Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-5 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 10 / Section 137-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-5
Status: in_force

(1) No person shall be authorized to use medical cannabis in this state unless the person (a) has been diagnosed by a practitioner, with whom the person has a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship within his or her scope of practice, as having a debilitating medical condition for which the practitioner believes, in his or her professional opinion, that the person would likely receive medical or palliative benefit from the medical use of medical cannabis to treat or alleviate the person's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the person's debilitating medical condition, (b) has received a written certification of that diagnosis from the practitioner, and (c) has been issued a registry identification card from the MDOH under Section 41-137-23 . A person who has been diagnosed by a practitioner as specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be a qualifying patient, and the practitioner who has diagnosed the patient shall document that diagnosis with a written certification. However, nothing herein shall require a practitioner to issue a written certification.

(2) A written certification shall:

(a) Affirm that it is made in the course of a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship;

(b) Remain current for twelve (12) months, unless the practitioner specifies a shorter period of time;

(c) Be issued only after an in-person assessment of the patient by a practitioner;

(d) Only be issued on behalf of a minor when the minor's parent or guardian is present and provides signed consent; and

(e) Be limited to the allowable amount of cannabis in a thirty-day period.

(3) No state agency, department, political subdivision or board shall require a practitioner to require a patient to submit to a drug test as a condition to receiving a certification for a registry identification card. However, a practitioner may require a drug test from a patient that is within his or her scope of practice.

(4) After a practitioner has issued a written certification to a qualifying patient, a practitioner may assist the patient in registering for a registry identification card with the Department of Health, in a manner provided by regulations of the Department of Health.

(5) After a qualifying patient receives a written certification from a practitioner, the patient shall be required to make a follow-up visit with the practitioner not less than six (6) months after the date of issuance of the certification for the practitioner to evaluate and determine the effectiveness of the patient's medical use of medical cannabis to treat or alleviate the patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient's debilitating medical condition. Qualifying patients may make a follow-up visit with a different practitioner than the practitioner who originally issued their written certification, provided that such practitioner is otherwise registered and acting within their scope of practice and the provisions of this chapter.

(6) Before dispensing medical cannabis to a cardholder, the dispensary from which the cardholder is obtaining medical cannabis shall verify the identity of the cardholder and the authority of the cardholder to use medical cannabis as provided in Section 41-137-39 and shall determine the maximum amount of medical cannabis that a cardholder is eligible to receive and the amount of medical cannabis that the cardholder has received from all dispensaries during a specified period of time using the statewide seed-to-sale tracking system under Section 41-137-11 .

(7)(a) A practitioner shall be registered to issue written certifications to qualifying patients by completing the required application process as set forth by the MDOH. The MDOH shall require a practitioner to complete a minimum of eight (8) hours of continuing education in medical cannabis in order to issue written certifications. After the first year of registration, these practitioners shall complete five (5) hours of continuing education in medical cannabis annually to maintain this registration.

(b) A practitioner shall not be required to have any additional qualifications to be authorized to certify a qualifying patient for a registry identification card, other than such requirements for practitioners as provided under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act.

(c) A practitioner shall not be required to be registered to certify patients with any state agency or board other than the MDOH.

(8) Only physicians and doctors of osteopathic medicine may issue written certifications to registered qualifying patients who are minors.

(9) The requirements of this section shall not apply to a person who is authorized to purchase topical cannabis provided under Section 41-137-39(22) , and such persons may possess and use such products without being in violation of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-111 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-111
Status: in_force

(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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-139 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 22 / Section 29-139
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-139
Status: in_force

(a) Transfer and possession with intent to transfer. Except as authorized by this article, it is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally:

(1) To sell, barter, transfer, manufacture, distribute, dispense or possess with intent to sell, barter, transfer, manufacture, distribute or dispense, a controlled substance; or

(2) To create, sell, barter, transfer, distribute, dispense or possess with intent to create, sell, barter, transfer, distribute or dispense, a counterfeit substance.

(b) Punishment for transfer and possession with intent to transfer. Except as otherwise provided in Section 41-29-142 , any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be, if convicted, sentenced as follows:

(1) For controlled substances classified in Schedule I or II, as set out in Sections 41-29-113 and 41-29-115 , other than marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids:

(A) If less than two (2) grams or ten (10) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than eight (8) years or a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(B) If two (2) or more grams or ten (10) or more dosage units, but less than ten (10) grams or twenty (20) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than three (3) years nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both.

(C) If ten (10) or more grams or twenty (20) or more dosage units, but less than thirty (30) grams or forty (40) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than five (5) years nor more than thirty (30) years or a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or both.

(2)(A) For marijuana:

1. If thirty (30) grams or less, by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years or a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or both;

2. If more than thirty (30) grams but less than two hundred fifty (250) grams, by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both;

3. If two hundred fifty (250) or more grams but less than five hundred (500) grams, by imprisonment for not less than three (3) years nor more than ten (10) years or a fine of not more than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), or both;

4. If five hundred (500) or more grams but less than one (1) kilogram, by imprisonment for not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not more than Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), or both.

(B) For synthetic cannabinoids:

1. If ten (10) grams or less, by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years or a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or both;

2. If more than ten (10) grams but less than twenty (20) grams, by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both;

3. If twenty (20) or more grams but less than forty (40) grams, by imprisonment for not less than three (3) years nor more than ten (10) years or a fine of not more than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), or both;

4. If forty (40) or more grams but less than two hundred (200) grams, by imprisonment for not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not more than Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), or both.

(3) For controlled substances classified in Schedules III and IV, as set out in Sections 41-29-117 and 41-29-119 :

(A) If less than two (2) grams or ten (10) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both;

(B) If two (2) or more grams or ten (10) or more dosage units, but less than ten (10) grams or twenty (20) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than eight (8) years or a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both;

(C) If ten (10) or more grams or twenty (20) or more dosage units, but less than thirty (30) grams or forty (40) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than fifteen (15) years or a fine of not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or both;

(D) If thirty (30) or more grams or forty (40) or more dosage units, but less than five hundred (500) grams or two thousand five hundred (2,500) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both.

(4) For controlled substances classified in Schedule V, as set out in Section 41-29-121 :

(A) If less than two (2) grams or ten (10) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both;

(B) If two (2) or more grams or ten (10) or more dosage units, but less than ten (10) grams or twenty (20) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both;

(C) If ten (10) or more grams or twenty (20) or more dosage units, but less than thirty (30) grams or forty (40) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years or a fine of not more than Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), or both;

(D) For thirty (30) or more grams or forty (40) or more dosage units, but less than five hundred (500) grams or two thousand five hundred (2,500) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than fifteen (15) years or a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(c) Simple possession. Except as otherwise provided under subsection (i) of this section for actions that are lawful under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder, it is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess any controlled substance unless the substance was obtained directly from, or pursuant to, a valid prescription or order of a practitioner while acting in the course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by this article. The penalties for any violation of this subsection (c) with respect to a controlled substance classified in Schedules I, II, III, IV or V, as set out in Section 41-29-113 , 41-29-115 , 41-29-117 , 41-29-119 or 41-29-121 , including marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, shall be based on dosage unit as defined herein or the weight of the controlled substance as set forth herein as appropriate:

“ Dosage unit (d.u.) ” means a tablet or capsule, or in the case of a liquid solution, one (1) milliliter. In the case of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) the term, “ dosage unit ” means a stamp, square, dot, microdot, tablet or capsule of a controlled substance.

For any controlled substance that does not fall within the definition of the term “dosage unit,” the penalties shall be based upon the weight of the controlled substance.

The weight set forth refers to the entire weight of any mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of the controlled substance.

If a mixture or substance contains more than one (1) controlled substance, the weight of the mixture or substance is assigned to the controlled substance that results in the greater punishment.

A person shall be charged and sentenced as follows for a violation of this subsection with respect to:

(1) A controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II, except marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids:

(A) If less than one-tenth (0.1) gram or two (2) dosage units, the violation is a misdemeanor and 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.

(B) If one-tenth (0.1) gram or more or two (2) or more dosage units, but less than two (2) grams or ten (10) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years or a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(C) If two (2) or more grams or ten (10) or more dosage units, but less than ten (10) grams or twenty (20) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than eight (8) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both.

(D) If ten (10) or more grams or twenty (20) or more dosage units, but less than thirty (30) grams or forty (40) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than three (3) years nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or both.

(2)(A) Marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids:

1. If thirty (30) grams or less of marijuana or ten (10) grams or less of synthetic cannabinoids, by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00). The provisions of this paragraph (2)(A) may be enforceable by summons if the offender provides proof of identity satisfactory to the arresting officer and gives written promise to appear in court satisfactory to the arresting officer, as directed by the summons. A second conviction under this section within two (2) years is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), not more than sixty (60) days in the county jail, and mandatory participation in a drug education program approved by the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse of the State Department of Mental Health, unless the court enters a written finding that a drug education program is inappropriate. A third or subsequent conviction under this paragraph (2)(A) within two (2) years is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and confinement for not more than six (6) months in the county jail.

Upon a first or second conviction under this paragraph (2)(A), the courts shall forward a report of the conviction to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics which shall make and maintain a private, nonpublic record for a period not to exceed two (2) years from the date of conviction. The private, nonpublic record shall be solely for the use of the courts in determining the penalties which attach upon conviction under this paragraph (2)(A) and shall not constitute a criminal record for the purpose of private or administrative inquiry and the record of each conviction shall be expunged at the end of the period of two (2) years following the date of such conviction;

2. Additionally, a person who is the operator of a motor vehicle, who possesses on his person or knowingly keeps or allows to be kept in a motor vehicle within the area of the vehicle normally occupied by the driver or passengers, more than one (1) gram, but not more than thirty (30) grams of marijuana or not more than ten (10) grams of synthetic cannabinoids is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or confined for not more than ninety (90) days in the county jail, or both. For the purposes of this subsection, such area of the vehicle shall not include the trunk of the motor vehicle or the areas not normally occupied by the driver or passengers if the vehicle is not equipped with a trunk. A utility or glove compartment shall be deemed to be within the area occupied by the driver and passengers.

(B) Marijuana:

1. If more than thirty (30) grams but less than two hundred fifty (250) grams, by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or confinement in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or both; or by a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than three (3) years, or both;

2. If two hundred fifty (250) or more grams but less than five hundred (500) grams, by imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than eight (8) years or by a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both;

3. If five hundred (500) or more grams but less than one (1) kilogram, by imprisonment for not less than four (4) years nor more than sixteen (16) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both;

4. If one (1) kilogram or more but less than five (5) kilograms, by imprisonment for not less than six (6) years nor more than twenty-four (24) years or a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or both;

5. If five (5) kilograms or more, by imprisonment for not less than ten (10) years nor more than thirty (30) years or a fine of not more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), or both.

(C) Synthetic cannabinoids:

1. If more than ten (10) grams but less than twenty (20) grams, by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or confinement in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or both; or by a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than three (3) years, or both;

2. If twenty (20) or more grams but less than forty (40) grams, by imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than eight (8) years or by a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both;

3. If forty (40) or more grams but less than two hundred (200) grams, by imprisonment for not less than four (4) years nor more than sixteen (16) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both;

4. If two hundred (200) or more grams, by imprisonment for not less than six (6) years nor more than twenty-four (24) years or a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or both.

(3) A controlled substance classified in Schedule III, IV or V as set out in Sections 41-29-117 through 41-29-121 , upon conviction, may be punished as follows:

(A) If less than fifty (50) grams or less than one hundred (100) dosage units, the offense is a misdemeanor and punishable by not more than one (1) year or a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(B) If fifty (50) or more grams or one hundred (100) or more dosage units, but less than one hundred fifty (150) grams or five hundred (500) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than one (1) year nor more than four (4) years or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.

