MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2022 Regular Session

To: Drug Policy

By: Representative Owen

House Bill 1012

AN ACT TO CREATE THE COMPASSION MISSISSIPPI ACT; TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS BY CERTAIN PATIENTS WHO HAVE DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITIONS; TO REQUIRE A PATIENT TO RECEIVE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATION FROM A QUALIFIED PRACTITIONER TO QUALIFY FOR A REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARD FOR THE USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS; TO AUTHORIZE PRACTITIONERS TO SPECIFY THE DOSAGE AND FORM OF MEDICAL CANNABIS THAT A QUALIFYING PATIENT MAY USE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROCESS BY WHICH A PATIENT MAY REGISTER AS A CARDHOLDER FOR THE USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN PROTECTIONS TO PATIENTS, CAREGIVERS, MEDICAL PROVIDERS AND MEDICAL CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENTS FOR THE MEDICAL USE OF CANNABIS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ALLOWABLE AMOUNT OF MEDICAL CANNABIS BY A QUALIFIED PATIENT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL ISSUE REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARDS TO QUALIFYING PATIENTS AND DESIGNATED CAREGIVERS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF CANNABIS CULTIVATION FACILITIES, CANNABIS PROCESSING FACILITIES, CANNABIS TRANSPORTATION ENTITIES, CANNABIS DISPOSAL ENTITIES, CANNABIS RESEARCH FACILITIES, CANNABIS TESTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION ENTITIES AND CANNABIS DISPENSARIES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TO PROVIDE FOR A STATEWIDE SEED-TO-SALE TRACKING SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE FOR DEADLINES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN LIMITATIONS OF THE APPLICATION OF THE ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ACT DOES NOT AUTHORIZE ANY INDIVIDUAL TO ENGAGE IN OR PREVENT THE IMPOSITION OF ANY CIVIL, CRIMINAL OR OTHER PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN ACTS RELATED TO THE USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS; TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN DISCRIMINATORY ACTS AGAINST MEDICAL CANNABIS CARDHOLDERS ARE PROHIBITED; TO PROVIDE A PROCESS FOR THE ADDITION OF DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TO PROVIDE THAT NOTHING IN THE ACT PROHIBITS AN EMPLOYER FROM DISCIPLINING AN EMPLOYEE FOR INGESTING MEDICAL CANNABIS IN THE WORKPLACE OR FOR WORKING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS; TO PROVIDE THAT NOTHING IN THE ACT REQUIRES A GOVERNMENT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR PRIVATE INSURER TO REIMBURSE A PERSON FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MEDICAL USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE GOVERNOR AND CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO MAINTAIN A CONFIDENTIAL LIST OF REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARDS; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN NOTIFICATIONS FROM QUALIFYING PATIENTS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE FEES FOR LICENSES OF MEDICAL CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENTS; TO ALLOW MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES TO ENACT ORDINANCES OR REGULATIONS NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ACT; TO PROHIBIT MEDICAL CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENTS FROM BEING LOCATED WITHIN 1,000 FEET OF THE NEAREST BOUNDARY LINE OF ANY SCHOOL, CHURCH OR CHILD CARE FACILITY UNLESS IT HAS RECEIVED A WAIVER; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS, PROHIBITIONS AND PENALTIES FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT NO MEDICAL CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENT SHALL SELL CANNABIS FLOWER OR TRIM THAT HAS A POTENCY OF GREATER THAN 30% TOTAL THC; TO REQUIRE ALL MEDICAL CANNABIS PRODUCTS TO CONTAIN A NOTICE OF HARM REGARDING THE USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE WEEKLY AND MONTHLY ALLOWABLE AMOUNT OF MEDICAL CANNABIS AND PROVIDE THE POSSESSION LIMIT OF MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR CARDHOLDERS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH AND PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE PROGRAM; TO ESTABLISH VIOLATIONS RELATED TO THE USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS AND THE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE FOR FINES, SUSPENSIONS AND REVOCATIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE ACT; TO ALLOW FOR A DEDUCTION FROM INCOME TAXES FOR ALL OF THE ORDINARY AND NECESSARY EXPENSES PAID OR INCURRED DURING THE TAXABLE YEAR IN CARRYING ON A BUSINESS AS A MEDICAL CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENT; TO REQUIRE DISPENSARIES TO COLLECT AND REMIT THE SALES TAX LEVIED IN SECTION 27-65-17(1)(a) FROM THE GROSS PROCEEDS OF EACH SALE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS; TO ALLOW THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF MUNICIPALITIES AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF COUNTIES TO OPT OUT OF ALLOWING THE PROCESSING, SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ACT; TO PROVIDE A REFERENDUM PROCESS FOR A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY TO OPT INTO ALLOWING THE CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS IN A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY THAT HAS OPTED OUT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE JUDICIAL REVIEW FOR THOSE AGGRIEVED BY A FINAL DECISION OR ORDER RELATED TO THE MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE ALL FINES AND FEES COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE MEDICAL CANNABIS OPPORTUNITY FUND; TO CREATE THE MEDICAL CANNABIS OPPORTUNITY FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY AND PROVIDE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH MONIES IN THE FUND SHALL BE SPENT; TO ESTABLISH A MEDICAL CANNABIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE; TO AMEND SECTION 25-53-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO TEMPORARILY EXEMPT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES PROCUREMENT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS ACQUISITIONS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE PURPOSES OF IMPLEMENTING, ADMINISTERING AND ENFORCING THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPASSION MISSISSIPPI ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 27-104-203, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE GRANTS, CONTRACTS, PASS-THROUGH FUNDS, PROJECT FEES OR CHARGES FOR SERVICES BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES OR ENTITIES FOR THE OPERATION OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE TERM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SHALL NOT INCLUDE THE POSSESSION OR USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS THAT IS LAWFUL UNDER THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 27-65-111, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT FROM SALES TAXES THE SALES OF MEDICAL CANNABIS TO CERTAIN QUALIFYING PATIENTS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-7-17, 33-13-520, 41-29-125, 41-29-127, 41-29-136, 41-29-137, 41-29-139; 41-29-141, 41-29-143, 43-21-301, 43-21-303, 45-9-101, 59-23-7, 63-11-30, 71-3-7, 71-3-121, 73-15-29, 73-19-23, 73-21-127, 73-25-29 AND 83-9-22, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 17-1-3, 19-5-9, 25-43-1.103, 25-43-2.101, 25-43-3.102, 25-43-3.103, 25-43-3.104, 25-43-3.105, 25-43-3.106, 25-43-3.107, 25-43-3.109, 25-43-3.110 AND 25-43-3.113, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ARE SECTIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES LAW AND THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE ADOPTION OF BUILDING CODES IN COUNTIES, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-43-3.108, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE SOME MINOR NONSUBSTANTIVE CHANGES; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 41-3-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Compassion Mississippi Act."

SECTION 2. The Legislature finds all of the following:

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to create

within Mississippi a wholly intrastate system for the cultivation, processing and distribution of medical cannabis in the interest of protecting its own residents from the danger that recreational cannabis poses.

(b) Requiring licensees to prove a history of residency within the state for a period of time is directly related to avoiding an influx of companies engaged in the recreational production of marijuana; the state has substantial interest in protecting its residents from the dangers of recreational marijuana.

(c) Requiring that licensed cultivators, processors, transporters and dispensaries of cannabis for medical use possess the requisite skill, expertise, resources and capital to conduct operations as proposed in their business plans, and favoring those applicants who already possess the requisite skill, expertise, resources and capital promotes the goals of stability in licensing and reduces the risks of unlawful diversion and misuse. A lengthy base of agronomic experience will help achieve those goals, as will past experience participating in an agronomic supply chain.

(d) Ensuring that all cultivation, processing, transportation and dispensing operations remain intrastate in nature reduces the risk of exposing licensees to the potential penalties of federal law based on the activities of their licensed operations.

(e) There is a pattern in states that have legalized the use of medical cannabis or medical marijuana; frequently, in the years following authorization of medical use, recreational marijuana is subsequently authorized. It is the intent of the Legislature to avoid a shift from medical cannabis usage to recreational marijuana usage. Therefore, safeguards to adequately protect the residents of this state are essential.

SECTION 3. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings as defined in this section:

(a) "Allowable amount of medical cannabis" means an amount not to exceed the maximum amount of Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Units ("MMCEU");

(b) "Bona fide practitioner-patient relationship" means:

(i) A practitioner and patient have a treatment or consulting relationship, during the course of which the practitioner has completed an in-person assessment of the patient's medical history and current mental health and medical condition and has documented their certification in the patient's medical file;

(ii) The practitioner has consulted in person with the patient with respect to the patient's debilitating medical condition; and

(iii) The practitioner is available to or offers to provide follow-up care and treatment to the patient.

(c) "Cannabis" means all parts of the plant of the genus cannabis, the flower, the seeds thereof, the resin extracted from any part of the plant, and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds or its resin, including whole plant extracts. Such term shall not mean cannabis derived drug products approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration under Section 505 of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

(d) "Cannabis cultivation facility" means a business entity licensed and registered by the MDOH that acquires, grows, cultivates and harvests medical cannabis in an indoor, enclosed and secure area.

(e) "Cannabis disposal entity" means a business licensed and registered by the MDOH that is involved in the commercial disposal or destruction of medical cannabis.

(f) "Cannabis processing facility" means a business entity that is licensed and registered by the MDOH that:

(i) Acquires or intends to acquire cannabis from a cannabis cultivation facility;

(ii) Possesses cannabis with the intent to manufacture a cannabis product;

(iii) Manufactures or intends to manufacture a cannabis product from unprocessed cannabis or a cannabis extract; and

(iv) Sells or intends to sell a cannabis product to a medical cannabis dispensary, cannabis testing facility or cannabis research facility.

(g) "Cannabis products" means cannabis flower, concentrated cannabis, cannabis extracts, and products that are infused with cannabis or an extract thereof and are intended for use or consumption by humans. The term includes, without limitation, edible cannabis products, beverages, topical products including gels, creams, ointments, liquids, oils, tinctures, soaps, dermal patches and suppositories that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD) except those products excluded from control under Sections 41-29-113 and 41-29-136.

(h) "Cannabis research facility" or "research facility" means an independent entity licensed and registered with the MDOH pursuant to this chapter that acquires cannabis from cannabis cultivation facilities and cannabis processing facilities in order to research cannabis, develop best practices for specific medical conditions, develop medicines and provide commercial access for medical use.

(i) "Cannabis testing facility" or "testing facility" means an independent entity licensed and registered with the MDOH that analyzes the safety and potency of cannabis.

(j) "Cannabis transportation entity" means an independent entity licensed and registered with the MDOH that is involved in the commercial transportation of medical cannabis.

(k) "Canopy" means the square footage that a cannabis cultivation facility dedicates to live cannabis plant production, such as maintaining plants and propagating plants from seed to plant tissue, clones, vegetation or flowering area.

(l) "Cardholder" means a registered qualifying patient or a registered designated caregiver who has been issued and possesses a valid registry identification card.

