Miss. Code Ann. § 41-55-71 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 55-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-55-71
Status: in_force

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

(a) “ Department ” means the State Department of Health.

(b) “ Nonemergency medical transportation provider ” or “ NEMT provider ” means any company in the business of providing NEMT transportation services for compensation and any person, group of persons or entity that provides NEMT transportation services for compensation. Any company with a current accreditation from the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Accreditation Commission (NEMTAC) is deemed to be a NEMT provider.

(c) “ NEMT transportation service ” means motor vehicle transportation provided on a regular basis by a public or private entity or person that is designed exclusively or primarily to serve individuals who are elderly or disabled and who are unable to use regular means of transportation but do not require ambulance service. This term also means those nonemergency medical transportation services that are provided under the Medicaid nonemergency transportation program or by managed care providers that have contracted with the Division of Medicaid, except for those that are exempt from the permitting requirement of this section under subsection (8).

(2) The department shall adopt rules providing for applications for permits, issuance of permits, renewal of permits and revocation of permits, and the department may provide for the payment of fees for the issuance and renewal of permits.

(3) The department shall adopt by rule standards for the operation of vehicles used to provide NEMT transportation service that are reasonably necessary to protect the health and safety of individuals using that service.

(4) Standards adopted under this section must include, but are not limited to:

(a) Qualifications of drivers and attendants, including driver training requirements that must be met before a driver provides special transportation, including, but not limited to:

(i) Fingerprint background check;

(ii) Annual criminal background checks, including sex offender registry;

(iii) Annual motor vehicle records (MVR) checks from the Department of Public Safety;

(iv) Drug screens;

(v) Regular confirmation that the driver does not appear on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) exclusion lists;

(vi) For drivers, appropriate training for the mode of transportation being provided;

(b) Safety of vehicles and necessary safety equipment;

(c) General requirements concerning inspection and maintenance of vehicles, replacement vehicles, standard vehicle equipment, and specialized equipment necessary to ensure vehicle usability and safety for disabled persons; and

(d) Minimum insurance requirements.

(5) A NEMT provider must meet all the requirements and standards set by the department for providing NEMT transportation services. NEMT providers are required to have on hand at a location in the state and be able to produce upon request the necessary documentation to prove compliance with the requirements and standards set by the department as provided in this section.

(6) The department is authorized to revoke the permit of, or impose fines on, any NEMT provider that is found to be not in compliance with the requirements and standards set by the department for providing NEMT transportation services.

(7) The department is authorized to bring actions for injunctions in the name of the department to enjoin and prohibit any person or entity from providing NEMT transportation service in the state without having a current, valid permit from the department except as otherwise provided in this section.

(8) An NEMT provider that is a Medicaid provider under contract with an NEMT transportation broker providing services for the Division of Medicaid shall not be required to have a permit from the department to provide NEMT transportation services if (a) the broker periodically inspects the transport drivers for the NEMT provider and the vehicles used by the transport drivers for compliance with the standards prescribed in subsection (4) of this section and any additional standards adopted by the department under subsection (3) of this section, and (b) the NEMT broker determines that the drivers and vehicles are in compliance with those standards and certifies such compliance with the department. The department shall not make its own inspection of any drivers and vehicles that have been certified by an NEMT broker as provided in this subsection. Any NEMT provider that is exempt from the permitting requirement under this subsection shall be required to register with the department.

(9) Any public entity or private entity in the business of providing nonemergency medical transportation services may continue to provide such services without first receiving a permit until July 1, 2024, provided that it complies with the other provisions of this section and the rules set by the department.

After July 1, 2024, each nonemergency medical transportation provider must have a NEMT permit from the department before it may provide NEMT transportation services in Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 11 / Section 61-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57
Status: in_force

(1) There are hereby created the positions of county medical examiners and county medical examiner investigators, to be established as herein provided through successful completion of the death investigation training school provided for in subsection (5) of this section. Each county medical examiner (CME) shall be a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or osteopathic medicine (D.O.) licensed in the State of Mississippi. Each county medical examiner investigator (CMEI) shall be a nonphysician who shall, as a minimum, possess a high school graduation diploma or its equivalent. Extra consideration for the CMEI position may be given for experience and/or training in health-related fields and medicolegal death investigations.

(2) Each coroner elected in the 1987 general election and thereafter, upon successful completion of the death investigation training school provided for in subsection (5) of this section, shall be recognized as a county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator, according to the qualifications set out in subsection (1) of this section, and shall be designated the chief for the county in which he was elected. If the elected or appointed coroner fails to successfully complete the death investigation training school, and thus is unable to take the oath of office, as provided in Section 19-21-105 , there shall promptly be appointed a coroner pro tempore in the manner prescribed by Section 9-1-27 , and that person shall be designated the chief county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator until the time of the next death investigation training school, which he must successfully complete or be removed from office. Any elected coroner who has failed to successfully complete the death investigation training school may attend any subsequent death investigation training school conducted during the term for which he was elected, and upon the successful completion thereof, he shall become the chief CME or CMEI for the county in which he was elected. The coroner pro tempore then shall become a deputy CME or CMEI, provided he has successfully completed the death investigation training school. Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, each coroner holding office on July 1, 1986, shall be the chief CME or CMEI for the county in which he was elected through the expiration of his term in January 1988 without having to attend the death investigation training school; however, he may voluntarily attend any such school conducted prior to that time.

(3) There shall be at least one (1) county medical examiner and/or county medical examiner investigator for each county, and one (1) county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator shall be designated as the chief for each county, except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section. Any county may have deputy county medical examiners or deputy county medical examiner investigators as deemed necessary who shall be appointed jointly by the board of supervisors and the CME or CMEI. However, when the population of a county reaches a total of twenty thousand (20,000) or greater, there shall be one or more officially appointed deputies. Deputies shall be subject to the same qualifications, training and certification requirements, and shall possess the same authority and discharge the same duties, as other county medical examiners or county medical examiner investigators, and shall receive fees and expenses as provided in Sections 41-61-69 and 41-61-75 . Any CME or CMEI may be removed by the State Medical Examiner prior to the expiration of his term as CME or CMEI for inefficiency, or other good cause, after written notice and a hearing in compliance with due process law.

(4) One (1) person may serve as the chief CME or CMEI for two (2) or more adjacent counties when that person consents and the boards of supervisors of each county involved and the State Medical Examiner consent in writing. Each respective county involved shall be responsible for payment for the services given to that county by the chief CME or CMEI.

(5) Chief and deputy CME's and CMEI's shall attend the death investigation training school provided by the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory and the State Medical Examiner, and shall successfully complete subsequent testing on the subject material by the State Medical Examiner at least once every four (4) years. Room, board and transportation expenses for attending the school shall be borne by the county in which the CME or CMEI is serving. In addition to the above training, the individual shall receive at least twenty-four (24) hours annually of continuing education as prescribed and certified by the State Medical Examiner. If the above requirements for training or continuing education are not met, the individual immediately shall be disqualified and removed from office as CME and/or CMEI. Reapplication for the office may be made the following year after removal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-79 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 59-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-79
Status: in_force

Any person desiring certification as a medical first responder shall apply to the board using forms prescribed by the board. Each application for a medical first responder certificate shall be accompanied by a certificate fee to be fixed by the board, which shall be paid to the board. Any increase in the fee charged by the board under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65 . Upon the successful completion of the board's approved medical first responder training program, the board shall make a determination of the applicant's qualifications as a medical first responder as set forth in the regulations promulgated by the board, and shall issue a medical first responder certificate to the applicant.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-71-5 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 4 / Section 71-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-71-5
Status: in_force

An application for a license shall be made to the licensing agency upon forms provided by the agency and shall contain such information as the agency shall require, which may include affirmative evidence of ability to comply with such reasonable standards, rules and regulations as are lawfully prescribed under this chapter. A license fee of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), payable to the licensing agency, shall be submitted with each application. 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. § 41-29-150 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 41-13-35 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-13-35
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(e) To devise and implement employee incentive programs;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) The Legislature finds and declares as follows:

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

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

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

(d) The community hospitals' investment of significant public assets and their efforts to provide high quality health care services to medically underserved populations are jeopardized by potential limits on the ability of community hospitals to collaborate and consolidate with other public, private, for-profit and nonprofit health care facilities and providers. The Legislature expressly finds that the benefits of collaboration and consolidation by the community hospitals outweigh any adverse impact on competition. The benefits of the community hospitals' efforts to collaborate and consolidate include, but are not limited to, preserving and expanding needed health care services in its service area; consolidating unneeded or duplicative health care services; enhancing the quality of, and expanding access to, health care delivered to medically underserved and rural populations; and lowering costs and improving the efficiency of the health care services it delivers. Based on the findings contained in this section, the Legislature affirmatively expresses a policy to allow community hospitals to consolidate with other public, private, for-profit or nonprofit hospitals, health care facilities and providers and to engage in collaborative activities consistent with their health care purposes, notwithstanding that those consolidations and collaborations may have the effect of displacing competition in the provision of hospital or other health care-related services. In engaging in such consolidations and collaborations with other public, private, for-profit or nonprofit hospitals, health care facilities and providers, the community hospital shall be considered to be acting pursuant to clearly articulated state policy as established in this section and shall not be subject to federal or state antitrust laws while so acting. With respect to the consolidations, collaborative activities and other activities contemplated in this section, the community hospital and the public, private, for-profit or nonprofit entities with which it consolidates, collaborates, or enters into any of the transactions set forth in this section, shall be immune from liability under the federal and state antitrust laws and those activities are provided with state action immunity from federal and state antitrust laws to the fullest extent possible.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-63-4 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 19 / Section 63-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-63-4
Status: in_force

(1) In order to improve the quality and efficiency of medical care, the State Department of Health shall design and establish a registry program of the condition and treatment of persons seeking medical care that will provide the following:

(a) Information in a central data bank system of accurate, precise and current information regarding the diagnostic services and therapeutic services for medical diagnosis, treatment and care of injured, disabled or sick persons, or rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled or sick persons provided by licensed health care providers designated by the State Board of Health;

(b) Collection of that data;

(c) Dissemination of that data; and

(d) Analysis of that data for the purposes of the evaluation and improvement of the quality and efficiency of medical care provided in a health care facility.

(2) The State Board of Health shall adopt rules, regulations and procedures to govern the operation of the registry program and to carry out the intent of this section.

(3) At a minimum, the board shall require that each hospital, free-standing ambulatory surgical facility and outpatient diagnostic imaging center shall submit patient data as defined by the board to the Mississippi Hospital Association or the department within sixty (60) days after the close of each calendar quarter for all patients that were discharged or died during that quarter.

(4)(a) There is created a State Health Data Advisory Committee to advise and make recommendations to the board regarding rules and regulations promulgated under this section. The committee shall consist of the following members:

(i) A representative of the Mississippi Hospital Association appointed by the association;

(ii) A representative of the Mississippi State Medical Association appointed by the association;

(iii) A representative of the Mississippi Nurses Association appointed by the association;

(iv) A representative of the Mississippi Health Care Association appointed by the association;

(v) A health researcher appointed by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning;

(vi) A representative of the State Department of Health appointed by the State Health Officer;

(vii) A consumer representative who is not professionally involved in the purchase, provision, administration, or utilization review of health care or insurance appointed by the Governor;

(viii) A representative of a third-party payer appointed by the Governor;

(ix) A member who is not professionally involved in the purchase, provision, administration, or utilization review of health care or insurance and who has expertise in health planning, health economics, health policy, or health information systems appointed by the Governor; and

(x) A member of the business community appointed by the Governor.

(b) Committee members shall serve until a successor is appointed.

(c) Committee members shall elect a chairman and vice chairman and adopt bylaws.

