Miss. Code Ann. § 41-26-6 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 13 / Section 26-6
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-26-6
Status: in_force

(1) The board may adopt rules and regulations governing public water systems, but those rules and regulations shall, except as expressly required by law, be no more stringent or extensive in scope, coverage and effect than regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

(2) If federal regulations do not provide a standard, criteria or guidance addressing public water systems, the board may promulgate rules and regulations to address these matters when the board determines that the rules and regulations are necessary to protect the public health and welfare.

(3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the director by order or in the approval of plans for construction or changes from placing additional requirements on a public water system on a case by case basis in order to provide for the quantity and quality of drinking water or to protect the public health and welfare.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-9-113 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-113
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-9-113
Status: in_force

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

“The procedure authorized pursuant to Section 41-9-103 will not be deemed sufficient compliance with this subpoena.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-176.1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 7 / Section 29-176.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-176.1
Status: in_force

The seizing law enforcement agency shall within thirty (30) days of a seizure, request either the district attorney of the county in which property is seized or the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics to prosecute any cases involving seized property. No one other than the district attorney of the county in which the seizure occurred or an attorney from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics shall have authority to prosecute the forfeiture of the seized property. If the district attorney and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics decline to prosecute the forfeiture of the seized property, the seizing law enforcement agency shall notify the person from whom the property was seized that the property will not be forfeited, within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice not to prosecute, and shall provide written instructions advising the person how to retrieve the seized property.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-43-43 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 43-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-43-43
Status: in_force

All nonperpetual care cemeteries shall have printed at the top of all contracts of sales and deeds the words “this is a nonperpetual care cemetery.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-43-37 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 22 / Section 43-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-43-37
Status: in_force

(1) The owner of every cemetery, subject to the provisions of Section 41-43-31 et seq. , that is organized, begins or continues to do business in the State of Mississippi after July 1, 2009, shall provide for the creation and establishment of an irrevocable perpetual care trust fund, the principal of which shall permanently remain intact except as hereinafter provided and only the income thereof shall be devoted to the perpetual care of the cemetery. The perpetual care trust fund shall not be subject to the claims of the cemetery's creditors and shall not be used as collateral, pledged, encumbered or placed at risk. This fund shall be created and established as follows:

(a) In respect to a cemetery for earth burials, by the application and payment thereto of an amount equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the sale price, or Forty Cents (40¢) per square foot of ground interment rights sold, whichever is greater;

(b) In respect to an above-ground community or public mausoleum, by the application and payment thereto of an amount equivalent to five percent (5%) of the sale price, or Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per crypt sold, whichever is greater;

(c) In respect to the placement of an above-ground, free-standing or private mausoleum, by the application and payment thereof of an amount equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the sale price for the ground interment right upon which the private mausoleum is installed and five percent (5%) of the sales price as determined by the customer's invoice for the purchase price of the private mausoleum; and

(d) In respect to a community columbarium, by the application and payment thereto of an amount equivalent to five percent (5%) of the sale price, or Ten Dollars ($10.00) per niche sold, whichever is greater.

For any sale of a lot for an earth burial, mausoleum crypt or columbarium niche in which payment is made by the purchaser on an installment basis over time, the percentage required to be trusted shall be paid into the perpetual care trust fund calculated on each payment.

(2) From the sale price the owner shall pay to the perpetual care fund an amount in proportion to the requirements in subsection (1) of this section, which payment shall be in cash, check, money order or electronic transfer and shall be deposited with the custodian or trustee of the fund not later than the fifth day of the following month from when funds are received.

(3) If the perpetual care trust fund principal is Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) or less, a perpetual care cemetery may maintain certificates of deposit that mature every thirty (30) days issued by an institution whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Certificates of deposits held by a cemetery for perpetual care under this subsection shall renew automatically with all earned interest added to principal for each successive renewal. Collections owed to trust from sales under subsection (1) of this section shall be added upon the next maturity date of the certificate rather than the fifth day of the following month as required by subsection (2) of this section. Certificates of deposit meeting the requirements of this subsection shall contain the words, “For Perpetual Care,” in the caption of the certificate. Each perpetual care cemetery electing to maintain certificates of deposit under this subsection shall file documentation from the issuer with the Office of the Secretary of State with the submission of the annual report. Once the perpetual care principal from the cemetery's operations exceeds Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), such funds shall be held in an irrevocable trust managed by a trustee and governed by a trust instrument.

(4) In addition to the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, any cemetery organized after July 1, 2009, or any mausoleum or columbarium that is built at any location other than upon property owned by an existing cemetery after that date, whether it is by incorporation, association, individually or by any other means, or having its first burial after that date, shall, before disposing of any burial lot or right or making any sale thereof and/or making its first burial, cause to be deposited the sum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) in cash into an irrevocable perpetual care trust fund as provided in subsection (1) of this section for the maintenance of the cemetery.

(5) Whenever the cemetery has deposited in the perpetual care fund, as required by this section, a sum amounting to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), it shall submit proof of that fact to its trustee, and it shall be the duty of the trustee to thereupon pay over to the cemetery the amount of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) so originally deposited by it in the perpetual care fund.

(6) The perpetual care fund shall be permanently set aside in trust to be administered under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall have full jurisdiction over the reports and accounting of trustees and the amount of a surety bond required, if any. The trust officer or trustee responsible for the investment of funds shall be affiliated with an established bank, trust company, other financial institution or financial services company. Only the income from the fund shall be used for the care and maintenance of the cemetery for which it was established.

(7) Each geographic location of a cemetery shall constitute a separate and distinct cemetery for the purpose of interpretation and application of this section.

(8) The Secretary of State shall develop and implement a registration system for perpetual care cemeteries subject to this chapter. The Secretary of State is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for the development and implementation of a statewide registry and to collect a registration fee not to exceed Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) per year to be paid at the same time as the reports and accountings required by Section 41-43-38 are due.

(9) To assist with the development of a statewide registry of perpetual care cemeteries, the county boards of supervisors in conjunction with the chancery clerks shall provide the Secretary of State with a list of all perpetual care cemeteries and other pertinent information regarding perpetual care cemeteries situated in their respective counties no later than October 31, 2009.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-87-7 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 22 / Section 87-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-87-7
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of implementing this chapter, the Governor shall appoint a State Interagency Coordinating Council.

(2) The council shall be appointed by the Governor. In making the appointments to the council, the Governor shall ensure that the membership of the council reasonably represents the population of the state.

(a) The Governor shall designate a member of the council to serve as the chairperson of the council or shall require the council to so designate such a member. Any member of the council who is a representative of the lead agency may not serve as the chairperson of the council.

(b) The council shall be composed as follows:

(i) At least twenty percent (20%) of the members shall be parents, including minority parents, of infants or toddlers with disabilities or children with disabilities aged twelve (12) or younger, with knowledge of, or experience with, programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities. At least one (1) such member shall be a parent of an infant or toddler with a disability or a child with a disability aged six (6) or younger. Parental representatives shall not be employees of any agency or organization which provides early intervention services;

(ii) At least twenty percent (20%) of the members shall be public or private providers of early intervention services;

(iii) At least one (1) member shall be from the State Legislature;

(iv) At least one (1) member shall be involved in personnel preparation;

(v) At least one (1) member shall be from each of the state agencies involved in the provision of or payment for early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families and shall have sufficient authority to engage in policy planning and implementation on behalf of such agencies;

(vi) At least one (1) member shall be from the state educational agency responsible for preschool services to children with disabilities and shall have sufficient authority to engage in policy planning and implementation on behalf of such agency;

(vii) At least one (1) member shall be from the agency responsible for the state governance of insurance, especially in the area of health insurance;

(viii) At least one (1) member must be from a Head Start agency or program in the state;

(ix) At least one (1) member must be from a state agency responsible for child care;

(x) The council may include other members selected by the Governor, including a representative from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), or where there is no BIA operated or funded school, from the Indian Health Service or the tribe/tribal council.

(3) The council shall meet at least quarterly in such places as it deems necessary. The meetings shall be publicly announced, and to the extent appropriate, open and accessible to the general public.

(4) The council may prepare and approve a budget using Part C funds to conduct hearings and forums, to reimburse members of the council for reasonable and necessary expenses for attending council meetings and performing council duties (including child care for parent representatives), to pay compensation to a member of the council if such member is not employed or must forfeit wages from other employment when performing official council business, to hire staff, and to obtain the services of such professional, technical and clerical personnel as may be necessary to carry out its functions under this chapter.