(C) If one hundred fifty (150) or more grams or five hundred (500) or more dosage units, but less than three hundred (300) grams or one thousand (1,000) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than eight (8) years or a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(D) If three hundred (300) or more grams or one thousand (1,000) or more dosage units, but less than five hundred (500) grams or two thousand five hundred (2,500) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than four (4) years nor more than sixteen (16) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both.

(d) Paraphernalia. (1) Except as otherwise provided under subsection (i) of this section for actions that are lawful under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder, it is unlawful for a person who is not authorized by the State Board of Medical Licensure, State Board of Pharmacy, or other lawful authority to use, or to possess with intent to use, paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance in violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law. Any person who violates this subsection (d)(1) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be confined in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both; however, no person shall be charged with a violation of this subsection when such person is also charged with the possession of thirty (30) grams or less of marijuana under subsection (c)(2)(A) of this section.

(2) It is unlawful for any person to deliver, sell, possess with intent to deliver or sell, or manufacture with intent to deliver or sell, paraphernalia, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that it will be used to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance in violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law. Except as provided in subsection (d)(3), a person who violates this subsection (d)(2) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be confined in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both.

(3) Any person eighteen (18) years of age or over who violates subsection (d)(2) of this section by delivering or selling paraphernalia to a person under eighteen (18) years of age who is at least three (3) years his junior is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be confined in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to place in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication any advertisement, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the purpose of the advertisement, in whole or in part, is to promote the sale of objects designed or intended for use as paraphernalia. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be confined in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any physician practicing medicine in this state to prescribe, dispense or administer any amphetamine or amphetamine-like anorectics and/or central nervous system stimulants classified in Schedule II, pursuant to Section 41-29-115 , for the exclusive treatment of obesity, weight control or weight loss. Any person who violates this subsection, upon conviction, is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be confined for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(f) Trafficking. (1) Any person trafficking in controlled substances shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be imprisoned for a term of not less than ten (10) years nor more than forty (40) years and shall be fined not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) nor more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). The ten-year mandatory sentence shall not be reduced or suspended. The person shall not be eligible for probation or parole, the provisions of Sections 41-29-149 , 47-5-139 , 47-7-3 and 47-7-33 , to the contrary notwithstanding.

(2) “ Trafficking in controlled substances ” as used herein means:

(A) A violation of subsection (a) of this section involving thirty (30) or more grams or forty (40) or more dosage units of a Schedule I or II controlled substance except marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids;

(B) A violation of subsection (a) of this section involving five hundred (500) or more grams or two thousand five hundred (2,500) or more dosage units of a Schedule III, IV or V controlled substance;

(C) A violation of subsection (c) of this section involving thirty (30) or more grams or forty (40) or more dosage units of a Schedule I or II controlled substance except marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids;

(D) A violation of subsection (c) of this section involving five hundred (500) or more grams or two thousand five hundred (2,500) or more dosage units of a Schedule III, IV or V controlled substance; or

(E) A violation of subsection (a) of this section involving one (1) kilogram or more of marijuana or two hundred (200) grams or more of synthetic cannabinoids.

(g) Aggravated trafficking. Any person trafficking in Schedule I or II controlled substances, except marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids, of two hundred (200) grams or more shall be guilty of aggravated trafficking and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to a term of not less than twenty-five (25) years nor more than life in prison and shall be fined not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) nor more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). The twenty-five-year sentence shall be a mandatory sentence and shall not be reduced or suspended. The person shall not be eligible for probation or parole, the provisions of Sections 41-29-149 , 47-5-139 , 47-7-3 and 47-7-33 , to the contrary notwithstanding.

(h) Sentence mitigation. (1) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a person who has been convicted of an offense under this section that requires the judge to impose a prison sentence which cannot be suspended or reduced and is ineligible for probation or parole may, at the discretion of the court, receive a sentence of imprisonment that is no less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence prescribed by the applicable statute. In considering whether to apply the departure from the sentence prescribed, the court shall conclude that:

(A) The offender was not a leader of the criminal enterprise;

(B) The offender did not use violence or a weapon during the crime;

(C) The offense did not result in a death or serious bodily injury of a person not a party to the criminal enterprise; and

(D) The interests of justice are not served by the imposition of the prescribed mandatory sentence.

The court may also consider whether information and assistance were furnished to a law enforcement agency, or its designee, which, in the opinion of the trial judge, objectively should or would have aided in the arrest or prosecution of others who violate this subsection. The accused shall have adequate opportunity to develop and make a record of all information and assistance so furnished.

(2) If the court reduces the prescribed sentence pursuant to this subsection, it must specify on the record the circumstances warranting the departure.

(i) 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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-7 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 10 / Section 137-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-7
Status: in_force

(1) The MDOH shall have the ultimate authority for oversight of the administration of the medical cannabis program, and the MDOH shall coordinate the activities of the MDOH and MDOR under the provisions of this chapter in order to best effectuate the purpose and intent of this chapter.

(2) The MDOH may contract with other governmental agencies and public or private third parties to assist the MDOH with carrying out any of the responsibilities delegated to the MDOH under this section. However, the MDOH shall be ultimately responsible for the performance of any responsibilities that are exercised by any agency or third party with which the MDOH has contracted under the authority of this subsection.

(3) The MDOH shall be responsible for:

(a) The licensing, oversight and inspection of cannabis testing facilities and cannabis research facilities;

(b) The licensing of cannabis cultivation facilities, cannabis processing facilities, cannabis transportation entities and cannabis disposal entities;

(c) The application and licensing of registry identification cards for qualifying patients and designated caregivers;

(d) The registering of practitioners in accordance with this chapter; and

(e) The selection, certification and oversight of the statewide seed-to-sale tracking system as provided for in Section 41-137-11 .

(4) Unless otherwise provided herein, the MDOR shall be responsible for the licensing, inspection and oversight of medical cannabis dispensaries.

(5) The MDOR and MDOH shall accept applications for and award licenses according to their respective duties as provided for in this chapter, subject to the following:

(a) After one hundred twenty (120) days from February 2, 2022, the MDOH shall begin accepting applications, registering and licensing registry identification cards and practitioners.

(b) After one hundred twenty (120) days from February 2, 2022, the MDOH shall begin licensing and registering cannabis cultivation facilities, cannabis processing facilities, cannabis testing facilities, cannabis research facilities, cannabis disposal entities and cannabis transportation entities. After one hundred fifty (150) days from February 2, 2022, the MDOR shall issue licenses for medical cannabis dispensaries as provided for in this chapter within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application from an applicant or within thirty (30) days after the initial one-hundred-fifty-day period, whichever is the later date.

(6) The MDOR and MDOH shall issue a registration certificate and a random ten-digit alphanumeric identification number to each licensed medical cannabis establishment, as applicable.

(7) After one hundred twenty (120) days from February 2, 2022, the MDOH shall issue licenses according to their respective duties as provided for in this chapter within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application from an applicant or within thirty (30) days after the initial one-hundred-twenty-day period, whichever is the later date. After one hundred fifty (150) days from February 2, 2022, the MDOR shall issue licenses according to their respective duties as provided for in this chapter within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application from an applicant or within thirty (30) days after the initial one-hundred-fifty-day period, whichever is the later date.

(8) It is the intent of the Legislature that the MDOH and MDOR and any other state agency, as needed, shall cooperate and collaborate together to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.

(9)(a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this subsection, the Department of Public Safety shall not be involved in or have any role regarding the administration, regulation or oversight of the medical cannabis program established under this chapter; however, this provision does not prohibit the department from carrying out any law enforcement activities that a law enforcement agency may exercise under this chapter or that the department may exercise under the authority of any other law.

(b) The Department of Public Safety may assist the MDOH in conducting background checks of individuals as required under this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-150 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 7 / Section 29-150
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-150
Status: in_force

(a) Any person convicted under Section 41-29-139 may be required, in the discretion of the court, as a part of the sentence otherwise imposed, or in lieu of imprisonment in cases of probation or suspension of sentence, to attend a course of instruction conducted by the bureau, the State Board of Health, or any similar agency, on the effects, medically, psychologically and socially, of the misuse of controlled substances. The course may be conducted at any correctional institution, detention center or hospital, or at any center or treatment facility established for the purpose of education and rehabilitation of those persons committed because of abuse of controlled substances.

(b) Any person convicted under Section 41-29-139 who is found to be dependent upon or addicted to any controlled substance shall be required, as a part of the sentence otherwise imposed, or in lieu of imprisonment in cases of parole, probation or suspension of sentence, to receive medical treatment for such dependency or addiction. The regimen of medical treatment may include confinement in a medical facility of any correctional institution, detention center or hospital, or at any center or facility established for treatment of those persons committed because of a dependence or addiction to controlled substances.

(c) Those persons previously convicted of a felony under Section 41-29-139 and who are now confined at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, Mississippi, or at the East Mississippi State Hospital at Meridian, Mississippi, for the term of their sentence shall remain under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Department of Corrections and shall be required to abide by all reasonable rules and regulations promulgated by the director and staff of said institutions and of the Department of Corrections. Any persons so confined who shall refuse to abide by said rules or who attempt an escape or who shall escape shall be transferred to the State Penitentiary or to a county jail, where appropriate, to serve the remainder of the term of imprisonment; this provision shall not preclude prosecution and conviction for escape from said institutions.

(d)(1) If any person who has not previously been convicted of violating Section 41-29-139 , or the laws of the United States or of another state relating to narcotic drugs, stimulant or depressant substances, other controlled substances or marihuana is found to be guilty of a violation of subsection (c) or (d) of Section 41-29-139 , after trial or upon a plea of guilty, the court may, without entering a judgment of guilty and with the consent of such person, defer further proceedings and place him on probation upon such reasonable conditions as it may require and for such period, not to exceed three (3) years, as the court may prescribe. Upon violation of a condition of the probation, the court may enter an adjudication of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided. The court may, in its discretion, dismiss the proceedings against such person and discharge him from probation before the expiration of the maximum period prescribed for such person's probation. If during the period of his probation such person does not violate any of the conditions of the probation, then upon expiration of such period the court shall discharge such person and dismiss the proceedings against him. Discharge and dismissal under this subsection shall be without court adjudication of guilt, but a nonpublic record thereof shall be retained by the bureau solely for the purpose of use by the courts in determining whether or not, in subsequent proceedings, such person qualifies under this subsection. Such discharge or dismissal shall not be deemed a conviction for purposes of disqualifications or disabilities imposed by law upon conviction of a crime, including the penalties prescribed under this article for second or subsequent conviction, or for any other purpose. Discharge and dismissal under this subsection may occur only once with respect to any person; and

(2) Upon the dismissal of a person and discharge of proceedings against him under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the person may apply to the court for an order to expunge from all official records, other than the nonpublic records to be retained by the bureau under paragraph (1) of this subsection, all recordation relating to his arrest, indictment, trial, finding of guilt, and dismissal and discharge pursuant to this section. If the court determines, after hearing, that such person was dismissed and the proceedings against him discharged, or that the person had satisfactorily served his sentence or period of probation and parole, it shall enter an order of expunction. The effect of the order shall be to restore the person, in the contemplation of the law, to the status he occupied before such arrest or indictment. No person as to whom such an order has been entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of his failures to recite or acknowledge such arrest, indictment or trial in response to any inquiry made of him for any purpose. A person as to whom an order has been entered, upon request, shall be required to advise the court, in camera, of the previous conviction and expunction in any legal proceeding wherein the person has been called as a prospective juror. The court shall thereafter and before the selection of the jury advise the attorneys representing the parties of the previous conviction and expunction.

(e) Every person who has been or may hereafter be convicted of a felony offense under Section 41-29-139 and sentenced under Section 41-29-150(c) shall be under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

(f) It shall be unlawful for any person confined under the provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of this section to escape or attempt to escape from said institution, and, upon conviction, said person shall be guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed two (2) years.

