House Bill 96

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-15-207, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER" AS THE TERM IS USED UNDER THE BABY DROP-OFF LAW TO INCLUDE FIRE STATIONS AND MOBILE AMBULANCES THAT ARE STAFFED WITH FIREFIGHTERS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS OR PARAMEDICS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 43-15-207, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-15-207. For the purposes of this article, * * *an the term "emergency medical services provider" * * *~~shall~~ means: (a) a licensed hospital, as defined in Section 41-9-3, which operates an emergency department * * * or; (b) an adoption agency duly licensed by the Department of Human Services; or (c) a fire station or mobile ambulance that is staffed with full-time firefighters, emergency medical technicians or paramedics. An emergency medical services provider does not include the offices, clinics, surgeries or treatment facilities of private physicians or dentists. No individual licensed healthcare provider, including physicians, dentists, nurses, physician assistants or other health professionals shall be deemed to be an emergency medical services provider under this article unless such individual voluntarily assumes responsibility for the custody of the child.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.