(d) The department shall provide staff assistance as needed to the committee.

(5)(a) The department shall specify the types of information to be provided to the registry. The State Health Data Advisory Committee shall advise the department on the content, format, frequency and transmission of the data to be provided.

(b) Data elements required to be submitted must comply with current national standards recommended by the National Uniform Billing Committee, the National Committee on Vital Health Statistics, or similar national standards setting body.

(6) The department shall accept data submitted by the Mississippi Hospital Association on behalf of hospitals by entering into a binding agreement negotiated with the association to obtain data required under this section. A health care provider shall submit the required information to the department:

(a) If the provider does not submit the required data through the Mississippi Hospital Association;

(b) If no binding agreement has been reached within ninety (90) days from July 1, 2008, between the department and the Mississippi Hospital Association; or

(c) If a binding agreement has expired for more than ninety (90) days.

(7) The information, data and records shall not divulge the identity of any patient.

(8) Submission of information to and use of information by the department in accordance with this section shall be considered a permitted disclosure for uses and disclosures required by law and for public health activities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the Privacy Rules promulgated thereunder at 45 CFR Sections 164.512(a) and (b) .

(9) Notwithstanding any conflicting statute, court rule or other law, the data maintained in the registry shall be confidential and shall not be subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil action. However, information and data otherwise discoverable or admissible from original sources are not to be construed as immune from discovery or use in any civil action merely because they were provided to the registry.

(10) The department shall assure that public use data are made available and accessible to interested persons in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the board.

(11) Notwithstanding other actions or remedies afforded to persons about whom data is released, a person who knowingly or negligently releases data in violation of this section is liable for a civil penalty of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).

(12) A person or organization who fails to supply data required under this section is liable for a civil penalty of Five Cents (5¢) for each record for each day the submission is delinquent. A submission is delinquent if the department does not receive it within thirty (30) days after the date the submission was due. If the department receives the submission in incomplete form, the department shall notify the provider and allow fifteen (15) additional days to correct the error. The notice shall provide the provider an additional fifteen (15) days to submit the data before the imposition of any civil penalty. The maximum civil penalty for a delinquent submission is Ten Dollars ($10.00) for each record. The department shall issue an assessment of the civil penalty to the provider. The provider has a right to an informal conference with the department, if the provider requests the conference within thirty (30) days of receipt of the assessment. After the informal conference or, if no conference is requested, after the time for requesting the informal conference has expired, the department may proceed to collect the penalty. In its request for an informal conference, the provider may request the department to waive the penalty. The department may waive the penalty in cases of an act of God or other acts beyond the control of the provider. Waiver of the penalty is in the sole discretion of the department.

(13) The board shall have the authority to set fees and charges with regard to the collection and compilation of data requested for special reports and for the dissemination of data. The revenue derived from the fees imposed in this section shall be deposited by the Department of Health in a special fund that is created in the State Treasury, which is earmarked for use by the department in conducting its activities under this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-55-39 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 23 / Section 55-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-55-39
Status: in_force

Each director of an air ambulance service district shall take and subscribe to the general oath of office, required by Section 268 of the Constitution of the State of Mississippi , before a chancery clerk that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office, which oath shall be filed with the said clerk and by him preserved.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-49-5 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 21 / Section 49-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-49-5
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of every keeper, manager or person in charge of the conduct of any hotel or inn in this state to keep all of the rooms used in connection with such hotel, or provided for the use of guests, in clean and sanitary condition; and to provide each guest with effective protection against flies, mosquitoes and other vermin.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-103 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-103
Status: in_force

When, in any county of this state other than a county bordering on the Mississippi Sound or Gulf of Mexico, a petition, signed by fifty (50) or more qualified electors of such county, shall be presented to the board of supervisors of such county, requesting that a county mosquito control commission for such county be created, the board of supervisors may, within sixty (60) days from the date of the filing of the petition with the clerk of the board, create a county mosquito control commission, and the order creating said county mosquito control commission shall be entered on the minutes of the board of supervisors. The said order shall name three (3) commissioners, one (1) of whom shall be designated as temporary chairman, and shall set a time, date, and place for a meeting to organize said commission. The date of said organizational meeting shall be within sixty (60) days from the date of said order.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-35-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 23 / Section 35-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-35-3
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of any physician, surgeon, obstetrician, midwife, nurse, maternity home or hospital of any nature, parent, relative or other person attendant on or assisting in any way whatsoever, any infant, or the mother of any infant, at childbirth, or at any time within two (2) weeks after childbirth, knowing the condition defined in Section 41-35-1 to exist, within six (6) hours thereafter, to report such fact, as the state board of health shall direct, to the local health officer of the city, town, village, or whatever other political division there may be, within which the infant or the mother of the infant may reside.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-55-7 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 23 / Section 55-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-55-7
Status: in_force

If there is in operation an adequate privately run ambulance service, then the governing authorities are hereby prohibited from contracting for ambulance services to be run by the public body. The governing authorities may, however, subsidize such existing privately run ambulance service, in their discretion, if they deem necessary to keep such service in operation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-19-233 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-233
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-19-233
Status: in_force

The center shall be located on the site of the Mississippi State Hospital previously known as the Whitfield Annex.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-15 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 13 / Section 27-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-15
Status: in_force

The moneys so raised, or so much thereof as may be required, may be paid from time to time for the operations, work, materials and labor of the county mosquito control commission, duly signed and approved by the president and secretary thereof by order of the board of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-23-31 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-23-31
Status: in_force

Any town, city or county is hereby authorized to make donations to the state board of health to assist in the enforcement of Sections 41-23-25 through 41-23-29 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-39-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 39-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-39-3
Status: in_force

The State Board of Health may provide by rules and regulations for the disposition of any dead foetus acquired by any hospital or by any midwife or person acting as a midwife, such disposition to be in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 41-39-1 except that the waiting period for such disposition may be waived.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-313 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 25 / Section 29-313
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-313
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except as authorized in this section, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally:

(i) Purchase, possess, transfer, manufacture, attempt to manufacture or distribute any two (2) or more of the listed precursor chemicals or drugs in any amount with the intent to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance;

(ii) Purchase, possess, transfer, manufacture, attempt to manufacture or distribute any two (2) or more of the listed precursor chemicals or drugs in any amount, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the listed precursor chemical or drug will be used to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance;

(b) The term “ precursor drug or chemical ” means a drug or chemical that, in addition to legitimate uses, may be used in manufacturing a controlled substance in violation of this chapter. The term includes any salt, optical isomer or salt of an optical isomer, whenever the existence of a salt, optical isomer or salt of optical isomer is possible within the specific chemical designation. The chemicals or drugs listed in this section are included by whatever official, common, usual, chemical or trade name designated. A “ precursor drug or chemical ” includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(i) Ether;

(ii) Anhydrous ammonia;

(iii) Ammonium nitrate;

(iv) Pseudoephedrine;

(v) Ephedrine;

(vi) Denatured alcohol (Ethanol);

(vii) Lithium;

(viii) Freon;

(ix) Hydrochloric acid;

(x) Hydriodic acid;

(xi) Red phosphorous;

(xii) Iodine;

(xiii) Sodium metal;

(xiv) Sodium hydroxide;

(xv) Muriatic acid;

(xvi) Sulfuric acid;

(xvii) Hydrogen chloride gas;

(xviii) Potassium;

(xix) Methanol;

(xx) Isopropyl alcohol;

(xxi) Hydrogen peroxide;

(xxii) Hexanes;

(xxiii) Heptanes;

(xxiv) Acetone;

(xxv) Toluene;

(xxvi) Xylenes.

(c) Any person who violates this subsection (1), upon conviction, is guilty of a felony and may be imprisoned for a period not to exceed eight (8) years or shall be fined not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) nor more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(d) Any person who violates this subsection (1) while also in possession of two (2) grams or less of a controlled substance that can be manufactured by using the precursor drugs or chemicals, upon conviction, is guilty of a felony and may be imprisoned for a period not to exceed eight (8) years or a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(e) Any person who violates this subsection (1) while also in possession of more than two (2) grams but less than ten (10) grams of a controlled substance that can be manufactured by using the precursor drugs or chemicals, upon conviction, is guilty of a felony and may be imprisoned for a period not to exceed ten (10) years or a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(f) Any person who violates this subsection (1) while also in possession of more than ten (10) grams but less than thirty (30) grams of a controlled substance that can be manufactured by using the precursor drugs or chemicals, upon conviction, is guilty of a felony and may be imprisoned for a period no less than three (3) years nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both.

(g) Any person who violates this subsection (1) while also in possession of a quantity of more than thirty (30) grams of a controlled substance that can be manufactured by using the precursor drugs or chemicals, upon conviction, is guilty of a felony and may be imprisoned for a period no less than three (3) years nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both.

(2)(a) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally steal or unlawfully take or carry away any amount of anhydrous ammonia or to break, cut, or in any manner damage the valve or locking mechanism on an anhydrous ammonia tank with the intent to steal or unlawfully take or carry away anhydrous ammonia.

(b)(i) It is unlawful for any person to purchase, possess, transfer or distribute any amount of anhydrous ammonia knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the anhydrous ammonia will be used to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance.

(ii) The possession of any amount of anhydrous ammonia in a container unauthorized for containment of anhydrous ammonia pursuant to Section 75-57-9 shall be prima facie evidence of intent to use the anhydrous ammonia to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance.

(c)(i) It is unlawful for any person to purchase, possess, transfer or distribute two hundred fifty (250) dosage units or fifteen (15) grams in weight (dosage unit and weight as defined in Section 41-29-139 ) of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the pseudoephedrine or ephedrine will be used to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance.

(ii) Except as provided in this subparagraph, possession of one or more products containing more than twenty-four (24) grams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine shall constitute a rebuttable presumption of intent to use the product as a precursor to methamphetamine or another controlled substance. The rebuttable presumption established by this subparagraph shall not apply to the following persons who are lawfully possessing the identified drug products in the course of legitimate business:

1. A retail distributor of the drug products described in this subparagraph possessing a valid business license or wholesaler;

2. A wholesale drug distributor, or its agents, licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy;

3. A manufacturer of drug products described in this subparagraph, or its agents, licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy;

4. A pharmacist licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy; or

5. A licensed health care professional possessing the drug products described in this subparagraph (ii) in the course of carrying out his profession.

(d) Any person who violates this subsection (2), upon conviction, is guilty of a felony and may be imprisoned for a period not to exceed five (5) years and shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both fine and imprisonment.

(3) Nothing in this section shall preclude any farmer from storing or using any of the listed precursor drugs or chemicals listed in this section in the normal pursuit of farming operations.

(4) Nothing in this section shall preclude any wholesaler, retailer or pharmacist from possessing or selling the listed precursor drugs or chemicals in the normal pursuit of business.

(5) Any person who violates the provisions of this section with children under the age of eighteen (18) years present may be subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, of twice that provided in this section.

(6) Any person who violates the provisions of this section when the offense occurs in any hotel or apartment building or complex may be subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, of twice that provided in this section. For the purposes of this subsection (6), the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them:

(a) “ Hotel ” means a hotel, inn, motel, tourist court, apartment house, rooming house or any other place where sleeping accommodations are furnished or offered for pay if four (4) or more rooms are available for transient guests.

(b) “ Apartment building ” means any building having four (4) or more dwelling units, including, without limitation, a condominium building.

(7) Any person who violates the provisions of this section who has in his possession any firearm, either at the time of the commission of the offense or at the time any arrest is made, may be subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, of twice that provided in this section.