(g) It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature to promote the rehabilitation of persons convicted of offenses under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-135-9 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 11 / Section 135-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-135-9
Status: in_force

The State Department of Health shall prepare a video in an appropriate medium for presentation in offices of the department in which the department provides benefits to women of child-bearing age, which shall provide information about the importance of breast-feeding infants. Applicants for and recipients of any such benefits provided by the department may view the video in the offices of the department. The department may provide the video to other state agencies that provide benefits to women of child-bearing age, for appropriate use by those agencies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-73-35 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 25 / Section 73-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-73-35
Status: in_force

The authority is hereby authorized to issue, sell and deliver its bonds in accordance with the terms of this act, for any of its corporate purposes.

Bonds shall be authorized by a resolution or resolutions of the authority adopted as provided by this act; provided, that any such resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds may delegate to an officer or officers of the authority the power to issue such bonds from time to time and to fix the details of any such issues of bonds by an appropriate certificate of such authorized officer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-67-33 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 23 / Section 67-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-67-33
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall adopt and use procedures for conducting reviews requested by any person aggrieved by the disapproval or requirements for an on-site wastewater disposal system as provided by the department in written form under Section 41-67-6 . The procedures shall include that the person may request review by submitting a written request of review to the Director of the Office of Environmental Health. The request for review shall identify the matter contested and state the person's name, mailing address and home and daytime phone numbers. Within ten (10) business days of the receipt of the request for review, the department shall issue in writing a ruling and determination to the person and if any corrections are necessary to any form previously issued by the department, then new forms shall be submitted to the person.

(2) Property owners may apply for a variance from the department by submitting a report for a proposed system to the department from a licensed professional engineer that the proposed wastewater treatment system will properly treat and maintain wastewater on the property and proof that the licensed professional engineer has errors and omissions insurance. The department shall grant the variance but still have authority for final approval to inspect that the system is installed as designed. All forms from the department relating to allowed wastewater systems shall include the variance option.

(3) Any person aggrieved by the ruling issued by the Director of the Office of Environmental Health may apply for a hearing. Any hearing shall be conducted by a hearing officer designated by the department. At the hearing, the hearing officer may conduct reasonable questioning of persons who make relevant factual allegations concerning the proposal. The hearing officer shall require that all persons be sworn in 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, the staff report and recommendation, and any other material as the hearing officer considers relevant. He shall make a recommendation within a reasonable period of time after the hearing is closed and after he has had an opportunity to review, study and analyze the evidence presented during the hearing. 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 that is not included. All final decisions regarding the disapproval or requirements for an on-site wastewater disposal system shall be made by the State Health Officer. The State Health Officer shall make his written findings and issue his order after reviewing the record, not to exceed thirty (30) days following his receipt of the record.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-73-69 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 73-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-73-69
Status: in_force

The state and all public officers, municipal corporations, political subdivisions and public bodies, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks and institutions, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, investment companies, and other persons carrying on a banking business, all insurance companies, insurance associations and other persons carrying on an insurance business and all executors, administrators, guardians, trustees and other fiduciaries and the Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System may legally invest any sinking funds, moneys or other funds belonging to them or within their control in any bonds issued by the authority, and such bonds shall be authorized security for all public deposits; it being the purpose of this section to authorize any persons, firms, corporations, associations, political subdivisions, bodies and officers, public or private, to use any funds owned or controlled by them, including, but not limited to, sinking, insurance, investment, retirement, compensation, pension and trust funds, and funds held on deposit, for the purchase of any such bonds, and that any such bonds shall be authorized security for all public deposits. However, nothing contained in this chapter with regard to legal investments shall be construed as relieving any person, firm or corporation from any duty of exercising reasonable care in selecting securities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-67-29 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 67-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-67-29
Status: in_force

Any person who is aggrieved by any final decision of the board may appeal that final decision to the chancery court of the county of the situs in whole or in part of the subject matter. The appellant shall give a cost bond with sufficient sureties, payable to the state in a sum to be fixed by the board or the court and to be filed with and approved by the clerk of the court. The aggrieved party may, within thirty (30) days following a final decision of the board, petition the chancery court for an appeal with supersedeas and the chancellor shall grant a hearing on the 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. 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 his 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 and may enter a final order or remand the matter to the board 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 therefor 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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-111 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-111
Status: in_force

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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-19-201 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-19-201
Status: in_force

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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-101 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 59-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-101
Status: in_force

The EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact is enacted into law and entered into by this state with any and all states legally joining in the Compact in accordance with its terms in the form substantially as follows:

EMS PERSONNEL LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT

Section 1. Purpose. In order to protect the public through verification of competency and ensure accountability for patient care related activities all states license emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, such as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs and paramedics. This Compact is intended to facilitate the day-to-day movement of EMS personnel across state boundaries in the performance of their EMS duties as assigned by an appropriate authority and authorize state EMS offices to afford immediate legal recognition to EMS personnel licensed in a member state. This Compact recognizes that states have a vested interest in protecting the public's health and safety through their licensing and regulation of EMS personnel and that such state regulation shared among the member states will best protect public health and safety. This Compact is designed to achieve the following purposes and objectives:

(a) Increase public access to EMS personnel;

(b) Enhance the states' ability to protect the public's health and safety, especially patient safety;

(c) Encourage the cooperation of member states in the areas of EMS personnel licensure and regulation;

(d) Support licensing of military members who are separating from an active duty tour and their spouses;

(e) Facilitate the exchange of information between member states regarding EMS personnel licensure, adverse action and significant investigatory information;

(f) Promote compliance with the laws governing EMS personnel practice in each member state; and

(g) Invest all member states with the authority to hold EMS personnel accountable through the mutual recognition of member state licenses.

Section 2. Definitions. In this Compact:

(a) “ Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) ” means an individual licensed with cognitive knowledge and a scope of practice that corresponds to that level in the National EMS Education Standards and National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

(b) “ Adverse action ” means any administrative, civil, equitable or criminal action permitted by a state's laws which may be imposed against licensed EMS personnel by a state EMS authority or state court, including, but not limited to, actions against an individual's license such as revocation, suspension, probation, consent agreement, monitoring or other limitation or encumbrance on the individual's practice, letters of reprimand or admonition, fines, criminal convictions and state court judgments enforcing adverse actions by the state EMS authority.

(c) “ Alternative program ” means a voluntary, nondisciplinary substance abuse recovery program approved by a state EMS authority.

(d) “ Certification ” means the successful verification of entry-level cognitive and psychomotor competency using a reliable, validated, and legally defensible examination.

(e) “ Commission ” means the national administrative body of which all states that have enacted the Compact are members.

(f) “ Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) ” means an individual licensed with cognitive knowledge and a scope of practice that corresponds to that level in the National EMS Education Standards and National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

(g) “ Home state ” means a member state where an individual is licensed to practice emergency medical services.

(h) “ License ” means the authorization by a state for an individual to practice as an EMT, AEMT, paramedic, or a level in between EMT and paramedic.

(i) “ Medical director ” means a physician licensed in a member state who is accountable for the care delivered by EMS personnel.

(j) “ Member state ” means a state that has enacted this Compact.

(k) “ Privilege to practice ” means an individual's authority to deliver emergency medical services in remote states as authorized under this Compact.

(l) “ Paramedic ” means an individual licensed with cognitive knowledge and a scope of practice that corresponds to that level in the National EMS Education Standards and National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

(m) “ Remote state ” means a member state in which an individual is not licensed.

(n) “ Restricted ” means the outcome of an adverse action that limits a license or the privilege to practice.

(o) “ Rule ” means a written statement by the Interstate Commission promulgated pursuant to Section 12 of this Compact that is of general applicability; implements, interprets, or prescribes a policy or provision of the Compact; or is an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the Commission and has the force and effect of statutory law in a member state and includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.

(p) “ Scope of practice ” means defined parameters of various duties or services that may be provided by an individual with specific credentials. Whether regulated by rule, statute, or court decision, it tends to represent the limits of services an individual may perform.

(q) “ Significant investigatory information ” means:

(i) Investigative information that a state EMS authority, after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity to respond if required by state law, has reason to believe, if proved true, would result in the imposition of an adverse action on a license or privilege to practice; or

(ii) Investigative information that indicates that the individual represents an immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the individual has been notified and had an opportunity to respond.

(r) “ State ” means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States.

(s) “ State EMS authority ” means the board, office, or other agency with the legislative mandate to license EMS personnel.

Section 3. Home state licensure. (1) Any member state in which an individual holds a current license shall be deemed a home state for purposes of this Compact.

(2) Any member state may require an individual to obtain and retain a license to be authorized to practice in the member state under circumstances not authorized by the privilege to practice under the terms of this Compact.

(3) A home state's license authorizes an individual to practice in a remote state under the privilege to practice only if the home state:

(a) Currently requires the use of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination as a condition of issuing initial licenses at the EMT and paramedic levels;

(b) Has a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about individuals;

(c) Notifies the Commission, in compliance with the terms herein, of any adverse action or significant investigatory information regarding an individual;

(d) No later than five (5) years after activation of the Compact, requires a criminal background check of all applicants for initial licensure, including the use of the results of fingerprint or other biometric data checks compliant with the requirements of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the exception of federal employees who have suitability determination in accordance with US CFR Section 731.202 and submit documentation of such as promulgated in the rules of the Commission; and

(e) Complies with the rules of the Commission.

Section 4. Compact privilege to practice. (1) Member states shall recognize the privilege to practice of an individual licensed in another member state that is in conformance with Section 3.

(2) To exercise the privilege to practice under the terms and provisions of this Compact, an individual must:

(a) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(b) Possess a current unrestricted license in a member state as an EMT, AEMT, paramedic, or state recognized and licensed level with a scope of practice and authority between EMT and paramedic; and

(c) Practice under the supervision of a medical director.

(3) An individual providing patient care in a remote state under the privilege to practice shall function within the scope of practice authorized by the home state unless and until modified by an appropriate authority in the remote state as may be defined in the rules of the Commission.

(4) Except as provided in Section 4(3), an individual practicing in a remote state will be subject to the remote state's authority and laws. A remote state may, in accordance with due process and that state's laws, restrict, suspend, or revoke an individual's privilege to practice in the remote state and may take any other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its citizens. If a remote state takes action it shall promptly notify the home state and the Commission.

(5) If an individual's license in any home state is restricted or suspended, the individual shall not be eligible to practice in a remote state under the privilege to practice until the individual's home state license is restored.

(6) If an individual's privilege to practice in any remote state is restricted, suspended, or revoked the individual shall not be eligible to practice in any remote state until the individual's privilege to practice is restored.

Section 5. Conditions of practice in a remote state. An individual may practice in a remote state under a privilege to practice only in the performance of the individual's EMS duties as assigned by an appropriate authority, as defined in the rules of the Commission, and under the following circumstances:

(a) The individual originates a patient transport in a home state and transports the patient to a remote state;

(b) The individual originates in the home state and enters a remote state to pick up a patient and provide care and transport of the patient to the home state;

(c) The individual enters a remote state to provide patient care and/or transport within that remote state;

(d) The individual enters a remote state to pick up a patient and provide care and transport to a third member state;

(e) Other conditions as determined by rules promulgated by the Commission.

Section 6. Relationship to Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Upon a member state's governor's declaration of a state of emergency or disaster that activates the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), all relevant terms and provisions of EMAC shall apply and to the extent any terms or provisions of this Compact conflicts with EMAC, the terms of EMAC shall prevail with respect to any individual practicing in the remote state in response to such declaration.

Section 7. Veterans, service members separating from active duty military, and their spouses. (1) Member states shall consider a veteran, active military service member, and member of the National Guard and Reserves separating from an active duty tour, and a spouse thereof, who holds a current valid and unrestricted NREMT certification at or above the level of the state license being sought as satisfying the minimum training and examination requirements for such licensure.