(m) "Chronic pain" means a pain state in which the cause of the pain cannot be removed or otherwise treated and, which in the generally accepted course of medical practice, no relief or cure of the cause of the pain is possible or none has been found after reasonable efforts by a practitioner.

(n) "Concentrate" means a substance obtained by separating cannabinoids from cannabis by:

(i) A mechanical extraction process;

(ii) A chemical extraction process using a nonhydrocarbon-based or other solvent, such as water, vegetable glycerin, vegetable oils, animal fats, food-grade ethanol or steam distillation; or

(iii) A chemical extraction process using the hydrocarbon-based solvent carbon dioxide, provided that the process does not involve the use of high heat or pressure.

(o) "Debilitating medical condition" means:

(i) Cancer, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, muscular dystrophy, glaucoma, spastic quadriplegia, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, sickle-cell anemia, Alzheimer's disease, agitation of dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, pain refractory to appropriate opioid management, diabetic/peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord disease or severe injury, or the treatment of these conditions;

(ii) A chronic, terminal or debilitating disease or medical condition, or its treatment, that produces one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome, chronic pain, severe or intractable nausea, seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, those characteristic of multiple sclerosis; or

(iii) Any other serious medical condition or its treatment added by the MDOH, as provided for in Section 10 of this act.

(p) "Designated caregiver" means a person who:

(i) Has agreed to assist with a registered qualifying patient's medical use of medical cannabis;

(ii) Assists no more than five (5) registered qualifying patients with their medical use of medical cannabis, unless the designated caregiver's registered qualifying patients each reside in or are admitted to a health care facility or facility providing residential care services or day care services where the designated caregiver is employed;

(iii) Is at least twenty-one (21) years of age unless the person is the parent or legal guardian of each qualifying patient the person assists; and

(iv) Has not been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense.

(q) "Disqualifying felony offense" means:

(i) A conviction for a crime of violence, as defined in Section 97-3-2;

(ii) A conviction for a crime that was defined as a violent crime in the law of the jurisdiction in which the offense was committed, and that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted; or

(iii) A conviction for a violation of a state or federal controlled substances law that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted, including the service of any term of probation, incarceration, or supervised release within the previous five (5) years and the offender has not committed another similar offense since the conviction.

(r) "Edible cannabis products" means products that:

(i) Contain or are infused with cannabis or an extract thereof;

(ii) Are intended for human consumption by oral ingestion; and

(iii) Are presented in the form of beverages, pills or lozenges.

(s) "Entity" means a corporation, general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability company that has been registered with the Secretary of State as applicable.

(t) "MMCEU" means Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Unit. One unit of MMCEU shall be considered equal to:

(i) Three and one-half (3.5) grams of medical cannabis flower;

(ii) One (1) gram of medical cannabis concentrate; or

(iii) One hundred (100) milligrams of THC infused product.

(u) "MDOH" means the Mississippi Department of Health.

(v) "Medical cannabis" means cannabis, cannabis products and edible cannabis that are intended to be used by registered qualifying patients as provided in this chapter.

(w) "Medical cannabis dispensary" or "dispensary" means an entity licensed and registered with the MDOH that acquires, possesses, stores, transfers, sells, supplies, or dispenses medical cannabis, equipment used for medical cannabis, or related supplies and educational materials to cardholders.

(x) "Medical cannabis establishment" means a cannabis cultivation facility, cannabis processing facility, cannabis testing facility, cannabis dispensary, cannabis transportation entity, cannabis disposal entity or cannabis research facility licensed and registered by the MDOH.

(y) "Medical cannabis establishment agent" means an owner, officer, board member, employee, volunteer or agent of a medical cannabis establishment.

(z) "Medical use" includes the acquisition, administration, cultivation, processing, delivery, harvest, possession, preparation, transfer, transportation, or use of medical cannabis or equipment relating to the administration of medical cannabis to treat or alleviate a registered qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient's debilitating medical condition. The term "medical use" does not include:

(i) The cultivation of cannabis unless the cultivation is done by a cannabis cultivation facility; or

(ii) The extraction of resin from cannabis by mechanical or chemical extraction unless the extraction is done by a cannabis processing facility.

(aa) "Particularly debilitating medical condition" means a debilitating medical condition that is so debilitating that a person's quality of life is particularly disrupted to a more serious degree.

(bb) "Practitioner" means a physician, certified nurse practitioner, physician assistant or optometrist who is licensed to prescribe medicine under the licensing requirements of his or her respective occupational board and the laws of this state and is in good standing with his or her respective licensing board.

(cc) "Public place" means any area to which the general public is invited or in which the general public is permitted, regardless of the ownership of the area, and any area owned or controlled by a municipality, county, state or federal government, including, but not limited to, streets, sidewalks or other forms of public transportation. Such term shall not mean a private residential dwelling.

(dd) "Qualifying patient" means a person who has been diagnosed by a practitioner as having a debilitating medical condition and has been issued a written certification.

(ee) "Registry identification card" means a document issued by the MDOH that identifies a person as a registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver.

(ff) "School" means an institution for the teaching of children, consisting of a physical location, whether owned or leased, including instructional staff members and students, and which is in session each school year. This definition shall include, but not be limited to, public, private, church and parochial programs for kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high schools. Such term shall not mean a home instruction program.

(gg) "THC" or "Tetrahydrocannabinol" means any and all forms of tetrahydrocannabinol that are contained naturally in the cannabis plant, as well as synthesized forms of THC and derived variations, derivatives, isomers and allotropes that have similar molecular and physiological characteristics of tetrahydrocannabinol, including, but not limited to THCA, THC Delta 9, THC Delta 8, THC Delta 10 and THC Delta 6.

(hh) "Written certification" means a form approved by the MDOH, signed and dated by a practitioner, certifying that a person has a debilitating medical condition. A written certification shall include the following:

(i) The date of issue and the effective date of the recommendation;

(ii) The patient's name, date of birth and address;

(iii) The practitioner's name, address, and federal Drug Enforcement Agency number;

(iv) A statement that the practitioner is in good standing with his or her respective licensing board and has undergone the training and continuing education required under Section 4 of this act; and

(v) The practitioner's signature.

SECTION 4. Authorization to use medical cannabis; requirements. (1) No person shall be authorized to use medical cannabis in this state unless the person (a) has been diagnosed by a practitioner, with whom the person has a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship, as having a debilitating medical condition or particularly debilitating medical condition, as the case may be, for which the practitioner believes, in his or her professional opinion, that the person would likely receive medical or palliative benefit from the medical use of medical cannabis to treat or alleviate the person's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the person's debilitating medical condition or particularly debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the person's particularly debilitating medical condition, as the case may be, (b) has received a written certification of that diagnosis from the practitioner, and (c) has been issued a registry identification card from the MDOH under Section 13 of this act. A person who has been diagnosed by a practitioner as specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be a qualifying patient, and the practitioner who has diagnosed the patient shall document that diagnosis with a written certification. However, nothing herein shall require a practitioner to issue a written certification. If the qualifying patient is terminally ill or has a particularly debilitating medical condition, as the case may be, the practitioner shall indicate on the certification whether the patient may use medical cannabis by means of smoking, vaporization or nebulization.

(2) A written certification shall:

(a) Affirm that it is made in the course of a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship;

(b) Remain current for twelve (12) months, unless the practitioner specifies a shorter period of time;

(d) Only be issued on behalf of a minor when the minor's parent or guardian is present and provides signed consent; and

(e) Be limited to the allowable amount of cannabis in a thirty-day period.

(3) A practitioner may specify the dosage and form of medical cannabis that a qualifying patient may use. If the qualifying patient is terminally ill or has a particularly debilitating medical condition, as the case may be, the practitioner shall indicate on the specification whether the patient may use medical cannabis by means of smoking, vaporization or nebulization. A specification shall:

(a) Indicate the dosage and form of medical cannabis that a registered qualifying patient may use;

(b) Not exceed ninety (90) days. However, if the qualifying patient is terminally ill or has a particularly debilitating medical condition, as the case may be, the specification may be for a period not to exceed one (1) year and automatic refills may be allowed for the specification; and

A practitioner shall enter the information contained in a specification into the statewide seed-to-sale tracking system provided for in Section 7 of this act.

(4) After a qualifying patient receives a written certification from a practitioner, the patient shall be required to make a follow-up visit with the practitioner not less than six (6) months after the date of issuance of the certification for the practitioner to evaluate and determine the effectiveness of the patient's medical use of medical cannabis to treat or alleviate the patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient's debilitating medical condition.

(5) Before dispensing medical cannabis to a cardholder, the dispensary from which the cardholder is obtaining medical cannabis shall verify the identity of the cardholder and the authority of the cardholder to use medical cannabis as provided in Section 21 of this act and shall determine the maximum amount of medical cannabis that a cardholder is eligible to receive as determined by the specification and the amount of medical cannabis that the cardholder has received from all dispensaries during a specified period of time using the statewide seed-to-sale tracking system under Section 7 of this act.

(6) A practitioner shall be registered to issue written certifications to qualifying patients by completing the required application process as set forth by the MDOH. The MDOH shall require a practitioner to complete a minimum of eight (8) hours of training in medical cannabis in order to issue written certifications. After the first year of registration, these practitioners shall complete five (5) hours of continuing education in medical cannabis annually to maintain this registration.

(7) Only physicians and doctors of osteopathic medicine may issue certifications to registered qualifying patients who are minors.

SECTION 5. General Responsibilities of Department of Health.

(1) The MDOH shall be responsible for the licensing, inspection and oversight of cannabis cultivation facilities, cannabis processing facilities, cannabis transportation entities, cannabis disposal entities, cannabis testing facilities, cannabis research facilities and medical cannabis dispensaries.

(2) In addition, the MDOH shall be responsible for:

(a) The application and licensing of registry identification cards for qualifying patients and designated caregivers;

(b) The registering of practitioners in accordance with this chapter; and

(c) The selection, certification and oversight of the statewide seed-to-sale tracking system as provided for in Section 7 of this act.

(3) The MDOH shall accept applications for and award licenses as provided for in this chapter, subject to the following:

(a) Not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the effective date of this act, the MDOH shall begin accepting applications, registering and licensing registry identification cards and practitioners.

(b) After one hundred twenty (120) days from the effective date of this act, the MDOH shall begin licensing and registering cannabis cultivation facilities, cannabis processing facilities, cannabis testing facilities, cannabis research facilities, cannabis disposal entities, cannabis transportation entities, and medical cannabis dispensaries.

(4) The MDOH shall issue a registration certificate and a random ten-digit alphanumeric identification number to each licensed medical cannabis establishment, as applicable.

SECTION 6. Protections for the medical use of cannabis.

(1) There is a presumption that a registered qualifying patient is engaged in the medical use of medical cannabis under this chapter if the person is in possession of a registry identification card and an amount of medical cannabis that does not exceed the allowable amount of medical cannabis. There is a presumption that a registered designated caregiver is assisting in the medical use of medical cannabis under this chapter if the person is in possession of a registry identification card and an amount of medical cannabis that does not exceed the allowable amount of medical cannabis. These presumptions may be rebutted by evidence that conduct related to medical cannabis was not for the purpose of treating or alleviating a registered qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the registered qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition under this chapter.

