 4-androstenedione (androst-4-en-3,17-dione);

(10) 5-androstenedione (androst-5-en-3,17-dione);

(11) Bolasterone (7alpha,17alpha-dimethyl-17beta-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one);

(12) Boldenone (17beta-hydroxyandrost-1,4,-diene-3-one);

(13) Boldione (androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione);

(14) Calusterone (7beta,17alpha-dimethyl-17beta-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one);

(15) Clostebol (4-chloro-17beta-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one);

(16) Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (4-chloro-17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3-one);

(17) Desoxymethyltestosterone (17alpha-methyl-5alpha-androst-2-en-17beta-ol, also known as madol);

(18) Delta1-dihydrotestosterone (also known as 1-testosterone) (17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androst-1-en-3-one);

(19) 4-dihydrotestosterone (17beta-hydroxy-androstan-3-one);

(20) Drostanolone (17beta-hydroxy-2alpha-methyl-5alpha-androstan-3-one);

(21) Ethylestrenol (17alpha-ethyl-17beta-hydroxyestr-4-ene);

(22) Fluoxymesterone (9-fluoro-17alpha-methyl-11beta, 17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one);

(23) Formebolone (2-formyl-17alpha-methyl-11alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-1, 4-dien-3-one);

(24) Furazabol (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxyandrostano[2,3-c]-furazan);

(25) 13beta-ethyl-17alpha-hydroxygon-4-en-3-one;

(26) 4-hydroxytestosterone (4,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one);

(27) 4-hydroxy-19-nortestosterone (4,17beta-dihydroxy-estr-4-en-3-one);

(28) Mestanolone (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-5-androstan-3-one);

(29) Mesterolone (1alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-[5alpha]-androstan-3-one);

(30) Methandienone (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxyandrost-1,4-dien-3-one);

(31) Methandriol (17alpha-methyl-3beta, 17beta-dihydroxyandrost-5-ene);

(32) Methasterone (2[alpha], 17[alpha]-dimethyl-5[alpha]-androstan-17[beta]-ol-3-one;

(33) Methenolone (1-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androst-1-en-3-one);

(34) 17alpha-methyl-3beta, 17beta-dihydroxy-5a-androstane;

(35) 17alpha-methyl-3alpha, 17beta-dihydroxy-5a-androstane;

(36) 17alpha-methyl-3beta, 17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene;

(37) 17alpha-methyl-4-hydroxynandrolone (17alpha-methyl-4-hydroxy-17beta-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one);

(38) Methyldienolone (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxyestra-4,9(10)-dien-3-one);

(39) Methyltrienolone (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxyestra-4,9-11-trien-3-one);

(40) Methyltestosterone (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one);

(41) Mibolerone (7alpha,17alpha-dimethyl-17beta-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one);

(42) 17alpha-methyl-Delta1-dihydrotestosterone (17b beta-hydroxy-17alpha-methyl-5alpha-androst-1-en-3-one) (also known as 17-alpha-methyl-1-testosterone);

(43) Nandrolone (17beta-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one);

(44) 19-nor-4-androstenediol (3beta,17beta-dihydroxyestr-4-ene);

(45) 19-nor-4-androstenediol (3a,17beta-dihydroxyestr-4-ene);

(46) 19-nor-5-androstenediol (3beta,17beta-dihydroxyestr-5-ene);

(47) 19-nor-5-androstenediol (3alpha,17beta-dihydroxyestr-5-ene);

(48) 19-nor-4,9(10)-androstadienedione (estra-4,9(10)-diene3,17-dione, 19-norandrosta-4,9(10)-diene-3,17-dione);

(49) 19-nor-4-androstenedione (estr-4-en-3,17-dione);

(50) 19-nor-5-androstenedione (estr-5-en-3,17-dione);

(51) Norbolethone (13beta,17alpha-diethyl-17beta-hydroxygon-4-en-3-one);

(52) Norclostebol (4-chloro-17beta-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one);

(53) Norethandrolone (17alpha-ethyl-17beta-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one);

(54) Normethandrolone (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one);

(55) Oxandrolone (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-2-oxa-[5alpha]-androstan-3-one);

(56) Oxymesterone (17alpha-methyl-4,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one);