(5) The council shall:

(a) Advise and assist the lead agency in the performance of its responsibilities, particularly the identification of the sources of fiscal and other support for services for early intervention programs, assignment of financial responsibility by the appropriate agency, and the promotion of the interagency agreements;

(b) Advise and assist the lead agency in the preparation of applications for funding under Part C of Public Law 102-119 ;

(c) Prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and to the United States Secretary of Education on the status of early intervention programs for eligible infants and toddlers and their families operated within the state;

(d) Advise and assist the lead agency in the development and implementation of the policies that constitute the statewide system;

(e) Assist the lead agency in achieving the full participation, coordination and cooperation of all appropriate public agencies in the state;

(f) Assist the lead agency in the effective implementation of the statewide system, by establishing a process that includes:

(i) Seeking information from service providers, service coordinators, parents and others about any federal, state or local policies that impede timely service delivery; and

(ii) Taking steps to ensure that any policy problems are identified and resolved;

(g) To the extent appropriate, assist the lead agency in the resolution of disputes;

(h) Advise and assist the state educational agency regarding the transition of toddlers with disabilities to services provided under Section 619 of Part B of Public Law 105-17 , to the extent such services are appropriate; and

(i) Perform other functions as defined in the regulations.

(6) The council may advise and assist the lead agency and the state educational agency regarding the provision of appropriate services for children aged birth to five (5), inclusive.

(7) No member of the council shall cast a vote on any matter which would provide direct financial benefit to that member or otherwise give the appearance of a conflict of interest under state law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 41-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-3
Status: in_force

(1) It is hereby recognized and established that, in addition to such other persons as may be so authorized and empowered, any one (1) of the following persons who is reasonably available, in descending order of priority, is authorized and empowered to consent on behalf of an unemancipated minor, either orally or otherwise, to any surgical or medical treatment or procedures not prohibited by law which may be suggested, recommended, prescribed or directed by a duly licensed physician:

(a) The minor's guardian or custodian.

(b) The minor's parent.

(c) An adult brother or sister of the minor.

(d) The minor's grandparent.

(2) If none of the individuals eligible to act under subsection (1) is reasonably available, an adult who has exhibited special care and concern for the minor and who is reasonably available may act; the adult shall communicate the assumption of authority as promptly as practicable to the individuals specified in subsection (1) who can be readily contacted.

(3) Any female, regardless of age or marital status, is empowered to give consent for herself in connection with pregnancy or childbirth.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-53-7 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 10 / Section 53-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-53-7
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the manufacturer or manufacturers contracted with to furnish virus (vaccine) to furnish with each ampoule (dose) of virus (vaccine), a suitable metal tag approved by the state board of health, which may be securely bradded to the collar of the dog inoculated (vaccinated). Said tag shall have stamped thereon the serial number of vaccination and the year in which said dog was inoculated. This tag shall be furnished to the owner when said dog is inoculated (vaccinated), and it shall be his duty to securely attach same to the collar, and each dog owned by or in the possession of any person within the State of Mississippi shall wear at all times a collar or other device which shall have securely bradded on to it the metal tag provided for above. Any such tag shall not be transferable to any dog other than the dog for which it was issued.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-9-21 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-9-21
Status: in_force

The licensing agency shall make or cause to be made such inspections and investigations as it deems necessary. The licensing agency may prescribe by regulations that any licensee or applicant desiring to make specified types of alteration or addition to the facilities or to construct new facilities shall, before commencing such alteration, addition or new construction, submit plans and specifications therefor to the licensing agency for preliminary inspection and approval or recommendations with respect to compliance with the rules, regulations or standards authorized in Section 41-9-17 . Necessary conferences and consultations may be provided.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-75-18 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / Section 75-18
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-75-18
Status: in_force

Each abortion facility shall report monthly to the State Department of Health such information as may be required by the department in its rules and regulations for each abortion performed by such facility.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-25-1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 25-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-25-1
Status: in_force

The State Board of Health shall have authority to make such sanitary investigations and prepare such rules and regulations governing the disinfection and sanitation of public buildings and vehicles as it may deem necessary for the protection and improvement of health.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-30-31 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 25 / 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. § 41-73-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 7 / Section 73-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-73-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(1) Delivery of quality health care in Mississippi has in recent years become increasingly dependent upon sophisticated equipment and adequate, modern facilities at a time when the acquisition and financing of such equipment and facilities by health care providers has become increasingly expensive.

(2) It is necessary that Mississippi hospitals be able to obtain the modern equipment and facilities needed to meet the needs of their medical staffs and to improve the quality of medical care provided to Mississippi citizens.

(3) The increased costs of acquiring and financing modern equipment and facilities by Mississippi hospitals is necessarily passed to the patients receiving medical care from the hospitals, resulting in higher medical bills and increased health insurance premiums.

(4) These increased costs discourage Mississippi citizens from obtaining necessary medical care.

(5) The problems set forth above cannot be remedied solely through the operation of private enterprise or efforts by individual communities, but can be alleviated through the creation of a public body corporate and politic, separate and apart from the State of Mississippi, constituting a governmental instrumentality, to be known as the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority, to encourage the investment of private capital in Mississippi hospitals through the use of public financing as provided in this act for the purpose of financing hospital equipment and hospital facilities at interest rates lower than those available in the conventional credit markets.

(6) Alleviating the conditions and problems set forth above by the encouragement of private investment through a governmental body is a public purpose and use for which public money provided by the sale of revenue bonds may be borrowed, expended, advanced, loaned and granted and is hereby so declared to be such public purpose as a matter of express legislative determination. Such activities shall not be conducted for profit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-85-13 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 17 / Section 85-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-85-13
Status: in_force

(1) The department may deny, revoke or suspend a license.

(2) Any of the following actions by a hospice program or any of its employees shall be grounds for action by the department against a hospice program:

(a) A violation of the provisions of this chapter or of any standard or rule promulgated hereunder.

(b) An intentional or negligent act materially affecting the health or safety of a patient.

(3) If, three (3) months after the date of obtaining a license, or at any time thereafter, a hospice does not have in operation the home-care component of hospice care, the department shall immediately revoke the license of such hospice.

(4) If, twelve (12) months after the date of obtaining a license, or at any time thereafter, a hospice does not have in operation the outpatient and homelike inpatient components of hospice care, the department shall immediately revoke the license of such hospice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-107 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 17 / Section 27-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-27-107
Status: in_force

When the county mosquito control commission has been created and the members thereof appointed and qualified, the members of the commission and their successors are hereby created and empowered as a body politic, with the power to sue and be sued, to use a common seal, to make bylaws and to do all other acts and things necessary and incident to carrying out the provisions of this article. The commission shall have the power to employ sufficient personnel to carry out the provisions of this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-71-1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 10 / Section 71-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-71-1
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

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

(i) Physical, occupational or speech therapy;

(ii) Medical social services;

(iii) Part-time or intermittent services of a home health aide;

(iv) Other services as approved by the licensing agency;

(v) Medical supplies, other than drugs and biologicals, and the use of medical appliances; or

(vi) Medical services provided by an intern or resident in training at a hospital under a teaching program of such hospital.

(b) “ Licensing agency ” means the State Department of Health.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-69 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 25 / Section 61-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-69
Status: in_force

(1) No person knowing or having reason to know that a death may be under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner shall embalm, bury or cremate the body without the permission of the medical examiner. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and may be punished by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months in the county jail, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(2) A dead body shall not be cremated or buried at sea unless a medical examiner certifies that he has been informed of or inquired into the cause and the manner of death and has the opinion that no further examination is necessary. This subsection shall not apply to deaths occurring less than twenty-four (24) hours after birth or to death of patient resulting only from natural disease and occurring in a licensed hospital unless the death falls within the jurisdiction of the medical examiner. The State Medical Examiner shall be authorized to adopt rules creating additional exceptions to this subsection. For making this certification, the medical examiner or his deputy shall be entitled to charge a fee of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), to be paid by the applicant, unless such medical examiner or his deputy has filed a written report of such death as provided in Section 41-61-73, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and received a fee therefor paid by the county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-66 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / 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. § 41-41-57 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 22 / Section 41-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-57
Status: in_force

Sections 41-41-51 through 41-41-63 shall not apply when, in the best clinical judgment of the physician on the facts of the case before him, a medical emergency exists that so complicates the pregnancy as to require an immediate abortion. A physician who does not comply with Sections 41-41-53 and 41-41-55 by reason of this exception shall state in the medical record of the abortion the medical indications on which his judgment was based.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-7 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 25 / Section 59-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-7
Status: in_force