(8) Any person who violates the provisions of this section upon any premises upon which any booby trap has been installed or rigged may be subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, of twice that provided in this section. For the purposes of this subsection, the term “ booby trap ” means any concealed or camouflaged device designed to cause bodily injury when triggered by any action of a person making contact with the device. The term includes guns, ammunition or explosive devices attached to trip wires or other triggering mechanisms, sharpened stakes, nails, spikes, electrical devices, lines or wires with hooks attached, and devices designed for the production of toxic fumes or gases.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-19 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 11 / Section 137-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-19
Status: in_force

(1) Nothing in this chapter requires a government medical assistance program or private insurer to reimburse a person for costs associated with the medical use of medical cannabis.

(2) Nothing in this chapter prohibits an employer from disciplining an employee for ingesting medical cannabis in the workplace or for working while under the influence of medical cannabis.

(3) Any person or establishment that is in lawful possession of property may allow a guest, client, customer or other visitor to use medical cannabis on or in that property as authorized under this chapter.

(4) A landlord may, but shall not be required to, allow the lawful cultivation, processing, testing, research, sale or use of medical cannabis on rental property as authorized under this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-33-7 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 7 / Section 33-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-33-7
Status: in_force

Upon approval by the executive officer of the Mississippi State Board of Health, the county health officer may make affidavit and file it with the clerk of the chancery court of any county in which such person might then be found. Such affidavit shall request that such person be adjudged to be suffering from active tuberculosis and that such person be committed to and confined in any hospital under contract with the state board of health providing services to tuberculosis patients or any facility of the Mississippi Department of Corrections under contract capable of adequately isolating patients with tuberculosis.

Whenever such affidavit shall be filed with the chancery clerk, the said clerk, or the chancellor of said court, shall issue a citation ordering said person alleged to be suffering from such active tuberculosis to appear and show cause why he should not be committed to and confined in a hospital for treatment of tuberculosis in Mississippi or any facility of the Mississippi Department of Corrections under contract capable of adequately isolating patients with tuberculosis. At the same time that the sheriff serves the citation he shall deliver to such person a copy of the county health officer's request of approval of contemplated action and a copy of the approval of such action by the executive officer of the Mississippi State Board of Health.

The hearing shall be conducted in open court and the person alleged to be suffering from active tuberculosis shall have the privilege of counsel of his own selection. Said hearing shall be held on a day not less than five (5) days from the date of such service of citation. Provided, however, the chancellor may order the hearing at an earlier day when, in his discretion, he deems such to be in the interest of the public health.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-125-15 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 25 / Section 125-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-125-15
Status: in_force

(1)(a) If the licensing agency determines that a PPEC center is not in compliance with this chapter, or applicable rules, the licensing agency may request that the PPEC center submit a corrective action plan that demonstrates a good-faith effort to remedy each violation by a specific date, subject to the approval of the licensing agency.

(b) The licensing agency may fine a PPEC center or employee found in violation of this chapter, or applicable rules, in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each violation. Such fine may not exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) in the aggregate.

(c) The failure to correct a violation by the date set by the licensing agency, or the failure to comply with an approved corrective action plan, is a separate violation for each day that the failure continues, unless the licensing agency approves an extension to a specific date.

(2) In determining if a fine is to be imposed and in fixing the amount of any fine, the licensing agency shall consider the following factors:

(a) The gravity of the violation, including the probability that death or serious physical or emotional harm to a child will result or has resulted, the severity of the actual or potential harm, and the extent to which the provisions of the applicable statutes or rules were violated.

(b) Actions taken by the owner or operator to correct violations.

(c) Any previous violations.

(d) The financial benefit to the PPEC center of committing or continuing the violation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-63-29 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 17 / Section 63-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-63-29
Status: in_force

The provisions of Sections 41-63-21 through 41-63-29 , including the confidentiality provided in Sections 41-63-21 through 41-63-29 shall be deemed part of the substantive law of this state enacted for the express legislative purpose of promoting quality patient care through accreditation and quality assurance functions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-113-5 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 113-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-113-5
Status: in_force

(1) The Office of Tobacco Control shall be under the management of a director, who shall be appointed by the State Health Officer. The responsibility for implementation of the comprehensive and statewide tobacco education, prevention and cessation program shall be vested in the director. The director shall be an individual who has knowledge and experience in public health, medical care, health care services, preventive health measures or tobacco use control. The director shall be the administrative officer of the Office of Tobacco Control, and shall perform the duties that are required of him or her by law and such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the State Board of Health. The director shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the State Board of Health, subject to the approval of the State Personnel Board.

(2) The State Health Officer may employ such other persons as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The compensation and the terms and conditions of their employment shall be determined by the State Board of Health in accordance with applicable state law and rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-26-8 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 26-8
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-26-8
Status: in_force

(1) The director shall exercise general supervision over the construction and operation of public water systems throughout the state. The general supervision shall include all of the features of construction and operation of public water systems which do or may affect the sanitary quality or the quantity of the water supply.

(2)(a) No person shall construct or change any community public water system or nontransient, noncommunity public water system until the plans for that construction or change have been submitted to and approved by the director. Plans for the construction or change must be prepared by a professional engineer registered in this state.

(b) In addition, each applicant for a new community public water system or nontransient, noncommunity public water system shall submit an operation and maintenance plan for review and approval by the director. The plan must be approved before beginning construction.

(c) In granting any approval under this section, the director may specify any modifications, conditions or limitations as may be required for the protection of the public health and welfare.

(d) The director may also review the source of the water and the quantity of water to be withdrawn.

(e) Records of construction, including plans and descriptions of existing portions of a public water system, shall be made available to the department upon request.

(f) Each applicant for a new community public water system or nontransient, noncommunity public water system shall submit financial and managerial information as required by the public utilities staff. Following review of that information, the executive director of the public utilities staff shall certify in writing to the director the financial and managerial viability of the system if the executive director determines the system is viable. The director shall not approve the construction until that certification is received.

(g) The director shall not approve any plans for changes to an existing community public water system or nontransient, noncommunity public water system, if the director determines the changes would threaten the viability of the system or if the changes may overload the operational capabilities of the system.

(h) Those public water systems determined by the director to be appropriately providing corrosion control treatment shall effectively operate and maintain the system's water treatment facilities in order to continuously provide the optimum pH of the treated water or optimum dosage of corrosion inhibitor.

(3) Each semipublic water system shall notify the department of its location, a responsible party and the number of connections served. The department shall, to the extent practicable, take appropriate actions to ensure that records on semipublic water systems are up-to-date. The board may require water well drillers to provide information on wells drilled for use by semipublic water systems. The department shall at least annually collect a sample from each semipublic water system and shall analyze that sample at no cost to the semipublic water system for microbiological contaminants and any other contaminants deemed appropriate by the department. If the department finds levels of contaminants exceeding the Mississippi Primary Drinking Water Standards, the department shall notify the responsible party and shall provide technical assistance to the system to correct the problem. No semipublic water system shall be subject to the penalty provided under Section 41-26-31 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 137-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-3
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein:

(a) “ Artificially derived cannabinoid ” means a chemical substance that is created by a chemical reaction that changes the molecular structure of any chemical substance derived from the plant Cannabis family Cannabaceae. Such term shall not include:

(i) A naturally occurring chemical substance that is separated from the plant Cannabis family Cannabaceae by a chemical or mechanical extraction process;

(ii) Cannabinoids that are produced by decarboxylation from a naturally occurring cannabinoid acid without the use of a chemical catalyst; or

(iii) Any other chemical substance identified by MDOH.

(b) “ Allowable amount of medical cannabis ” means an amount not to exceed the maximum amount of Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Units (“MMCEU”).

(c) “ Bona fide practitioner-patient relationship ” means:

(i) A practitioner and patient have a treatment or consulting relationship, during the course of which the practitioner, within his or her scope of practice, has completed an in-person assessment of the patient's medical history and current mental health and medical condition and has documented their certification in the patient's medical file;

(ii) The practitioner has consulted in person with the patient with respect to the patient's debilitating medical condition; and

(iii) The practitioner is available to or offers to provide follow-up care and treatment to the patient.

(d) “ Cannabis ” means all parts of the plant of the genus cannabis, the flower, the seeds thereof, the resin extracted from any part of the plant and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of the plant, its seeds or its resin, including whole plant extracts. Such term shall not mean cannabis-derived drug products approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration under Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

(e) “ Cannabis cultivation facility ” means a business entity licensed and registered by the Mississippi Department of Health that acquires, grows, cultivates and harvests medical cannabis in an indoor, enclosed, locked and secure area.

(f) “ Cannabis disposal entity ” means a business licensed and registered by the Mississippi Department of Health that is involved in the commercial disposal or destruction of medical cannabis.

(g) “ Cannabis processing facility ” means a business entity that is licensed and registered by the Mississippi Department of Health that:

(i) Acquires or intends to acquire cannabis from a cannabis cultivation facility;

(ii) Possesses cannabis with the intent to manufacture a cannabis product;

(iii) Manufactures or intends to manufacture a cannabis product from unprocessed cannabis or a cannabis extract; and

(iv) Sells or intends to sell a cannabis product to a medical cannabis dispensary, cannabis testing facility or cannabis research facility.

(h) “ Cannabis products ” means cannabis flower, concentrated cannabis, cannabis extracts and products that are infused with cannabis or an extract thereof and are intended for use or consumption by humans. The term includes, without limitation, edible cannabis products, beverages, topical products, ointments, oils, tinctures and suppositories that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD) except those products excluded from control under Sections 41-29-113 and 41-29-136 .

(i) “ Cannabis research facility ” or “ research facility ” means a research facility at any university or college in this state or an independent entity licensed and registered by the Mississippi Department of Health pursuant to this chapter that acquires cannabis from cannabis cultivation facilities and cannabis processing facilities in order to research cannabis, develop best practices for specific medical conditions, develop medicines and provide commercial access for medical use.

(j) “ Cannabis testing facility ” or “ testing facility ” means an independent entity licensed and registered by the Mississippi Department of Health that analyzes the safety and potency of cannabis.

(k) “ Cannabis transportation entity ” means an independent entity licensed and registered by the Mississippi Department of Health that is involved in the commercial transportation of medical cannabis.

(l) “ Cannabis waste ” means plant debris of the plant of the genus cannabis, including dead plants and all unused plant parts. This term shall not include seeds, roots, stems and stalks.

(m) “ Cannabinoid ” means any of the chemical compounds that are the active constituents derived from THC.

(n) “ Canopy ” means the total surface area within a cultivation area that is dedicated to the cultivation of flowering cannabis plants. The surface area of the plant canopy must be calculated in square feet and measured and must include all of the area within the boundaries where the cultivation of the flowering cannabis plants occurs. If the surface area of the plant canopy consists of noncontiguous areas, each component area must be separated by identifiable boundaries. If a tiered or shelving system is used in the cultivation area the surface area of each tier or shelf must be included in calculating the area of the plant canopy. Calculation of the area of the plant canopy may not include the areas within the cultivation area that are used to cultivate immature cannabis plants and seedlings, prior to flowering, and that are not used at any time to cultivate mature cannabis plants.

(o) “ Cardholder ” means a registered qualifying patient or a registered designated caregiver who has been issued and possesses a valid registry identification card.

(p) “ Chronic pain ” means a pain state in which the cause of the pain cannot be removed or otherwise treated, and which in the generally accepted course of medical practice, no relief or cure of the cause of the pain is possible, or none has been found after reasonable efforts by a practitioner.

(q) “ Concentrate ” means a substance obtained by separating cannabinoids from cannabis by:

(i) A mechanical extraction process;

(ii) A chemical extraction process using a nonhydrocarbon-based or other solvent, such as water, vegetable glycerin, vegetable oils, animal fats, food-grade ethanol or steam distillation; or

(iii) A chemical extraction process using the hydrocarbon-based solvent carbon dioxide, provided that the process does not involve the use of high heat or pressure.

