MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Representative Pierce

House Bill 1438

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-59-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH TO ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE THAT A FIRST RESPONDER WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO BE UNDER MEDICAL CONTROL UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO AMEND SECTION 41-59-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING PROVISION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 41-59-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     41-59-81.  The * * * State Board of Health may promulgate and enforce rules and regulations to provide for the best and most effective emergency medical care, and to comply with national standards for first responder basic life support.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, first responder personnel may be authorized to provide first responder basic life support services as defined by rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Health.

     Rules and regulations promulgated under this authority shall, as a minimum:

          (a)  Define and authorize functions and training programs for first responder personnel.  All those training programs shall meet or exceed the performance requirements of the most current training program "First Responder:  National Standard Curriculum" as developed by the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

          (b)  Specify minimum operational requirements that will include, but not be limited to, medical control over the administration of a dose of epinephrine from an auto-injector.

          (c)  Specify minimum testing and certification requirements and provide for continuing education and periodic recertification for all first responder personnel.

          (d)  Provide that a first responder will not be required to be under medical control if the first responder (i) is located in a county that does not have a hospital, or (ii) is without the ability to obtain appropriate medical control within the county in which the first responder is located.

     SECTION 2.  Section 41-59-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     41-59-83.  When authorized by medical direction, except as otherwise provided in Section 41-59-81(d), a first responder, an emergency medical technician-basic, an emergency medical technician-intermediate or an emergency medical technician-paramedic may carry and administer, or aid in the administration of, a dose of epinephrine from an auto-injector to treat persons experiencing allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

     SECTION 3.  Section 1 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003, and Section 2 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.