(2) Subject to the conditions, limitations, requirements and exceptions set forth in this chapter, the following activities related to medical cannabis shall be considered lawful:

(a) The purchase, transportation or possession of up to the allowable amount, or medical use of, medical cannabis;

(b) Financial reimbursement by a registered qualifying patient to the patient's registered designated caregiver for direct costs incurred by the registered designated caregiver for assisting with the registered qualifying patient's medical use of medical cannabis;

(d) The provision, by a professional or occupational licensee, of advice or services related to medical cannabis activities allowed under this chapter, to the extent such advice or services meet or exceed the applicable professional or occupational standard of care;

(e) Providing or selling equipment used to ingest medical cannabis to a cardholder or a medical cannabis establishment;

(f) Acting as a designated caregiver to assist a registered qualifying patient with the act of using or administering medical cannabis;

(g) Activities by a medical cannabis establishment or a medical cannabis establishment agent that are allowed by its license and registration;

(h) Activities by a dispensary or a dispensary agent to possess, store or sell medical cannabis products, educational materials and products used to ingest medical cannabis to cardholders and other dispensaries, or to purchase or otherwise acquire medical cannabis products from cannabis cultivation facilities, cannabis processing facilities, cannabis research facilities or other dispensaries;

(i) Activities by a cannabis cultivation facility, cannabis processing facility or agents of these facilities to:

(i) Possess, plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, produce, process, manufacture, compound, convert, prepare, pack, repack or store medical cannabis;

(ii) Purchase or otherwise acquire medical cannabis and cannabis products from medical cannabis establishments; or

(iii) Sell, supply or transfer medical cannabis products, equipment used to ingest medical cannabis, and related supplies and educational materials to other cannabis cultivation facilities, cannabis processing facilities or dispensaries.

(j) Activities by a cannabis research facility, a cannabis testing facility or agents of these facilities to:

(i) Purchase or otherwise acquire medical cannabis from medical cannabis establishments;

(ii) Possess, produce, process, compound, convert, prepare, pack, test, repack and store medical cannabis and cannabis products obtained from medical cannabis establishments; or

(iii) Sell, supply or transfer medical cannabis, educational materials and equipment used to ingest medical cannabis to cannabis cultivation facilities, cannabis processing facilities, cannabis testing facilities and cannabis research facilities.

(k) Activities by a cannabis transportation entity or a cannabis disposal entity to transport, supply, deliver, dispose of or destroy cannabis, as applicable.

(3) Any medical cannabis, cannabis product, equipment used to ingest medical cannabis, or other interest in or right to property that is possessed, owned, or used in connection with the medical use of medical cannabis as authorized by this chapter, or acts incidental to such use, shall not be seized or forfeited. This chapter shall not prevent the seizure or forfeiture of medical cannabis exceeding the allowable amounts of medical cannabis, nor shall it prevent seizure or forfeiture if the basis for the action is unrelated to the medical cannabis that is possessed, processed, transferred or used pursuant to this chapter.

(4) Possession of, or application for, a registry identification card shall not:

(a) Constitute probable cause or reasonable suspicion;

(b) Be used to support a search of the person or property of the person possessing or applying for the registry identification card; or

(5) It is the public policy of the State of Mississippi that contracts related to medical cannabis that are entered into by cardholders, medical cannabis establishments, medical cannabis establishment agents and those who allow property to be used by those persons, should be enforceable to the extent that those activities comply with the other provisions of this chapter. It is the public policy of the State of Mississippi that no contract entered into by a cardholder, a medical cannabis establishment, or a medical cannabis establishment agent, or by a person who allows property to be used for activities that are authorized under this chapter, shall be unenforceable on the basis that activities related to cannabis are prohibited by federal law.

(6) An applicant for a professional or occupational license shall not be denied a license based on previous employment related to medical cannabis activities that are allowed under this chapter.

SECTION 7. Seed-to-sale tracking system. (1) Each medical cannabis establishment shall use a statewide seed-to-sale tracking system certified by the MDOH to track medical cannabis from seed or immature plant stage until the medical cannabis is purchased by a registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver or destroyed. Records entered into the seed-to-sale tracking system shall include each day's beginning inventory, harvests, acquisitions, sales, disbursements, remediations, disposals, transfers, ending inventory, and any other data necessary for inventory control records in the statewide seed-to-sale tracking system. Each medical cannabis dispensary shall be responsible for ensuring that all medical cannabis sold or disbursed to a registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver is recorded in the seed-to-sale tracking system as a purchase by or on behalf of the applicable registered qualifying patients.

(2) Amounts of medical cannabis shall be recorded in the following manner:

(a) For dried, unprocessed cannabis, in ounces or grams;

(b) For concentrates, in grams; or

(3) The seed-to-sale tracking system used by cannabis cultivation facilities, dispensaries, cannabis processing facilities, cannabis testing facilities, cannabis research facilities, cannabis transportation entities and cannabis disposal entities shall be capable of:

(a) Allowing those facilities and entities to interface with the statewide system such that a facility may enter and access information in the statewide system;

(b) Providing the MDOH with access to all information stored in the system's database;

(c) Maintaining the confidentiality of all patient and caregiver data and records accessed or stored by the system such that all persons or entities other than the MDOH may only access the information in the system that they are authorized by law to access;

(d) Producing analytical reports to the MDOH regarding the total quantity of daily, monthly, and yearly sales at the facility per product type; the average prices of daily, monthly, and yearly sales at the facility per product type; and total inventory or sales record adjustments at the facility; and

(e) The ability to determine the amount of medical cannabis that a registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver has purchased that day in real time by searching a patient registration number.

(4) Banks and other financial institutions may be allowed access to specific limited information from the seed-to-sale tracking system. The information that may be available to these institutions shall be limited to financial data of individuals and business entities that have a business relationship with these institutions. This information shall be limited to the information needed for banks to comply with applicable federal regulations and shall not disclose any medical or personal information about registered cardholders or designated caregivers.

SECTION 8. Limitations. (1) This chapter shall not be construed to do any of the following:

(a) Require an organization for managed care, health benefit plan, private health insurer, government medical assistance program, employer, property and casualty, or workers' compensation insurer or self-insured group providing coverage for a medical, pharmacy or health care service to pay for or reimburse any other individual or entity for costs associated with the medical use of cannabis;

(b) Require any employer to permit, accommodate, or allow the medical use of medical cannabis, or to modify any job or working conditions of any employee who engages in the medical use of medical cannabis or who for any reason seeks to engage in the medical use of medical cannabis;

(c) Prohibit any employer from refusing to hire, discharging, disciplining, or otherwise taking an adverse employment action against an individual with respect to hiring, discharging, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment as a result, in whole or in part, of that individual's medical use of medical cannabis, regardless of the individual's impairment or lack of impairment resulting from the medical use of medical cannabis;

(d) Prohibit or limit the ability of any employer from establishing or enforcing a drug testing policy;

(e) Interfere with, impair or impede any federal restrictions or requirements on employment or contracting, including, but not limited to, regulations adopted by the United States Department of Transportation in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations;

(f) Permit, authorize, or establish any individual's right to commence or undertake any legal action against an employer for refusing to hire, discharging, disciplining, or otherwise taking an adverse employment action against an individual with respect to hiring, discharging, tenure, terms, conditions or privileges of employment due to the individual's medical use of medical cannabis;

(g) Affect, alter or otherwise impact the workers' compensation premium discount available to employers who establish a drug-free workplace program in accordance with Section 71-3-201 et seq.;

(h) Affect, alter or otherwise impact an employer's right to deny or establish legal defenses to the payment of workers' compensation benefits to an employee on the basis of a positive drug test or refusal to submit to or cooperate with a drug test, as provided under Section 71-3-7 and Section 71-3-121; or

(i) Affect, alter or supersede any obligation or condition imposed on a parolee, probationer or an individual participating in a pretrial diversion program or other court-ordered substance abuse rehabilitation program.

(2) This chapter does not authorize any individual to engage in, and does not prevent the imposition of any civil, criminal or other penalties for engaging in, the following conduct:

(a) Acting with negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, in breach of any applicable professional or occupational standard of care, or to effect an intentional wrong, as a result, in whole or in part, of that individual's medical use of medical cannabis;

(b) Possessing medical cannabis or otherwise engaging in the medical use of medical cannabis in any correctional facility, unless the correctional facility has elected to allow the cardholder to engage in the use of medical cannabis;

(c) Smoking medical cannabis in a public place; for purposes of this paragraph (c), the term "smoking" includes vaping and any other method of inhalation of medical cannabis;

(d) Operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, train, motorboat or other conveyance in a manner that would violate Section 59-23-7, Section 63-11-30 or federal law as a result, in whole or in part, of that individual's medical use of medical cannabis;

(e) Possessing medical cannabis in excess of the allowable amount of medical cannabis; or

(f) Consumption, by a registered designated caregiver, of cannabis provided for use to a registered qualifying patient.

SECTION 9. Discrimination prohibited. (1) A person shall not be denied custody of or visitation rights or parenting time with a minor solely for the person's status as a cardholder. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services or any chancery or youth court from considering the parent or caretaker's use of medical cannabis as a factor for determining the welfare of a child in any of the following circumstances:

(a) There is evidence of child abuse or neglect;

(b) The best interest of a child is determined for custody purposes; or

(2) No school, landlord or employer may be penalized or denied any benefit under state law for enrolling, leasing to or employing a cardholder.

(3) A registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver shall not be denied the right to own, purchase or possess a firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition based solely on his or her status as a registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver. No state or local agency, municipal or county governing authority shall restrict, revoke, suspend or otherwise infringe upon the right of a person to own, purchase or possess a firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition or any related firearms license or certification based solely on his or her status as a registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver.

(4) Facilities such as schools, child care facilities and temporary care providers shall be allowed to administer medical cannabis in the same manner as with medical prescriptions.

(5) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to create a private right of action by an employee against an employer.

(6) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect the existing legal relationship between an employer and employee or any existing law or regulation relating to such relationship.

(7) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to create a private right of action by an individual against any business or any individual engaged in the practice of selling firearms in this state who does not sell a firearm to an individual in compliance with 18 USC Section 922(d)(3).

SECTION 10. Addition of debilitating medical conditions. (1) Any resident of Mississippi may petition the MDOH to add serious medical conditions or their treatments to the list of debilitating medical conditions listed in Section 3 of this act. The MDOH shall consider petitions in accordance with its rules and regulations, including public notices and hearings. The MDOH shall approve or deny a petition within sixty (60) days of its submission.

(2) The approval or denial of any petition is a final decision of the MDOH. Any person aggrieved by a final decision may obtain judicial review thereof in accordance with Section 30 of this act.