(2) Member states shall expedite the processing of licensure applications submitted by veterans, active military service members, and members of the National Guard and Reserves separating from an active duty tour, and their spouses.

(3) All individuals functioning with a privilege to practice under this section remain subject to the adverse actions provisions of Section 8.

Section 8. Adverse actions. (1) A home state shall have exclusive power to impose adverse action against an individual's license issued by the home state.

(2) If an individual's license in any home state is restricted or suspended, the individual shall not be eligible to practice in a remote state under the privilege to practice until the individual's home state license is restored.

(a) All home state adverse action orders shall include a statement that the individual's Compact privileges are inactive. The order may allow the individual to practice in remote states with prior written authorization from both the home state and remote state's EMS authority.

(b) An individual currently subject to adverse action in the home state shall not practice in any remote state without prior written authorization from both the home state and remote state's EMS authority.

(3) A member state shall report adverse actions and any occurrences that the individual's Compact privileges are restricted, suspended, or revoked to the Commission in accordance with the rules of the Commission.

(4) A remote state may take adverse action on an individual's privilege to practice within that state.

(5) Any member state may take adverse action against an individual's privilege to practice in that state based on the factual findings of another member state, so long as each state follows its own procedures for imposing such adverse action.

(6) A home state's EMS authority shall investigate and take appropriate action with respect to reported conduct in a remote state as it would if such conduct had occurred within the home state. In such cases, the home state's law shall control in determining the appropriate adverse action.

(7) Nothing in this Compact shall override a member state's decision that participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action and that such participation shall remain nonpublic if required by the member state's laws. Member states must require individuals who enter any alternative programs to agree not to practice in any other member state during the term of the alternative program without prior authorization from such other member state.

Section 9. Additional powers invested in a member state's EMS authority. A member state's EMS authority, in addition to any other powers granted under state law, is authorized under this Compact to:

(a) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a member state's EMS authority for the attendance and testimony of witnesses, and/or the production of evidence from another member state, shall be enforced in the remote state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to that court's practice and procedure in considering subpoenas issued in its own proceedings. The issuing state EMS authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes of the state where the witnesses and/or evidence are located; and

(b) Issue cease and desist orders to restrict, suspend, or revoke an individual's privilege to practice in the state.

Section 10. Establishment of the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice. (1) The Compact states hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice.

(a) The Commission is a body politic and an instrumentality of the Compact states.

(b) Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission is located. The Commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

(c) Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.

(2) Membership, voting, and meetings.

(a) Each member state shall have and be limited to one (1) delegate. The responsible official of the state EMS authority or his designee shall be the delegate to this Compact for each member state. Any delegate may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which the delegate is appointed. Any vacancy occurring in the Commission shall be filled in accordance with the laws of the member state in which the vacancy exists. In the event that more than one (1) board, office, or other agency with the legislative mandate to license EMS personnel at and above the level of EMT exists, the Governor of the state will determine which entity will be responsible for assigning the delegate.

(b) Each delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote with regard to the promulgation of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the Commission. A delegate shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for delegates' participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication.

(c) The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws.

(d) All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions in Section 12.

(e) The Commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the Commission must discuss:

(i) Noncompliance of a member state with its obligations under the Compact;

(ii) The employment, compensation, discipline or other personnel matters, practices or procedures related to specific employees or other matters related to the Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures;

(iii) Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation;

(iv) Negotiation of contracts for the purchase or sale of goods, services, or real estate;

(v) Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person;

(vi) Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential;

(vii) Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

(viii) Disclosure of investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes;

(ix) Disclosure of information related to any investigatory reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the Commission or other committee charged with responsibility of investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the Compact; or

(x) Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member state statute.

(f) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the Commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision. The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the Commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(3) The Commission shall, by a majority vote of the delegates, prescribe bylaws and/or rules to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and exercise the powers of the Compact, including but not limited to:

(a) Establishing the fiscal year of the Commission;

(b) Providing reasonable standards and procedures:

(i) For the establishment and meetings of other committees; and

(ii) Governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or function of the Commission;

(c) Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the Commission, ensuring reasonable advance notice of all meetings, and providing an opportunity for attendance of such meetings by interested parties, with enumerated exceptions designed to protect the public's interest, the privacy of individuals, and proprietary information, including trade secrets. The Commission may meet in closed session only after a majority of the membership votes to close a meeting in whole or in part. As soon as practicable, the Commission must make public a copy of the vote to close the meeting revealing the vote of each member with no proxy votes allowed;

(d) Establishing the titles, duties and authority, and reasonable procedures for the election of the officers of the Commission;

(e) Providing reasonable standards and procedures for the establishment of the personnel policies and programs of the Commission. Notwithstanding any civil service or other similar laws of any member state, the bylaws shall exclusively govern the personnel policies and programs of the Commission;

(f) Promulgating a code of ethics to address permissible and prohibited activities of Commission members and employees;

(g) Providing a mechanism for winding up the operations of the Commission and the equitable disposition of any surplus funds that may exist after the termination of the Compact after the payment and/or reserving of all of its debts and obligations;

(h) The Commission shall publish its bylaws and file a copy thereof, and a copy of any amendment thereto, with the appropriate agency or officer in each of the member states, if any;

(i) The Commission shall maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws;

(j) The Commission shall meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this Compact and the bylaws.

(4) The Commission shall have the following powers:

(a) The authority to promulgate uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and administration of this Compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding in all member states;

(b) To bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of any state EMS authority or other regulatory body responsible for EMS personnel licensure to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected;

(c) To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;

(d) To borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a member state;

(e) To hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the Compact, and to establish the Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters;

(f) To accept any and all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and to receive, utilize and dispose of the same; provided that at all times the Commission shall strive to avoid any appearance of impropriety and/or conflict of interest;

(g) To lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve or use, any property, real, personal or mixed; provided that at all times the Commission shall strive to avoid any appearance of impropriety;

(h) To sell convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal, or mixed;

(i) To establish a budget and make expenditures;

(j) To borrow money;

(k) To appoint committees, including advisory committees comprised of members, state regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and such other interested persons as may be designated in this Compact and the bylaws;

(l) To provide and receive information from, and to cooperate with, law enforcement agencies;

(m) To adopt and use an official seal; and

(n) To perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact consistent with the state regulation of EMS personnel licensure and practice.

(5) Financing of the Commission.

(a) The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

(b) The Commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources, donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services.

(c) The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved each year for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the Commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.

(d) The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.

(e) The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Commission.

(6) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification.

(a) The members, officers, executive director, employees and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from suit and/or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

(b) The Commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee or representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person's intentional or willful or wanton misconduct.

(c) The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the Commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

Section 11. Coordinated database. (1) The Commission shall provide for the development and maintenance of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and significant investigatory information on all licensed individuals in member states.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a member state shall submit a uniform data set to the coordinated database on all individuals to whom this Compact is applicable as required by the rules of the Commission, including:

(a) Identifying information;

(b) Licensure data;

(c) Significant investigatory information;

(d) Adverse actions against an individual's license;

(e) An indicator that an individual's privilege to practice is restricted, suspended or revoked;

(f) Nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation;

(g) Any denial of application for licensure, and the reason(s) for such denial; and

(h) Other information that may facilitate the administration of this Compact, as determined by the rules of the Commission.

(3) The coordinated database administrator shall promptly notify all member states of any adverse action taken against, or significant investigative information on, any individual in a member state.

(4) Member states contributing information to the coordinated database may designate information that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of the contributing state.

(5) Any information submitted to the coordinated database that is subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the member state contributing the information shall be removed from the coordinated database.

Section 12. Rulemaking. (1) The Commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this section and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment.

(2) If a majority of the Legislatures of the member states rejects a rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any member state.

(3) Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the Commission.

(4) Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule or rules by the Commission, and at least sixty (60) days in advance of the meeting at which the rule will be considered and voted upon, the Commission shall file a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:

(a) On the website of the Commission; and

(b) On the website of each member state EMS authority or the publication in which each state would otherwise publish proposed rules.

(5) The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include:

(a) The proposed time, date, and location of the meeting in which the rule will be considered and voted upon;

(b) The text of the proposed rule or amendment and the reason for the proposed rule;

(c) A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person; and

(d) The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the Commission of their intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments.

(6) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the Commission shall allow persons to submit written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which shall be made available to the public.

(7) The Commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a rule or amendment if a hearing is requested by:

(a) At least twenty-five (25) persons;

(b) A governmental subdivision or agency; or

(c) An association having at least twenty-five (25) members.

(8) If a hearing is held on the proposed rule or amendment, the Commission shall publish the place, time, and date of the scheduled public hearing.

(a) All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing shall notify the executive director of the Commission or other designated member in writing of their desire to appear and testify at the hearing not less than five (5) business days before the scheduled date of the hearing.

(b) Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing.

(c) No transcript of the hearing is required, unless a written request for a transcript is made, in which case the person requesting the transcript shall bear the cost of producing the transcript. A recording may be made in lieu of a transcript under the same terms and conditions as a transcript. This subsection shall not preclude the Commission from making a transcript or recording of the hearing if it so chooses.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the Commission at hearings required by this section.

(9) Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled hearing date if the hearing was not held, the Commission shall consider all written and oral comments received.

(10) The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action on the proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule.

(11) If no written notice of intent to attend the public hearing by interested parties is received, the Commission may proceed with promulgation of the proposed rule without a public hearing.

(12) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to:

(a) Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;

(b) Prevent a loss of Commission or member state funds;

(c) Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is established by federal law or rule; or

(d) Protect public health and safety.

(13) The Commission or an authorized committee of the Commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the Commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of thirty (30) days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing, and delivered to the chair of the Commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the Commission.

Section 13. Oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement. (1) Oversight:

(a) The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this Compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the Compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this Compact and the rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory law.

(b) All courts shall take judicial notice of the Compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this Compact which may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the Commission.

(c) The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the Commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the Commission, this Compact, or promulgated rules.

(2) Default, technical assistance and termination.

(a) If the Commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the promulgated rules, the Commission shall:

(i) Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default and/or any other action to be taken by the Commission; and

(ii) Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

(b) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this Compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default.

(c) Termination of membership in the Compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the Commission to the Governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's Legislature, and each of the member states.

(d) A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.

(e) The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting state.

(f) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices. The prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.

(3) Dispute resolution.

(a) Upon request by a member state, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact that arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.

(b) The Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

(4) Enforcement.

(a) The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this Compact.

(b) By majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices against a member state in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.

(c) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Commission. The Commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.

Section 14. Date of implementation of the Interstate Commission for EMS personnel practice and associated rules, withdrawal, and amendment. (1) The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which the Compact statute is enacted into law in the tenth member state. The provisions, which become effective at that time, shall be limited to the powers granted to the Commission relating to assembly and the promulgation of rules. Thereafter, the Commission shall meet and exercise rulemaking powers necessary to the implementation and administration of the Compact.

(2) Any state that joins the Compact subsequent to the Commission's initial adoption of the rules shall be subject to the rules as they exist on the date on which the Compact becomes law in that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the Commission shall have the full force and effect of law on the day the Compact becomes law in that state.

(3) Any member state may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute repealing the same.

(a) A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect until six (6) months after enactment of the repealing statute.

(b) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing state's EMS authority to comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of this Compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal.

(4) Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any EMS personnel licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a member state and a nonmember state that does not conflict with the provisions of this Compact.

(5) This Compact may be amended by the member states. No amendment to this Compact shall become effective and binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the laws of all member states.