(57) Oxymetholone (17alpha-methyl-2-hydroxymethylene-17beta-hydroxy-[5alpha]- androstan-3-one);

(58) Prostanozol (17[beta]-hydroxy-5[alpha]-androstano[3,2-c]pyrazole)

(59) Stanozolol (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-[5alpha]-androst-2-eno[3,2-c][- pyrazole);

(60) Stenbolone (17beta-hydroxy-2-methyl-[5alpha]-androst-1-en-3-one);

(61) Testolactone (13-hydroxy-3-oxo-13,17-secoandrosta-1,4-dien-17-oic acid lactone);

(62) Testosterone (17beta-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one);

(63) Tetrahydrogestrinone (13beta,17alpha-diethyl-17beta-hydroxygon-4,9,11-trien-3-one);

(64) Trenbolone (17beta-hydroxyestr-4,9,11-trien-3-one);

(65) Any salt, ester, or ether of a drug or substance described in this paragraph. Except such term does not include an anabolic steroid that is expressly intended for administration through implants to cattle or other nonhuman species and that has been approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for such administration. If any person prescribes, dispenses, or distributes such steroid for human use, the person shall be considered to have prescribed, dispensed or distributed an anabolic steroid within the meaning of this paragraph.

(g) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of buprenorphine or its salts.

(h) Dronabinol (synthetic) in sesame oil and encapsulated in a soft gelatin capsule in a United States Food and Drug Administration approved drug product.

(i) Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of Tianeptine (7-((3-chloro-6-methyl-5,5-dioxido-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[c,f][1,2]thiazepin-11-yl)amino)heptanoic acid) or its salts, isomers, salts of isomers, sulfate, free acid or derivative thereof.

(B) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of a Schedule III controlled substance other than butalbital, and is listed as an exempt substance in 21 CFR, Section 1308.22, 1308.24, 1308.26, 1308.32 or 1308.34, shall be exempted from the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.

§ 41-29-119

(A) The controlled substances listed in this section are included in Schedule IV.

SCHEDULE IV

(a) Narcotic drugs. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains limited quantities of the following narcotic drugs, or any salts thereof:

(1) Not more than one (1) milligram of difenoxin and not less than twenty-five (25) micrograms of atropine sulfate per dosage unit;

(2) Dextropropoxyphene, including its salts (Darvon, Darvon-N; also found in Darvon compound and Darvocet-N, etc.);

(3) 2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanol, its salts, optical and geometric isomers and salts of these isomers (including tramadol).

(b) Depressants . Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances:

(1) Alfaxalone;

(2) Alprazolam;

(3) Barbital;

(4) Brexanolone;

(5) Bromazepam;

(6) Camazepam;

(7) Carisoprodol;

(8) Chloral betaine;

(9) Chloral hydrate;

(10) Chlordiazepoxide and its salts, but does not include chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride and clidinium bromide or chlordiazepoxide and esterified estrogens;

(11) Clobazam;

(12) Clonazepam;

(13) Clorazepate;

(14) Clotiazepam;

(15) Cloxazolam;

(16) Daridorexant ((S)-2-(5-chloro-4-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-2-methylpyrrolidin-1-ylmethanone), including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers;

(17) Delorazepam;

(18) Diazepam;

(19) Dichloralphenazone;

(20) Estazolam;

(21) Ethchlorvynol;

(22) Ethinamate;

(23) Ethyl loflazepate;

(24) Fludiazepam;

(25) Flunitrazepam;

(26) Flurazepam;

(27) Fospropofol;

(28) Halazepam;

(29) Haloxazolam;

(30) Ketazolam;

(31) Lemborexant;

(32) Loprazolam;

(33) Lorazepam;

(34) Lormetazepam;

(35) Mebutamate;

(36) Medazepam;

(37) Meprobamate;

(38) Methohexital;

(39) Methylphenobarbital;

(40) Midazolam;

(41) Nimetazepam;

(42) Nitrazepam;

(43) Nordiazepam;

(44) Oxazepam;

(45) Oxazolam;

(46) Paraldehyde;

(47) Petrichloral;

(48) Phenobarbital;

(49) Pinazepam;

(50) Prazepam;

(51) Quazepam;

(52) Remimazolam;

(53) Suvorexant;

(54) Temazepam;

(55) Tetrazepam;

(56) Triazolam;

(57) Zaleplon;

(58) Zolpidem;

(59) Zopiclone.