SECTION 11. Acts not required and acts not prohibited. (1) Nothing in this chapter requires a government medical assistance program or private insurer to reimburse a person for costs associated with the medical use of medical cannabis.

(2) Nothing in this chapter prohibits an employer from disciplining an employee for ingesting medical cannabis in the workplace or for working while under the influence of medical cannabis.

(3) Any person or establishment that is in lawful possession of property may allow a guest, client, customer or other visitor to use medical cannabis on or in that property as authorized under this chapter.

(4) A landlord may, but shall not be required to, allow the lawful cultivation, processing, testing, research, sale or use of medical cannabis on rental property as authorized under this chapter.

SECTION 12. Facility restrictions. (1) Any nursing facility, hospital, hospice, assisted living facility, personal care home, adult day care facility, or adult foster care facility may adopt reasonable restrictions on the use of medical cannabis by registered qualifying patients who are receiving health care services, residential care services, or day care services from the facility, including:

(a) That the facility will not store or maintain the patient's supply of medical cannabis;

(b) That the facility, caregivers, or hospice agencies serving the facility's residents are not responsible for providing the medical cannabis for registered qualifying patients; and

(2) Nothing in this section requires a facility listed in subsection (1) of this section to adopt restrictions on the medical use of medical cannabis.

(3) A facility listed in subsection (1) of this section may not unreasonably limit a registered qualifying patient's access to or medical use of medical cannabis authorized under this chapter unless failing to do so would cause the facility to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law or regulations.

(4) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to restrict a facility listed in subsection (1) of this section from limiting a registered qualifying patient's access to or medical use of smokable medical cannabis in areas where it would be unsafe to have open flames or embers, or require any of those facilities to accommodate a registered qualifying patient's access to or medical use of smokable medical cannabis.

SECTION 13. Issuance and denial of registry identification cards. (1) No later than sixty (60) days after the effective date of this act, the MDOH shall begin issuing registry identification cards to qualifying patients who submit the following:

(a) A written certification issued by a practitioner within sixty (60) days immediately preceding the date of the application;

(b) The application or renewal fee;

(d) The name, address, and telephone number of the qualifying patient's practitioner issuing the written certification;

(e) The name, address, social security number, and date of birth of the designated caregiver, or designated caregivers, chosen by the qualifying patient; and

(f) If more than one (1) designated caregiver is designated at any given time, documentation demonstrating that a greater number of designated caregivers is needed due to the patient's age or medical condition.

(2) If the qualifying patient is unable to submit the information required by subsection (1) of this section due to the person's age or medical condition, the person responsible for making medical decisions for the qualifying patient may do so on behalf of the qualifying patient.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, the MDOH shall:

(a) Verify the information contained in an application or renewal submitted under this section and approve or deny an application or renewal within thirty (30) days of receiving a completed application or renewal application; and

(b) Issue registry identification cards to a qualifying patient and his or her designated caregiver(s), if any, within five (5) days of approving the application or renewal. A designated caregiver must have a registry identification card for each of his or her qualifying patients.

(4) The MDOH may conduct a background check of the prospective designated caregiver or caregivers in order to carry out the provisions of this section.

(5) The MDOH shall not issue a registry identification card to a qualifying patient who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age unless:

(a) The qualifying patient's practitioner has explained the potential risks and benefits of the medical use of medical cannabis to the custodial parent or legal guardian with responsibility for health care decisions for the qualifying patient; and

(b) The custodial parent or legal guardian with responsibility for health care decisions for the qualifying patient consents in writing to:

(i) Acknowledge the potential harms related to the use of medical cannabis;

(ii) Allow the qualifying patient's medical use of medical cannabis;

(iii) Serve as the qualifying patient's designated caregiver; and

(iv) Control the acquisition of the medical cannabis, the dosage and the frequency of the use of medical cannabis by the qualifying patient.

(6) If a designated caregiver is an entity licensed to provide health care services, residential care services or day care services, then:

(a) The MDOH may provide a single registry identification card to the entity, regardless of the number of registered qualifying patients the entity serves; and

(b) The MDOH may issue individual registry identification cards for employees of the entity that may transport medical cannabis.

(7) The MDOH shall provide an electronic or physical list of registered qualifying patients who have designated the entity as their caregiver. This list shall be updated with each additional designation.

(8) The MDOH may deny an application or renewal of a qualifying patient's registry identification card only if the applicant:

(a) Did not provide the required information or materials;

(b) Previously had a registry identification card revoked;

(d) Failed to meet the other requirements of this chapter.

(9) The MDOH may deny an application or renewal for a designated caregiver chosen by a qualifying patient whose registry identification card was granted only if the applicant:

(a) Does not meet the definition of "designated caregiver" under Section 3 of this act;

(b) Did not provide the information required;

(d) Provided false information;

(e) Is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age and is not the parent or legal guardian of the qualifying patient who the designated caregiver would assist; or

(f) Failed to meet the other requirements of this chapter.

(10) The MDOH shall give written notice to the qualifying patient of the reason for denying a registry identification card to the qualifying patient or to the qualifying patient's designated caregiver.

(11) Denial of an application or renewal is considered a final MDOH action, subject to judicial review in accordance with Section 30 of this act.

(12) Upon receipt of each application by a qualifying patient or a designated caregiver for a registry identification card, the MDOH shall distribute to the applicant a notice informing applicants of the potential violations of federal law as it relates to possessing firearms while engaged in the use and/or possession of medical cannabis products and a notice that state legalization of medical cannabis is not a defense to potential federal prosecutions. The MDOH shall distribute the notice again upon acceptance of the application and issuance of the registry identification card to the applicant.

SECTION 14. Registry identification cards. (1) Registry identification cards must contain all of the following:

(a) The name of the cardholder;

(b) A designation of whether the cardholder is a qualifying patient or a designated caregiver;

(c) A designation of whether the cardholder is a qualifying patient who is terminally ill or a qualifying patient who has a particularly debilitating medical condition;

(d) The date of issuance and expiration date of the registry identification card;

(e) A random ten-digit alphanumeric identification number, containing at least four (4) numbers and at least four (4) letters, that is unique to the cardholder;

(f) If the cardholder is a designated caregiver, the random identification number of the qualifying patient the designated caregiver will assist;

(g) A photograph of the cardholder;

(h) The toll-free phone number or Internet address where the card can be verified;

(i) A notice of the potential harm caused by medical cannabis; and

(j) A notice of the MMCEU daily, monthly and possession limit.

(2) The expiration date shall be visible on the registry identification card. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the expiration date for registry identification cards shall be one (1) year after the date of issuance.

(3) If the practitioner stated in the written certification that the qualifying patient would benefit from the medical use of medical cannabis until a specified earlier date, then the registry identification card shall expire on that date.

SECTION 15. Annual reports. (1) No later than December 31, 2022, and every December 31 thereafter, the MDOH shall provide an annual report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Health and Human Services Committee and the Chairmen of the Drug Policy Committees and Appropriation Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives.

(2) The MDOH shall report every year to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Health and Human Services Committee and the Chairmen of the Drug Policy Committees and Appropriation Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on the number of applications for registry identification cards received, the amount of fees, fines and taxes collected, any changes to the fees allowed to be charged under this chapter, any addition to the list of debilitating medical conditions, the number of qualifying patients and designated caregivers approved and the number of registry identification cards revoked. The MDOH shall not include identifying information on qualifying patients, designated caregivers or practitioners in the report.

(3) The MDOH shall provide quarterly reports for all sales of medical cannabis sold by dispensaries to registered qualified patients to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Health and Human Services Committee, and the Chairmen of the Drug Policy Committees and Appropriation Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives. The MDOH shall report every year on the number of each type of medical cannabis establishments that are licensed and registered and the expenses incurred and revenues generated from the medical cannabis program to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Health and Human Services Committee, and the Chairmen of the Drug Policy Committees and Appropriation Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives.

SECTION 16. Verification system. (1) The MDOH shall maintain a confidential list of the persons to whom the MDOH has issued registry identification cards and their addresses, phone numbers, and registry identification numbers. This confidential list shall not be combined or linked in any manner with any other lists or databases, nor shall it be used for any purpose not provided for in this chapter.

(2) All records containing the identity of registered qualifying patients, registered designated caregivers or practitioners shall be confidential and exempt from disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act or any related statute, rule or regulation pertaining to public disclosure of records. Within sixty (60) days after the effective date of this act, the MDOH shall establish a secure phone and Internet-based verification system. The verification system must allow law enforcement personnel and medical cannabis establishments to enter a registry identification number to determine whether the number corresponds with a current, valid registry identification card. The system may disclose only:

(a) Whether the identification card is valid;

(b) The name of the cardholder;

(d) If a cardholder is a registered designated caregiver, the registry identification number of any affiliated registered qualifying patient.

SECTION 17. Notifications to department and responses. (1) The following notifications and MDOH responses are required:

(a) A registered qualifying patient shall notify the MDOH of any change in his or her name or address, or if the registered qualifying patient ceases to have his or her diagnosed debilitating medical condition, within twenty (20) days of the change.

(b) A registered designated caregiver shall notify the MDOH of any change in his or her name or address, or if the designated caregiver becomes aware that the registered qualifying patient passed away, within twenty (20) days of the change.

(c) Before a registered qualifying patient changes his or her registered designated caregiver, the registered qualifying patient must notify the MDOH.

(d) If a cardholder loses his or her registry identification card, he or she shall notify the MDOH within ten (10) days of becoming aware that the card has been lost.

(2) Each notification that a registered qualifying patient is required to make shall instead be made by the patient's registered designated caregiver if the qualifying patient is unable to make the notification due to his or her age or medical condition.

(3) When a cardholder notifies the MDOH of any of the circumstances listed in subsection (1) of this section but remains eligible under this chapter, the MDOH shall issue the cardholder a new registry identification card within ten (10) days of receiving the updated information and a Twenty-five Dollar ($25.00) fee. If the person notifying the MDOH is a registered qualifying patient, the MDOH shall also issue his or her registered designated caregiver, if any, a new registry identification card within ten (10) days of receiving the updated information.

(4) If the registered qualifying patient's certifying practitioner notifies the patient and the MDOH in writing that either the registered qualifying patient has ceased to have a debilitating medical condition or that the practitioner no longer believes, in his or her professional opinion, that the patient would likely receive medical or palliative benefit from the medical use of medical cannabis to treat or alleviate the patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient's debilitating medical condition, the card shall become null and void.

(5) A medical cannabis establishment shall notify the MDOH within one (1) business day of any theft or loss of medical cannabis.

(6) A medical cannabis establishment shall notify the MDOH within one (1) business day if there is a change of ownership or closure of the entity.

SECTION 18. Reporting requirement of dispensaries.

Medical cannabis dispensaries shall report medical cannabis dispensing information every twenty-four (24) hours to the Prescription Monitoring Program provided for in Section 73-21-127. Dispensaries shall submit information as required by the Prescription Monitoring Program, including, but not limited to, the qualified patient's registry identification card number and the amount of medical cannabis dispensed to the patient.

SECTION 19. Licensing of medical cannabis establishments.