(1) There is created an emergency medical services advisory council to consist of the following members who shall be appointed by the Governor:

(a) One (1) licensed physician to be appointed from a list of nominees presented by the Mississippi Trauma Committee, American College of Surgeons;

(b) One (1) licensed physician to be appointed from a list of nominees who are actively engaged in rendering emergency medical services presented by the Mississippi State Medical Association;

(c) One (1) registered nurse whose employer renders emergency medical services, to be appointed from a list of nominees presented by the Mississippi Nurses Association;

(d) Two (2) hospital administrators who are employees of hospitals which provide emergency medical services, to be appointed from a list of nominees presented by the Mississippi Hospital Association;

(e) Two (2) operators of ambulance services;

(f) Three (3) officials of county or municipal government;

(g) One (1) licensed physician to be appointed from a list of nominees presented by the Mississippi Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians;

(h) One (1) representative from each designated trauma care region, to be appointed from a list of nominees submitted by each region;

(i) One (1) registered nurse to be appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the Mississippi Emergency Nurses Association;

(j) One (1) EMT-Paramedic whose employer renders emergency medical services in a designated trauma care region;

(k) One (1) representative from the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services;

(l) One (1) member who shall be a person who has been a recipient of trauma care in Mississippi or who has an immediate family member who has been a recipient of trauma care in Mississippi;

(m) One (1) licensed neurosurgeon to be appointed from a list of nominees presented by the Mississippi State Medical Association;

(n) One (1) licensed physician with certification or experience in trauma care to be appointed from a list of nominees presented by the Mississippi Medical and Surgical Association;

(o) One (1) representative from the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association, to be appointed by the association's governing body; and

(p) One (1) representative from the Mississippians for Emergency Medical Services, to be appointed by the association's governing body.

The terms of the advisory council members shall begin on July 1, 1974. Four (4) members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, three (3) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, and three (3) members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years. Thereafter, members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years. The executive officer or his designated representative shall serve as ex officio chairman of the advisory council. Advisory council members may hold over and shall continue to serve until a replacement is named by the Governor.

The advisory council shall meet at the call of the chairman at least annually. For attendance at such meetings, the members of the advisory council shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses including food, lodging and mileage as authorized by law, and they shall be paid per diem compensation authorized under Section 25-3-69 .

The advisory council shall advise and make recommendations to the board regarding rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.

(2) There is created a committee of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council to be named the Mississippi Trauma Advisory Committee (hereinafter “MTAC”). This committee shall act as the advisory body for trauma care system development and provide technical support to the department in all areas of trauma care system design, trauma standards, data collection and evaluation, continuous quality improvement, trauma care system funding, and evaluation of the trauma care system and trauma care programs. The membership of the Mississippi Trauma Advisory Committee shall be comprised of Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council members appointed by the chairman.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-39-109 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 39-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-39-109
Status: in_force

(a) A donor may make an anatomical gift:

(1) By authorizing a statement or symbol indicating that the donor has made an anatomical gift to be imprinted on the donor's driver's license or identification card;

(2) In a will;

(3) During a terminal illness or injury of the donor, by any form of communication addressed to at least two (2) adults, at least one (1) of whom is a disinterested witness; or

(4) As provided in subsection (b).

(b) A donor or other person authorized to make an anatomical gift under Section 41-39-107 may make a gift by a donor card or other record signed by the donor or other person making the gift or by authorizing that a statement or symbol indicating that the donor has made an anatomical gift be included on a donor registry. If the donor or other person is physically unable to sign a record, the record may be signed by another individual at the direction of the donor or other person and must:

(1) Be witnessed by at least two (2) adults, at least one (1) of whom is a disinterested witness, who have signed at the request of the donor or the other person; and

(2) State that it has been signed and witnessed as provided in paragraph (1).

(c) Revocation, suspension, expiration, or cancellation of a driver's license or identification card upon which an anatomical gift is indicated does not invalidate the gift.

(d) An anatomical gift made by will takes effect upon the donor's death whether or not the will is probated. Invalidation of the will after the donor's death does not invalidate the gift.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-86-9 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 22 / Section 86-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-86-9
Status: in_force

On January 1, 2013, the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program and the current contract for insurance services shall be transferred from the State and School Employees Health Insurance Management Board to the Division of Medicaid, and the division shall be responsible for the implementation and administration of the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program in accordance with federal law and regulations and this chapter from and after January 1, 2013. The Health Insurance Management Board shall be responsible for any audit or claims processing issues for the period during which the board administered the program. Effective January 1, 2015, and notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the division is authorized to operate the program as described under Section 43-13-117(H) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-65 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 59-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-65
Status: in_force

Either a public or private ambulance service licensed and regulated by the State Board of Health desiring to offer such a membership subscription program shall make application for permit to conduct and implement such program to the State Board of Health. The application shall be made upon forms in accordance with procedures established by the board and shall contain the following:

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

(b) The name in which the applicant is doing business;

(c) The location and description of the place or places from which the ambulance service operates;

(d) The places or areas in which the ambulance service intends to conduct and operate a membership subscription program; and

(e) Such other information as the board shall deem necessary.

Each application for a permit shall be accompanied by a permit fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), which shall be paid to the board. The permit shall be issued to expire the next ensuing December 31. The permit issued under this section may be renewed upon payment of a renewal fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), which shall be paid to the board. Renewal of any permit issued under this section shall require conformance with all requirements of this chapter. Any increase in the fee charged by the board under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-91-15 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 14 / Section 91-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-91-15
Status: in_force

Any person or entity who fails to provide the information required to be provided to the cancer registry or who misuses the information provided to the cancer registry shall be subject to a civil penalty of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for each such failure or misuse. Such penalty shall be assessed and levied by the board after a hearing, and all such penalties collected shall be deposited into the State General Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-129-1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 25 / Section 129-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-129-1
Status: in_force

(1) Short title. This section shall be known and may be cited as “The Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Program Act.”

(2)(a) Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Program; establishment; duties of the State Department of Health; funding. The Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Awareness Program is established and the State Department of Health is authorized to promote public awareness of the potential benefits of cord blood banking.

(b) The department shall:

(i) Develop a public education and outreach campaign via written materials, brochures, the Internet, and public service announcements to promote cord blood banking awareness and the benefits of cord blood banking.

(ii) Develop educational materials and brochures which shall be made available to health care practitioners, including obstetricians, gynecologists and pediatricians, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, walk-in medical centers, mobile care units, surgical centers, urgent care centers, and clinics and organizations serving pregnant women.

(iii) Promote professional education programs for health care providers on the benefits of cord blood banking.

(iv) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act.

(3) The State Department of Health shall accept and expend any grants, awards or other funds as may be made available for the purposes of this section. Subject to an appropriation from the Legislature, the department shall implement the provisions of this section.

(4) The State Department of Health is prohibited from using the Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Program for cloning or DNA research purposes.

(5) Cord blood banks may prepare and provide brochures and other written materials for distribution to promote cord blood banking awareness and the benefits of cord blood banking, if the brochures and materials are first approved by the State Department of Health.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-419 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 10 / Section 41-419
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-419
Status: in_force

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that every provision of Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 shall operate with equal force and shall be severable one from the other and that, in the event that any provision of Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 shall be held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision shall be severable and the remaining provisions of Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 shall be fully enforceable.

(2) In the event that any provision of Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 shall be held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the other sections shall remain in effect. If some or all of the provisions of Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 are ever temporarily or permanently restrained or enjoined by judicial order, all other provisions of Mississippi law regulating or restricting abortion shall be enforced as though the restrained or enjoined provisions had not been adopted; however, whenever the temporary or permanent restraining order or injunction is stayed or dissolved, or otherwise ceases to have effect, the provisions of Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 shall have full force and effect.