(r) “ Debilitating medical condition ” means:

(i) Cancer, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, muscular dystrophy, glaucoma, spastic quadriplegia, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, sickle-cell anemia, Alzheimer's disease, agitation of dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, pain refractory to appropriate opioid management, diabetic/peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord disease or severe injury, or the treatment of these conditions;

(ii) A chronic, terminal or debilitating disease or medical condition, or its treatment, that produces one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome, chronic pain, severe or intractable nausea, seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, those characteristic of multiple sclerosis; or

(iii) Any other serious medical condition or its treatment added by the Mississippi Department of Health, as provided for in Section 41-137-17 .

(s) “ Designated caregiver ” means a person who:

(i) Has agreed to assist with a registered qualifying patient's medical use of medical cannabis;

(ii) Assists no more than five (5) registered qualifying patients with their medical use of medical cannabis, unless the designated caregiver's registered qualifying patients each reside in or are admitted to a health care facility or facility providing residential care services or day care services where the designated caregiver is employed;

(iii) Is at least twenty-one (21) years of age unless the person is the parent or legal guardian of each qualifying patient the person assists; and

(iv) Has not been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense.

(t) “ Disqualifying felony offense ” means:

(i) A conviction for a crime of violence, as defined in Section 97-3-2 ;

(ii) A conviction for a crime that was defined as a violent crime in the law of the jurisdiction in which the offense was committed, and that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted; or

(iii) A conviction for a violation of a state or federal controlled substances law that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted, including the service of any term of probation, incarceration or supervised release within the previous five (5) years and the offender has not committed another similar offense since the conviction. Under this subparagraph (iii), a disqualifying felony offense shall not include a conviction that consisted of conduct for which this chapter would likely have prevented the conviction but for the fact that the conduct occurred before February 2, 2022.

(u) “ Edible cannabis products ” means products that:

(i) Contain or are infused with cannabis or an extract thereof;

(ii) Are intended for human consumption by oral ingestion; and

(iii) Are presented in the form of foodstuffs, beverages, extracts, oils, tinctures, lozenges and other similar products.

(v) “ Entity ” means a corporation, general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability company that has been registered with the Secretary of State as applicable.

(w) “ MMCEU ” means Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Unit. One unit of MMCEU shall be considered equal to:

(i) Three and one-half (3.5) grams of medical cannabis flower;

(ii) One (1) gram of medical cannabis concentrate; or

(iii) One hundred (100) milligrams of THC in an infused product.

(x) “ MDOH ” means the Mississippi Department of Health.

(y) “ MDOR ” means the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

(z) “ Medical cannabis ” means cannabis, cannabis products and edible cannabis that are intended to be used by registered qualifying patients as provided in this chapter.

(aa) “ Medical cannabis dispensary ” or “ dispensary ” means an entity licensed and registered with the MDOR that acquires, possesses, stores, transfers, sells, supplies or dispenses medical cannabis, equipment used for medical cannabis, or related supplies and educational materials to cardholders.

(bb) “ Medical cannabis establishment ” means a cannabis cultivation facility, cannabis processing facility, cannabis testing facility, cannabis dispensary, cannabis transportation entity, cannabis disposal entity or cannabis research facility licensed and registered by the appropriate agency.

(cc) “ Medical cannabis establishment agent ” means an owner, officer, board member, employee, volunteer or agent of a medical cannabis establishment.

(dd) “ Medical use ” includes the acquisition, administration, cultivation, processing, delivery, harvest, possession, preparation, transfer, transportation, or use of medical cannabis or equipment relating to the administration of medical cannabis to treat or alleviate a registered qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient's debilitating medical condition. The term “medical use” does not include:

(i) The cultivation of cannabis unless the cultivation is done by a cannabis cultivation facility; or

(ii) The extraction of resin from cannabis by mechanical or chemical extraction unless the extraction is done by a cannabis processing facility.

(ee) “ Nonresident cardholder ” means a person who:

(i) Has been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition by a practitioner in his or her respective state or territory, or is the parent, guardian, conservator or other person with authority to consent to the medical use of medical cannabis by a person who has been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition;

(ii) Is not a resident of Mississippi or who has been a resident of Mississippi for less than forty-five (45) days; and

(iii) Has submitted any documentation required by MDOH rules and regulations and has received confirmation of registration.

(ff) “ Practitioner ” means a physician, certified nurse practitioner, physician assistant or optometrist who is licensed to prescribe medicine under the licensing requirements of their respective occupational boards and the laws of this state. In relation to a nonresident cardholder, the term means a physician, certified nurse practitioner, physician assistant or optometrist who is licensed to prescribe medicine under the licensing requirements of their respective occupational boards and under the laws of the state or territory in which the nonresident patient resides. For registered qualifying patients who are minors, “ practitioner ” shall mean a physician or doctor of osteopathic medicine who is licensed to prescribe medicine under the licensing requirements of their respective occupational boards and the laws of this state.

(gg) “ Public place ” means a church or any area to which the general public is invited or in which the general public is permitted, regardless of the ownership of the area, and any area owned or controlled by a municipality, county, state or federal government, including, but not limited to, streets, sidewalks or other forms of public transportation. Such term shall not mean a private residential dwelling.

(hh) “ Qualifying patient ” means a person who has been diagnosed by a practitioner as having a debilitating medical condition and has been issued a written certification.

(ii) “ Registry identification card ” means a document issued by the MDOH that identifies a person as a registered qualifying patient, nonresident registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver.

(jj) “ School ” means an institution for the teaching of children, consisting of a physical location, whether owned or leased, including instructional staff members and students, and which is in session each school year. This definition shall include, but not be limited to, public, private, church and parochial programs for kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high schools. Such term shall not mean a home instruction program.

(kk) “ Scope of practice ” means the defined parameters of various duties, services or activities that may be provided or performed by a certified nurse practitioner as authorized under Sections 73-15-5 and 73-15-20 , by an optometrist as authorized under Section 73-19-1 , by a physician as authorized under Section 73-25-33 , or by a physician assistant under Section 73-26-5 , and rules and regulations adopted by the respective licensing boards for those practitioners.

(ll) “ THC ” or “ Tetrahydrocannabinol ” means any and all forms of tetrahydrocannabinol that are contained naturally in the cannabis plant, as well as synthesized forms of THC and derived variations, derivatives, isomers and allotropes that have similar molecular and physiological characteristics of tetrahydrocannabinol, including, but not limited to, THCA, THC Delta 9, THC Delta 8, THC Delta 10 and THC Delta 6.

(mm) “ Written certification ” means a form approved by the MDOH, signed and dated by a practitioner, certifying that a person has a debilitating medical condition. A written certification shall include the following:

(i) The date of issue and the effective date of the recommendation;

(ii) The patient's name, date of birth and address;

(iii) The practitioner's name, address, and federal Drug Enforcement Agency number; and

(iv) The practitioner's signature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-66 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 61-66
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-66
Status: in_force

(1) This section shall be referred to and may be cited as “Christian's Law.”

(2) For the purposes of this section:

(a) “ Surviving relative ” means:

(i) The surviving spouse of the deceased;

(ii) If there is no surviving spouse, the surviving parents of the deceased;

(iii) If there is no surviving spouse or parent, the surviving adult children of the deceased; or

(iv) If there is no surviving spouse, parent or adult children, the next of kin of the deceased.

(b) “ Autopsy media records ” means:

(i) A photograph or video or audio recording of an autopsy; and

(ii) A photograph or video or audio recording of the crime scene taken by or used by the coroner or the medical examiner.

(3) Autopsy media records are confidential subject to the provisions of this section. The custodian of the autopsy medical records, or his or her designee, may not permit any person or entity, unless authorized by this section or court order pursuant to this section, to access autopsy media records. In all cases, the viewing, copying, listening to and/or other handling of autopsy media records must be under the direct supervision of the custodian of the record or his or her designee.

(4)(a) A surviving relative, or the surviving relative's designee, may view, listen to, and/or copy autopsy media records;

(b) A local governmental entity, or a state or federal agency, in furtherance of its official duties, pursuant to a written request, may view, listen to, copy and/or disclose autopsy media records. Unless otherwise required in the performance of the duties of the local governmental entity, the identity of the deceased shall remain confidential and exempt under this paragraph;

(c) A criminal or administrative proceeding is exempt from this section. This section does not prohibit a court in a criminal or administrative proceeding upon good cause shown from restricting or otherwise controlling the disclosure of an autopsy, crime scene, or similar photograph or video or audio recordings in the manner prescribed herein;

(d) A coroner or a medical examiner, and his or her designee, or a medical physician, and his or her designee, in lawful possession of autopsy media records may use autopsy media records for educational purposes as long as:

(i) Personal information identifying the decedent, including name, address, social security number, case and/or medical record number and any other uniquely identifying features, is redacted and expunged from the autopsy records; and

(ii) Facial identity of the deceased is rendered as anonymous as reasonably possible.

For the purposes of this paragraph, “ educational purposes ” include, but are not limited to, medical or scientific teaching or training purposes, teaching or training law enforcement personnel, teaching or training of attorneys or others with a bona fide professional need to use or understand forensic science, conferring with medical or scientific experts in the field of forensic science, publication in a scientific or medical journal or textbook.

(5)(a) A court, upon a showing of good cause, may:

(i) Issue an order authorizing any person to view, listen to, and/or copy an autopsy media record; and

(ii) May prescribe any restrictions or stipulations that the court deems appropriate.

(b) In determining good cause, a court shall consider whether such disclosure is necessary for the public evaluation of governmental performance; the seriousness of the intrusion into the family's right to privacy and whether such disclosure is the least intrusive means available; and the availability of similar information in other public records, regardless of form.

(c) A surviving relative shall be given:

(i) Reasonable notice of a petition filed with a court to view, listen to, and/or copy an autopsy media record;

(ii) A copy of such petition; and

(iii) Reasonable notice of the opportunity to be present and heard at any hearing on the matter.

(d) Any person who willfully and knowingly violates a court order issued pursuant to this section commits a felony punishable upon conviction by one-year imprisonment in the State Penitentiary or a fine of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.

(6) Any custodian of an autopsy media record who willfully and knowingly violates this section commits a felony punishable upon conviction by one-year imprisonment in the State Penitentiary or a fine of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.

(7) Nothing in this section shall:

(a) Prevent the disclosure of confidential victim communications by any governmental or private participant of a meeting of a multidisciplinary child protection team created under Section 43-15-51 .

(b) Prevent an advocate from a governmental organization from sharing victim information with necessary persons to accomplish the duties of the job or to satisfy statutory or constitutional requirements of disclosure.