(c) [Deleted]

(d) Lorcaserin . Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of Lorcaserin, including its salts, isomers, and salts of such isomers, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible.

(e) Stimulants. Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances:

(1) Cathine ((+/-) Norpseudoephedrine);

(2) Diethylpropion;

(3) Fencamfamin;

(4) Fenproporex;

(5) Mazindol;

(6) Mefenorex;

(7) Modafinil;

(8) Pemoline (including any organometallic complexes and chelates thereof);

(9) Phentermine;

(10) Pipradrol;

(11) Serdexmethylphenidate;

(12) Sibutramine;

(13) Solriamfetol;

(14) SPA ((-)-1-dimethylamino-1,2-diphenylethane).

(f) Other substances.

(1) Pentazocine;

(2) Butorphanol (including its optical isomers);

(3) Eluxadoline (5-[[[(2S)-2-amino-3-[4-aminocarbonyl)-2,6-dimethylphenyl]-1-oxopropyl][(1S)-1-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)ethyl]amino]methyl]-2-methoxybenzoic acid); (including its optical isomers) and its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers.

(4) Zuranolone and its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers.

(B) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of a Schedule IV controlled substance and is listed as an exempt substance in 21 CFR, Section 1308.22, 1308.24, 1308.26, 1308.32 or 1308.34, shall be exempted from the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.

§ 41-29-121

SCHEDULE V

(a) Schedule V consists of the drugs and other substances, by whatever official name, common or usual name, chemical name, or brand name designated, listed in this section.

(b) Narcotic drugs. [Reserved]

(c) Narcotic drugs containing nonnarcotic active medicinal ingredients. Any compound, mixture or preparation containing any of the following narcotic drugs, or their salts calculated as the free anhydrous base or alkaloid, in limited quantities as set forth below, which also contains one or more nonnarcotic active medicinal ingredients in sufficient proportion to confer upon the compound, mixture or preparation valuable medicinal qualities other than those possessed by the narcotic drug alone:

(1) Not more than two hundred (200) milligrams of codeine, or any of its salts, per one hundred (100) milliliters or per one hundred (100) grams;

(2) Not more than one hundred (100) milligrams of dihydrocodeine, or any of its salts, per one hundred (100) milliliters or per one hundred (100) grams;

(3) Not more than one hundred (100) milligrams of ethylmorphine, or any of its salts, per one hundred (100) milliliters or per one hundred (100) grams;

(4) Not more than two and five-tenths (2.5) milligrams of diphenoxylate and not less than twenty-five (25) micrograms of atropine sulphate per dosage unit;

(5) Not more than one hundred (100) milligrams of opium per one hundred (100) milliliters or per one hundred (100) grams;

(6) Not more than five-tenths (0.5) milligram of difenoxin and not less than twenty-five (25) micrograms of atropine sulfate per dosage unit.

(d) Stimulants. Unless specifically excepted or listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substance, including its salts, isomers and salts of isomers: Pyrovalerone.

(e) Depressants. Unless specifically exempted or excluded or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a depressant effect on the central nervous system, including their salts, isomers and salts of isomers:

(1) Brivaracetam ((2S)-2-[(4R)-2-oxo-4-propylpyrrolidin-1-yl] butanamide) (also referred to as BRV; UCB-34714; Briviact);

(2) Cenobamate ([(1R)-1-2-chlorophenyl)-2-tetrazol-2-yl)ethyl] carbamate; 2H-tetrazole-2-ethanol, alpha-(2-chlorophenyl)-, carbamate (ester), (alphaR)-; carbamic acid (R)-(+)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)ethyl ester);

(3) Ezogabine [N-[2-amino-4-(4-flourobenzylamino)-phenyl]-carbamic acid ethyl ester(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)ethyl ester);

(4) Ganaxolone (3a-hydroxy-3b-methyl-5a-pregnan-20-one);

(5) Lacosamide [(R)-2-acetoamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxy-propionamide];

(6) Lasmiditan [2,4,6-trifluoro-N-(6-(1-methylpiperidine-4-carbonyl)pyridine-2-yl-benzamide];

(7) Pregabalin [(S)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid].

