MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representatives Guice, Broomfield

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-41-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE FROM THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW THE EXEMPTION FOR COMMUNITY HOSPITALS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 25-41-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-41-3. For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed herein, to-wit:

(a) "Public body" shall mean: (i) any executive or administrative board, commission, authority, council, department, agency, bureau or any other policymaking entity, or committee thereof, of the State of Mississippi, or any political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state, whether such entity be created by statute or executive order, which is supported wholly or in part by public funds or expends public funds, public hospital staffs, boards and committees thereof; (ii) any standing, interim or special committee of the Mississippi Legislature; and (iii) the staffs, boards and committees of private hospitals that are supported wholly or in part by public funds or that expend public funds. There shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter the judiciary, including all jury deliberations, * * * law enforcement officials, the military, the State Probation and Parole Board, the Workers' Compensation Commission, legislative subcommittees and legislative conference committees, and license revocation, suspension and disciplinary proceedings held by the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners.

(b) "Meeting" shall mean an assemblage of members of a public body at which official acts may be taken upon a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.