(8) This section shall not be construed as creating a cause of action for damages against the state or any of its agencies, officials, employees or political subdivisions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-5 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / 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. § 41-29-139 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 17 / 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. § 41-59-69 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 11 / Section 59-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-69
Status: in_force

Annual reports shall be filed with the State Board of Health by the ambulance service permitted to conduct and implement a membership subscription program in the manner and form prescribed by the State Board of Health, which report shall contain the following:

(a) The name and address of the ambulance service conducting the program;

(b) The number of members subscribing to the subscription program;

(c) The revenues generated by subscriptions to the program; and

(d) The name and address of the depository bank in which the reserve fund is deposited and the amount of deposit in said reserve fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-19-31 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 17 / Section 19-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-19-31
Status: in_force

For the purpose of authorizing the establishment of mental illness and intellectual disability facilities and services in the State of Mississippi, the boards of supervisors of one or more counties are authorized to act singularly or as a group in the selection of a regional district by spreading upon their minutes by resolution such designation in conformity with Chapter 427, Laws of 2023.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-23-13 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 17 / Section 23-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-23-13
Status: in_force

The State Board of Health, when informed by a county health officer, or otherwise, of the existence of any matter or thing calculated to produce, aggravate, or cause the spread of any epidemic or contagious disease, or to affect injuriously the health of the public or community, may declare the same a nuisance. When it does so, it shall notify the district attorney, county attorney, municipal attorney, county health officer, municipal health officer or town marshal, of the district where the nuisance exists, who shall forthwith commence proceedings by information in the circuit court to have the same abated. The parties in interest shall have five days' notice of the proceedings, which shall be served as in ordinary suits. Such proceedings may be tried by the judge, in term-time or in vacation, in a summary way, and if the matter be urgent, it shall be tried without delay. However, the parties in interest shall have a jury if they demand it, which the judge shall cause to be summoned, if in vacation, returnable at some early day, to be fixed by him, and the matter shall be tried as other causes by judge and jury. If the matter be found to be a nuisance, the judge shall order the same abated, which order shall be executed by the sheriff or other proper officer, and an appeal shall not be allowed therefrom. This section shall not affect the right which municipalities may have to abate a nuisance, or any common law or equity proceedings for that purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-301 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 19 / Section 41-301
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-301
Status: in_force

Sections 41-41-301 through 41-41-303 shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Physician Order for Sustaining Treatment (POST) Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-117 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-117
Status: in_force

The permits and applications therefor, shall be in a form prescribed by the board of supervisors. Each applicant shall, on or before March 31st of each year, make application for said permit at the office of the tax collector of said county. Such application shall include the name or names of the persons applying for such permit, a description of the land to be planted in rice for the following crop year, and such other information as may be required by the board of supervisors. Said application shall contain a statement to the effect that the applicant thereby gives his consent for the application of poison or other mosquito control material to the land to be planted in rice, by the commission or its employees. The tax collector, upon receipt of the application and the payment of the fee which shall be computed by multiplying the total number of acres of land to be planted in rice by such applicant by the cost per acre set by the board of supervisors, shall issue the permit to the applicant. All moneys collected from the sale of such permits shall be placed in a special fund for the mosquito control district in the county depository.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-41 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 22 / Section 137-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-41
Status: in_force

(1) From and after February 2, 2022, the MDOH and MDOR shall each, where relevant to the role of that particular agency, establish and promulgate the following rules and regulations:

(a) Governing the manner in which it shall consider petitions from the public to add debilitating medical conditions or treatments to the list of debilitating medical conditions set forth in Section 41-137-3 , including public notice of and opportunities to comment in public hearings on the petitions;

(b) Establishing the form and content of license and renewal applications and written certifications submitted under this chapter;

(c) Governing the manner in which it shall consider applications for and renewals of registry identification cards, which may include creating a standardized written certification form;

(d) Governing medical cannabis establishments with the goals of ensuring the health and safety of registered qualifying patients and preventing diversion and theft of medical cannabis without imposing an undue burden or compromising the confidentiality of cardholders, including:

(i) Oversight requirements;

(ii) Recordkeeping requirements;

(iii) Qualifications that are directly and demonstrably related to the operation of medical cannabis establishments;

(iv) Security requirements, including lighting, physical security, and alarm requirements;

(v) Health and safety regulations, including restrictions on the use of pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals that are injurious to human health;

(vi) Standards for the processing of cannabis products and the indoor cultivation of cannabis by cannabis cultivation facilities;

(vii) Requirements for the transportation and storage of cannabis by medical cannabis establishments;

(viii) Employment and training requirements, including requiring that each medical cannabis establishment create an identification badge for each agent of the establishment;

(ix) Standards for the safe processing of medical cannabis products, including extracts and concentrates;

(x) Restrictions on the advertising, signage, and display of medical cannabis, provided that the restrictions may not prevent appropriate signs on the property of a dispensary, listings in business directories, including phone books, listings in cannabis-related or medical publications, display of cannabis in company logos and other branding activities, display on dispensary websites of pictures of products that the dispensary sells, or the sponsorship of health or not-for-profit charity or advocacy events;

(xi) Requirements and procedures for the safe and accurate packaging and labeling of medical cannabis, including prohibiting the use of any images designed or likely to appeal to minors, such as cartoons, packaging that resembles popular candy brands, toys, animals or children, or any other likeness or image containing characters or phrases to advertise to minors;

(xii) Standards for cannabis testing facilities, including requirements for equipment and qualifications for personnel;

(xiii) Protocol development for the safe delivery of medical cannabis from dispensaries to cardholders;

(xiv) Reasonable requirements to ensure the applicant has sufficient property or capital to operate the applicant's proposed medical cannabis establishment;

(xv) Procedures for suspending or terminating the licenses or registry identification cards of cardholders and medical cannabis establishments that commit multiple or serious violations of the provisions of this chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this section;

(xvi) Procedures for the selection, certification and oversight of a seed-to-sale tracking system as provided for in Section 41-137-11 ;

(xvii) Requirements for labeling medical cannabis and cannabis products, including requiring medical cannabis product labels to include the following:

1. The length of time it typically takes for the product to take effect;

2. Disclosure of ingredients and possible allergens;

3. A nutritional fact panel;

4. The amount of THC and CBD in the product;

5. A notice of the potential harm caused by consuming medical cannabis; and

6. For edible cannabis products, when practicable, a standard symbol indicating that the product contains cannabis;

(xviii) Procedures for the registration of nonresident cardholders, which must require the submission of:

1. A practitioner's statement confirming that the patient has a debilitating medical condition; and

2. Documentation demonstrating that the nonresident cardholder is allowed to possess medical cannabis or cannabis preparations in the jurisdiction where he or she resides;

(xix) The amount of cannabis products, including the amount of concentrated cannabis, each cardholder and nonresident cardholder can possess;

(xx) Reasonable application and renewal fees for registry identification cards and registration certificates, according to the following:

1. The fee schedule shall be set as follows:

a. The qualifying patient registry identification card application fee shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00);

b. The designated caregiver registry identification card application fee shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00);

c. The designated caregiver criminal background fee shall be Thirty-seven Dollars ($37.00);

d. The fee for a renewal or replacement of a card shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00);

e. The fee for a card for a nonresident patient shall be Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00);

f. The qualifying patient registry identification card application fee for a Medicaid participant shall be Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) and the fee for a renewal of such card shall be Fifteen Dollars ($15.00); and

g. The application fee for a qualifying patient registry identification card for disabled veterans or disabled first responders shall be waived. A disabled veteran or first responder may prove their disability by providing written documentation from their practitioner attesting to their debilitating medical condition, documentation from the Social Security Disability Office, or documentation that attests the applicant is a one-hundred percent (100%) disabled veteran as determined by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and codified at 38 CFR, Section 3.340(a)(2013) ; and

2. The MDOH may accept donations from private sources to reduce the amount of the application and renewal fees;

(xxi) Any other rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer this chapter.

(2) The initial rules filed by the MDOH to implement the medical cannabis program in accordance with this chapter shall be effective immediately upon their filing.

(3) No state agency, political subdivision or board shall implement any rule, regulation, policy, or requirement that is contrary to the provisions of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-57-43 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 13 / Section 57-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-57-43
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the state registrar of vital statistics, in addition to the duties now required of him by law, to carry into effect the provisions of law relating to registration of marriages and the rules, regulations and orders of the State Board of Health which may be promulgated pursuant to Section 41-57-45 . The said State Board of Health shall provide for such clerical and other assistance as may be necessary, and may fix the compensation of persons thus employed. The said board shall provide suitable apartments properly equipped with fireproof vault and filing cases for the permanent and safe preservation of all official records made and returned to said bureau.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 61-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57
Status: in_force

(1) There are hereby created the positions of county medical examiners and county medical examiner investigators, to be established as herein provided through successful completion of the death investigation training school provided for in subsection (5) of this section. Each county medical examiner (CME) shall be a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or osteopathic medicine (D.O.) licensed in the State of Mississippi. Each county medical examiner investigator (CMEI) shall be a nonphysician who shall, as a minimum, possess a high school graduation diploma or its equivalent. Extra consideration for the CMEI position may be given for experience and/or training in health-related fields and medicolegal death investigations.

(2) Each coroner elected in the 1987 general election and thereafter, upon successful completion of the death investigation training school provided for in subsection (5) of this section, shall be recognized as a county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator, according to the qualifications set out in subsection (1) of this section, and shall be designated the chief for the county in which he was elected. If the elected or appointed coroner fails to successfully complete the death investigation training school, and thus is unable to take the oath of office, as provided in Section 19-21-105 , there shall promptly be appointed a coroner pro tempore in the manner prescribed by Section 9-1-27 , and that person shall be designated the chief county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator until the time of the next death investigation training school, which he must successfully complete or be removed from office. Any elected coroner who has failed to successfully complete the death investigation training school may attend any subsequent death investigation training school conducted during the term for which he was elected, and upon the successful completion thereof, he shall become the chief CME or CMEI for the county in which he was elected. The coroner pro tempore then shall become a deputy CME or CMEI, provided he has successfully completed the death investigation training school. Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, each coroner holding office on July 1, 1986, shall be the chief CME or CMEI for the county in which he was elected through the expiration of his term in January 1988 without having to attend the death investigation training school; however, he may voluntarily attend any such school conducted prior to that time.

(3) There shall be at least one (1) county medical examiner and/or county medical examiner investigator for each county, and one (1) county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator shall be designated as the chief for each county, except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section. Any county may have deputy county medical examiners or deputy county medical examiner investigators as deemed necessary who shall be appointed jointly by the board of supervisors and the CME or CMEI. However, when the population of a county reaches a total of twenty thousand (20,000) or greater, there shall be one or more officially appointed deputies. Deputies shall be subject to the same qualifications, training and certification requirements, and shall possess the same authority and discharge the same duties, as other county medical examiners or county medical examiner investigators, and shall receive fees and expenses as provided in Sections 41-61-69 and 41-61-75 . Any CME or CMEI may be removed by the State Medical Examiner prior to the expiration of his term as CME or CMEI for inefficiency, or other good cause, after written notice and a hearing in compliance with due process law.

(4) One (1) person may serve as the chief CME or CMEI for two (2) or more adjacent counties when that person consents and the boards of supervisors of each county involved and the State Medical Examiner consent in writing. Each respective county involved shall be responsible for payment for the services given to that county by the chief CME or CMEI.

(5) Chief and deputy CME's and CMEI's shall attend the death investigation training school provided by the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory and the State Medical Examiner, and shall successfully complete subsequent testing on the subject material by the State Medical Examiner at least once every four (4) years. Room, board and transportation expenses for attending the school shall be borne by the county in which the CME or CMEI is serving. In addition to the above training, the individual shall receive at least twenty-four (24) hours annually of continuing education as prescribed and certified by the State Medical Examiner. If the above requirements for training or continuing education are not met, the individual immediately shall be disqualified and removed from office as CME and/or CMEI. Reapplication for the office may be made the following year after removal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-701 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-701
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-701
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Pen register ” means a mechanical or electronic device that attaches to a telephone line and is capable of recording outgoing numbers dialed from that line and date, time and duration of any incoming communication to that line.

(b) “ Trap and trace device ” means a device which captures the incoming electronic or other signals which identifies the originating number of an instrument or device from which a wire or other communication was transmitted.

(c) “ Caller ID ” means a service offered by a provider of communications services which identifies either or both of the originating number or the subscriber of such number of an instrument or device from which a wire or other communication was transmitted.

