MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Representative Flaggs

House Bill 1011

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-34-3, 41-34-5 AND 41-34-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE LICENSING BOARDS OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS SHALL ESTABLISH GUIDELINES TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM THE TRANSMISSION OF THE HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN THE PRACTICE OF THE PROFESSION REGULATED BY THE APPROPRIATE BOARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 41-34-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     41-34-3.  Each board licensing health care providers may establish by rule and regulation practice requirements based, in part, on applicable guidelines from the Federal Centers for Disease Control that will protect the public from the transmission of the Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the practice of a profession regulated by the appropriate board.

     SECTION 2.  Section 41-34-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     41-34-5.  The boards may establish by rule and regulation requirements and procedures for a licensee and a licensure applicant to report his/her status as a carrier of the Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus or Human Immunodeficiency Virus to the board, and shall enforce those requirements and procedures.

     SECTION 3.  Section 41-34-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     41-34-7.  Each report of Hepatitis B Virus carrier status, Hepatitis C Virus carrier status or Human Immunodeficiency Virus carrier status filed in compliance with this section, and each record maintained and meetings held by the boards in the course of monitoring a licensee for compliance with the practice requirements established by this section, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Law, Section 25-61-1 et seq.

     SECTION 4.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.