(3) Mindful of Leavitt v. Jane L., 518 U.S. 137 (1996) , regarding the context of determining the severability of a state section of law regulating abortion, the United States Supreme Court held that an explicit statement of legislative intent is controlling. Accordingly, it is the intent of the Legislature that every provision, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word in Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 and every application of the provisions in Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 is severable from each other. If any application of any provision in Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 to any person, group of persons, or circumstances is found by a competent court to be invalid, the remaining applications of that provision to all other persons and circumstances shall be severed and may not be affected. All constitutionally valid applications of Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 shall be severed from any applications that a court finds to be invalid, leaving the valid applications in force, because it is the Legislature's intent and priority that the valid applications be allowed to stand alone. Even if a reviewing court finds a provision of this statute to impose an undue burden in a large or substantial fraction of relevant cases, the applications that do not represent an undue burden shall be severed from the remaining provisions and shall remain in force, and shall be treated as if the Legislature had enacted a section limited to the persons, group of persons, or circumstances for which the section's application does not present an undue burden. The Legislature further declares that it would have passed Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 and each provision, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word, and all constitutional applications of Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 , without regard to the fact that any provision, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word, or applications of Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 , were to be declared unconstitutional or to represent an undue burden.

(4) If Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 are found by any competent court to be invalid or to impose an undue burden as applied to any person, group of persons, or circumstances, the prohibition shall apply to that person or group of persons or circumstances on the earliest date on which this section can be constitutionally applied.

(5) If any provisions of Sections 41-41-401 through 41-41-419 are found by a competent court to be unconstitutionally vague, then the applications of the provision that do not present constitutional vagueness problems shall be severed and remain in force.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-302 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 4 / Section 41-302
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-302
Status: in_force

(1) A physician order for sustaining treatment (POST) directing health care in the standardized form provided by this section may be executed by the primary physician of an individual and:

(a) The individual, if an adult or emancipated minor with capacity; or

(b) The agent, guardian, or surrogate having authority to make health care decisions on behalf of the individual if the individual is:

(i) An unemancipated minor; or

(ii) An adult or emancipated minor who lacks capacity.

(2) The physician order for sustaining treatment shall be executed, implemented, reviewed, and revoked in accordance with the instructions on the form.

(3) The State Board of Medical Licensure shall promulgate a standardized physician order for sustaining treatment form in accordance with the provisions in this section, adhering to the sequence in those provisions and using checkboxes to indicate the various alternatives. The board shall consult with appropriate professional and advocacy organizations in developing the physician order for sustaining treatment form, including the Mississippi Hospital Association, the Mississippi State Medical Association, Mississippians for Emergency Medical Services, the Mississippi Health Care Association, the Mississippi Independent Nursing Home Association, the Louisiana-Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Disability Rights Mississippi, Mississippi Right to Life, the Mississippi Bar Association and the Mississippi Section of American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The physician order for sustaining treatment form shall begin with an introductory section containing the name “POST, Physician Orders for Sustaining Treatment,” the patient's name, patient's date of birth, the effective date of the form followed by the statement “Form must be reviewed at least annually.”, and containing the statements “HIPAA permits disclosure of POST to other health care professionals as necessary” and “This document is based on this person's current medical condition and wishes and is to be reviewed for potential replacement in the case of a substantial change in either. Any section not completed indicates preference for full treatment for that section.”

(a) Section A of the form shall direct provision or withholding of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the patient when he or she has no pulse and is not breathing by selecting one (1) of the following:

(i) Attempt Resuscitation (CPR); or

(ii) Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNR); and include the statement “When not in cardiopulmonary arrest, follow orders in B, C, and D.”

(b) Section B of the form shall direct the sustaining treatment when the patient has a pulse or is breathing by selecting one (1) of the following:

(i) Full Sustaining Treatment, including the use of intubation, advanced airway interventions, mechanical ventilation, defibrillation or cardio version as indicated, medical treatment, intravenous fluids, and comfort measures. This option shall include the statement “Transfer to a hospital if indicated. Includes intensive care. Treatment Plan: Full treatment including life support measures”;

(ii) Limited Interventions, including the use of medical treatment, oral and intravenous medications, intravenous fluids, cardiac monitoring as indicated, noninvasive bi-level positive airway pressure, a bag valve mask, and comfort measures. This option excludes the use of intubation or mechanical ventilation. This option shall include the statement “Transfer to a hospital if indicated. Avoid intensive care. Treatment Plan: Provide basic medical treatments”; or

(iii) Comfort Measures, including keeping the patient clean, warm, and dry; use of medication by any route; positioning, wound care, and other measures to relieve pain and suffering; and the use of oxygen, suction, and manual treatment of airway obstruction as needed for comfort. This option shall include the statement “Do not transfer to a hospital unless comfort needs cannot be met in the patient's current location (e.g., hip fracture),” and include a space for other instructions.

(c) Section C of the form shall direct the use of oral and intravenous antibiotics by selecting one (1) of the following:

(i) Antibiotics if life can be sustained;

(ii) Determine use or limitation of antibiotics when infection occurs;

(iii) Use antibiotics only to relieve pain and discomfort; and include a space for other instructions.

(d) Section D of the form, which shall have the heading “Medically Administered Fluids and Nutrition: Administer oral fluids and nutrition if physically possible,” shall include the following options:

(i) Directing the administration of nutrition into blood vessels if physically feasible as determined in accordance with reasonable medical judgment by selecting one (1) of the following:

1. Total parenteral nutrition long-term if indicated;

2. Total parenteral nutrition for a defined trial period, which option shall be followed by “Goal:” and a blank line; or

3. No parenteral nutrition;

(ii) Directing the administration of nutrition by tube if physically feasible as determined in accordance with reasonable medical judgment by selecting one (1) of the following:

1. Long-term feeding tube if indicated;

2. Feeding tube for a defined trial period, which option shall be followed by “Goal:” and a blank line; or

3. No feeding tube;

and shall include a space for other instructions; or

(iii) Directing the administration of hydration, if physically feasible as determined in accordance with reasonable medical judgment, by selecting one (1) of the following:

1. Long-term intravenous fluids if indicated;

2. Intravenous fluids for a defined trial period, which option shall be followed by “Goal:” and a blank line; or

3. Intravenous fluids only to relieve pain and discomfort.

(e) Section E of the form, which shall have the heading “Patient Preferences as a Basis for this POST Form,” shall include the following:

(i) A direction to indicate whether or not the patient has an advance health-care directive as defined in Section 41-41-203 and if so, the date of the advance directive's execution, and, a certification that the physician order for sustaining treatment is in accordance with the advance directive, followed by the printed name, position, and signature of an individual so certifying;

(ii) If the patient is an unemancipated minor, an indication of by which one or more of the following directions were given in accordance with Section 41-41-3 :

1. Minor's guardian or custodian;

2. Minor's parent;

3. Adult brother or sister of the minor;

4. Minor's grandparent; or

5. Adult who has exhibited special care and concern for minor; and

(iii) If the patient is an adult or an emancipated minor, by which one or more of the following directions were given in accordance with Section 41-41-205 , 41-41-211 or 41-41-213 :

1. Patient;

2. Agent authorized by patient's power of attorney for health care;

3. Guardian of the patient;

4. Surrogate designated by patient;

5. Spouse of patient (if not legally separated);

6. Adult child of the patient;

7. Parent of the patient;

8. Adult brother or sister of the patient; or

9. Adult who has exhibited special care and concern for the patient and is familiar with the patient's values.

(f) A signature portion of the form, which shall include lines for the printed name, signature, and date of signing for:

(i) The patient's primary physician;

(ii) The individual or individuals described in paragraph (e)(ii) or (iii) of this subsection; and

(iii) The health care professional preparing the form, if other than the patient's primary physician, with contact information.

(g) A section entitled “Information for patient or representative of patient named on this form,” which shall include the following language:

“The POST form is always voluntary and is usually for persons with advanced illness. POST records your wishes for medical treatment in your current state of health. Once initial medical treatment is begun and the risks and benefits of further therapy are clear, your treatment wishes may change. Your medical care and this form can be changed to reflect your new wishes at any time. However, no form can address all the medical treatment decisions that may need to be made. An advance health-care directive is recommended for all capable adults and emancipated minors, regardless of their health status. An advance directive allows you to document in detail your future health care instructions and/or name a health-care agent to speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.

If this form is for a minor for whom you are authorized to make health-care decisions, you may not direct denial of medical treatment in a manner that would make the minor a ‘neglected child’ under Section 43-21-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, or otherwise violate the child abuse and neglect laws of Mississippi. In particular, you may not direct the withholding of medically indicated treatment from a disabled infant with life-threatening conditions, as those terms are defined in 42 USCS Section 5106g or regulations implementing it and 42 USCS Section 5106a .”

(h) A section entitled “Directions for Completing and Implementing Form,” which shall include the following four (4) subdivisions:

(i) The first subdivision, entitled “Completing POST,” shall have the following language:

POST must be reviewed and prepared in consultation with the patient or the patient's representative.