Section 15. Construction and severability. This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. If this Compact shall be held contrary to the Constitution of any state member thereto, the Compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining member states. Nothing in this Compact supersedes state law or rules related to licensure of EMS agencies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-131 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 7 / Section 29-131
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-131
Status: in_force

(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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-131 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 11 / Section 27-131
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-131
Status: in_force

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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-144 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-144
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-144
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to acquire or obtain possession or attempt to acquire or obtain possession of a controlled substance or a legend drug by larceny, embezzlement, misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge.

(2) It is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess, sell, deliver, transfer or attempt to possess, sell, deliver or transfer a false, fraudulent or forged prescription of a practitioner.

(3) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a crime and upon conviction shall be confined for not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-123-11 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 123-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-123-11
Status: in_force

Any residency program or fellowship established with state financial support must at a minimum be capable of accepting students or trainees from both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools that are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-77-11 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 77-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-77-11
Status: in_force

The licensing agency shall adopt, amend, promulgate and enforce rules, regulations and standards, including classifications, with respect to “birthing centers,” licensed or which may be licensed, to further the accomplishment of the purpose of this chapter in protecting and promoting the health, safety and welfare of the public by ensuring adequate care of individuals receiving such services. Such rules, regulations and standards shall be adopted and promulgated by the licensing agency in accordance with the provisions of Section 25-43-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972 , and shall be recorded and indexed in a book to be maintained by the licensing agency in its office in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, entitled “Record of Rules, Regulations and Standards.” The book shall be open and available to all “birthing centers” and the public during regular business hours.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-307 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-307
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-307
Status: in_force

The provisions of Sections 41-29-301 through 41-29-311 restricting the possessing and having control of narcotic drugs shall not apply to common carriers or to warehousemen, while engaged in lawful transporting or storing such drugs, or to any employee of the same acting within the scope of his employment; or to public officers or employees in the performance of their official duties requiring possession or control of narcotic drugs; or to temporary incidental possession by employees or agents of persons lawfully entitled to possession, or by persons whose possession is for the purpose of aiding public officers in performing their official duties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-139.1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 29-139.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-139.1
Status: repealed

(1) A person who delivers or causes the delivery of fentanyl with knowledge of the fentanyl commits the crime of “fentanyl delivery resulting in death” when as a result of the unlawful delivery of fentanyl in exchange for anything of value to another person, death to a person results from the proximate cause of injection, oral ingestion or inhalation of the fentanyl. Upon conviction for violating the provisions of this section, the person shall be sentenced to imprisonment no less than twenty (20) years to a term of life in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

(2) For purposes of this section only, any person, who, in good faith, without malice and in the absence of evidence of an intent to defraud, seeks medical assistance for someone experiencing a fentanyl overdose shall not be charged or prosecuted for a violation of this section, if the evidence for the charge was gained as a result of the seeking of medical assistance.

(3) For purposes of this section:

(a) “ Fentanyl ” means fentanyl and any fentanyl-related substances, to include fentanyl analogs, as set forth in Article 3, Chapter 29 of Title 41 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(b) “In exchange for anything of value” does not apply to the act of sharing fentanyl when the sharing results in the proximate cause of a person's death under this section.

(4) The legislative intent for this bill is to assist in prosecuting any person who sells or otherwise profits from the sale of unlawful fentanyl, which causes the death of another person. It is not the intent of this Legislature for the provisions of this section to be used to prosecute a drug user or drug addict who has shared fentanyl with a friend or associate and the friend or associate dies as a result of the sharing.

(5) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit, restrict or otherwise prohibit an indictment or conviction for any other crime that may be related to a violation of this section.

(6) The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review shall create an annual report of the number of persons convicted under the provisions of this section; and shall provide the report to the House and Senate Judiciary B committees by January 5, of each year.

(7) This section shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2025.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-45 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 4 / Section 137-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-45
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to cultivate, process, transport, use, possess, purchase, sell or transfer cannabis except as authorized by this chapter.

(2) A cardholder or medical cannabis establishment that purposely or knowingly fails to provide a notice required by Section 41-137-31 is guilty of a civil offense, punishable by a fine of no more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), which may be assessed and collected by the licensing agency.

(3) A medical cannabis establishment or an agent of a medical cannabis establishment that purposely, knowingly, or recklessly sells or otherwise transfers medical cannabis other than to a cardholder, a nonresident cardholder, or to a medical cannabis establishment or its agent as authorized under this chapter is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by commitment to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than two (2) years, or both. A person convicted under this subsection may not continue to be affiliated with the medical cannabis establishment and is disqualified from further participation in the medical cannabis program under this chapter.

(4) A cardholder or nonresident cardholder who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly sells or otherwise transfers medical cannabis to a person or other entity is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or by commitment to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than two (2) years, or both. A person convicted under this subsection is disqualified from further participation in the medical cannabis program under this chapter.

(5) A person who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly makes a false statement to a law enforcement official about any fact or circumstance relating to the medical use of cannabis to avoid arrest or prosecution is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than ninety (90) days, or both. If a person convicted of violating this subsection is a cardholder, the person is disqualified from further participation in the medical cannabis program under this chapter.

(6) A person who purposely submits false records or documentation for an application for a license for a medical cannabis establishment under this chapter is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by commitment to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than two (2) years, or both. A person convicted under this subsection may not continue to be affiliated with the medical cannabis establishment and is disqualified from further participation in the medical cannabis program under this chapter.

(7) A practitioner who purposely refers patients to a specific medical cannabis establishment or to a registered designated caregiver, who advertises in a medical cannabis establishment, or who issues written certifications while holding a financial interest in a medical cannabis establishment, is guilty of a civil offense for every false certification and shall be fined up to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) by the MDOH.

(8) Any person, including an employee or official of an agency or local government, who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly breaches the confidentiality of information obtained under this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than one hundred eighty (180) days in the county jail, or both.

(9) No person, other than a cannabis processing facility or its agents, complying with this chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated under it, may extract compounds from cannabis that involves a chemical extraction process using a nonhydrocarbon-based or other solvent, such as water, vegetable glycerin, vegetable oils, animal fats, steam distillation, food-grade ethanol, or hydrocarbon-based solvent carbon dioxide. No person may extract compounds from cannabis using ethanol in the presence or vicinity of an open flame. It shall be a felony punishable by commitment to the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for up to three (3) years and a Ten Thousand Dollar ($10,000.00) fine for any person to purposely, knowingly, or recklessly violate this subsection.

(10) A medical cannabis establishment is guilty of a civil offense for any purposeful, knowing or reckless violation of this chapter or the rules and regulations issued under this chapter where no penalty has been specified, and shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for each such violation by its licensing agency.

(11) The penalties provided for under this section are in addition to any other criminal, civil or administrative penalties provided for under law, rule or regulation.

(12) In addition to peace officers within their jurisdiction, all law enforcement officers of MDOH and MDOR may enforce the provisions made unlawful by this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-21-103 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 7 / Section 21-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-21-103
Status: in_force

(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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-75-26 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 75-26
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-75-26
Status: in_force

(1) Any person or persons or other entity or entities establishing, managing or operating an abortion facility or conducting the business of an abortion facility without the required license, or which otherwise violate any provision of this chapter regarding abortion facilities or the rules, regulations and standards promulgated in furtherance thereof shall be subject to revocation of the license of the abortion facility or nonlicensure of the abortion facility. In addition, any violation of any provision of this chapter regarding abortion facilities or of the rules, regulations and standards 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, regulations and standards, 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.

(2) The Attorney General, upon certification by the executive director of the licensing agency, shall seek injunctive relief in a court of proper jurisdiction to prevent violations of the provisions of this chapter regarding abortion facilities or the rules, regulations and standards promulgated in furtherance thereof in cases where other administrative penalties and legal sanctions imposed have failed to prevent or cause a discontinuance of any such violation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-509 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 11 / Section 29-509
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-509
Status: in_force

Prior to submitting a request for an order authorizing interception of wire, oral or other communications to a prosecutor, the director shall receive a written affidavit from one or more agents of the Bureau of Narcotics setting forth the information required by Section 41-29-513(1) . The director shall submit all information required by Section 41-29-513(1) to the prosecutor. Upon receipt of the request from the director, the prosecutor shall be authorized to submit an application to a court of competent jurisdiction requesting the court to issue an order authorizing interception of wire, oral or other communications as provided in Section 41-29-515 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-31-1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 31-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-31-1
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them, unless the context requires a different meaning:

(a) “ Alcoholic ” means any person who chronically and habitually uses alcoholic beverages to the extent that he has lost the power of self-control with respect to the use of such beverages, or any person who, while chronically under the influence of alcoholic beverages, endangers public morals, health, safety or welfare.

(b) “ Alcoholic beverage ” means alcoholic spirits, liquors, wines, beer, and every liquid or fluid, patented or not, containing alcoholic spirits, wine or beer, which is capable of being consumed by human beings and produces or results in intoxication in any form or degree.

(c) “ Alcoholism ” means any condition of abnormal behavior or illness resulting directly or indirectly from the chronic and habitual use of alcoholic beverages.

(d) “ Drug addict ” means any person who chronically and habitually uses any form of habit-forming drugs, such as opioids, opiates and the derivatives thereof, barbiturates, and every tablet, powder, substance, liquid or fluid, patented or not, containing habit-forming drugs if same is capable of being used by human beings and produces drug addiction in any form or degree.

(e) “ Drug addiction ” means any condition of abnormal behavior or illness resulting directly or indirectly from the chronic and habitual use of habit-forming drugs.

(f) “ Hospital ” or “ institution ” means either the Mississippi State Hospital, at Whitfield, Mississippi, or the East Mississippi State Hospital, at Meridian, Mississippi, and shall include the grounds thereof and the facilities used for the treatment of alcoholics and the drug addicts.

(g) “ Medical director ” means the physician in charge of: (i) Mississippi State Hospital, or (ii) East Mississippi State Hospital, as the case may be.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-57 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 21 / Section 59-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-57
Status: in_force

The emergency medical service districts authorized under this chapter are empowered to receive funds from all sources and are authorized to expend such funds as may be available for any necessary and proper purpose in the manner provided by law for municipalities. The participating political subdivisions may expend funds from any source for the necessary and proper support of such a district, and they may expend such funds by making a lump sum payment to the board or manager designated to administer the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-39-129 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 13 / Section 39-129
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-39-129
Status: in_force

Each hospital in this state shall enter into agreements or affiliations with procurement organizations for coordination of procurement and use of anatomical gifts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-101 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 17 / Section 59-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-101
Status: in_force

The EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact is enacted into law and entered into by this state with any and all states legally joining in the Compact in accordance with its terms in the form substantially as follows:

EMS PERSONNEL LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT

Section 1. Purpose. In order to protect the public through verification of competency and ensure accountability for patient care related activities all states license emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, such as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs and paramedics. This Compact is intended to facilitate the day-to-day movement of EMS personnel across state boundaries in the performance of their EMS duties as assigned by an appropriate authority and authorize state EMS offices to afford immediate legal recognition to EMS personnel licensed in a member state. This Compact recognizes that states have a vested interest in protecting the public's health and safety through their licensing and regulation of EMS personnel and that such state regulation shared among the member states will best protect public health and safety. This Compact is designed to achieve the following purposes and objectives:

(a) Increase public access to EMS personnel;

(b) Enhance the states' ability to protect the public's health and safety, especially patient safety;

(c) Encourage the cooperation of member states in the areas of EMS personnel licensure and regulation;

(d) Support licensing of military members who are separating from an active duty tour and their spouses;

(e) Facilitate the exchange of information between member states regarding EMS personnel licensure, adverse action and significant investigatory information;

(f) Promote compliance with the laws governing EMS personnel practice in each member state; and

(g) Invest all member states with the authority to hold EMS personnel accountable through the mutual recognition of member state licenses.