(1) The MDOH shall issue licenses for cannabis cultivation facilities, cannabis processing facilities, cannabis transportation entities, cannabis disposal entities, cannabis testing facilities, cannabis research facilities and medical cannabis dispensaries. The MDOH shall establish within the department a Division of Medical Cannabis, through which the MDOH shall exercise the powers and duties assigned to the department under this act.

(2) The cannabis cultivation facility license application fee shall be subject to the following tiers:

(a) Micro-cultivators.

(i) Tier 1. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of one thousand (1,000) square feet or less shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00).

(ii) Tier 2. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of more than one thousand (1,000) square feet but less than two thousand (2,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00).

(b) Cultivators.

(i) Tier 1. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than two thousand (2,000) square feet but less than five thousand (5,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).

(ii) Tier 2. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than five thousand (5,000) square feet but less than fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00).

(iii) Tier 3. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet but less than thirty thousand (30,000) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).

(iv) Tier 4. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than thirty thousand (30,000) square feet but less than sixty thousand (60,000) square feet shall be subject to a onetime nonrefundable license application fee of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00).

(v) Tier 5. A cannabis cultivation facility with a canopy of not less than sixty thousand (60,000) square feet but less than one hundred thousand (100,000.00) square feet shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).

(3) A cannabis cultivation facility shall not have a canopy greater than one hundred thousand (100,000.00) square feet.

(4) The cannabis processing facility license application fee shall be subject to the following tiers:

(a) Micro-processors.

(i) Tier 1. A cannabis processing facility which processes less than two thousand (2,000) pounds of dried bio mass cannabis material annually shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00).

(ii) Tier 2. A cannabis processing facility which processes not less than two thousand (2,000) pounds but less than three thousand (3,000) pounds of dried bio mass cannabis material annually shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

(b) Processors. A cannabis processing facility which processes not less than three thousand (3,000) pounds of bio mass cannabis material annually shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00).

(5) A medical cannabis dispensary shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable license application fee of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00).

(6) Cannabis transportation entities shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable application fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500.00).

(7) Cannabis disposal entities shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable application fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The annual license fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500.00).

(8) Cannabis testing facilities shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable application fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and an annual license fee of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). A cannabis testing facility shall not employ an agent or employee who also is employed or has ownership at any other medical cannabis establishment.

(9) Cannabis research facilities shall be subject to a one-time nonrefundable application fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and an annual license fee of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). A research facility at any university or college in this state shall be exempt from all fees imposed under this section.

(10) No individual or business entity shall have a direct or indirect ownership or economic interest in:

(a) More than one (1) cannabis cultivation facility license;

(b) More than one (1) cannabis processing facility license; and

(11) Minimum qualifications for applicants for a cannabis cultivation facility, a cannabis processing facility, a medical cannabis dispensary, a medical cannabis transportation entity or a medical cannabis disposal entity license(s) are as follows:

(a) An individual applicant for a cannabis cultivation facility, cannabis processing facility, medical cannabis dispensary, medical cannabis transportation entity or medical cannabis disposal license shall be a natural person who:

(i) Is at least twenty-one (21) years of age;

(ii) Has not previously held a license for a cannabis cultivation facility, cannabis processing facility, medical cannabis dispensary, medical cannabis transportation entity or medical cannabis disposal entity that has been revoked;

(iii) Has not been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense;

(iv) If possessing a professional or occupational license, that the license is in good standing;

(v) Has no outstanding tax delinquencies owed to the State of Mississippi;

(vi) Is not serving as a member of the Mississippi Senate or Mississippi House of Representatives on the date of application; and

(vii) Has submitted a sworn statement indicating that he or she is a true and actual owner of the entity for which the license is desired, and that he or she intends to carry on the business authorized for himself or herself and the entity and not as the agent for any other entity.

(b) If the applicant is applying on behalf of an entity, in addition to paragraph (a) of this subsection, the individual applicant shall:

(i) Be legally authorized to submit an application on behalf of the entity;

(ii) Serve as the primary point of contact with the MDOH;

(iii) Submit sufficient proof that the entity has no owner, board member, officer, or anyone with an economic interest in the entity who:

1. Is under the age of twenty-one (21);

2. Has previously been an owner of a medical cannabis dispensary, cannabis cultivation facility, a cannabis processing facility, medical cannabis transportation entity or medical cannabis disposal entity that has had its license revoked;

3. Has been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense;

4. Owes delinquent taxes to the State of Mississippi; and

5. Is serving as a member of the Mississippi Senate or Mississippi House of Representatives on the date of application; and

(iv) Submit sufficient proof that if an owner, board member, officer or anyone with an economic interest in the entity has or had a professional or occupational license, that the license is in good standing.

(12) Applicants for cannabis cultivation facility licenses and cannabis processing facility licenses shall both meet the minimum qualifications in subsection (10) of this section and shall also submit sufficient proof of the following:

(a) If a natural person, proof that the person has been a resident of the State of Mississippi and a citizen of the United States of America for at least three (3) years prior to the application date; or

(b) If a business entity, proof that at least (i) fifty percent (50%) of the equity ownership interests in the entity are held by individuals who have been residents of the State of Mississippi for at least three (3) consecutive years prior to the application date, and (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the equity ownership interests in the entity are held by individuals who have been citizens of the United States of America for at least three (3) consecutive years prior to the application date.

(13) A micro-cultivator or a micro-processor shall both meet the minimum qualifications in subsection (10) of this section and shall also submit sufficient proof of the following:

(b) If a business entity, provide proof that:

(i) It was registered as an entity with the Secretary of State in Mississippi; and

(ii) One-hundred percent (100%) of the equity ownership interests in the entity are held by individuals who have been residents of the State of Mississippi and citizens of the United States of America for at least three (3) consecutive years prior to the application date.

(14) For purposes of this section, it shall be sufficient to prove Mississippi residency for the individual(s) to submit two (2) of the following source documents:

(a) Mississippi Tax Return Form 80-105 or Form 80-205 for each of the three (3) years preceding the application without schedules, worksheets, or attachments, and redacted to remove all financial information and all but the last four (4) digits of the individual's social security number for the three (3) years preceding the application;

(b) Ownership, lease, or rental documents for place of primary domicile for the three (3) years preceding the application;

(d) Vehicle registration for the three (3) years preceding the application.

(15) Ownership in a cannabis cultivation facility license, cannabis processing facility license or a medical cannabis dispensary license or investment in a business that supports or benefits from such a license shall not disqualify or otherwise negatively impact the license or finding of suitability of such owner who is otherwise engaged in any other form of business operation in the state, if such business requires the owner to hold a license or be found suitable under state law.

(16) Any business or state entity applying for registration as a medical cannabis establishment must meet all the requirements specified in this chapter.

(17) A prospective medical cannabis establishment shall submit all of the following:

(a) An application, including:

(i) The legal name of the prospective medical cannabis establishment;

(ii) The physical address of the prospective medical cannabis establishment, which shall not be within one thousand (1,000) feet of the main point of entry of a school, church, or child care facility which exists or has acquired necessary real property for the operation of such facility before the date of the medical cannabis establishment application unless the entity has received approval from the school, church or child care facility and received the applicable waiver from their licensing agency;

(iii) The name of each principal officer and board member of the proposed medical cannabis establishment; and

(iv) Any additional information requested by the MDOH.

(b) Operating procedures consistent with rules and regulations for oversight of the proposed medical cannabis establishment, including procedures to ensure accurate record keeping and adequate security measures.

(c) If the municipality or county where the proposed medical cannabis establishment would be located has enacted zoning restrictions, a sworn statement certifying that the proposed medical cannabis establishment is in compliance with the restrictions.

(d) If the municipality or county where the proposed medical cannabis establishment would be located requires a local registration, license, or permit, then proof of receiving such registration, license or permit.

(e) If the application is on behalf of an entity, verification that none of the principal officers or board members have served as a principal officer or board member for a medical cannabis establishment that has had its license revoked.

(f) If the application is on behalf of an entity, verification that none of the principal officers or board members is under twenty-one (21) years of age.

(18) The MDOH shall issue a renewal registration certificate within ten (10) days of receipt of the prescribed renewal application and renewal fee from a medical cannabis establishment if its license is not under suspension and has not been revoked.

(19) The MDOH shall require disclosure only of persons, entities or affiliated entities who directly or indirectly own ten percent (10%) or more of a medical cannabis establishment issued a license by the MDOH.

(20) Otherwise eligible applicants for licenses to operate as medical cannabis establishments under this chapter shall not be disqualified from receipt of a license based on:

(a) Their location on Mississippi Choctaw Indian Reservation Lands; or

(b) The involvement of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians or any entity owned or operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians as an owner or co-owner of such license, provided that such license shall be subject to revocation for material noncompliance with this chapter on the same basis as any other license.

(21) A cannabis processing facility that produces edible cannabis products shall hold a permit to operate as a food establishment and shall comply with all applicable requirements for food establishments as set by the MDOH.

(22) Upon receipt of each application for a license for a medical cannabis establishment, the MDOH shall distribute to the applicant a notice informing applicants of the potential violations of federal law as it relates to possessing firearms while engaged in the use and/or possession of medical cannabis products and a notice that state legalization of medical cannabis is not a defense to potential federal prosecutions. The MDOH shall distribute the notice again upon acceptance of the application and issuance of the medical cannabis establishment license to the applicant.

SECTION 20. Local ordinances. (1) A municipality or county may enact ordinances or regulations not in conflict with this chapter, or with regulations enacted under this chapter, governing the time, place, and manner of medical cannabis establishment operations in the locality. A municipality or county may establish penalties for violation of an ordinance or regulation governing the time, place and manner of a medical cannabis establishment that may operate in the municipality or county.

(2) No municipality or county may prohibit dispensaries either expressly or through the enactment of ordinances or regulations that make their operation impracticable in the jurisdiction. The main point of entry of a medical cannabis establishment shall not be located within one thousand (1,000) feet of the main point of entry of any school, church or child care facility. A medical cannabis establishment may receive a waiver to these restrictions by receiving approval from the school, church or child care facility and by applying for a waiver with its respective licensing agency.

(3) A dispensary, cannabis research facility or cannabis testing facility may be located in any area in a municipality or county that is zoned as commercial or for which commercial use is otherwise authorized or not prohibited, provided that it being located there does not violate any other provisions of this chapter. A cannabis cultivation facility and/or cannabis processing facility may be located in any area in a municipality or county that is zoned as agricultural or industrial or for which agricultural or industrial use is otherwise authorized or not prohibited, provided that it being there does not violate any other provision of this chapter.

(4) A municipality or county may require a medical cannabis establishment to obtain a local license, permit or registration to operate, and may charge a reasonable fee for the local license, permit or registration, provided that this fee is consistent with fees charged to businesses that are not involved in the cannabis industry.

(5) No medical cannabis dispensary may be located within a one-thousand five hundred feet (1,500) radius from the main point of entry of the dispensary to the main point of entry of another medical cannabis dispensary.