POST must be reviewed and signed by a physician to be valid. Be sure to document the basis for concluding the patient had or lacked capacity at the time of execution of the form in the patient's medical record. The signature of the patient or the patient's representative is required; however, if the patient's representative is not reasonably available to sign the original form, a copy of the completed form with the signature of the patient's representative must be placed in the medical record as soon as practicable and “on file” must be written on the appropriate signature on this form.

Use of original form is required. Be sure to send the original form with the patient.

There is no requirement that a patient have a POST.

(ii) The second subdivision, entitled “Implementing POST,” shall have the following language:

If a health care provider or facility is unwilling to comply with the orders due to policy or personal objections, the provider or facility must not impede transfer of the patient to another provider or facility willing to implement the orders and must provide at least requested care in the meantime unless, in reasonable medical judgment, denial of requested care would not result in or hasten the patient's death.

If a minor protests a directive to deny the minor life-preserving medical treatment, the denial of treatment may not be implemented pending issuance of a judicial order resolving the conflict.

(iii) The third subdivision, entitled “Reviewing POST,” shall have the following language:

This POST must be reviewed at least annually or earlier if;

The patient is admitted or discharged from a health care facility;

There is a substantial change in the patient's health status; or

The patient's treatment preferences change.

If POST is revised or becomes invalid, draw a line through Sections A-E and write “VOID” in large letters.

(iv) The fourth subdivision, entitled “Revocation of POST,” shall have the following language:

This POST may be revoked by the patient or the patient's representative.

(i) A section entitled “Review of POST,” which shall include the following columns and a number of rows determined by the State Board of Medical Licensure:

(i) Review Date;

(ii) Reviewer and Location of Review;

(iii) MD/DO Signature (Required); and

(iv) Signature of Patient or Representative (Required).

(j) A section entitled “ Outcome of Review ,” which shall include descriptions of the outcome in each row by selecting one (1) of the following:

(i) No Change;

(ii) FORM VOIDED, new form completed; or

(iii) FORM VOIDED, no new form.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-138 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 21 / Section 29-138
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-138
Status: in_force

The avoirdupois system of weights shall be the system by which the weights of controlled substances are determined under this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-36-1 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 21 / Section 36-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-36-1
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Determination of Death Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 7 / Section 41-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-3
Status: in_force

(1) It is hereby recognized and established that, in addition to such other persons as may be so authorized and empowered, any one (1) of the following persons who is reasonably available, in descending order of priority, is authorized and empowered to consent on behalf of an unemancipated minor, either orally or otherwise, to any surgical or medical treatment or procedures not prohibited by law which may be suggested, recommended, prescribed or directed by a duly licensed physician:

(a) The minor's guardian or custodian.

(b) The minor's parent.

(c) An adult brother or sister of the minor.

(d) The minor's grandparent.

(2) If none of the individuals eligible to act under subsection (1) is reasonably available, an adult who has exhibited special care and concern for the minor and who is reasonably available may act; the adult shall communicate the assumption of authority as promptly as practicable to the individuals specified in subsection (1) who can be readily contacted.

(3) Any female, regardless of age or marital status, is empowered to give consent for herself in connection with pregnancy or childbirth.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-149-7 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 10 / Section 149-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-149-7
Status: in_force

(1) A manufacturer or distributor shall not deny, restrict, prohibit, or otherwise interfere with, either directly or indirectly, the acquisition of a 340B drug by, or delivery of a 340B drug to, a pharmacy that is under contract with a 340B entity and is authorized under such contract to receive and dispense 340B drugs on behalf of the covered entity unless such receipt is prohibited by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

(2) A manufacturer or distributor shall not interfere with a pharmacy contracted with a 340B entity.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-140 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-140
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-140
Status: in_force

(a) Except as otherwise authorized by the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, it is unlawful for any person to:

(1) Knowingly or intentionally receive or expend funds which he knows to be derived from the commission of a felony offense under the provisions of Section 41-29-139 ; or

(2) Finance or invest funds which he knows to be intended to further the commission of a felony under the provisions of Section 41-29-139 .

(b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, may be sentenced to the custody of the State Department of Corrections for not more than five (5) years or fined not more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-13-35 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 41-73-67 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Section 73-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-73-67
Status: in_force

All property acquired or held by the authority under this act is declared to be public property used for public and governmental purposes, and all property, income therefrom and bonds issued under this act, interest payable thereon and income derived therefrom, shall at all times be exempt from all taxes imposed by the state, any county, any municipality or any other political subdivision of the state. Upon dissolution of the authority, all assets thereof, after payment of all its indebtedness, shall inure to the benefit of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-23 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 137-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-23
Status: in_force

(1) No later than one hundred twenty (120) days after February 2, 2022, the MDOH shall begin issuing registry identification cards to qualifying patients who submit the following:

(a) A written certification issued by a practitioner within six (6) months immediately preceding the date of the application;

(b) The application or renewal fee;

(c) The name, address, social security number, and date of birth of the qualifying patient;

(d) The name, address, and telephone number of the qualifying patient's practitioner issuing the written certification;

(e) The name, address, social security number, and date of birth of the designated caregiver, or designated caregivers, chosen by the qualifying patient; and

(f) If more than one (1) designated caregiver is designated at any given time, documentation demonstrating that a greater number of designated caregivers is needed due to the patient's age or medical condition.

(2) If the qualifying patient is unable to submit the information required by subsection (1) of this section due to the person's age or medical condition, the person responsible for making medical decisions for the qualifying patient may do so on behalf of the qualifying patient.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, the MDOH shall:

(a) Verify the information contained in an application or renewal submitted under this section and approve or deny an application or renewal within ten (10) days of receiving a completed application or renewal application; and

(b) Issue registry identification cards to a qualifying patient and his or her designated caregiver(s), if any, within five (5) days of approving the application or renewal. A designated caregiver must have a registry identification card for each of his or her qualifying patients.

(4)(a) The MDOH shall require criminal background checks in order to carry out this section.

(b) The MDOH shall require that the prospective designated caregiver or caregiver's applicant apply for or authorize the division to obtain state and national criminal background checks to be conducted by the Mississippi Justice Information Center of the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(c) Such criminal background checks shall conform to the applicable federal standards, and shall include the taking of fingerprints.

(d) The applicant shall authorize the release of such criminal background checks to the MDOH, and shall be responsible for the payment of any fee associated with the criminal background checks.

(e) Upon completion of such criminal background checks, the Mississippi Justice Information Center of the Department of Public Safety shall forward to the MDOH all information obtained concerning the applicant.

(5) The MDOH shall not issue a registry identification card to a qualifying patient who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age, unless:

(a) The qualifying patient's practitioner has explained the potential risks and benefits of the medical use of medical cannabis to the custodial parent or legal guardian with responsibility for health care decisions for the qualifying patient; and

(b) The custodial parent or legal guardian with responsibility for health care decisions for the qualifying patient consents in writing to:

(i) Acknowledge the potential harms related to the use of medical cannabis;

(ii) Allow the qualifying patient's medical use of medical cannabis;

(iii) Serve as the qualifying patient's designated caregiver; and

(iv) Control the acquisition of the medical cannabis, the dosage and the frequency of the use of medical cannabis by the qualifying patient.

(6) If a designated caregiver is an entity licensed to provide health care services, residential care services or day care services, then:

(a) The MDOH may provide a single registry identification card to the entity, regardless of the number of registered qualifying patients the entity serves; and

(b) The MDOH may issue individual registry identification cards for employees of the entity that may transport medical cannabis.

(7) The MDOH shall provide an electronic or physical list of registered qualifying patients who have designated the entity as their caregiver. This list shall be updated with each additional designation.

(8) The MDOH may deny an application or renewal of a qualifying patient's registry identification card only if the applicant:

(a) Did not provide the required information or materials;

(b) Previously had a registry identification card revoked;

(c) Provided false information; or

(d) Failed to meet the other requirements of this chapter.

(9) The MDOH may deny an application or renewal for a designated caregiver chosen by a qualifying patient whose registry identification card was granted only if the applicant:

(a) Does not meet the definition of “designated caregiver” under Section 41-137-3 ;

(b) Did not provide the information required;

(c) Previously had a registry identification card revoked;

(d) Provided false information;

(e) Is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age and is not the parent or legal guardian of the qualifying patient who the designated caregiver would assist; or

(f) Failed to meet the other requirements of this chapter.

(10) The MDOH shall give written notice to the qualifying patient of the reason for denying a registry identification card to the qualifying patient or to the qualifying patient's designated caregiver.