Section 2. Definitions. In this Compact:

(a) “ Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) ” means an individual licensed with cognitive knowledge and a scope of practice that corresponds to that level in the National EMS Education Standards and National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

(b) “ Adverse action ” means any administrative, civil, equitable or criminal action permitted by a state's laws which may be imposed against licensed EMS personnel by a state EMS authority or state court, including, but not limited to, actions against an individual's license such as revocation, suspension, probation, consent agreement, monitoring or other limitation or encumbrance on the individual's practice, letters of reprimand or admonition, fines, criminal convictions and state court judgments enforcing adverse actions by the state EMS authority.

(c) “ Alternative program ” means a voluntary, nondisciplinary substance abuse recovery program approved by a state EMS authority.

(d) “ Certification ” means the successful verification of entry-level cognitive and psychomotor competency using a reliable, validated, and legally defensible examination.

(e) “ Commission ” means the national administrative body of which all states that have enacted the Compact are members.

(f) “ Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) ” means an individual licensed with cognitive knowledge and a scope of practice that corresponds to that level in the National EMS Education Standards and National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

(g) “ Home state ” means a member state where an individual is licensed to practice emergency medical services.

(h) “ License ” means the authorization by a state for an individual to practice as an EMT, AEMT, paramedic, or a level in between EMT and paramedic.

(i) “ Medical director ” means a physician licensed in a member state who is accountable for the care delivered by EMS personnel.

(j) “ Member state ” means a state that has enacted this Compact.

(k) “ Privilege to practice ” means an individual's authority to deliver emergency medical services in remote states as authorized under this Compact.

(l) “ Paramedic ” means an individual licensed with cognitive knowledge and a scope of practice that corresponds to that level in the National EMS Education Standards and National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

(m) “ Remote state ” means a member state in which an individual is not licensed.

(n) “ Restricted ” means the outcome of an adverse action that limits a license or the privilege to practice.

(o) “ Rule ” means a written statement by the Interstate Commission promulgated pursuant to Section 12 of this Compact that is of general applicability; implements, interprets, or prescribes a policy or provision of the Compact; or is an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the Commission and has the force and effect of statutory law in a member state and includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.

(p) “ Scope of practice ” means defined parameters of various duties or services that may be provided by an individual with specific credentials. Whether regulated by rule, statute, or court decision, it tends to represent the limits of services an individual may perform.

(q) “ Significant investigatory information ” means:

(i) Investigative information that a state EMS authority, after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity to respond if required by state law, has reason to believe, if proved true, would result in the imposition of an adverse action on a license or privilege to practice; or

(ii) Investigative information that indicates that the individual represents an immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the individual has been notified and had an opportunity to respond.

(r) “ State ” means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States.

(s) “ State EMS authority ” means the board, office, or other agency with the legislative mandate to license EMS personnel.

Section 3. Home state licensure. (1) Any member state in which an individual holds a current license shall be deemed a home state for purposes of this Compact.

(2) Any member state may require an individual to obtain and retain a license to be authorized to practice in the member state under circumstances not authorized by the privilege to practice under the terms of this Compact.

(3) A home state's license authorizes an individual to practice in a remote state under the privilege to practice only if the home state:

(a) Currently requires the use of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination as a condition of issuing initial licenses at the EMT and paramedic levels;

(b) Has a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about individuals;

(c) Notifies the Commission, in compliance with the terms herein, of any adverse action or significant investigatory information regarding an individual;

(d) No later than five (5) years after activation of the Compact, requires a criminal background check of all applicants for initial licensure, including the use of the results of fingerprint or other biometric data checks compliant with the requirements of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the exception of federal employees who have suitability determination in accordance with US CFR Section 731.202 and submit documentation of such as promulgated in the rules of the Commission; and

(e) Complies with the rules of the Commission.

Section 4. Compact privilege to practice. (1) Member states shall recognize the privilege to practice of an individual licensed in another member state that is in conformance with Section 3.

(2) To exercise the privilege to practice under the terms and provisions of this Compact, an individual must:

(a) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(b) Possess a current unrestricted license in a member state as an EMT, AEMT, paramedic, or state recognized and licensed level with a scope of practice and authority between EMT and paramedic; and

(c) Practice under the supervision of a medical director.

(3) An individual providing patient care in a remote state under the privilege to practice shall function within the scope of practice authorized by the home state unless and until modified by an appropriate authority in the remote state as may be defined in the rules of the Commission.

(4) Except as provided in Section 4(3), an individual practicing in a remote state will be subject to the remote state's authority and laws. A remote state may, in accordance with due process and that state's laws, restrict, suspend, or revoke an individual's privilege to practice in the remote state and may take any other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its citizens. If a remote state takes action it shall promptly notify the home state and the Commission.

(5) If an individual's license in any home state is restricted or suspended, the individual shall not be eligible to practice in a remote state under the privilege to practice until the individual's home state license is restored.

(6) If an individual's privilege to practice in any remote state is restricted, suspended, or revoked the individual shall not be eligible to practice in any remote state until the individual's privilege to practice is restored.

Section 5. Conditions of practice in a remote state. An individual may practice in a remote state under a privilege to practice only in the performance of the individual's EMS duties as assigned by an appropriate authority, as defined in the rules of the Commission, and under the following circumstances:

(a) The individual originates a patient transport in a home state and transports the patient to a remote state;

(b) The individual originates in the home state and enters a remote state to pick up a patient and provide care and transport of the patient to the home state;

(c) The individual enters a remote state to provide patient care and/or transport within that remote state;

(d) The individual enters a remote state to pick up a patient and provide care and transport to a third member state;

(e) Other conditions as determined by rules promulgated by the Commission.

Section 6. Relationship to Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Upon a member state's governor's declaration of a state of emergency or disaster that activates the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), all relevant terms and provisions of EMAC shall apply and to the extent any terms or provisions of this Compact conflicts with EMAC, the terms of EMAC shall prevail with respect to any individual practicing in the remote state in response to such declaration.

Section 7. Veterans, service members separating from active duty military, and their spouses. (1) Member states shall consider a veteran, active military service member, and member of the National Guard and Reserves separating from an active duty tour, and a spouse thereof, who holds a current valid and unrestricted NREMT certification at or above the level of the state license being sought as satisfying the minimum training and examination requirements for such licensure.

(2) Member states shall expedite the processing of licensure applications submitted by veterans, active military service members, and members of the National Guard and Reserves separating from an active duty tour, and their spouses.

(3) All individuals functioning with a privilege to practice under this section remain subject to the adverse actions provisions of Section 8.

Section 8. Adverse actions. (1) A home state shall have exclusive power to impose adverse action against an individual's license issued by the home state.

(2) If an individual's license in any home state is restricted or suspended, the individual shall not be eligible to practice in a remote state under the privilege to practice until the individual's home state license is restored.

(a) All home state adverse action orders shall include a statement that the individual's Compact privileges are inactive. The order may allow the individual to practice in remote states with prior written authorization from both the home state and remote state's EMS authority.

(b) An individual currently subject to adverse action in the home state shall not practice in any remote state without prior written authorization from both the home state and remote state's EMS authority.

(3) A member state shall report adverse actions and any occurrences that the individual's Compact privileges are restricted, suspended, or revoked to the Commission in accordance with the rules of the Commission.

(4) A remote state may take adverse action on an individual's privilege to practice within that state.

(5) Any member state may take adverse action against an individual's privilege to practice in that state based on the factual findings of another member state, so long as each state follows its own procedures for imposing such adverse action.

(6) A home state's EMS authority shall investigate and take appropriate action with respect to reported conduct in a remote state as it would if such conduct had occurred within the home state. In such cases, the home state's law shall control in determining the appropriate adverse action.

(7) Nothing in this Compact shall override a member state's decision that participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action and that such participation shall remain nonpublic if required by the member state's laws. Member states must require individuals who enter any alternative programs to agree not to practice in any other member state during the term of the alternative program without prior authorization from such other member state.

Section 9. Additional powers invested in a member state's EMS authority. A member state's EMS authority, in addition to any other powers granted under state law, is authorized under this Compact to:

(a) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a member state's EMS authority for the attendance and testimony of witnesses, and/or the production of evidence from another member state, shall be enforced in the remote state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to that court's practice and procedure in considering subpoenas issued in its own proceedings. The issuing state EMS authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes of the state where the witnesses and/or evidence are located; and

(b) Issue cease and desist orders to restrict, suspend, or revoke an individual's privilege to practice in the state.

Section 10. Establishment of the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice. (1) The Compact states hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice.

(a) The Commission is a body politic and an instrumentality of the Compact states.

(b) Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission is located. The Commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

(c) Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.

(2) Membership, voting, and meetings.

(a) Each member state shall have and be limited to one (1) delegate. The responsible official of the state EMS authority or his designee shall be the delegate to this Compact for each member state. Any delegate may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which the delegate is appointed. Any vacancy occurring in the Commission shall be filled in accordance with the laws of the member state in which the vacancy exists. In the event that more than one (1) board, office, or other agency with the legislative mandate to license EMS personnel at and above the level of EMT exists, the Governor of the state will determine which entity will be responsible for assigning the delegate.

(b) Each delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote with regard to the promulgation of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the Commission. A delegate shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for delegates' participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication.

(c) The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws.

(d) All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions in Section 12.

(e) The Commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the Commission must discuss:

(i) Noncompliance of a member state with its obligations under the Compact;

(ii) The employment, compensation, discipline or other personnel matters, practices or procedures related to specific employees or other matters related to the Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures;

(iii) Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation;

(iv) Negotiation of contracts for the purchase or sale of goods, services, or real estate;

(v) Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person;

(vi) Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential;

(vii) Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

(viii) Disclosure of investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes;

(ix) Disclosure of information related to any investigatory reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the Commission or other committee charged with responsibility of investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the Compact; or

(x) Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member state statute.

(f) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the Commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision. The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the Commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(3) The Commission shall, by a majority vote of the delegates, prescribe bylaws and/or rules to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and exercise the powers of the Compact, including but not limited to:

(a) Establishing the fiscal year of the Commission;

(b) Providing reasonable standards and procedures:

(i) For the establishment and meetings of other committees; and

(ii) Governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or function of the Commission;

(c) Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the Commission, ensuring reasonable advance notice of all meetings, and providing an opportunity for attendance of such meetings by interested parties, with enumerated exceptions designed to protect the public's interest, the privacy of individuals, and proprietary information, including trade secrets. The Commission may meet in closed session only after a majority of the membership votes to close a meeting in whole or in part. As soon as practicable, the Commission must make public a copy of the vote to close the meeting revealing the vote of each member with no proxy votes allowed;

(d) Establishing the titles, duties and authority, and reasonable procedures for the election of the officers of the Commission;

(e) Providing reasonable standards and procedures for the establishment of the personnel policies and programs of the Commission. Notwithstanding any civil service or other similar laws of any member state, the bylaws shall exclusively govern the personnel policies and programs of the Commission;

(f) Promulgating a code of ethics to address permissible and prohibited activities of Commission members and employees;

(g) Providing a mechanism for winding up the operations of the Commission and the equitable disposition of any surplus funds that may exist after the termination of the Compact after the payment and/or reserving of all of its debts and obligations;

(h) The Commission shall publish its bylaws and file a copy thereof, and a copy of any amendment thereto, with the appropriate agency or officer in each of the member states, if any;

(i) The Commission shall maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws;

(j) The Commission shall meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this Compact and the bylaws.

(4) The Commission shall have the following powers:

(a) The authority to promulgate uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and administration of this Compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding in all member states;

(b) To bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of any state EMS authority or other regulatory body responsible for EMS personnel licensure to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected;

(c) To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;

(d) To borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a member state;

(e) To hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the Compact, and to establish the Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters;

(f) To accept any and all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and to receive, utilize and dispose of the same; provided that at all times the Commission shall strive to avoid any appearance of impropriety and/or conflict of interest;

(g) To lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve or use, any property, real, personal or mixed; provided that at all times the Commission shall strive to avoid any appearance of impropriety;

(h) To sell convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal, or mixed;

(i) To establish a budget and make expenditures;

(j) To borrow money;

(k) To appoint committees, including advisory committees comprised of members, state regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and such other interested persons as may be designated in this Compact and the bylaws;

(l) To provide and receive information from, and to cooperate with, law enforcement agencies;

(m) To adopt and use an official seal; and

(n) To perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact consistent with the state regulation of EMS personnel licensure and practice.