SECTION 21. Requirements, prohibitions and penalties. (1) Medical cannabis establishments shall conduct a background check into the criminal history of every person seeking to become a principal officer, board member, agent, volunteer, or employee before the person begins working at or for the medical cannabis establishment.

(2) A medical cannabis establishment may not employ any person who:

(a) Was convicted of a disqualifying felony offense; or

(b) Is under twenty-one (21) years of age.

(3) The operating documents of a medical cannabis establishment must include procedures for the oversight of the medical cannabis establishment and procedures to ensure accurate record keeping and adequate security measures.

(4) A medical cannabis establishment shall implement appropriate security measures designed to deter and prevent the theft of medical cannabis and unauthorized entrance into areas containing medical cannabis.

(5) All cultivation, harvesting, processing and packaging of medical cannabis must take place in an enclosed, locked and secure facility with a physical address provided to the MDOH during the licensing and registration process. The facility shall be equipped with locks or other security devices that permit access only by agents of the medical cannabis establishment, emergency personnel or adults who are twenty-one (21) years of age and older and who are accompanied by medical cannabis establishment agents.

(6) No medical cannabis establishment other than a cannabis processing facility or cannabis research facility may produce cannabis concentrates, cannabis extractions, or other cannabis products.

(7) A medical cannabis establishment may not share office space with or refer patients to a practitioner.

(8) Medical cannabis establishments are subject to inspection by the MDOH during business hours.

(9) Before medical cannabis may be dispensed to a cardholder, a dispensary agent must:

(a) Require that the individual present a registry identification card;

(b) Make a diligent effort to verify that the registry identification card presented to the dispensary is valid;

(c) Make a diligent effort to verify that the person presenting the registry identification card is the person identified on the registry identification card presented to the dispensary agent; and

(d) Not believe that the amount of medical cannabis dispensed would cause the person to possess more than the allowable amount of medical cannabis.

(10) A medical cannabis establishment shall not sell more than the allowable amount of medical cannabis to a cardholder. A cardholder shall not obtain more than a total of eight (8) MMCEUs of allowable medical cannabis in a day from a dispensary or a combination of dispensaries. A cardholder shall not obtain more than a total of twenty-four (24) MMCEUs of allowable medical cannabis in thirty (30) days from a dispensary or a combination of dispensaries.

The possession limit for cardholders of the allowable amount of medical cannabis shall be a total of twenty-four (24) MMCEUs. There shall not be a possession limit on nonconsumable medical cannabis, including, but not limited to, dermal patches, suppositories, ointments, soaps, gels, creams and lotions or other topical agents.

(11) For purposes of this chapter, total THC is defined as THCA multiplied by (.877) plus THC Delta 9 and all other psychoactive forms or isomers of THC added together. A medical cannabis establishment shall not sell cannabis flower or trim that has a potency of greater than thirty percent (30%) total THC. A medical cannabis dispensary shall not sell cannabis tinctures, oils or concentrates that have a potency of greater than sixty percent (60%) total THC. Cannabis products that have a potency of over thirty percent (30%) total THC shall be clearly labeled as "extremely potent." Edible cannabis products that have been combined with usable cannabis or cannabis products shall be physically demarked and labeled with a clear determination of how much total THC is in a single serving size and how much THC is in the entire package.

A medical cannabis product shall contain a notice of harm regarding the use of cannabis products. Edible cannabis products shall be homogenized to ensure uniform disbursement of cannabinoids throughout the product. All edible cannabis products shall be presented in the form of geometric shapes.

(12) A dispensary may not dispense more than the allowable amount of cannabis to a registered qualifying patient, directly or via a registered designated caregiver. Dispensaries shall ensure compliance with this limitation by maintaining internal, confidential records that include records specifying how much medical cannabis is being dispensed to the registered qualifying patient and whether it was dispensed directly to a registered qualifying patient or to the registered designated caregiver.

(13) A medical cannabis dispensary agent or employee shall not issue a written certification. Employees and agents of a medical cannabis dispensary shall complete at least eight (8) hours of training in medical cannabis as regulated by the MDOH in order to be certified to work at a medical cannabis dispensary. After the first year of employment, these employees shall complete five (5) hours of continuing education in medical cannabis annually to maintain this certification.

(14) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, a patient with a debilitating medical condition who is at least eighteen (18) years of age but younger than twenty-five (25) years of age is not eligible for a medical cannabis registry identification card unless two (2) practitioners from separate medical practices have diagnosed the patient as having a debilitating medical condition after an in-person consultation. One (1) of those practitioners must be a physician or doctor of osteopathic medicine.

If one (1) of the recommending practitioners is not the patient's primary care practitioner, the recommending practitioner shall review the records of a diagnosing practitioner. The requirement that the two (2) practitioners be from separate medical practices does not apply if the patient is homebound or if the patient had a registry identification card before the age of eighteen (18).

(15) A medical cannabis establishment shall not allow an individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) years old to enter the premises of the establishment unless the individual possesses a registry identification card and is accompanied by his or her legal guardian.

(16) A medical cannabis establishment shall only purchase, grow, cultivate and use cannabis that is grown and cultivated in this state. Any medical cannabis that is grown and cultivated in this state shall not be transported outside of this state.

(17) Employees of all medical cannabis establishments shall apply for a work permit with the MDOH, before beginning employment with any establishment, and the MDOH may issue work permits to these individuals. The MDOH shall maintain a work registry of all applicants and work permits issued. The fee for a work permit shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) and the permit shall be valid for five (5) years. Work permits shall be the property of the employee and shall not be transferable to other employees.

(18) For purposes of this subsection, "Plant Growth Regulator cannabis" shall mean a cannabis plant whose growth and structure has been modified using plant growth hormones. A cannabis cultivation facility shall not cultivate and a cannabis dispensary shall not sell, transfer or provide for consumption Plant Growth Regulator cannabis.

(19) A medical cannabis dispensary shall only make sales to cardholders inside the dispensary. A medical cannabis dispensary shall not sell or otherwise convey medical cannabis to a cardholder through the means of a drive-through, curbside delivery or other delivery outside the premises of the dispensary.

(20) A medical cannabis dispensary shall not allow any medical cannabis products that are administered by smoking, vaporization or nebulization to be displayed to the general public.

(21) (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, a medical cannabis dispensary shall have a physician, pharmacist or nurse practitioner on site at all times during the hours that the dispensary is open to receive registered qualifying patients and designated caregivers. Before assuming any duties under this paragraph (a), a physician, pharmacist or nurse practitioner shall complete at least eight (8) hours of training in medical cannabis as regulated by the MDOH. A physician may not issue a certification to authorize patients to receive medical cannabis or otherwise treat patients at the dispensary.

(b) If there are exceptional circumstances, a medical cannabis dispensary may be granted a waiver of the requirement of paragraph (a) of this subsection by the MDOH as long as there are persons on the site dispensary who have at least twelve (12) hours of training in medical cannabis as regulated by the MDOH and a physician, pharmacist or nurse practitioner is available for virtual consultation and reviewing dispensary records on a weekly basis.

SECTION 22. Department of Health to issue rules and regulations. (1) From and after the effective date of this act, the MDOH shall establish and promulgate the following rules and regulations:

(a) Governing the manner in which it shall consider petitions from the public to add debilitating medical conditions or treatments to the list of debilitating medical conditions set forth in Section 3 of this act, including public notice of and opportunities to comment in public hearings on the petitions;

(b) Establishing the form and content of license and renewal applications and written certifications submitted under this chapter;

(c) Governing the manner in which it shall consider applications for and renewals of registry identification cards, which may include creating a standardized written certification form;

(d) Governing medical cannabis establishments with the goals of ensuring the health and safety of registered qualifying patients and preventing diversion and theft of medical cannabis without imposing an undue burden or compromising the confidentiality of cardholders, including:

(i) Oversight requirements;

(ii) Recordkeeping requirements;

(iii) Qualifications that are directly and demonstrably related to the operation of medical cannabis establishments;

(iv) Security requirements, including lighting, physical security, and alarm requirements;

(v) Health and safety regulations, including restrictions on the use of pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals that are injurious to human health;

(vi) Standards for the processing of cannabis products and the indoor cultivation of cannabis by cannabis cultivation facilities;

(vii) Requirements for the transportation and storage of cannabis by medical cannabis establishments;

(viii) Employment and training requirements, including requiring that each medical cannabis establishment create an identification badge for each agent of the establishment;

(ix) Standards for the safe processing of medical cannabis products, including extracts and concentrates;

(x) Restrictions on the advertising, signage, and display of medical cannabis, provided that the restrictions may not prevent appropriate signs on the property of a dispensary, listings in business directories, including phone books, listings in cannabis-related or medical publications, or the sponsorship of health or not-for-profit charity or advocacy events;

(xi) Requirements and procedures for the safe and accurate packaging and labeling of medical cannabis, including prohibiting the use of any images designed or likely to appeal to minors, such as cartoons, packaging that resembles popular candy brands, toys, animals or children, or any other likeness or image containing characters or phrases to advertise to minors;

(xii) Standards for cannabis testing facilities, including requirements for equipment and qualifications for personnel;

(xiii) Protocol development for the safe delivery of medical cannabis from dispensaries to cardholders;

(xiv) Reasonable requirements to ensure the applicant has sufficient property or capital to operate the applicant's proposed medical cannabis establishment;

(xv) Procedures for suspending or terminating the licenses or registry identification cards of cardholders and medical cannabis establishments that commit multiple or serious violations of the provisions of this chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this section;

(xvi) Procedures for the selection, certification and oversight of a seed-to-sale tracking system as provided for in Section 7 of this act;

(xvii) Requirements for labeling medical cannabis and cannabis products, including requiring medical cannabis product labels to include the following:

1. The length of time it typically takes for the product to take effect;

2. Disclosure of ingredients and possible allergens;

3. A nutritional fact panel;

4. The amount of THC and CBD in the product;

5. A notice of the potential harm caused by consuming medical cannabis; and

6. For edible cannabis products, when practicable, a standard symbol indicating that the product contains cannabis;

(xviii) The amount of cannabis products, including the amount of concentrated cannabis, each cardholder can possess;

(xix) Reasonable application and renewal fees for registry identification cards and registration certificates, according to the following:

1. The fee schedule shall be set as follows:

a. The qualifying patient registry identification card application fee shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00);

b. The designated caregiver registry identification card application fee shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00);

c. The designated caregiver criminal background fee shall be Thirty-seven Dollars ($37.00);

d. The fee for a renewal or replacement of a card shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00);

e. The qualifying patient registry identification card application fee for a Medicaid participant shall be Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) and the fee for a renewal of such card shall be Fifteen Dollars ($15.00); and

f. The application fee for a qualifying patient registry identification card for disabled veterans or disabled first responders shall be waived. A disabled veteran or first responder may prove their disability by providing written documentation from their practitioner attesting to their debilitating medical condition, documentation from the Social Security Disability Office, or documentation that attests the applicant is a one-hundred percent (100%) disabled veteran as determined by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and codified at 38 CFR, Section 3.340(a)(2013); and

2. The MDOH may accept donations from private sources to reduce the amount of the application and renewal fees;

(xx) Any other rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer this chapter.

