MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Representative Ford

House Bill 538

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 31-7-38, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THE PROVISION THAT AUTHORIZES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GROUP PURCHASE PROGRAMS BY CERTAIN HOSPITALS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 31-7-38, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

31-7-38. The commissioners or board of trustees of any hospital owned or owned and operated separately or jointly by one or more counties, cities, towns, supervisors districts or election districts, or combinations thereof, may authorize by resolution the organization and operation of, or the participation in, a group purchase program with other hospitals, for the purchase of supplies, commodities and equipment when it appears to the board of trustees that such a group purchase program could or would affect economy or efficiency in their operations. Purchases by hospitals participating in group purchasing programs of supplies, commodities and equipment through such programs shall be exempt from the provisions of Sections 31-7-12 and 31-7-13. This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2005.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.