(f) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of a Schedule V controlled substance and is listed as an exempt substance in 21 CFR, Section 1308.22, 1308.24, 1308.26, 1308.32 or 1308.34, shall be exempted from the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.

§ 41-29-122

Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of a controlled substance and is listed as an exempt substance in 21 C.F.R., Section 1308.22, shall be exempted from the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.

§ 41-29-123

The board shall revise and republish the schedules set out in Sections 41-29-113 through 41-29-121 at least once every twelve months.

§ 41-29-125

(1) The State Board of Pharmacy may promulgate rules and regulations relating to the registration and control of the manufacture, distribution and dispensing of controlled substances within this state and the distribution and dispensing of controlled substances into this state from an out-of-state location.

(a) Every person who manufactures, distributes or dispenses any controlled substance within this state or who distributes or dispenses any controlled substance into this state from an out-of-state location, or who proposes to engage in the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of any controlled substance within this state or the distribution or dispensing of any controlled substance into this state from an out-of-state location, must obtain a registration issued by the State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Medical Licensure, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the Mississippi Board of Nursing or the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine, as appropriate, in accordance with its rules and the law of this state. Such registration shall be obtained annually or biennially, as specified by the issuing board, and a reasonable fee may be charged by the issuing board for such registration.

(b) Persons registered by the State Board of Pharmacy, with the consent of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the State Board of Medical Licensure, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the Mississippi Board of Nursing or the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine to manufacture, distribute, dispense or conduct research with controlled substances may possess, manufacture, distribute, dispense or conduct research with those substances to the extent authorized by their registration and in conformity with the other provisions of this article.

(c) The following persons need not register and may lawfully possess controlled substances under this article:

(1) An agent or employee of any registered manufacturer, distributor or dispenser of any controlled substance if he is acting in the usual course of his business or employment;

(2) A common or contract carrier or warehouse, or an employee thereof, whose possession of any controlled substance is in the usual course of business or employment;

(3) An ultimate user or a person in possession of any controlled substance pursuant to a valid prescription or in lawful possession of a Schedule V substance as defined in Section 41-29-121.

(d) The State Board of Pharmacy may waive by rule the requirement for registration of certain manufacturers, distributors or dispensers if it finds it consistent with the public health and safety.

(e) A separate registration is required at each principal place of business or professional practice where an applicant within the state manufactures, distributes or dispenses controlled substances and for each principal place of business or professional practice located out-of-state from which controlled substances are distributed or dispensed into the state.

(f) The State Board of Pharmacy, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the State Board of Medical Licensure, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the Mississippi Board of Nursing and the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine may inspect the establishment of a registrant or applicant for registration in accordance with the regulations of these agencies as approved by the board.

(2) Whenever a pharmacy ships, mails or delivers any Schedule II controlled substance listed in Section 41-29-115 to a private residence in this state, the pharmacy shall arrange with the entity that will actually deliver the controlled substance to a recipient in this state that the entity will: (a) deliver the controlled substance only to a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older; and (b) obtain the signature of that person before delivering the controlled substance. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to a pharmacy serving a nursing facility or to a pharmacy owned and/or operated by a hospital, nursing facility or clinic to which the general public does not have access to purchase pharmaceuticals on a retail basis.

(3) This section does not apply to any of the actions that are lawful under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

§ 41-29-127

(a) The State Board of Pharmacy shall register an applicant to manufacture or distribute controlled substances included in Sections 41-29-113 through 41-29-121 unless it determines that the issuance of that registration would be inconsistent with the public interest. In determining the public interest, the State Board of Pharmacy shall consider the following factors:

(1) Maintenance of effective controls against diversion of controlled substances into other than legitimate medical, scientific, or industrial channels;

(2) Compliance with applicable state and local law;

(3) Any convictions of the applicant under any federal and state laws relating to any controlled substance;

(4) Past experience in the manufacture or distribution of controlled substances and the existence in the applicant's establishment of effective controls against diversion;

(5) Furnishing by the applicant of false or fraudulent material in any application filed under this article;

(6) Suspension or revocation of the applicant's federal registration to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances as authorized by federal law; and

(7) Any other factors relevant to and consistent with the public health and safety.