(5) Financing of the Commission.

(a) The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

(b) The Commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources, donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services.

(c) The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved each year for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the Commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.

(d) The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.

(e) The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Commission.

(6) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification.

(a) The members, officers, executive director, employees and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from suit and/or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

(b) The Commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee or representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person's intentional or willful or wanton misconduct.

(c) The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the Commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

Section 11. Coordinated database. (1) The Commission shall provide for the development and maintenance of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and significant investigatory information on all licensed individuals in member states.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a member state shall submit a uniform data set to the coordinated database on all individuals to whom this Compact is applicable as required by the rules of the Commission, including:

(a) Identifying information;

(b) Licensure data;

(c) Significant investigatory information;

(d) Adverse actions against an individual's license;

(e) An indicator that an individual's privilege to practice is restricted, suspended or revoked;

(f) Nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation;

(g) Any denial of application for licensure, and the reason(s) for such denial; and

(h) Other information that may facilitate the administration of this Compact, as determined by the rules of the Commission.

(3) The coordinated database administrator shall promptly notify all member states of any adverse action taken against, or significant investigative information on, any individual in a member state.

(4) Member states contributing information to the coordinated database may designate information that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of the contributing state.

(5) Any information submitted to the coordinated database that is subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the member state contributing the information shall be removed from the coordinated database.

Section 12. Rulemaking. (1) The Commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this section and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment.

(2) If a majority of the Legislatures of the member states rejects a rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any member state.

(3) Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the Commission.

(4) Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule or rules by the Commission, and at least sixty (60) days in advance of the meeting at which the rule will be considered and voted upon, the Commission shall file a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:

(a) On the website of the Commission; and

(b) On the website of each member state EMS authority or the publication in which each state would otherwise publish proposed rules.

(5) The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include:

(a) The proposed time, date, and location of the meeting in which the rule will be considered and voted upon;

(b) The text of the proposed rule or amendment and the reason for the proposed rule;

(c) A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person; and

(d) The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the Commission of their intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments.

(6) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the Commission shall allow persons to submit written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which shall be made available to the public.

(7) The Commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a rule or amendment if a hearing is requested by:

(a) At least twenty-five (25) persons;

(b) A governmental subdivision or agency; or

(c) An association having at least twenty-five (25) members.

(8) If a hearing is held on the proposed rule or amendment, the Commission shall publish the place, time, and date of the scheduled public hearing.

(a) All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing shall notify the executive director of the Commission or other designated member in writing of their desire to appear and testify at the hearing not less than five (5) business days before the scheduled date of the hearing.

(b) Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing.

(c) No transcript of the hearing is required, unless a written request for a transcript is made, in which case the person requesting the transcript shall bear the cost of producing the transcript. A recording may be made in lieu of a transcript under the same terms and conditions as a transcript. This subsection shall not preclude the Commission from making a transcript or recording of the hearing if it so chooses.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the Commission at hearings required by this section.

(9) Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled hearing date if the hearing was not held, the Commission shall consider all written and oral comments received.

(10) The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action on the proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule.

(11) If no written notice of intent to attend the public hearing by interested parties is received, the Commission may proceed with promulgation of the proposed rule without a public hearing.

(12) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to:

(a) Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;

(b) Prevent a loss of Commission or member state funds;

(c) Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is established by federal law or rule; or

(d) Protect public health and safety.

(13) The Commission or an authorized committee of the Commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the Commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of thirty (30) days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing, and delivered to the chair of the Commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the Commission.

Section 13. Oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement. (1) Oversight:

(a) The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this Compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the Compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this Compact and the rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory law.

(b) All courts shall take judicial notice of the Compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this Compact which may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the Commission.

(c) The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the Commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the Commission, this Compact, or promulgated rules.

(2) Default, technical assistance and termination.

(a) If the Commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the promulgated rules, the Commission shall:

(i) Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default and/or any other action to be taken by the Commission; and

(ii) Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

(b) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this Compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default.

(c) Termination of membership in the Compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the Commission to the Governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's Legislature, and each of the member states.

(d) A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.

(e) The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting state.

(f) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices. The prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.

(3) Dispute resolution.

(a) Upon request by a member state, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact that arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.

(b) The Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

(4) Enforcement.

(a) The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this Compact.

(b) By majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices against a member state in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.

(c) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Commission. The Commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.

Section 14. Date of implementation of the Interstate Commission for EMS personnel practice and associated rules, withdrawal, and amendment. (1) The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which the Compact statute is enacted into law in the tenth member state. The provisions, which become effective at that time, shall be limited to the powers granted to the Commission relating to assembly and the promulgation of rules. Thereafter, the Commission shall meet and exercise rulemaking powers necessary to the implementation and administration of the Compact.

(2) Any state that joins the Compact subsequent to the Commission's initial adoption of the rules shall be subject to the rules as they exist on the date on which the Compact becomes law in that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the Commission shall have the full force and effect of law on the day the Compact becomes law in that state.

(3) Any member state may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute repealing the same.

(a) A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect until six (6) months after enactment of the repealing statute.

(b) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing state's EMS authority to comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of this Compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal.

(4) Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any EMS personnel licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a member state and a nonmember state that does not conflict with the provisions of this Compact.

(5) This Compact may be amended by the member states. No amendment to this Compact shall become effective and binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the laws of all member states.

Section 15. Construction and severability. This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. If this Compact shall be held contrary to the Constitution of any state member thereto, the Compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining member states. Nothing in this Compact supersedes state law or rules related to licensure of EMS agencies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-37-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 37-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-37-3
Status: in_force

An autopsy may be performed, as provided by this chapter, for the purpose of determining the primary and/or contributing cause of death in the interest of public health and in criminal cases.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-99-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 99-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-99-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Qualified Health Center Grant Program is established, under the direction and administration of the State Department of Health, for the purpose of making service grants to Mississippi qualified health centers for their use in:

(a) Providing care to uninsured or medically indigent patients in Mississippi; or

(b) Providing salary supplements to recruit and retain new primary care physicians in areas where there is the most need, as determined by the advisory council, in order to increase health care access to patients in Mississippi.

(2) The program shall be established with such state funds as may be appropriated by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-77-9 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 77-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-77-9
Status: in_force

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 hereunder. Each application for a license shall be accompanied by a license fee of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), which shall be paid to the licensing agency. Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-75-13 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 13 / Section 75-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-75-13
Status: in_force

(1) The licensing agency shall adopt, amend, promulgate and enforce rules, regulations and standards, including classifications, with respect to ambulatory surgical facilities and abortion facilities, freestanding emergency rooms and post-acute residential brain injury rehabilitation facilities licensed, or which may be licensed, to further the accomplishment of the purpose of this chapter in protecting and promoting the health, safety and welfare of the public by ensuring adequate care of individuals receiving services from such facilities. The licensing agency also shall adopt, amend, promulgate and enforce rules, regulations and standards with respect to the enforcement of the informed consent requirements of Sections 41-41-31 through 41-41-39 at abortion facilities. Such rules, regulations and standards for freestanding emergency rooms shall include a patient transfer policy under which the freestanding emergency room enters into an agreement with a general hospital for a protocol for patient transfers. Such rules, regulations and standards shall be adopted and promulgated by the licensing agency in accordance with the provisions of Section 25-43-1 et seq. , and shall be recorded and indexed in a book to be maintained by the licensing agency in its main office in the State of Mississippi, entitled “Rules and Regulations for Operation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities and Abortion Facilities, Freestanding Emergency Room Facilities and Post-Acute Residential Brain Injury Rehabilitation Facilities.” The book shall be open and available to all ambulatory surgical facilities and abortion facilities, freestanding emergency rooms and post-acute residential brain injury rehabilitation facilities and the public during regular business hours.

(2) The licensing agency shall not issue licenses for more than five (5) pilot freestanding emergency rooms. The licensing agency shall adopt criteria for determining which applicants will have priority for receiving a license if there are more than five (5) applications for pilot freestanding emergency room licenses.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 61-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59
Status: in_force

(1) A person's death that affects the public interest as specified in subsection (2) of this section shall be promptly reported to the medical examiner by the physician in attendance, any hospital employee, any law enforcement officer having knowledge of the death, the embalmer or other funeral home employee, any emergency medical technician, any relative or any other person present. The appropriate medical examiner shall notify the municipal or state law enforcement agency or sheriff and take charge of the body. When the medical examiner has received notification under Section 41-39-15(6) that the deceased is medically suitable to be an organ and/or tissue donor, the medical examiner's authority over the body shall be subject to the provisions of Section 41-39-15(6) . The appropriate medical examiner shall notify the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the body in cases of death as described in subsection (2)(m) or (n) of this section.

(2) A death affecting the public interest includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:

(a) Violent death, including homicidal, suicidal or accidental death.

(b) Death caused by thermal, chemical, electrical or radiation injury.

(c) Death caused by criminal abortion, including self-induced abortion, or abortion related to or by sexual abuse.

(d) Death related to disease thought to be virulent or contagious that may constitute a public hazard.

(e) Death that has occurred unexpectedly or from an unexplained cause.

(f) Death of a person confined in a prison, jail or correctional institution.

(g) Death of a person where a physician was not in attendance within thirty-six (36) hours preceding death, or in prediagnosed terminal or bedfast cases, within thirty (30) days preceding death.

(h) Death of a person where the body is not claimed by a relative or a friend.

(i) Death of a person where the identity of the deceased is unknown.

(j) Death of a child under the age of two (2) years where death results from an unknown cause or where the circumstances surrounding the death indicate that sudden infant death syndrome may be the cause of death.

(k) Where a body is brought into this state for disposal and there is reason to believe either that the death was not investigated properly or that there is not an adequate certificate of death.

(l) Where a person is presented to a hospital emergency room unconscious and/or unresponsive, with cardiopulmonary resuscitative measures being performed, and dies within twenty-four (24) hours of admission without regaining consciousness or responsiveness, unless a physician was in attendance within thirty-six (36) hours preceding presentation to the hospital, or in cases in which the decedent had a prediagnosed terminal or bedfast condition, unless a physician was in attendance within thirty (30) days preceding presentation to the hospital.

(m) Death that is caused by drug overdose or which is believed to be caused by drug overdose.

(n) When a stillborn fetus is delivered and the cause of the demise is medically believed to be from the use by the mother of any controlled substance as defined in Section 41-29-105 .

(o) Death of any person under the age of eighteen (18).

(3) The State Medical Examiner is empowered to investigate deaths, under the authority hereinafter conferred, in any and all political subdivisions of the state. The county medical examiners and county medical examiner investigators, while appointed for a specific county, may serve other counties on a regular basis with written authorization by the State Medical Examiner, or may serve other counties on an as-needed basis upon the request of the ranking officer of the investigating law enforcement agency. If a death affecting the public interest takes place in a county other than the one where injuries or other substantial causal factors leading to the death have occurred, jurisdiction for investigation of the death may be transferred, by mutual agreement of the respective medical examiners of the counties involved, to the county where the injuries or other substantial causal factors occurred, and the costs of autopsy or other studies necessary to the further investigation of the death shall be borne by the county assuming jurisdiction.