(2) The initial rules filed by the MDOH to implement the medical cannabis program in accordance with this chapter shall be effective immediately upon their filing.

SECTION 23. Public registry. (1) The MDOH shall create and maintain a public registry of medical cannabis establishments, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information:

(a) The name of the establishment;

(b) The owner and, if applicable, the beneficial owner of the establishment;

(d) The mailing address, including municipality and zip code, of the establishment;

(e) The county in which the establishment is domiciled;

(f) The phone number of the establishment;

(g) The electronic mail address of the establishment;

(h) The license number of the establishment;

(i) The issuance date of the establishment's license;

(j) The expiration date of the establishment's license;

(k) The NAICS code of the establishment;

(l) Any changes to the license holder's status; and

(m) Any other information determined necessary by the MDOH.

(2) The public registry shall not include personal information of an owner of a medical cannabis establishment.

(3) The registry shall be maintained electronically and shall be easily accessible to the public.

SECTION 24. Violations.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to cultivate, process, transport, use, possess, purchase, sell or transfer cannabis except as authorized by this chapter.

(2) A cardholder or medical cannabis establishment that purposely or knowingly fails to provide a notice required by Section 17 of this act is guilty of a civil offense, punishable by a fine of no more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), which may be assessed and collected by the MDOH.

(3) A medical cannabis establishment or an agent of a medical cannabis establishment that purposely, knowingly, or recklessly sells or otherwise transfers medical cannabis other than to a cardholder or to a medical cannabis establishment or its agent as authorized under this chapter is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by commitment to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than two (2) years, or both. A person convicted under this subsection may not continue to be affiliated with the medical cannabis establishment and is disqualified from further participation in the medical cannabis program under this chapter.

(4) A cardholder who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly sells or otherwise transfers medical cannabis to a person or other entity is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or by commitment to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than two (2) years, or both. A person convicted under this subsection is disqualified from further participation in the medical cannabis program under this chapter.

(5) A person who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly makes a false statement to a law enforcement official about any fact or circumstance relating to the medical use of cannabis to avoid arrest or prosecution is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than ninety (90) days, or both. If a person convicted of violating this subsection is a cardholder, the person is disqualified from further participation in the medical cannabis program under this chapter.

(6) A person who purposely submits false records or documentation for an application for a license for a medical cannabis establishment under this chapter is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by commitment to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than two (2) years, or both. A person convicted under this subsection may not continue to be affiliated with the medical cannabis establishment and is disqualified from further participation in the medical cannabis program under this chapter.

(7) A practitioner who purposely refers patients to a specific medical cannabis establishment or to a registered designated caregiver, who advertises in a medical cannabis establishment, or who issues written certifications while holding a financial interest in a medical cannabis establishment, is guilty of a civil offense for every false certification and shall be fined up to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) by the MDOH.

(8) Any person, including an employee or official of an agency or local government, who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly breaches the confidentiality of information obtained under this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than one hundred eighty (180) days in the county jail, or both.

(9) No person, other than a cannabis processing facility or its agents, complying with this chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated under it, may extract compounds from cannabis that involves a chemical extraction process using a nonhydrocarbon-based or other solvent, such as water, vegetable glycerin, vegetable oils, animal fats, steam distillation, food-grade ethanol, or hydrocarbon-based solvent carbon dioxide. No person may extract compounds from cannabis using ethanol in the presence or vicinity of an open flame. It shall be a felony punishable by commitment to the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for up to the three (3) years and a Ten Thousand Dollar ($10,000.00) fine for any person to purposely, knowingly, or recklessly violate this subsection.

(10) A medical cannabis establishment is guilty of a civil offense for any purposeful, knowing or reckless violation of this chapter or the rules and regulations issued under this chapter where no penalty has been specified, and shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for each such violation by the MDOH.

(11) The penalties provided for under this section are in addition to any other criminal, civil or administrative penalties provided for under law, rule or regulation.

SECTION 25. Fines, Suspensions and Revocations. (1) The MDOH may fine, suspend or revoke a license at its discretion for a violation of this chapter or any rules and regulations under this chapter by the licensee or any of its employees or agents. If a licensee wishes to appeal this decision, the licensee shall file its administrative appeal within twenty (20) days of receipt of the initial notice. The MDOH shall then conduct a hearing on the record pursuant to its rules and regulations governing such hearings, at which time the burden shall be on the licensee to prove that the MDOH's decision was:

(a) Unsupported by substantial evidence;

(b) Arbitrary or capricious;

(d) Violated some statutory or constitutional right of the aggrieved party.

If the licensee fails to appeal the initial notice within the prescribed time, the decision becomes final and cannot be further appealed.

(2) The MDOH shall provide its initial notice of suspension, revocation, fine or other sanction by personal delivery or mailing by certified mail, signature required, to the medical cannabis establishment at the address on the registration certificate. A suspension shall not be for a longer period than six (6) months.

(3) A medical cannabis establishment may continue to possess and cultivate cannabis as otherwise authorized to do so under its license during a suspension, but it may not dispense, transfer or sell cannabis.

(4) The MDOH shall immediately revoke the registry identification card of any cardholder who sells or otherwise transfers medical cannabis to a person or other entity, and the cardholder shall be disqualified from further participation in the medical cannabis program under this chapter.

(5) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, the MDOH may revoke the registry identification card of any cardholder who knowingly commits a violation of this chapter.

(6) The hearing decision of the MDOH on a revocation, suspension or fine is a final decision of the MDOH subject to judicial review in accordance with Section 30 of this act.

(7) No license issued by the MDOH shall be transferred by the license holder to any other person or entity except with the written consent of the MDOH.

SECTION 26. Confidentiality. (1) Data in license and registration applications and supporting data submitted by registered qualifying patients, registered designated caregivers and medical cannabis establishments, including data on registered designated caregivers and practitioners, shall be considered private data on individuals that is confidential and exempt from disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, Sections 25-61-1 through 25-61-17.

(2) Data kept or maintained by the MDOH shall not be used for any purpose not provided for in this chapter and shall not be combined or linked in any manner with any other list or database.

(3) Data kept or maintained by the MDOH may be disclosed as necessary for:

(a) The verification of registration certificates and registry identification cards under this chapter;

(b) Submission of the annual report required by this chapter;

(d) Notification of state and local law enforcement about falsified or fraudulent information submitted for purposes of obtaining or renewing a registry identification card; or

(e) Notification of the State Board of Medical Licensure or other occupational or professional licensing board or entity if there is reason to believe that a practitioner provided a written certification in violation of this chapter, or if the MDOH has reason to believe the practitioner otherwise violated the standard of care for evaluating medical conditions.

(4) Any information kept or maintained by medical cannabis establishments must identify cardholders by their registry identification numbers and must not contain names or other personally identifying information.

(5) At a cardholder's request, the MDOH may confirm the cardholder's status as a registered qualifying patient or a registered designated caregiver to a third party, such as a landlord, school, medical professional, or court.

(6) Any MDOH hard drives or other data-recording media that are no longer in use and that contain cardholder information shall be destroyed.

SECTION 27. Business expenses, deductions. Notwithstanding any federal tax law to the contrary, in computing net income for medical cannabis establishments, there shall be allowed as a deduction from income taxes imposed under Section 27-7-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, all the ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on a trade or business as a medical cannabis establishment, including reasonable allowance for salaries or other compensation for personal services actually rendered.

SECTION 28. Not applicable to CBD solution. This chapter does not apply to or supersede any of the provisions of Section 41-29-136.

SECTION 29. Local government option. (1) The cultivation, processing, sale and distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as performed in accordance to the provisions of this chapter, shall be legal in every county and municipality of this state unless a county or municipality opts out through a vote by the board of supervisors of the county or governing authorities of the municipality, as applicable, within ninety (90) days after the effective date of this act. The governing authorities of the municipality or the board of supervisors of the county, as applicable, shall publish a notice in accordance with the Open Meetings Act (Section 25-41-1 et seq.) of its intent of holding a vote regarding opting out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable. The governing authorities of the municipality or the board of supervisors of the county, as applicable, may opt out of allowing one (1) or more of the following: cultivation, processing, sale or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products. The governing authorities of a municipality, by a vote entered upon their minutes, may opt out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the municipality. The board of supervisors of a county, by a vote entered upon its minutes, may opt out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of the county.

(2) If the board of supervisors of a county or the governing authorities of a municipality do not opt out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, within ninety (90) days after the effective date of this act, then no vote by the board of supervisors or governing authorities, as applicable, may be held to so opt out, and the provisions of this chapter shall remain applicable and operative in the county or municipality, as applicable. If the board of supervisors of a county or governing authorities of a municipality have opted out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, then the board of supervisors or governing authorities of a municipality may later opt in regarding the same through a vote by the board of supervisors or governing authorities, as applicable, entered upon its or their minutes, or an election duly held according to subsection (3) or (4) of this section, as applicable.

(3) (a) Upon presentation and filing of a proper petition requesting that the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, be legal in the unincorporated areas of the county signed by at least twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1,500), whichever number is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the county, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to call an election at which there shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the county the question of whether or not the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, shall be legal in the unincorporated areas of such county as provided in this chapter. Such election shall be held and conducted by the county election commissioners on a date fixed by the order of the board of supervisors, which date shall not be more than sixty (60) days from the date of the filing of the petition. Notice thereof shall be given by publishing such notice once each week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in the county or if no newspaper be published therein, by such publication in a newspaper in an adjoining county and having a general circulation in the county involved. The election shall be held not earlier than fifteen (15) days from the first publication of such notice.

(b) The election shall be held and conducted as far as may be possible in the same manner as is provided by law for the holding of general elections. The ballots used at the election shall contain a brief statement of the proposition submitted and, on separate lines, the words "I vote FOR allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of ________ [Name of County] ( )" or "I vote AGAINST allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of ________ [Name of County] ( )" with appropriate boxes in which the voters may express their choice. All qualified electors may vote by marking the ballot with a cross (x) or check (√) mark opposite the words of their choice.

(c) The election commissioners shall canvass and determine the results of the election and shall certify the same to the board of supervisors which shall adopt and spread upon its minutes an order declaring such results. If, in such election, a majority of the qualified electors participating therein vote in favor of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of the county, this chapter shall be applicable and operative in the unincorporated areas of such county, and the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of the county shall be lawful to the extent and in the manner permitted in this chapter. If, on the other hand, a majority of the qualified electors participating in the election vote against allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, then it shall be illegal to cultivate, process, sell and/or distribute medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the unincorporated areas of the county. In either case, no further election shall be held in the county under the provisions of this section for a period of two (2) years from the date of the prior election and then only upon the filing of a petition requesting same signed by at least twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1,500), whichever number is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the county as provided in this section.

