MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Arnold
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT LICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS HAVE THE RIGHT AND FREEDOM TO PUBLICLY DISCUSS THE METHODS, RESOURCES, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICATIONS THAT THEY USE OR HAVE USED FOR THE TREATMENT AND CARE OF THEIR PATIENTS, WITHOUT REPERCUSSION FROM THE PRACTITIONER'S STATE LICENSING AGENCY; TO PROHIBIT STATE PROFESSIONAL OR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING AGENCIES FROM ORDERING OR TAKING ANY OTHER ACTION TO PROHIBIT, LIMIT OR DISCOURAGE HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS FROM PUBLIC DISCUSSION AS AUTHORIZED AND PROTECTED UNDER THIS ACT OR TAKING OR THREATENING ANY DISCIPLINARY AGAINST HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION FOR ANY SUCH PUBLIC DISCUSSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) Any health care practitioner licensed in the State of Mississippi has the right and freedom to publicly discuss, whether in person, in writing or online, the methods, resources, technology and medications that they use or have used for the treatment and care of their patients, without repercussion from the practitioner's state licensing agency for that public discussion, provided that the practitioner complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regarding the protected health information and medical records of their patients and does not otherwise violate the privacy rights of any patient.
(2) No state professional or occupational licensing agency shall order or take any other action to prohibit, limit or discourage health care practitioners under their jurisdiction from public discussion as authorized and protected under this section, or take or threaten any disciplinary against health care practitioners under their jurisdiction for any such public discussion.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.