(2)(a) Attorneys for the Bureau of Narcotics, upon their own motion, may file an application with the circuit court for the installation and use of a pen register, trap and trace device or caller ID to obtain information material to an ongoing investigation of a felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law. Venue under this section shall be in the circuit court district of any of the following: (i) the county of residence of the subscriber, (ii) the county of residence of the user, (iii) the county in which the billing address is located, or (iv) the county in which the crime is allegedly being committed.

(b) The application shall be made in writing under oath and shall include the name of the subscriber, the telephone number or numbers, and the location of the telephone instrument or instruments upon which the pen register will be utilized. The application shall also set forth facts which the court shall consider in determining that probable cause exists that the installation and utilization of the pen register, trap and trace device or caller ID will be material to an ongoing investigation of a felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.

(c) Upon consideration of the application and a determination that probable cause exists, the circuit court judge may order the installation and utilization of the pen register, trap and trace device or caller ID, and in the order the circuit court judge shall direct a communications common carrier, as defined by 47 USCS 153(h) , to furnish all information, facilities and technical assistance necessary to facilitate the installation and utilization of the pen register, trap and trace device or caller ID unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference to the services provided by the carrier. The carrier is entitled to compensation at the prevailing rates for the facilities and assistance provided to the Bureau of Narcotics.

(d) An order for the installation and utilization of a pen register, trap and trace device or caller ID is valid for not more than thirty (30) days from the date the order is granted unless, prior to the expiration of the order, an attorney for the Bureau of Narcotics applies for and obtains from the court an extension of the order. The period of extension may not exceed thirty (30) days for each extension granted.

(e) The circuit court shall seal an application and order for the installation and utilization of a pen register, trap and trace device or caller ID granted under this section. The contents of an application or order may not be disclosed except in the course of a judicial proceeding and an unauthorized disclosure is punishable as contempt of court.

(3) On or before January 5 of each year, the Director of the Bureau of Narcotics shall submit a report to the Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts detailing the number of applications for pen registers sought and the number of orders for the installation and utilization of pen registers, trap and trace devices or caller ID granted during the preceding calendar year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-33-11 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-33-11
Status: in_force

With the approval of the county health officer, the attending physician may discharge such person to home care under supervision of the county health officer in the county in which the patient expects to reside.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-51-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 51-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-51-3
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the State of Mississippi, acting through its legislature, to control and regulate the transportation over the highways of this state and the disposal of poultry by-products, slaughter house offal and wastes, and meat processing plant bones, meat scraps, fats, and all otherwise inedible meats and meat products, and the carcasses of dead animals, not slaughtered and intended for human food, to the end that the spread of poultry and animal diseases in this state shall be controlled and also that the public health and welfare of the citizens of this state shall be conserved and protected against dangers, annoyances and nuisances that might arise from such poultry by-products and carcasses or from such transportation and disposal thereof, if the same be not regulated by law. This chapter is designed to effectuate such purposes and public policy, through the exercise of the police powers of the state. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect such policy and to promote such objects.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-107 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 10 / Section 41-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-107
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful to knowingly give, sell, dispense, administer or otherwise provide or prescribe any abortion-inducing drug to a pregnant woman for the purpose of inducing an abortion in that pregnant woman, or enabling another person to induce an abortion in a pregnant woman, unless the person who gives, sells, dispenses, administers or otherwise provides or prescribes the abortion-inducing drug is a physician, and the provision or prescription of the abortion-inducing drug satisfies the standard of care.

(2) Because the failure and complications from medical abortion increase with increasing gestational age, because the physical symptoms of medical abortion can be identical to the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, and because abortion-inducing drugs do not treat ectopic pregnancies but rather are contraindicated in ectopic pregnancies, the physician giving, selling, dispensing, administering or otherwise providing or prescribing the abortion-inducing drug must first physically examine the woman and document in the woman's medical chart the gestational age and intrauterine location of the pregnancy before giving, selling, dispensing, administering or otherwise providing or prescribing the abortion-inducing drug.

(3) When any drug or chemical is used for the purpose of inducing an abortion, the drug or chemical must be administered in the same room and in the physical presence of the physician who gave, sold, dispensed or otherwise provided or prescribed the drug or chemical to the patient.

(4) Every pregnant woman to whom a physician gives, sells, dispenses, administers or otherwise provides or prescribes any abortion-inducing drug shall be provided with a copy of the drug's final printed label or FPL.

(5) If the physician giving, selling, dispensing, administering or otherwise providing or prescribing any abortion-inducing drug is unable to provide follow-up care, the physician must have a signed contract with a physician who agrees to provide follow-up care and produce that signed contract if requested by the patient or by the department. The contract shall include the name and contact information of the follow-up physician. The contract follow-up physician must have active hospital admitting privileges and gynecological/surgical privileges.

(6) The physician giving, selling, dispensing, administering or otherwise providing or prescribing any abortion-inducing drug, or an agent of the physician, must schedule a follow-up visit for the woman at approximately fourteen (14) days after administration of the abortion-inducing drug to provide treatment that meets the standard of care.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-25 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 137-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-25
Status: in_force

(1) Registry identification cards must contain all of the following:

(a) The name of the cardholder;

(b) A designation of whether the cardholder is a qualifying patient, a designated caregiver or a nonresident;

(c) The date of issuance and expiration date of the registry identification card;

(d) A random ten-digit alphanumeric identification number, containing at least four (4) numbers and at least four (4) letters, that is unique to the cardholder;

(e) If the cardholder is a designated caregiver, the random identification number of the qualifying patient the designated caregiver will assist;

(f) A photograph of the cardholder;

(g) The toll-free phone number or internet address where the card can be verified;

(h) A notice of the potential harm caused by medical cannabis; and

(i) A notice of the MMCEU daily, monthly and possession limit.

(2) The expiration date shall be visible on the registry identification card. Except as provided in subsection (3) or subsection (4) of this section, the expiration date for registry identification cards for residents shall be one (1) year after the date of issuance. The expiration date for registry identification cards for nonresidents shall be fifteen (15) days after the date of issuance, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.

(3) If the practitioner stated in the written certification that the qualifying patient would benefit from the medical use of medical cannabis until a specified earlier date, then the registry identification card shall expire on that date, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.

(4)(a) The expiration date for registry identification cards for residents that are issued not later than one hundred fifty (150) days after February 2, 2022, shall be one (1) year after the initial one-hundred-fifty-day period.

(b) If the practitioner specified an earlier date for the expiration of the registry identification card as provided under subsection (3) of this section, then the registry identification card shall be valid for the period specified by the practitioner, which shall begin after the initial one-hundred-fifty-day period.

(c) The expiration date for registry identification cards for nonresidents that are issued not later than one hundred fifty (150) days after February 2, 2022 shall be fifteen (15) days after the initial one-hundred-fifty-day period.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-58-1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 58-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-58-1
Status: repealed

As used in this chapter:

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

(b) “ Licensed practitioner ” means a person licensed or otherwise authorized by law to practice medicine, dentistry, chiropractic, osteopathy or podiatry, or a licensed nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

(c) “ Ionizing radiation ” means x-rays and gamma rays, alpha and beta particles, high-speed electrons, neutrons and other nuclear particles.

(d) “ X-radiation ” means penetrating electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than ten (10) nanometers produced by bombarding a metallic target with fast electrons in a vacuum.

(e) “ Supervision ” means responsibility for, and control of, quality radiation safety and protection, and technical aspects of the application of ionizing radiation to human beings for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.

(f) “ Medical radiation technology ” means the science and art of applying ionizing radiation to human beings for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. The four (4) specialized disciplines of medical radiation technology are diagnostic radiologic technology, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy and limited x-ray machine operator.

(g) “ Radiologic technologist ” means a person other than a licensed practitioner who has passed a national certification examination recognized by the department such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination or its equivalent, who applies x-radiation or ionizing radiation to any part of the human body for diagnostic purposes and includes the administration of parenteral and enteral contrast media and administration of other medications or procedures incidental to radiologic examinations.

(h) “ Nuclear medicine ” means the discipline of performing in vivo imaging and measurement procedures and in vitro nonimaging laboratory studies, preparing radiopharmaceuticals and administering diagnostic/therapeutic doses of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications or procedures incidental for nuclear medicine exams to human beings while under the supervision of a licensed practitioner who is authorized to use radioactive material.

(i) “ Nuclear medicine technologist ” means a person other than a licensed practitioner who has passed a national certification examination recognized by the department such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination, the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board examination or their equivalent, and who has registered with the department to perform nuclear medicine. A registered nuclear medicine technologist may perform computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging only for the purposes of anatomical location and attenuation correction, provided that this limitation does not apply to persons registered by the department to perform nuclear medicine who are also certified in radiography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, or their equivalent.

(j) “ Radiation therapist ” means a person other than a licensed practitioner who has passed a national certification examination recognized by the department such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination or its equivalent, who applies x-radiation and the ionizing radiation emitted from particle accelerators, cobalt sixty (60) units and sealed sources of radioactive material to human beings for therapeutic purposes while under the supervision of a licensed radiation oncologist or a board-certified radiologist who is licensed to possess and use radioactive material.

(k) “ Limited x-ray machine operator ” means a person other than a licensed practitioner or radiologic technologist who is issued a permit by the State Board of Medical Licensure to perform medical radiation technology limited to specific radiographic procedures on certain parts of the human anatomy, specifically the chest, abdomen and skeletal structures, and excluding fluoroscopic, both stationary and mobile (C-arm), and contrast studies, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy studies and mammography.

(l) “ Council ” means the Medical Radiation Advisory Council created under Section 41-58-3 .

This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2028.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-23-2 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 23-2
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-23-2
Status: in_force

Any person who shall knowingly and willfully violate the lawful order of the county, district or state health officer where that person is afflicted with a life-threatening communicable disease or the causative agent thereof shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment in the penitentiary for not more than five (5) years, or by both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-55-1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 7 / Section 55-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-55-1
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of any county and the governing authorities of any city, town, or any political subdivision thereof, either separately or acting in conjunction, in their discretion and upon finding that adequate public ambulance service would not otherwise be available, may own, maintain, and operate a public ambulance service as a governmental function, fix and collect charges therefor, and adopt, promulgate and enforce reasonable rules and regulations for the operation of said service. Any political subdivision, or parts thereof, acting hereunder may contract and otherwise cooperate with any department or agency of the United States Government or the State of Mississippi, or any county, city, town, or supervisors district of the same, or other counties of the State of Mississippi in carrying out any of the powers herein conferred or otherwise effectuating the purposes of Sections 41-55-1 through 41-55-11 and in so doing accept gifts, money, and other property of whatever kind.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-30-31 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 30-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-30-31
Status: in_force

Involuntary commitment of an individual to an approved public or private treatment facility for treatment or rehabilitation for a period in excess of five (5) days shall be according to the provisions of Title 41, Chapter 31, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-13-53 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-13-53
Status: in_force

(1) In any case where a hospital has been or is hereafter established under any provisions of law other than Sections 41-13-15 through 41-13-51 , and is owned and operated separately or jointly by one or more counties, cities, towns, supervisors districts or election districts or combinations thereof, the respective governing authority of each such political subdivision or part of a political subdivision interested therein may, in its discretion, by adoption of the resolution hereinafter provided for, obtain for itself, its officers and members, the same authority, powers, rights, privileges and immunities with respect to establishing, erecting, building, constructing, remodeling, adding to, acquiring, equipping, furnishing, and operating and maintaining such hospital as if such hospital were originally established and organized under the provisions of said sections.