(b) Registration under subsection (a) does not entitle a registrant to manufacture and distribute controlled substances in Schedule I or II, as set out in Sections 41-29-113 and 41-29-115, other than those specified in the registration.

(c) Practitioners must be registered to dispense any controlled substances or to conduct research with controlled substances in Schedules II through V, as set out in Sections 41-29-115 through 41-29-121, if they are authorized to dispense or conduct research under the law of this state. The State Board of Pharmacy need not require separate registration under this section for practitioners engaging in research with nonnarcotic controlled substances in the said Schedules II through V where the registrant is already registered therein in another capacity. Practitioners registered under federal law to conduct research with Schedule I substances, as set out in Section 41-29-113, may conduct research with Schedule I substances within this state upon furnishing the State Board of Health evidence of that federal registration.

(d) Compliance by manufacturers and distributors with the provisions of the federal law respecting registration (excluding fees) entitles them to be registered under this article.

(e) This section does not apply to any of the actions that are lawful under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

§ 41-29-129

(a) A registration to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance may be suspended or revoked by the State Board of Pharmacy upon a finding that the registrant:

(1) Has willfully furnished false or fraudulent material information in any application filed under this article;

(2) Has been convicted of a felony within the past five (5) years and has not been pardoned and his citizenship restored under any state or federal law relating to any controlled substance;

(3) Has had his federal registration suspended or revoked to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances;

(4) Has violated or failed to comply with any state law or any duly promulgated regulation of the State Board of Pharmacy which reflects adversely on the registrant's reliability and integrity with respect to controlled substances;

(5) Has violated the Uniform Controlled Substances Law of the State of Mississippi;

(6) Has violated any duly promulgated rule or regulation of the State Board of Pharmacy pertaining to the manufacture, distribution, storage, possession, control or dispensing of controlled substances;

(7) Has been convicted of a violation relating to any substance defined in this article as a controlled substance;

(8) Has dispensed any controlled substance if the registrant knew the prescription was not valid under the provisions of this article.

(b) The State Board of Pharmacy may limit revocation or suspension of a registration to the particular controlled substance with respect to which grounds for revocation or suspension exist.

(c) If the board or the State Board of Pharmacy suspends or revokes a registration, all controlled substances owned or possessed by the registrant at the time of suspension or the effective date of the revocation order may be placed under seal. No disposition may be made of substances under seal until the time for taking an appeal has elapsed or until all appeals have been concluded unless a court, upon application therefor, orders the sale of perishable substances and the deposit of the proceeds of the sale with the court. Upon a revocation order becoming final, all controlled substances may be forfeited to the state. All state professional or business licensing agencies shall promptly notify the bureau of all orders of suspensions or revocations which are the result of drug violations or drug-related matters.

(d) The bureau shall promptly notify the federal Drug Enforcement Administration of all orders suspending or revoking registration and all forfeitures of controlled substances.

§ 41-29-131

(1) Upon presentation before the State Board of Pharmacy by any person showing grounds for denying, suspending or revoking a controlled substance registration, or refusing a renewal of registration, the State Board of Pharmacy may, in its discretion, deny such registration, revoke or suspend such registration or refuse a renewal of such registration.

(2) Before denying, suspending or revoking a registration, or refusing a renewal of registration, the State Board of Pharmacy shall serve upon the applicant or registrant an order to show cause why registration should not be denied, revoked or suspended, or why the renewal should not be refused. The order to show cause shall contain a statement of the basis therefor and shall call upon the applicant or registrant to appear before the State Board of Pharmacy at a time and place not less than twenty (20) days after the date of service of the order, but in the case of a denial or renewal of registration, the show cause order shall be served not later than thirty (30) days before the expiration of the registration. Such order may be served by mailing a copy thereof by United States, first-class, certified mail, postage prepaid, to the last-known residence or business address of such registrant. The hearings on such charges shall be at such time and place as the State Board of Pharmacy may prescribe.