(11) Denial of an application or renewal is considered a final MDOH action, subject to judicial review in accordance with Section 41-137-59 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-43-33 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 4 / Section 43-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-43-33
Status: in_force

Any person, partnership, corporation or other organization organized or engaging in business under the laws of the State of Mississippi, whether for profit or not-for-profit, or wheresoever organized and doing business in the State of Mississippi, of owning, maintaining or operating a cemetery, providing lots or other interment space therein for the remains of human bodies, except such organizations and cemeteries that are affiliated with or owned by churches or religious societies, established fraternal societies, municipalities, other political subdivisions of the State of Mississippi, or family cemeteries or family burial grounds, and community cemeteries that provide burial lots at no charge, or sell burial lots to the public, shall be subject to the provisions of Section 41-43-31 et seq.

From and after July 1, 2009, all new cemeteries must be perpetual care cemeteries unless exempt under the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-57-13 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 19 / Section 57-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-57-13
Status: in_force

(1) Death certificate errors in the recording of personal information of the deceased may be corrected by affidavit of the informant and the funeral director of the funeral home that disposed of the body. Items in the medical certification or of a medical nature may be amended upon receipt of the specified amendment form from (a) the person originally certifying the information or, if deceased or incapacitated, from the person responsible for the completion of such items, or (b) the State Medical Examiner. All other amendments to a death certificate require adjudication by a chancery court in the county of residence of the complainant or in any chancery court district in the state if the complainant is a nonresident. In all such proceedings, the State Department of Health, the State Medical Examiner and the county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator who certified the information shall be made defendants. No death certificate shall be changed or amended by the State Medical Examiner or any county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator after he has resigned or been removed from his office as the State Medical Examiner, county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator.

(2) The local registrar of births and deaths in each county in the state shall, at least monthly, supply the county registrar, the tax assessor and the chairman of the county election commission of each county a list of deaths in the counties of individuals of voting age who have not been previously listed. Such lists shall include the following information for each deceased person: full name (as recorded on the death certificate), social security number, date of death, sex, race, age and usual place of residence.

(3) No such payment as is provided for in Section 41-57-11 shall be made by the board of supervisors unless and until the local registrar shall certify that a list of all deaths of individuals of voting age has been filed with the county voting registrar, tax assessor and with the chairman of the county election commission of the last county of residence of the decedent in this state.

(4) In the event that the decedent is a female, who at the time of her death was between the ages of ten (10) and fifty (50) years old, the physician, medical examiner, coroner or other official who certifies the decedent's cause of death shall indicate, where appropriately designated, on the death certificate whether (a) the decedent was pregnant at the time of her death; (b) the decedent had given birth within the preceding ninety (90) days; or (c) the decedent had a miscarriage within the preceding ninety (90) days.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-302 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 41-302
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-41-302
Status: in_force

(1) A physician order for sustaining treatment (POST) directing health care in the standardized form provided by this section may be executed by the primary physician of an individual and:

(a) The individual, if an adult or emancipated minor with capacity; or

(b) The agent, guardian, or surrogate having authority to make health care decisions on behalf of the individual if the individual is:

(i) An unemancipated minor; or

(ii) An adult or emancipated minor who lacks capacity.

(2) The physician order for sustaining treatment shall be executed, implemented, reviewed, and revoked in accordance with the instructions on the form.

(3) The State Board of Medical Licensure shall promulgate a standardized physician order for sustaining treatment form in accordance with the provisions in this section, adhering to the sequence in those provisions and using checkboxes to indicate the various alternatives. The board shall consult with appropriate professional and advocacy organizations in developing the physician order for sustaining treatment form, including the Mississippi Hospital Association, the Mississippi State Medical Association, Mississippians for Emergency Medical Services, the Mississippi Health Care Association, the Mississippi Independent Nursing Home Association, the Louisiana-Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Disability Rights Mississippi, Mississippi Right to Life, the Mississippi Bar Association and the Mississippi Section of American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The physician order for sustaining treatment form shall begin with an introductory section containing the name “POST, Physician Orders for Sustaining Treatment,” the patient's name, patient's date of birth, the effective date of the form followed by the statement “Form must be reviewed at least annually.”, and containing the statements “HIPAA permits disclosure of POST to other health care professionals as necessary” and “This document is based on this person's current medical condition and wishes and is to be reviewed for potential replacement in the case of a substantial change in either. Any section not completed indicates preference for full treatment for that section.”

(a) Section A of the form shall direct provision or withholding of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the patient when he or she has no pulse and is not breathing by selecting one (1) of the following:

(i) Attempt Resuscitation (CPR); or

(ii) Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNR); and include the statement “When not in cardiopulmonary arrest, follow orders in B, C, and D.”

(b) Section B of the form shall direct the sustaining treatment when the patient has a pulse or is breathing by selecting one (1) of the following:

(i) Full Sustaining Treatment, including the use of intubation, advanced airway interventions, mechanical ventilation, defibrillation or cardio version as indicated, medical treatment, intravenous fluids, and comfort measures. This option shall include the statement “Transfer to a hospital if indicated. Includes intensive care. Treatment Plan: Full treatment including life support measures”;

(ii) Limited Interventions, including the use of medical treatment, oral and intravenous medications, intravenous fluids, cardiac monitoring as indicated, noninvasive bi-level positive airway pressure, a bag valve mask, and comfort measures. This option excludes the use of intubation or mechanical ventilation. This option shall include the statement “Transfer to a hospital if indicated. Avoid intensive care. Treatment Plan: Provide basic medical treatments”; or

(iii) Comfort Measures, including keeping the patient clean, warm, and dry; use of medication by any route; positioning, wound care, and other measures to relieve pain and suffering; and the use of oxygen, suction, and manual treatment of airway obstruction as needed for comfort. This option shall include the statement “Do not transfer to a hospital unless comfort needs cannot be met in the patient's current location (e.g., hip fracture),” and include a space for other instructions.

(c) Section C of the form shall direct the use of oral and intravenous antibiotics by selecting one (1) of the following:

(i) Antibiotics if life can be sustained;

(ii) Determine use or limitation of antibiotics when infection occurs;

(iii) Use antibiotics only to relieve pain and discomfort; and include a space for other instructions.

(d) Section D of the form, which shall have the heading “Medically Administered Fluids and Nutrition: Administer oral fluids and nutrition if physically possible,” shall include the following options:

(i) Directing the administration of nutrition into blood vessels if physically feasible as determined in accordance with reasonable medical judgment by selecting one (1) of the following:

1. Total parenteral nutrition long-term if indicated;

2. Total parenteral nutrition for a defined trial period, which option shall be followed by “Goal:” and a blank line; or

3. No parenteral nutrition;

(ii) Directing the administration of nutrition by tube if physically feasible as determined in accordance with reasonable medical judgment by selecting one (1) of the following:

1. Long-term feeding tube if indicated;

2. Feeding tube for a defined trial period, which option shall be followed by “Goal:” and a blank line; or

3. No feeding tube;

and shall include a space for other instructions; or

(iii) Directing the administration of hydration, if physically feasible as determined in accordance with reasonable medical judgment, by selecting one (1) of the following:

1. Long-term intravenous fluids if indicated;

2. Intravenous fluids for a defined trial period, which option shall be followed by “Goal:” and a blank line; or

3. Intravenous fluids only to relieve pain and discomfort.

(e) Section E of the form, which shall have the heading “Patient Preferences as a Basis for this POST Form,” shall include the following:

(i) A direction to indicate whether or not the patient has an advance health-care directive as defined in Section 41-41-203 and if so, the date of the advance directive's execution, and, a certification that the physician order for sustaining treatment is in accordance with the advance directive, followed by the printed name, position, and signature of an individual so certifying;

(ii) If the patient is an unemancipated minor, an indication of by which one or more of the following directions were given in accordance with Section 41-41-3 :

1. Minor's guardian or custodian;

2. Minor's parent;

3. Adult brother or sister of the minor;

4. Minor's grandparent; or

5. Adult who has exhibited special care and concern for minor; and

(iii) If the patient is an adult or an emancipated minor, by which one or more of the following directions were given in accordance with Section 41-41-205 , 41-41-211 or 41-41-213 :

1. Patient;

2. Agent authorized by patient's power of attorney for health care;

3. Guardian of the patient;

4. Surrogate designated by patient;

5. Spouse of patient (if not legally separated);

6. Adult child of the patient;

7. Parent of the patient;

8. Adult brother or sister of the patient; or

9. Adult who has exhibited special care and concern for the patient and is familiar with the patient's values.

(f) A signature portion of the form, which shall include lines for the printed name, signature, and date of signing for:

(i) The patient's primary physician;

(ii) The individual or individuals described in paragraph (e)(ii) or (iii) of this subsection; and

(iii) The health care professional preparing the form, if other than the patient's primary physician, with contact information.

