MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Senator(s) Smith

AN ACT TO REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO HAVE A POLICY THAT PSYCHOLOGISTS MAY BE MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL STAFF OF THE HOSPITAL AND SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO AND PRIVILEGES OF THE HOSPITAL TO THE SAME EXTENT AS PHYSICIANS IF THEY HAVE MET THE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY UNDER STATE LAW; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.  

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

SECTION 1. Any hospital licensed under Section 41-9-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, that offers care or services within the scope of the practice of psychology as defined in Section 73-31-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, and any hospital making application for a license under Section 41-9-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, that will offer care or services within the scope of the practice of psychology, shall have a policy, as reflected in the hospital and medical staff bylaws, that:

(a) Psychologists may be members of the medical staff of the hospital and shall have access to and privileges of the hospital to the same extent as physicians if they have met the licensure requirements for the practice of psychology under Mississippi law, and

(b) No psychologist shall be denied membership on the medical staff of the hospital or denied access to or privileges of the hospital solely on the basis that he or she is licensed as a psychologist.

However, this section shall not prohibit any hospital from establishing reasonable restrictions on the particular procedures that may be performed by any psychologist at the hospital, if the restrictions are based upon the generally accepted minimum levels of education, training and/or experience necessary to properly perform those procedures.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.