MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Fleming
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE AVAILABILITY OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE AVAILABILITY INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS RELATING TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER TO ADOPT ANY NECESSARY RULES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) Every hospital providing emergency care to a victim of sexual assault shall:
(a) Provide the victim with medically and factually accurate and unbiased written and oral information about emergency contraception;
(b) Orally inform each victim of sexual assault of her option to be provided emergency contraception at the hospital; and
(c) If not medically contraindicated, provide emergency contraception immediately at the hospital to each victim of sexual assault who requests it.
(2) The State Health Officer, in collaboration with community sexual assault programs and other relevant stakeholders, shall develop, prepare and produce informational materials relating to emergency contraception for the prevention of pregnancy in rape victims for distribution to and use in all emergency rooms in the state, in quantities sufficient to comply
with the requirements of this section. The State Health Officer, in collaboration with community sexual assault programs and other relevant stakeholders, may also approve informational materials from other sources for the purposes of this section. The informational materials must be clearly written and readily comprehensible in a culturally competent manner, as the secretary, in collaboration with community sexual assault programs and other relevant stakeholders, deems necessary to inform victims of sexual assault. The materials must explain the nature of emergency contraception, including that it is effective in preventing pregnancy, treatment options and where they can be obtained.
(3) The State Health Officer shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.