(g) A section entitled “Information for patient or representative of patient named on this form,” which shall include the following language:

“The POST form is always voluntary and is usually for persons with advanced illness. POST records your wishes for medical treatment in your current state of health. Once initial medical treatment is begun and the risks and benefits of further therapy are clear, your treatment wishes may change. Your medical care and this form can be changed to reflect your new wishes at any time. However, no form can address all the medical treatment decisions that may need to be made. An advance health-care directive is recommended for all capable adults and emancipated minors, regardless of their health status. An advance directive allows you to document in detail your future health care instructions and/or name a health-care agent to speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.

If this form is for a minor for whom you are authorized to make health-care decisions, you may not direct denial of medical treatment in a manner that would make the minor a ‘neglected child’ under Section 43-21-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, or otherwise violate the child abuse and neglect laws of Mississippi. In particular, you may not direct the withholding of medically indicated treatment from a disabled infant with life-threatening conditions, as those terms are defined in 42 USCS Section 5106g or regulations implementing it and 42 USCS Section 5106a .”

(h) A section entitled “Directions for Completing and Implementing Form,” which shall include the following four (4) subdivisions:

(i) The first subdivision, entitled “Completing POST,” shall have the following language:

POST must be reviewed and prepared in consultation with the patient or the patient's representative.

POST must be reviewed and signed by a physician to be valid. Be sure to document the basis for concluding the patient had or lacked capacity at the time of execution of the form in the patient's medical record. The signature of the patient or the patient's representative is required; however, if the patient's representative is not reasonably available to sign the original form, a copy of the completed form with the signature of the patient's representative must be placed in the medical record as soon as practicable and “on file” must be written on the appropriate signature on this form.

Use of original form is required. Be sure to send the original form with the patient.

There is no requirement that a patient have a POST.

(ii) The second subdivision, entitled “Implementing POST,” shall have the following language:

If a health care provider or facility is unwilling to comply with the orders due to policy or personal objections, the provider or facility must not impede transfer of the patient to another provider or facility willing to implement the orders and must provide at least requested care in the meantime unless, in reasonable medical judgment, denial of requested care would not result in or hasten the patient's death.

If a minor protests a directive to deny the minor life-preserving medical treatment, the denial of treatment may not be implemented pending issuance of a judicial order resolving the conflict.

(iii) The third subdivision, entitled “Reviewing POST,” shall have the following language:

This POST must be reviewed at least annually or earlier if;

The patient is admitted or discharged from a health care facility;

There is a substantial change in the patient's health status; or

The patient's treatment preferences change.

If POST is revised or becomes invalid, draw a line through Sections A-E and write “VOID” in large letters.

(iv) The fourth subdivision, entitled “Revocation of POST,” shall have the following language:

This POST may be revoked by the patient or the patient's representative.

(i) A section entitled “Review of POST,” which shall include the following columns and a number of rows determined by the State Board of Medical Licensure:

(i) Review Date;

(ii) Reviewer and Location of Review;

(iii) MD/DO Signature (Required); and

(iv) Signature of Patient or Representative (Required).

(j) A section entitled “ Outcome of Review ,” which shall include descriptions of the outcome in each row by selecting one (1) of the following:

(i) No Change;

(ii) FORM VOIDED, new form completed; or

(iii) FORM VOIDED, no new form.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-107-5 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 17 / Section 107-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-107-5
Status: in_force

(1) Rights of Conscience. A health care provider has the right not to participate, and no health care provider shall be required to participate in a health care service that violates his or her conscience. However, this subsection does not allow a health care provider to refuse to participate in a health care service regarding a patient because of the patient's race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, creed or sexual orientation.

(2) Immunity from Liability. No health care provider shall be civilly, criminally, or administratively liable for declining to participate in a health care service that violates his or her conscience. However, this subsection does not exempt a health care provider from liability for refusing to participate in a health care service regarding a patient because of the patient's race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, creed or sexual orientation.

(3) Discrimination. It shall be unlawful for any person, health care provider, health care institution, public or private institution, public official, or any board which certifies competency in medical specialties to discriminate against any health care provider in any manner based on his or her declining to participate in a health care service that violates his or her conscience. For purposes of this chapter, discrimination includes, but is not limited to: termination, transfer, refusal of staff privileges, refusal of board certification, adverse administrative action, demotion, loss of career specialty, reassignment to a different shift, reduction of wages or benefits, refusal to award any grant, contract, or other program, refusal to provide residency training opportunities, or any other penalty, disciplinary or retaliatory action.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-77-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 21 / Section 77-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-77-3
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to protect and promote the public welfare by providing for the development, establishment and enforcement of certain standards in the maintenance and operation of “birthing centers” which will ensure safe, sanitary and reasonably adequate care of individuals in such institutions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-101 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 11 / Section 59-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-101
Status: in_force

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

EMS PERSONNEL LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT

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

(a) Increase public access to EMS personnel;

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 2. Definitions. In this Compact:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(q) “ Significant investigatory information ” means:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(e) Complies with the rules of the Commission.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) Membership, voting, and meetings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) Establishing the fiscal year of the Commission;

(b) Providing reasonable standards and procedures:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(4) The Commission shall have the following powers:

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

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

(c) To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;

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

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

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

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

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

(i) To establish a budget and make expenditures;

(j) To borrow money;

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

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

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

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

(5) Financing of the Commission.

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

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

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

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

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

(6) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification.

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

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

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

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

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

(a) Identifying information;

(b) Licensure data;

(c) Significant investigatory information;

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

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

(f) Nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) On the website of the Commission; and

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

(5) The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(b) A governmental subdivision or agency; or

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Protect public health and safety.

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

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

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

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

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

(2) Default, technical assistance and termination.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(3) Dispute resolution.

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

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

(4) Enforcement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 15. Construction and severability. This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. If this Compact shall be held contrary to the Constitution of any state member thereto, the Compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining member states. Nothing in this Compact supersedes state law or rules related to licensure of EMS agencies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-99-5 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 25 / Section 99-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-99-5
Status: in_force

(1) Any Mississippi qualified health center desiring to participate in the program shall make application for a service grant to the department in a form satisfactory to the department. The department shall receive service grant proposals from Mississippi qualified health centers. All proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of grant procedures, criteria and standards developed and made public by the department.

(2) The department shall use the funds provided by subsection (6)(a) of this section to make care grants until July 1, 2027, to Mississippi qualified health centers upon proposals made under subsection (1) of this section. Care grants that are awarded to Mississippi qualified health centers shall only be used by those centers to:

(a) Increase access to preventative and primary care services by uninsured or medically indigent patients that are served by those centers; and

(b) Create new services or augment existing services provided to uninsured or medically indigent patients, including, but not limited to, primary care medical and preventive services, dental services, optometric services, in-house laboratory services, diagnostic services, pharmacy services, nutritional services and social services.

(3) The department shall use the funds provided by subsection (6)(b) of this section to make physician grants until July 1, 2027, to Mississippi qualified health centers upon proposals made under subsection (1) of this section. A physician grant awarded to a Mississippi qualified health center shall only be used by that center to provide a one-time salary supplement to a primary care physician being recruited under the program.

(4) Service grants received by Mississippi qualified health centers under this chapter shall not be used:

(a) To supplant federal funds traditionally received by those centers, but shall be used to supplement them;

(b) For land or real estate investments;

(c) To finance or satisfy any existing debt; or

(d) Unless the health center specifically complies with the definition of a Mississippi qualified health center contained in Section 41-99-1 .

(5) The department shall develop regulations, procedures and application forms to govern how service grants will be awarded, shall develop a plan to ensure that care grants are equitably distributed among all Mississippi qualified health centers and that physician grants are distributed to the Mississippi qualified health centers where there is the most need, and shall develop an audit process to assure that grant monies are used to provide and expend care to the uninsured and medically indigent.