(4)(a) In criminal trials where the testimony of a current or former State Medical Examiner, Deputy State Medical Examiner, or member of the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory is needed, the use of audiovisual communications equipment to present such testimony remotely is allowed when the state has provided written notice to the defendant at least ninety (90) days prior to trial of its intent to present such remote testimony, and the defendant provides no written objection within fourteen (14) days of receiving such notice. Should the defendant object, the remote testimony shall only be permitted upon a finding by the court that the rights of the defendant to confront the witness against the defendant is not violated, that compelling circumstances exist to allow such remote testimony, and that the remote testimony can be provided with appropriate safeguards so as to assure the reliability of the testimony of the witness during the trial.

(b) All persons qualified to administer an oath in the State of Mississippi may swear a witness remotely by audiovisual communication technology, provided they can positively identify the witness and they are able to both see and hear the witness via audiovisual communications equipment.

(5) The chief county medical examiner or chief county medical examiner investigator may receive from the county in which he serves a salary of One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,250.00) per month, in addition to the fees specified in Sections 41-61-69 and 41-61-75 , provided that no county shall pay the chief county medical examiner or chief county medical examiner investigator less than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per month as a salary, in addition to other compensation provided by law. In any county having one or more deputy medical examiners or deputy medical examiner investigators, each deputy may receive from the county in which he serves, in the discretion of the board of supervisors, a salary of not more than Nine Hundred Dollars ($900.00) per month, in addition to the fees specified in Sections 41-61-69 and 41-61-75 ; however, no county shall pay the deputy medical examiners or deputy medical examiner investigators less than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per month as a salary in addition to other compensation provided by law. For this salary the chief shall assure twenty-four-hour daily and readily available death investigators for the county, and shall maintain copies of all medical examiner death investigations for the county for at least the previous five (5) years. He shall coordinate his office and duties and cooperate with the State Medical Examiner, and the State Medical Examiner shall cooperate with him.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-73-71 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 13 / Section 73-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-73-71
Status: in_force

The authority shall, following the close of each fiscal year, submit an annual report of its activities for the preceding year to the Governor and both houses of the Legislature and, within thirty (30) days of the receipt thereof by the authority, a copy of the report of every external examination of the books and accounts of the authority. Each member of the Legislature shall receive a copy of any such reports by making a request for it to the chairman of the authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-35 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 137-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-35
Status: repealed

(1) The MDOH shall issue licenses for cannabis cultivation facilities, cannabis processing facilities, cannabis transportation entities, cannabis disposal entities, cannabis research facilities and cannabis testing facilities. The MDOR shall issue licenses for medical cannabis dispensaries.

(2) The cannabis cultivation facility license application fee shall be subject to the following tiers:

(a) Micro-cultivators.

(i) Tier 1. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of one thousand (1,000) square feet or less shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00).

(ii) Tier 2. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of more than one thousand (1,000) square feet but not more than two thousand (2,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00).

(b) Cultivators.

(i) Tier 1. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than two thousand (2,000) square feet but not more than five thousand (5,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).

(ii) Tier 2. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than five thousand (5,000) square feet but not more than fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00).

(iii) Tier 3. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet but not more than thirty thousand (30,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).

(iv) Tier 4. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than thirty thousand (30,000) square feet but not more than sixty thousand (60,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00).

(v) Tier 5. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than sixty thousand (60,000) square feet but not more than one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).

(vi) Tier 6. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet but not more than one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00). Tier 6 cannabis cultivation facilities shall have not more than two (2) locations; however, the total canopy space of both locations combined may not exceed one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) square feet.

(3) The cannabis processing facility license application fee shall be subject to the following tiers:

(a) Micro-processors.

(i) Tier 1. A cannabis processing facility which processes less than two thousand (2,000) pounds of dried biomass cannabis material annually shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00).

(ii) Tier 2. A cannabis processing facility which processes not less than two thousand (2,000) pounds but less than three thousand (3,000) pounds of dried biomass cannabis material annually shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

(b) Processors. A cannabis processing facility which processes not less than three thousand (3,000) pounds of biomass cannabis material annually shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00).

(4) A medical cannabis dispensary shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00).

(5) Cannabis transportation entities shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable application fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500.00).

(6) Cannabis disposal entities shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable application fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500.00).

(7) Cannabis testing facilities shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable application fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and an annual license fee of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). An individual or business entity that has a direct or indirect ownership or economic interest in a licensed cannabis testing facility may also have a direct or indirect ownership or economic interest in a licensed medical cannabis transportation entity. A cannabis testing facility may enter into an agreement for the transportation of medical cannabis by a licensed medical cannabis transportation entity. MDOH may contract with a private laboratory for the purpose of conducting compliance testing oversight of medical cannabis testing facilities licensed in the state. Any such laboratory under contract for compliance testing oversight shall be prohibited from conducting any other commercial medical cannabis testing in this state.

(8) Cannabis research facilities shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable application fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and an annual license fee of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). A research facility at any university or college in this state shall be exempt from all fees imposed under this section.

(9) No individual or business entity shall have a direct or indirect ownership or economic interest of greater than ten percent (10%) in:

(a) More than one (1) cannabis cultivation facility license;

(b) More than one (1) cannabis processing facility license; and

(c) More than five (5) medical cannabis dispensary licenses.

(10) Minimum qualifications for applicants for a cannabis cultivation facility, a cannabis processing facility, a medical cannabis dispensary, a medical cannabis transportation entity or a medical cannabis disposal entity license(s) are as follows:

(a) An individual applicant for a cannabis cultivation facility, cannabis processing facility, medical cannabis dispensary, medical cannabis transportation entity or medical cannabis disposal license shall be a natural person who:

(i) Is at least twenty-one (21) years of age;

(ii) Has not previously held a license for a cannabis cultivation facility, cannabis processing facility, medical cannabis dispensary, medical cannabis transportation entity or medical cannabis disposal entity that has been revoked;

(iii) Has not been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense;

(iv) If possessing a professional or occupational license, that the license is in good standing;

(v) Has submitted a sworn statement indicating that he or she is a true and actual owner of the entity for which the license is desired, and that he or she intends to carry on the business authorized for himself or herself and the entity and not as the agent for any other entity.

(vi) Has no outstanding tax delinquencies owed to the State of Mississippi;

(vii) Is not serving as a member of the Mississippi Senate or Mississippi House of Representatives through December 31, 2022;

(viii) Is not the spouse of a person serving as a member of the Mississippi Senate or Mississippi House of Representatives through December 31, 2022; and

(b) If the applicant is applying on behalf of an entity, in addition to paragraph (a) of this subsection, the individual applicant shall:

(i) Be legally authorized to submit an application on behalf of the entity;

(ii) Serve as the primary point of contact with the MDOR and MDOH;

(iii) Submit sufficient proof that the entity has no owner, board member, officer, or anyone with an economic interest in the entity who:

1. Is under the age of twenty-one (21);

2. Has previously been an owner of a medical cannabis dispensary, cannabis cultivation facility, a cannabis processing facility, medical cannabis transportation entity or medical cannabis disposal entity that has had its license revoked;

3. Has been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense;

4. Owes delinquent taxes to the State of Mississippi;

5. Is serving as a member of the Mississippi Senate or Mississippi House of Representatives through December 31, 2022; and

6. Is the spouse of a person serving as a member of the Mississippi Senate or Mississippi House of Representatives through December 31, 2022; and

(iv) Submit sufficient proof that if an owner, board member, officer or anyone with an economic interest in the entity has or had a professional or occupational license, that the license is in good standing.

(11) [Repealed].

(12) A micro-cultivator or a micro-processor shall both meet the minimum qualifications in subsection (10) of this section and shall also submit sufficient proof of the following:

(a) If a natural person, proof that the person has been a resident of the State of Mississippi and a citizen of the United States of America for at least three (3) years prior to the application date; or

(b) If a business entity, provide proof that:

(i) It was registered as an entity with the Secretary of State in Mississippi; and

(ii) One-hundred percent (100%) of the equity ownership interests in the entity are held by individuals who have been residents of the State of Mississippi and citizens of the United States of America for at least three (3) consecutive years prior to the application date.

(13) For purposes of this section, it shall be sufficient to prove Mississippi residency for the individual(s) to submit two (2) of the following source documents:

(a) Mississippi Tax Return Form 80-105 or Form 80-205 for each of the three (3) years preceding the application without schedules, worksheets, or attachments, and redacted to remove all financial information and all but the last four (4) digits of the individual's social security number for the three (3) years preceding the application;

(b) Ownership, lease, or rental documents for place of primary domicile for the three (3) years preceding the application;

(c) Billing statements, including utility bills for the three (3) years preceding the application; or

(d) Vehicle registration for the three (3) years preceding the application.

(14) Ownership in a cannabis cultivation facility license, cannabis processing facility license or a medical cannabis dispensary license or investment in a business that supports or benefits from such a license shall not disqualify or otherwise negatively impact the license or finding of suitability of such owner who is otherwise engaged in any other form of business operation in the state, if such business requires the owner to hold a license or be found suitable under state law.

(15) Any business or state entity applying for registration as a medical cannabis establishment must meet all the requirements specified in this chapter.

(16) A prospective medical cannabis establishment shall submit all of the following:

(a) An application, including:

(i) The legal name of the prospective medical cannabis establishment;

(ii) The physical address of the prospective medical cannabis establishment, which shall not be within one thousand (1,000) feet of the nearest property boundary line of a school, church or child care facility which exists or has acquired necessary real property for the operation of such facility before the date of the medical cannabis establishment application unless the entity has received approval from the school, church or child care facility and received the applicable waiver from their licensing agency, provided that the main point of entry of the cannabis establishment is not located within five hundred (500) feet of the nearest property boundary line of any school, church or child care facility;

(iii) The name of each principal officer and board member of the proposed medical cannabis establishment; and

(iv) Any additional information requested by the MDOR and MDOH.

(b) Operating procedures consistent with rules and regulations for oversight of the proposed medical cannabis establishment, including procedures to ensure accurate record keeping and adequate security measures.

(c) If the municipality or county where the proposed medical cannabis establishment would be located has enacted zoning restrictions, a sworn statement certifying that the proposed medical cannabis establishment is in compliance with the restrictions.

(d) If the municipality or county where the proposed medical cannabis establishment would be located requires a local registration, license or permit, then proof of receiving such registration, license or permit.

(e) If the application is on behalf of an entity, verification that none of the principal officers or board members have served as a principal officer or board member for a medical cannabis establishment that has had its license revoked.

(f) If the application is on behalf of an entity, verification that none of the principal officers or board members is under twenty-one (21) years of age.

(17) If a dispensary license is issued to an applicant that is still constructing the licensed premises, the applicant must complete construction and fulfill all obligations required by the Department of Revenue to open for business within eighteen (18) months, or the license shall be revoked.

(18) The MDOR and MDOH shall issue a renewal registration certificate within ten (10) days of receipt of the prescribed renewal application and renewal fee from a medical cannabis establishment if its license is not under suspension and has not been revoked.

(19) A licensing agency shall require disclosure only of persons, entities or affiliated entities who directly or indirectly own ten percent (10%) or more of a medical cannabis establishment issued a license by the licensing agency.

(20) Otherwise eligible applicants for licenses to operate as medical cannabis establishments under this chapter shall not be disqualified from receipt of a license based on:

(a) Their location on Mississippi Choctaw Indian Reservation Lands; or

(b) The involvement of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians or any entity owned or operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians as an owner or co-owner of such license, provided that such license shall be subject to revocation for material noncompliance with this chapter on the same basis as any other license.

(21) A cannabis processing facility that produces edible cannabis products shall hold a permit to operate as a food establishment and shall comply with all applicable requirements for food establishments as set by the MDOH.

(22) Any cannabis that contains less than three tenths percent (.3%) THC that was addressed by the 2018 Farm Bill, Public Law No. 115-334 , shall be exempt from regulations applicable to medical cannabis establishments licensed under this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-23-1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 19 / Section 23-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-23-1
Status: in_force

(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.