(2) The aforesaid resolution shall be duly adopted at any regular or special meeting, or any adjournment of a regular or special meeting, of the governing authority and shall be duly spread upon its minutes. Any such resolution shall be sufficient for the purposes hereof if it indicates an intention to obtain the benefits of this section or Sections 41-13-15 through 41-13-51 . Multiple resolutions shall not be required in the case of a board of supervisors acting in behalf of more than one (1) supervisors district or election district or any combination of such districts. In the case of a hospital jointly owned and operated such resolution is to be adopted by the respective governing authority of each of the various counties, cities, towns, supervisors' districts or election districts interested therein.

(3) The adoption of the aforesaid resolution shall have the effect of also conferring on and delegating to any board of trustees, board of commissioners or other governing board established for the operation and maintenance of such hospital, and the officers and members of such governing board, the same authority, powers, rights, privileges and immunities with respect to the operation and maintenance of the hospital as are conferred on the boards of trustees, and the officers and members thereof, of community hospitals established and organized under the provisions of Sections 41-13-15 through 41-13-51 .

(4) The provisions of this section shall be supplemental to, and shall not restrict, supplant, amend or repeal any general or special authority, powers, rights, privileges and immunities with respect to hospitals heretofore or hereafter conferred on boards of supervisors, municipal governing authorities and hospital governing boards, or the officers and members of such boards or governing authorities, except as the same may delegate authority; powers, rights and privileges to hospital governing boards and the officers and members thereof. Adoption of the resolution provided for herein shall not amend the method of appointing or electing the officers and members of such hospital governing boards or their tenure of office. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to repeal any local and private law or any part or provision thereof authorizing or establishing a public hospital.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-26-11 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 10 / Section 26-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-26-11
Status: in_force

The director shall develop an adequate plan for the provision of safe drinking water under emergency circumstances. If, in the judgment of the director, emergency circumstances exist in the state for safe drinking water, the director may take any actions deemed necessary to provide safe drinking water where it otherwise would not be available.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-31-15 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 13 / Section 31-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-31-15
Status: in_force

The provisions of the law with respect to the costs of commitment and the cost of support, including the prohibition in Section 41-21-65 regarding the charging of extra fees and expenses to persons initiating commitment proceedings, methods of determination of persons liable therefor, and methods of determination of financial ability, and all provisions of law enabling the state to secure reimbursement of any such items of cost, applicable to the commitment to and support of the mentally ill persons in state hospitals, shall apply with equal force in respect to each item of expense incurred by the state in connection with the commitment, care, custody, treatment, and rehabilitation of any person committed to the state hospitals and maintained in any institution or hospital operated by the State of Mississippi under the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-55-51 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 55-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-55-51
Status: in_force

The board of directors of an air ambulance service district is hereby authorized and empowered to accept grants, loans, gifts, bequests or funding from any source, public or private, that the granting agency has authority to provide, but in no circumstances shall the acceptance of any such funding obligate any district to repay a sum in excess of the avails of the tax levies set forth in Section 41-55-47 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-37 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 10 / Section 41-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-37
Status: in_force

When a medical emergency compels the performance or induction of an abortion, the physician shall inform the woman, before the abortion if possible, of the medical indications supporting his judgment that an abortion is necessary to avert her death or for which a twenty-four-hour delay will create grave peril of immediate and irreversible loss of major bodily function.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-20-1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 19 / Section 20-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-20-1
Status: in_force

As used in sections 41-20-1 through 41-20-11 , the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(a) “ Community mental health center ” means a facility authorized under Section 41-19-33 .

(b) “ Mental health services ” includes all services offered by the mental health system in Mississippi, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Community mental health services, including:

1. Programs of assertive community treatment;

2. Mobile crisis response services;

3. Crisis stabilization units;

4. Community support services;

5. Peer support services;

6. Supported employment; and

7. Permanent supported housing; and

(ii) Institutional mental health services, which are services that encompass civil commitment or hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital;

(iii) Mental health services provided in facilities authorized in Title 47, Mississippi Code of 1972;

(iv) Core adult mental health services;

(v) Child mental health services;

(vi) Intellectual/developmental disability services;

(vii) Substance abuse prevention and treatment/rehabilitation services; and

(viii) Any combination of the services defined in this paragraph (b).

(c) “ Mental health system ” means the facilities, institutions, centers, entities, persons and providers that provide mental health services in Mississippi.

(d) “ Regional commission ” means a commission established in Section 41-19-33 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-107-13 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 4 / Section 107-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-107-13
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable, and if any provision, word, phrase or clause of this chapter or the application thereof to any person shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-321 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 29-321
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-321
Status: in_force

The Mississippi State Department of Health shall create and offer training for first responders that meets the following criteria:

(a) The course content must include:

(i) The signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose;

(ii) The protocols and procedures for administration of an opioid antagonist;

(iii) The signs and symptoms of an adverse reaction to an opioid antagonist;

(iv) The protocols and procedures to stabilize the patient if an adverse response occurs;

(v) The procedures for storage, transport and security of the opioid antagonist.

(b) The method of opioid antagonist administration being taught.

(c) Training will be overseen by a physician or pharmacist licensed in this state.

(d) Subject to the oversight required in paragraph (c) of this section, training may be provided by the employer of the first responder.

(e) First responders trained to possess and administer opioid antagonists must be retrained at least every three (3) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-135-5 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 21 / Section 135-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-135-5
Status: in_force

(1) Hospitals that provide birth services may adopt an infant feeding policy that promotes and supports breast-feeding. Any infant feeding policies adopted under this section shall include guidance on the use of formula (a) for medically necessary supplementation; (b) if preferred by the mother; or (c) when exclusive breast-feeding is not advised for the mother and/or infant.

(2) Any breast-feeding infant feeding policy adopted under this section must be written down and all relevant hospital personnel, including, but not limited to, obstetric and neonatal staff, must be trained in the necessary skills to implement the adopted policy.

(3) Hospitals may make a copy of their breast-feeding infant feeding policy available to the State Department of Health.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-22-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 7 / Section 22-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-22-3
Status: in_force

The State Board of Health is authorized to establish a program for the care and treatment of persons suffering from hemophilia. The program shall assist persons who require continuing treatment with blood and blood derivatives to avoid crippling, extensive hospitalization and other effects associated with this bleeding condition, but who are unable to pay for the entire cost of such services on a continuing basis despite the existence of various types of hospital and medical insurance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-153 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-153
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-153
Status: in_force

(a) The following are subject to forfeiture:

(1) All controlled substances which have been manufactured, distributed, dispensed or acquired in violation of this article or in violation of Article 5 of this chapter or Chapter 137 of this title;

(2) All raw materials, products and equipment of any kind which are used, or intended for use, in manufacturing, compounding, processing, delivering, importing, or exporting any controlled substance in violation of this article or in violation of Article 5 of this chapter or Chapter 137 of this title;

(3) All property which is used, or intended for use, as a container for property described in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection;

(4) All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles or vessels, which are used, or intended for use, to transport, or in any manner to facilitate the transportation, sale, receipt, possession or concealment of property described in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, however:

A. No conveyance used by any person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier is subject to forfeiture under this section unless it appears that the owner or other person in charge of the conveyance is a consenting party or privy to a violation of this article;

B. No conveyance is subject to forfeiture under this section by reason of any act or omission proved by the owner thereof to have been committed or omitted without his knowledge or consent; if the confiscating authority has reason to believe that the conveyance is a leased or rented conveyance, then the confiscating authority shall notify the owner of the conveyance within five (5) days of the confiscation;

C. A forfeiture of a conveyance encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party if he neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission;

D. A conveyance is not subject to forfeiture for a violation of Section 41-29-139(c)(2)(A) 1 , 2 or (B) 1 or (C) 1 , 2 , 3 ;

(5) All money, deadly weapons, books, records, and research products and materials, including formulas, microfilm, tapes and data which are used, or intended for use, in violation of this article or in violation of Article 5 of this chapter or Chapter 137 of this title;

(6) All drug paraphernalia as defined in Section 41-29-105(v) ; and

(7) Everything of value, including real estate, furnished, or intended to be furnished, in exchange for a controlled substance in violation of this article, all proceeds traceable to such an exchange, and all monies, negotiable instruments, businesses or business investments, securities, and other things of value used, or intended to be used, to facilitate any violation of this article. All monies, coin and currency found in close proximity to forfeitable controlled substances, to forfeitable drug manufacturing or distributing paraphernalia, or to forfeitable records of the importation, manufacture or distribution of controlled substances are presumed to be forfeitable under this paragraph; the burden of proof is upon claimants of the property to rebut this presumption.

A. No property shall be forfeited under the provisions of subsection (a)(7) of this section, to the extent of the interest of an owner, by reason of any act or omission established by him to have been committed or omitted without his knowledge or consent.

B. Neither personal property encumbered by a bona fide security interest nor real estate encumbered by a bona fide mortgage, deed of trust, lien or encumbrance shall be forfeited under the provisions of subsection (a)(7) of this section, to the extent of the interest of the secured party or the interest of the mortgagee, holder of a deed of trust, lien or encumbrance by reason of any act or omission established by him to have been committed or omitted without his knowledge or consent.

(b) Property subject to forfeiture may be seized by the bureau, local law enforcement officers, enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, highway patrolmen, the board, the State Board of Pharmacy, or law enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Revenue or Mississippi Department of Health acting with their duties in accordance with the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, upon process issued by any appropriate court having jurisdiction over the property. Seizure without process may be made if:

(1) The seizure is incident to an arrest or a search under a search warrant or an inspection under an administrative inspection warrant;

(2) The property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the state in a criminal injunction or forfeiture proceeding based upon this article;

(3) The bureau, the board, local law enforcement officers, enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, or highway patrolmen, the State Board of Pharmacy, or law enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Revenue or Mississippi Department of Health acting with their duties in accordance with the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, have probable cause to believe that the property is directly or indirectly dangerous to health or safety;

(4) The bureau, local law enforcement officers, enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, highway patrolmen, the board, the State Board of Pharmacy, or law enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Revenue or Mississippi Department of Health acting with their duties in accordance with the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, have probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of this article; or

(5) The seizing law enforcement agency obtained a seizure warrant as described in subsection (f) of this section.

(c) Controlled substances listed in Schedule I of Section 41-29-113 that are possessed, transferred, sold, or offered for sale in violation of this article are contraband and shall be seized and summarily forfeited to the state. Controlled substances listed in the said Schedule I, which are seized or come into the possession of the state, the owners of which are unknown, are contraband and shall be summarily forfeited to the state.

(d) Species of plants from which controlled substances in Schedules I and II of Sections 41-29-113 and 41-29-115 may be derived which have been planted or cultivated in violation of this article, or of which the owners or cultivators are unknown, or which are wild growths, may be seized and summarily forfeited to the state.

(e) The failure, upon demand by the bureau and/or local law enforcement officers, or their authorized agents, or highway patrolmen designated by the bureau, the board, the State Board of Pharmacy, or law enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Revenue or Mississippi Department of Health acting with their duties in accordance with the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, of the person in occupancy or in control of land or premises upon which the species of plants are growing or being stored, to produce an appropriate registration, or proof that he is the holder thereof, constitutes authority for the seizure and forfeiture of the plants.

(f)(1) When any property is seized under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, by a law enforcement agency with the intent to be forfeited, the law enforcement agency that seized the property shall obtain a seizure warrant from the county or circuit court having jurisdiction of such property within seventy-two (72) hours of any seizure, excluding weekends and holidays. Any law enforcement agency that fails to obtain a seizure warrant within seventy-two (72) hours as required by this section shall notify the person from whom the property was seized that it will not be forfeited and shall provide written instructions advising the person how to retrieve the seized property.