(6) The department shall establish a fund for the purpose of providing service grants to Mississippi qualified health centers in accordance with this chapter and the following terms and conditions:

(a) The amount of care grants issued under this chapter shall be not less than Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00) per state fiscal year, awarded as follows:

(i) No Mississippi qualified health center shall receive care grants under this program in excess of ten percent (10%) of available funds per calendar year; and

(ii) Each Mississippi qualified health center receiving a care grant shall provide an annual report to the department that details the number of additional uninsured and medically indigent patients that are cared for and the types of services that are provided;

(b) The total amount of physician grants issued under this chapter during any fiscal year shall not be more than the amount appropriated to the department for that purpose, awarded as follows:

(i) Per fiscal year, a Mississippi qualified health center shall receive only one (1) physician grant under the program, which shall not exceed the amount specified in the appropriation bill for the department;

(ii) For the Mississippi qualified health center to be eligible for a physician grant, a primary care physician shall agree to work, full time, for the Mississippi qualified health center for at least three (3) consecutive years from the date of an executed employment contract;

(iii) A Mississippi qualified health center shall use a physician grant to supplement a physician's salary within the first one hundred twenty (120) days of employment;

(iv) If a physician grant is disbursed to a Mississippi qualified health center and the hiring of the primary care physician does not materialize, the Mississippi qualified health center shall repay the entire physician grant award to the department;

(v) If a primary care physician abandons his or her employment at the Mississippi qualified health center before he or she has worked there for three (3) years, the primary care physician shall repay to the department a pro rata share of the physician grant based on the number of unserved months during the three-year period. Under this subparagraph (v), the department shall have a cause of action against the primary care physician to recover grant monies; and

(vi) Each Mississippi qualified health center receiving a physician care grant shall provide an annual report to the department that details the following:

1. The number of patients treated by the new primary care physician; and

2. The general types of medical services rendered by the new primary care physician; and

(c) On or before January 15 of each year, the department shall provide the reports required by this subsection to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, to the Chair and Vice Chair of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, to the Lieutenant Governor and to the Speaker of the House.

(7) The department shall establish an advisory council to review and make recommendations to the department on the awarding of any grants to Mississippi qualified health centers. Those recommendations by the advisory council shall not be binding upon the department, but when a recommendation by the advisory council is not followed by the department, the department shall place in its minutes reasons for not accepting the advisory council's recommendation, and provide for an appeals process. All approved service grants shall be awarded within thirty (30) days of approval by the department.

(8) The composition of the advisory council shall be the following:

(a) Two (2) employees of the department, one (1) of whom must have experience in reviewing and writing grant proposals;

(b) Two (2) executive employees of Mississippi qualified health centers, one (1) of whom must be a chief financial officer;

(c) Two (2) health care providers who are affiliated with a Mississippi qualified health center, one (1) of whom must be a physician; and

(d) One (1) health care provider who is not affiliated with a Mississippi qualified health center or the department but has training and experience in primary care.

(9) The department may use a portion of any grant monies received under this chapter to administer the program and to pay reasonable expenses incurred by the advisory council; however, in no case shall more than one and one-half percent (1- 1 / 2 %) or Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) annually, whichever is greater, be used for program expenses.

(10) No assistance shall be provided to a Mississippi qualified health center under this chapter unless the Mississippi qualified health center certifies to the department that it will not discriminate against any employee or against any applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or age.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-139 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 21 / 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. § 41-53-9 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 53-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-53-9
Status: in_force

All persons administering virus (vaccine) in accordance with this chapter shall furnish the owner of each dog or cat inoculated (vaccinated) a certificate of inoculation (vaccination) for each dog or cat inoculated (vaccinated) indicating the breed of each dog or cat inoculated (vaccinated), the sex of each dog or cat inoculated (vaccinated), and the markings and the serial number of the tag attached to the collar or some other device on each dog. Persons administering virus (vaccine) in accordance with this chapter shall maintain records of each inoculation, indicating the owner of each dog or cat inoculated (vaccinated), the breed of each dog or cat inoculated (vaccinated), the sex of each dog or cat inoculated (vaccinated), and the markings and serial number of the tag furnished to the owner of each dog.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-63 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 4 / Section 59-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-59-63
Status: in_force

The solicitation of membership subscriptions, the acceptance of membership applications, the charging of membership fees, and the furnishing of prepaid or discounted ambulance service to subscription members and designated members of their households by either a public or private ambulance service licensed and regulated by the State Board of Health pursuant to Section 41-59-1 et seq. shall not constitute the writing of insurance and the agreement under and pursuant to which such prepaid or discounted ambulance service is provided to the subscription members and to designated members of their households shall not constitute a contract of insurance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-505 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 29-505
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-505
Status: in_force

A judge of competent jurisdiction in the circuit court district of the location where the interception of wire, oral or other communications is sought, or a circuit court district contiguous to such circuit court district, may issue an order authorizing interception of wire, oral or other communications only if the prosecutor applying for the order shows probable cause to believe that the interception will provide evidence of the commission of a felony under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-113-3 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 13 / Section 113-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-113-3
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Office of Tobacco Control (office) which shall be an administrative division of the State Department of Health.

(2) The Office of Tobacco Control, with the advice of the Mississippi Tobacco Control Advisory Board, shall develop and implement a comprehensive and statewide tobacco education, prevention and cessation program that is consistent with the recommendations for effective program components and funding recommendations in the 1999 Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as those Best Practices may be periodically amended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(3) At a minimum, the program shall include the following components, and may include additional components that are contained within the Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as periodically amended, and that based on scientific data and research have been shown to be effective at accomplishing the purposes of this section:

(a) The use of mass media, including paid advertising and other communication tools to discourage the use of tobacco products and to educate people, especially youth, about the health hazards from the use of tobacco products, which shall be designed to be effective at achieving these goals and shall include, but need not be limited to, television, radio, and print advertising, as well as sponsorship, exhibits and other opportunities to raise awareness statewide;

(b) Evidence-based curricula and programs implemented in schools to educate youth about tobacco and to discourage their use of tobacco products, including, but not limited to, programs that involve youth, educate youth about the health hazards from the use of tobacco products, help youth develop skills to refuse tobacco products, and demonstrate to youth how to stop using tobacco products;

(c) Local community programs, including, but not limited to, youth-based partnerships that discourage the use of tobacco products and involve community-based organizations in tobacco education, prevention and cessation programs in their communities;

(d) Enforcement of laws, regulations and policies against the sale or other provision of tobacco products to minors, and the possession of tobacco products by minors;

(e) Programs to assist and help people to stop using tobacco products; and

(f) A surveillance and evaluation system that monitors program accountability and results, produces publicly available reports that review how monies expended for the program are spent, and includes an evaluation of the program's effectiveness in reducing and preventing the use of tobacco products, and annual recommendations for improvements to enhance the program's effectiveness.

(4) All programs or activities funded by the State Department of Health through the tobacco education, prevention and cessation program, whether part of a component described in subsection (2) or an additional component, must be consistent with the Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as periodically amended, and all funds received by any person or entity under any such program or activity must be expended for purposes that are consistent with those Best Practices. The State Department of Health shall exercise sole discretion in determining whether components are consistent with the Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(5) Funding for the different components of the program shall be apportioned between the components based on the recommendations in the Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as periodically amended, or any additional programs as determined by the State Board of Health to provide adequate program development, implementation and evaluation for effective control of the use of tobacco products. While the office shall develop annual budgets based on strategic planning, components of the program shall be funded using the following areas as guidelines for priority:

(a) School nurses and school programs;

(b) Mass media (counter-marketing);

(c) Cessation programs (including media promotions);

(d) Community programs;

(e) Surveillance and evaluation;

(f) Law enforcement; and

(g) Administration and management; however, not more than five percent (5%) of the total budget may be expended for administration and management purposes.

(6) In funding the components of the program, the State Department of Health may provide funding for health care programs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi Quality Health Center Grants that are related to the prevention and cessation of the use of tobacco products and the treatment of illnesses that are related to the use of tobacco products.

(7) No statewide, district, local, county or municipal elected official shall take part as a public official in mass media advertising under the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-83-7 — MS Code / Title 41 / Chapter 22 / Section 83-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-83-7
Status: in_force

(1) An applicant for a certificate shall:

(a) Submit an application to the department; and

(b) Pay to the department the application fee established by the department through regulation.

(2) The application shall:

(a) Be on a form and accompanied by any supporting documentation that the department requires; and

(b) Be signed and verified by the applicant.

(3) The application fee required under this section shall be sufficient to pay for the administrative cost of the certification program and any other cost associated with carrying out the provisions of this chapter.