(3) At such hearings, all witnesses shall be sworn by a member of the State Board of Pharmacy, and stenographic notes of the proceedings may be taken and filed as a part of the record in the case. Any party to the proceedings requesting it shall be furnished with a copy of such stenographic notes upon payment to the State Board of Pharmacy of such fees as it shall prescribe, not exceeding, however, the actual cost thereof.

(4) The State Board of Pharmacy is authorized and empowered to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers. The process issued by the State Board of Pharmacy shall extend to all parts of the state and such process shall be served by any person designated by the State Board of Pharmacy for such service. The person serving such process shall receive such compensation as may be allowed by the State Board of Pharmacy, not to exceed the fee prescribed by law for similar services. All witnesses who shall be subpoenaed, and who shall appear in any proceedings before the State Board of Pharmacy, shall receive the same fees and mileage as allowed by law and all such fees shall be taxed as part of the costs in the case.

(5) Where in any proceeding before the State Board of Pharmacy any witness shall fail or refuse to attend upon subpoena issued by the board, shall refuse to testify, or shall refuse to produce any books and papers, the production of which is called for by the subpoena, the attendance of such witness and the giving of his testimony and the production of the books and papers shall be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction of this state in the manner provided for the enforcement of attendance and testimony of witnesses in civil cases in the courts of this state.

(6) The State Board of Pharmacy shall conduct the hearing in an orderly and continuous manner, granting continuances only when the ends of justice may be served. The State Board of Pharmacy shall, within sixty (60) days after the conclusion of the hearing, reduce its decision to writing and forward an attested true copy thereof to the last-known residence or business address of such applicant, registrant or holder of a registration, by way of United States, first-class, certified mail, postage prepaid.

(7) Such applicant, registrant, holder of a registration or person aggrieved shall have the right of appeal from an adverse ruling or order or decision of the State Board of Pharmacy to the chancery court, upon forwarding notice of appeal to the State Board of Pharmacy thirty (30) days after the decision of the board is mailed in the manner here contemplated. An appeal will not be allowed in the event notice of appeal, together with the appeal bond hereinafter required, shall not have been forwarded for the State Board of Pharmacy within the period of thirty (30) days.

(8) Appeal shall be to the chancery court of the county and judicial district of the residence of the appellant, or to the chancery court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, at the election of the appellant. The notice of appeal shall elect venue, unless the appellant be a nonresident, in which event the State Board of Pharmacy shall certify all documents and evidence directly to the chancery court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County for further proceedings. The appeal shall thereupon be heard in due course by the court, which shall review the record and make its determination thereon.

(9) The appellant shall, together with the notice of appeal, forward to and post with the State Board of Pharmacy a satisfactory bond in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for the payment of any costs which may be adjudged against him.

(10) Any order, rule or decision of the State Board of Pharmacy shall not take effect until after the time for appeal shall have expired. In the event of an appeal, the appeal shall act as a supersedeas and the court shall dispose of the appeal and enter its decision promptly. The hearing on the appeal may, in the discretion of the chancellor, be tried in vacation.

(11) These proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with applicable administrative procedures without regard to any criminal prosecution or other proceeding. Proceedings to refuse renewal of registration shall not abate the existing registration, which shall remain in effect pending the outcome of the administrative hearing.

(12) The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics or the State Board of Pharmacy may suspend, without an order to show cause, any registration simultaneously with the institution of proceedings under Section 41-29-129, or where renewal of registration is refused, if it finds that there is an imminent danger to the public health or safety which warrants this action. The suspension shall continue in effect until the conclusion of the proceedings, including judicial review thereof, unless sooner withdrawn by the suspending agency or dissolved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

§ 41-29-133

Persons registered to manufacture, distribute or dispense controlled substances under this article shall keep records and maintain inventories in conformance with the record-keeping and inventory requirements of federal law and with any additional rules the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Medical Licensure, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the Mississippi Board of Nursing, the State Board of Optometry or the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine may issue.

§ 41-29-135

Controlled substances in Schedules I and II of Sections 41-29-113 and 41-29-115, shall be distributed by a registrant to another registrant only pursuant to an order form. Compliance with the provisions of federal law respecting order forms shall be deemed compliance with this section.

§ 41-29-136