(2) A circuit or county judge having jurisdiction of any property other than a controlled substance, raw material or paraphernalia, may issue a seizure warrant upon proper oath or affirmation from a law enforcement agency. The law enforcement agency that is seeking a seizure warrant shall provide the following information to the judge:

A. Probable cause to believe that the property was used or intended to be used in violation of this article;

B. The name of the person from whom the property was seized; and

C. A detailed description of the property which is seized, including the value of the property.

(3) This subsection does not apply to seizures performed pursuant to Section 41-29-157 when property is specifically set forth in a search and seizure warrant.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-57 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 21 / Section 137-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-57
Status: in_force

(1) The cultivation, processing, sale and distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as performed in accordance to the provisions of this chapter, shall be legal in every county and municipality of this state unless a county or municipality opts out through a vote by the board of supervisors of the county or governing authorities of the municipality, as applicable, within ninety (90) days after February 2, 2022. The governing authorities of the municipality or the board of supervisors of the county, as applicable, shall provide a notice in accordance with the Open Meetings Act ( Section 25-41-1 et seq. ) of its intent of holding a vote regarding opting out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable. The governing authorities of the municipality or the board of supervisors of the county, as applicable, may opt out of allowing one or more of the following: cultivation, processing, sale or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products. The governing authorities of a municipality, by a vote entered upon their minutes, may opt out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the municipality. The board of supervisors of a county, by a vote entered upon its minutes, may opt out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of the county.

(2) If the board of supervisors of a county or the governing authorities of a municipality do not opt out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, within ninety (90) days after February 2, 2022, then no vote by the board of supervisors or governing authorities, as applicable, may be held to so opt out, and the provisions of this chapter shall remain applicable and operative in the county or municipality, as applicable. If the board of supervisors of a county or governing authorities of a municipality have opted out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, then the board of supervisors or governing authorities of a municipality may later opt in regarding the same through a vote by the board of supervisors or governing authorities, as applicable, entered upon its or their minutes, or an election duly held according to subsection (3) or (4) of this section, as applicable.

(3)(a) Upon presentation and filing of a proper petition requesting that the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, be legal in the unincorporated areas of the county signed by at least twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever number is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the county, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to call an election at which there shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the county the question of whether or not the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, shall be legal in the unincorporated areas of such county as provided in this chapter. Such election shall be held and conducted by the county election commissioners on a date fixed by the order of the board of supervisors, which date shall not be more than sixty (60) days from the date of the filing of the petition. Notice thereof shall be given by publishing such notice once each week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in the county or if no newspaper be published therein, by such publication in a newspaper in an adjoining county and having a general circulation in the county involved. The election shall be held not earlier than fifteen (15) days from the first publication of such notice.

(b) The election shall be held and conducted as far as may be possible in the same manner as is provided by law for the holding of general elections. The ballots used at the election shall contain a brief statement of the proposition submitted and, on separate lines, the words “I vote FOR allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of ________ [Name of County] ( )” or “I vote AGAINST allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of ________ [Name of County] ( )” with appropriate boxes in which the voters may express their choice. All qualified electors may vote by marking the ballot with a cross (x) or check (✓) mark opposite the words of their choice.

(c) The election commissioners shall canvass and determine the results of the election and shall certify the same to the board of supervisors which shall adopt and spread upon its minutes an order declaring such results. If, in such election, a majority of the qualified electors participating therein vote in favor of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of the county, this chapter shall be applicable and operative in the unincorporated areas of such county, and the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of the county shall be lawful to the extent and in the manner permitted in this chapter. If, on the other hand, a majority of the qualified electors participating in the election vote against allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, then it shall be illegal to cultivate, process, sell and/or distribute medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of the county. In either case, no further election shall be held in the county under the provisions of this section for a period of two (2) years from the date of the prior election and then only upon the filing of a petition requesting same signed by at least twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever number is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the county as provided in this section.

(4)(a) Upon presentation and filing of a proper petition requesting that the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, be legal in the municipality signed by at least twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever number is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the municipality, it shall be the duty of the governing authorities of the municipality to call an election at which there shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the municipality the question of whether or not the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, shall be legal in the municipality as provided in this chapter. Such election shall be held and conducted on a date fixed by the order of the governing authorities of the municipality, which date shall not be more than sixty (60) days from the date of the filing of the petition. Notice thereof shall be given by publishing such notice once each week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in the municipality or if no newspaper be published therein, by such publication in a newspaper having a general circulation in the municipality involved. The election shall be held not earlier than fifteen (15) days from the first publication of such notice.

(b) The election shall be held and conducted as far as may be possible in the same manner as is provided by law for the holding of municipal elections. The ballots used at the election shall contain a brief statement of the proposition submitted and, on separate lines, the words “I vote FOR allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in ________ [Name of Municipality] ( )” or “I vote AGAINST allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in ________ [Name of Municipality] ( )” with appropriate boxes in which the voters may express their choice. All qualified electors may vote by marking the ballot with a cross (x) or check (✓) mark opposite the words of their choice.

(c) The election commissioners shall canvass and determine the results of the election and shall certify the same to the governing authorities which shall adopt and spread upon their minutes an order declaring such results. If, in such election, a majority of the qualified electors participating therein vote in favor of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, this chapter shall be applicable and operative in such municipality and the cultivation, processing, sale, and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, therein shall be lawful to the extent and in the manner permitted in this chapter. If, on the other hand, a majority of the qualified electors participating in the election vote against allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, then it shall be illegal to cultivate, process, sell and/or distribute medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the municipality. In either case, no further election shall be held in the municipality under the provisions of this section for a period of two (2) years from the date of the prior election and then only upon the filing of a petition requesting same signed by at least twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever number is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the municipality as provided in this section.

(5) Regardless of whether a county or municipality opts out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, cardholders, cannabis testing facilities, cannabis research facilities, cannabis transportation entities and cannabis disposal entities may possess medical cannabis in the municipality or county if done in accordance with this chapter.

(6)(a) If a municipality that has opted out under this section annexes a geographic area which contains a licensed entity operating under the provisions of this chapter, then the licensed entity may continue its operation in that municipality's newly annexed geographic area.

(b) If a licensed entity operating under the provisions of this chapter is located in a municipality that contracts its corporate boundaries thereby causing the geographic area in which the licensed entity is located to no longer be in the municipality and instead in an unincorporated area of a county that has opted out under this section, then the licensed entity may continue its operation in that area of the county.

(7) In any county or municipality in which real property is owned, leased or otherwise controlled by a waterway district or water management district created in Title 51, Mississippi Code of 1972 , the decision of the county or municipality to opt out or opt in as provided in this section shall be binding on all real property in such district. The ordinances of a county or municipality related to the provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to all real property within the respective boundaries of the county or municipality in such district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-131 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 41-131
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-131
Status: in_force

Sections 41-41-131 through 41-41-145 may be cited as the Women's Health Protection and Preborn Pain Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-39-137 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 39-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-39-137
Status: in_force

(a) A document of gift is valid if executed in accordance with:

(1) Sections 41-39-101 through 41-39-149 ;

(2) The laws of the state or country where it was executed; or

(3) The laws of the state or country where the person making the anatomical gift was domiciled, has a place of residence, or was a national at the time the document of gift was executed.

(b) If a document of gift is valid under this section, the law of this state governs the interpretation of the document of gift.

(c) A person may presume that a document of gift or amendment of an anatomical gift is valid unless that person knows that it was not validly executed or was revoked.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-86-11 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 86-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-86-11
Status: in_force

(1) The division shall adopt, in accordance with Section 25-43-1.101 et seq. , rules and regulations for the implementation of the program, and for the coordination of the program with the state's other medical assistance programs.

(2) The division shall have all of the authority set forth in Section 43-13-101 et seq. in administering the program.

(3) The division shall make reports to the federal government and to the Legislature on the providing of benefits to those children under the program.

(4) The division shall execute a contract or contracts to provide the health care coverage and services under the program in a manner that is consistent with all federal and state procurement regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-85-11 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 23 / Section 85-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-85-11
Status: in_force

(1) An application shall be filed on a form prescribed by the department and shall be accompanied by the appropriate license fee as well as satisfactory proof that the hospice is in compliance with this chapter and any rules and minimum standards promulgated hereunder and proof of financial ability to operate and conduct the hospice in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. The initial application shall be accompanied by a plan for the delivery of home, outpatient and inpatient hospice care to terminally ill persons and their families. Such plan shall contain, but not be limited to:

(a) The estimated average number of terminally ill persons to be served monthly;

(b) The geographic area in which hospice services will be available;

(c) A listing of services which are or will be provided, either directly by the applicant or through contractual arrangements with existing providers;

(d) Provisions for the implementation of hospice home care within three (3) months of licensure;

(e) Provisions for the implementation of hospice outpatient and homelike inpatient care within twelve (12) months of licensure;

(f) The qualifications of any existing or potential contractee;

(g) The projected annual operating cost of the hospice; and

(h) A statement of financial resources and personnel available to the applicant to deliver hospice care. If the applicant is an existing health care provider, the application shall be accompanied by a copy of the most recent profit-loss statement and, if applicable, the most recent licensure inspection report.

(2) A license issued for the operation of a hospice program, unless sooner suspended or revoked, shall expire automatically one (1) year from the date of issuance. Sixty (60) days prior to the expiration date, an application for renewal shall be submitted to the department on forms furnished by the department; and the license shall be renewed if the applicant has first met the requirements established under this chapter and all rules promulgated hereunder and has provided the information described in subsection (1) in addition to the application. However, the application for license renewal shall be accompanied by an update of the plan for delivery of hospice care only if information contained in the plan submitted pursuant to subsection (1) is no longer applicable.

(3) A hospice program against which a revocation or suspension proceeding is pending at the time of license renewal may be issued a conditional license effective until final disposition by the department of such proceeding. If judicial relief is sought from the final disposition, the court having jurisdiction may issue a conditional permit for the duration of the judicial proceeding.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-67-41 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 23 / Section 67-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-67-41
Status: in_force

(1) There is created the Wastewater Advisory Council for the purpose of advising the department regarding individual on-site wastewater disposal systems. The advisory council shall be composed of the following:

(a) One (1) appointee of the State Health Officer;

(b) One (1) appointee of the Chairman of the State Board of Health;

(c) One (1) appointee of the Chairman of the State Board of Health that represents a Mississippi Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU) manufacturer;

(d) One (1) appointee of the Chairman of the State Board of Health that represents a certified installer;

(e) One (1) appointee of the Chairman of the State Board of Health that represents a septic tank or aggregate disposal manufacturer;

(f) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality;

(g) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the Office of Pollution Control;

(h) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission;

(i) One (1) appointee of the Director of the Mississippi State Board of Registered Professional Geologists;

(j) One (1) appointee of the Chairman of the Department of the Mississippi State University School of Civil and Environmental Engineering Companies;

(k) The federally appointed Mississippi State Soil Scientist, or his designee;

(l) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the American Council of Engineering Companies;

(m) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the Home Builders Association of Mississippi;

(n) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Engineering Society;

(o) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Manufactured Housing Association;

(p) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Rural Water Association;

(q) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors;

(r) One (1) appointee of the President of the Mississippi Pumpers Association;

(s) One (1) appointee of the President of the Mississippi Water and Pollution Control Operators Association, Inc.;

(t) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Realtors; and

(u) One (1) appointee of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Municipal League.

(2) The members of the advisory council shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from its membership.

(3) The terms of appointments for each member shall be for a period of two (2) years.

(4) The advisory council shall have quarterly meetings, with at least one (1) of those meetings taking place between forty-five (45) and sixty (60) days before the meeting of the board.

(5) The department shall staff all advisory council meetings and record minutes of those meetings.