MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Wilkes
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE OWNERS OR OPERATORS OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES PROVIDING LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, FOOD, SHELTER AND PERSONAL CARE TO TWO OR THREE PERSONS WHO ARE UNRELATED TO THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE HOME TO REGISTER WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TO REQUIRE THE OWNERS OR OPERATORS OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES TO CONTRACT WITH A SOCIAL WORKER TO MAKE UNANNOUNCED VISITS TO THE HOME SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE YEAR TO CHECK ON THE CONDITION OF THE RESIDENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOCIAL WORKER SHALL MAKE REPORTS TO THE DEPARTMENT ON THE FINDINGS DURING THE VISITS, AND THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAINTAIN THE REPORTS WITH THE REGISTRATION FILE FOR EACH PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the following terms shall be defined as provided in this subsection:
(a) "Department" means the State Department of Health.
(b) "Private residential care home" means a privately owned place, facility or home that provides living arrangements, food, shelter and personal care for two (2) or three (3) persons who are unrelated to the owner or operator of the home.
(2) The owner or operator of a private residential care home shall register with the State Department of Health and provide the following information:
(a) The name, street address, mailing address and phone number of the home;
(b) The name of all of the persons who provide care to the residents in the home; and
(c) The names of all residents receiving care in the home at the time of registration.
Each private residential home that is operating on the effective date of this act shall register as provided in this subsection not later than sixty (60) days after the effective date of this act. Each private residential home that begins operation on or after the effective date of this act shall register before taking residents in the home.
(3) In addition to the registration requirement of subsection (2) of this section, the owner or operator of each private residential care home shall contract with a social worker to make unannounced visits to the home several times during the year to check on the condition of the residents. The social worker shall make reports to the department on the findings during the visits, and the department shall maintain the reports with the registration file for each private residential care home.
Each private residential home that is operating on the effective date of this act shall provide written evidence of the contract with a social worker to the department not later than sixty (60) days after the effective date of this act. Each private residential home that begins operation on or after the effective date of this act shall provide written evidence of the contract with a social worker to the department before taking residents in the home.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.