(4) (a) Upon presentation and filing of a proper petition requesting that the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, be legal in the municipality signed by at least twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1,500), whichever number is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the municipality, it shall be the duty of the governing authorities of the municipality to call an election at which there shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the municipality the question of whether or not the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, shall be legal in the municipality as provided in this chapter. Such election shall be held and conducted on a date fixed by the order of the governing authorities of the municipality, which date shall not be more than sixty (60) days from the date of the filing of the petition. Notice thereof shall be given by publishing such notice once each week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in the municipality or if no newspaper be published therein, by such publication in a newspaper having a general circulation in the municipality involved. The election shall be held not earlier than fifteen (15) days from the first publication of such notice.

(b) The election shall be held and conducted as far as may be possible in the same manner as is provided by law for the holding of municipal elections. The ballots used at the election shall contain a brief statement of the proposition submitted and, on separate lines, the words "I vote FOR allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in ________ [Name of Municipality] ( )" or "I vote AGAINST allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in ________ [Name of Municipality] ( )" with appropriate boxes in which the voters may express their choice. All qualified electors may vote by marking the ballot with a cross (x) or check (√) mark opposite the words of their choice.

(c) The election commissioners shall canvass and determine the results of the election and shall certify the same to the governing authorities which shall adopt and spread upon their minutes an order declaring such results. If, in such election, a majority of the qualified electors participating therein vote in favor of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, this chapter shall be applicable and operative in such municipality and the cultivation, processing, sale, and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, therein shall be lawful to the extent and in the manner permitted in this chapter. If, on the other hand, a majority of the qualified electors participating in the election vote against allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, then it shall be illegal to cultivate, process, sell and/or distribute medical cannabis and cannabis products, as applicable, in the municipality. In either case, no further election shall be held in the municipality under the provisions of this section for a period of two (2) years from the date of the prior election and then only upon the filing of a petition requesting same signed by at least twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1,500), whichever number is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the municipality as provided in this section.

(5) Regardless of whether a county or municipality opts out of allowing the cultivation, processing, sale and/or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products, cardholders, cannabis testing facilities, cannabis research facilities, cannabis transportation entities and cannabis disposal entities may possess medical cannabis in the municipality or county if done in accordance with this chapter.

(6) (a) If a municipality that has opted out under this section annexes a geographic area which contains a licensed entity operating under the provisions of this chapter, then the licensed entity may continue its operation in that municipality's newly annexed geographic area.

(b) If a licensed entity operating under the provisions of this chapter is located in a municipality that contracts its corporate boundaries thereby causing the geographic area in which the licensed entity is located to no longer be in the municipality and instead in an unincorporated area of a county that has opted out under this section, then the licensed entity may continue its operation in that area of the county.

SECTION 30. Judicial review. (1) Any person or entity aggrieved by a final decision or order of the MDOH under the provisions of this chapter may petition for judicial review of the final decision or order.

(2) (a) The petition shall be filed within twenty (20) days after the issuance of the MDOH's final decision or order. The petition shall be filed in the circuit court of the county in which the appellant resides.

(b) Any person or entity aggrieved by the decision of the circuit court may appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court.

SECTION 31. Medical Cannabis Opportunity Fund. (1) There is hereby created a Medical Cannabis Opportunity Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. All revenue generated from the seven percent (7%) tax on retail sales of medical cannabis imposed by Section 27-65-17(1)(a) that is deposited into the State General Fund under Section 27-65-75 shall be transferred monthly into the Medical Cannabis Opportunity Fund by the State Fiscal Officer.

(2) All license fees and fines collected according to the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited into the Medical Cannabis Opportunity Fund.

(3) The monies in the Medical Cannabis Opportunity Fund shall be appropriated by the Legislature and allocated as follows:

(a) The payment of all costs incurred in the operation and administration of the medical cannabis program by MDOH and Department of Public Safety, as applicable; and

(b) If any funds remain after covering the costs in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the remaining funds shall be transferred into the State General Fund.

(4) Unexpended amounts remaining in the special fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, except as provided in subsection (3)(b) of this section, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund.

SECTION 32. Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee. (1) (a) There is established a Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee, which shall be the committee that is required to advise the Legislature about medical cannabis and cannabis product, patient care, services and industry.

(b) The advisory committee shall consist of nine (9) members, as follows:

(i) The Governor shall appoint three (3) members to the committee, as follows:

1. One (1) representative from the MDAC;

2. One (1) registered qualifying patient; and

3. One (1) physician with experience in medical cannabis issues;

(ii) The Lieutenant Governor shall appoint three (3) members, as follows:

1. One (1) owner or agent of a medical cannabis cultivation facility;

2. One (1) representative from the MDOH; and

3. One (1) qualified certified nurse practitioner, physician assistant or optometrist;

(iii) The Speaker of the House shall appoint three (3) members, as follows:

1. One (1) owner or agent of a medical cannabis processing facility;

2. One (1) owner or agent of a medical cannabis dispensary; and

3. One (1) representative from the MDOR.

(c) The advisory committee shall meet at least two (2) times per year for the purpose of evaluating and making recommendations to the Legislature and the MDOH, MDOR and MDAC regarding:

(i) The ability of qualifying patients in all areas of the state to obtain timely access to high-quality medical cannabis;

(ii) The effectiveness of the medical cannabis establishments in serving the needs of registered qualifying patients, including the provision of educational and support services by dispensaries, the reasonableness of their prices, security issues, and the sufficiency of the number operating to serve the state's registered qualifying patients;

(iii) The effectiveness of the cannabis testing facilities, including whether a sufficient number are operating;

(iv) The sufficiency of the regulatory and security safeguards contained in this chapter and adopted by the MDOH and MDAC to ensure that access to and use of cannabis cultivated is provided only to cardholders;

(v) Any recommended additions or revisions to the MDAC, MDOH and MDOR rules and regulations or this chapter, including relating to security, safe handling, labeling, nomenclature, and whether additional types of licenses should be made available; and

(vi) Any research studies regarding health effects of medical cannabis for patients.

(d) The advisory committee shall accept public comment in writing and in-person at least once per year. The advisory committee shall meet at least quarterly and advisory committee members shall be furnished written notice of the meetings at least ten (10) days before the date of the meeting.

(e) The chairman of the advisory committee shall be elected by the voting members of the committee annually and shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive years as chairman.

(f) The members of the advisory committee specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection shall serve for terms that are concurrent with the terms of members of the Legislature, and any member appointed under paragraph (b) may be reappointed to the advisory committee. The members of the advisory committee specified in paragraph (b) shall serve without compensation, but shall receive reimbursement to defray actual expenses incurred in the performance of committee business as authorized by law.

(2) This section shall stand repealed on December 31, 2025.

SECTION 33. Enforcement by Department of Public Safety. The Department of Public Safety is authorized to carry out such law enforcement activities as necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter, working in conjunction with the Division of Medical Cannabis of the MDOH.

SECTION 34. Section 25-53-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-53-5. The authority shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:

(a) (i) The authority shall provide for the development of plans for the efficient acquisition and utilization of computer equipment and services by all agencies of state government, and provide for their implementation. In so doing, the authority may use the MDITS' staff, at the discretion of the executive director of the authority, or the authority may contract for the services of qualified consulting firms in the field of information technology and utilize the service of such consultants as may be necessary for such purposes. Pursuant to Section 25-53-1, the provisions of this section shall not apply to the Department of Human Services for a period of three (3) years beginning on July 1, 2017. Pursuant to Section 25-53-1, the provisions of this section shall not apply to the Department of Child Protection Services for a period of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2017.

(ii) [Repealed]

(b) The authority shall immediately institute procedures for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and supervise the efficient execution of the powers and duties of the office of executive director of the authority. In the execution of its functions under this chapter, the authority shall maintain as a paramount consideration the successful internal organization and operation of the several agencies so that efficiency existing therein shall not be adversely affected or impaired. In executing its functions in relation to the institutions of higher learning and junior colleges in the state, the authority shall take into consideration the special needs of such institutions in relation to the fields of teaching and scientific research.

(c) Title of whatever nature of all computer equipment now vested in any agency of the State of Mississippi is hereby vested in the authority, and no such equipment shall be disposed of in any manner except in accordance with the direction of the authority or under the provisions of such rules and regulations as may hereafter be adopted by the authority in relation thereto.

(d) The authority shall adopt rules, regulations, and procedures governing the acquisition of computer and telecommunications equipment and services which shall, to the fullest extent practicable, insure the maximum of competition between all manufacturers of supplies or equipment or services. In the writing of specifications, in the making of contracts relating to the acquisition of such equipment and services, and in the performance of its other duties the authority shall provide for the maximum compatibility of all information systems hereafter installed or utilized by all state agencies and may require the use of common computer languages where necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. The authority may establish by regulation and charge reasonable fees on a nondiscriminatory basis for the furnishing to bidders of copies of bid specifications and other documents issued by the authority.

(e) The authority shall adopt rules and regulations governing the sharing with, or the sale or lease of information technology services to any nonstate agency or person. Such regulations shall provide that any such sharing, sale or lease shall be restricted in that same shall be accomplished only where such services are not readily available otherwise within the state, and then only at a charge to the user not less than the prevailing rate of charge for similar services by private enterprise within this state.

(f) The authority may, in its discretion, establish a special technical advisory committee or committees to study and make recommendations on technology matters within the competence of the authority as the authority may see fit. Persons serving on the Information Resource Council, its task forces, or any such technical advisory committees shall be entitled to receive their actual and necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of such duties, together with mileage as provided by law for state employees, provided the same has been authorized by a resolution duly adopted by the authority and entered on its minutes prior to the performance of such duties.

(g) The authority may provide for the development and require the adoption of standardized computer programs and may provide for the dissemination of information to and the establishment of training programs for the personnel of the various information technology centers of state agencies and personnel of the agencies utilizing the services thereof.

(h) The authority shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations requiring the reporting to the authority through the office of executive director of such information as may be required for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and may also establish such reasonable procedures to be followed in the presentation of bills for payment under the terms of all contracts for the acquisition of computer equipment and services now or hereafter in force as may be required by the authority or by the executive director in the execution of their powers and duties.

(i) The authority shall require such adequate documentation of information technology procedures utilized by the various state agencies and may require the establishment of such organizational structures within state agencies relating to information technology operations as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(j) The authority may adopt such further reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary to fully implement the purposes of this chapter. All rules and regulations adopted by the authority shall be published and disseminated in readily accessible form to all affected state agencies, and to all current suppliers of computer equipment and services to the state, and to all prospective suppliers requesting the same. Such rules and regulations shall be kept current, be periodically revised, and copies thereof shall be available at all times for inspection by the public at reasonable hours in the offices of the authority. Whenever possible no rule, regulation or any proposed amendment to such rules and regulations shall be finally adopted or enforced until copies of the proposed rules and regulations have been furnished to all interested parties for their comment and suggestions.

(k) The authority shall establish rules and regulations which shall provide for the submission of all contracts proposed to be executed by the executive director for computer equipment or services to the authority for approval before final execution, and the authority may provide that such contracts involving the expenditure of less than such specified amount as may be established by the authority may be finally executed by the executive director without first obtaining such approval by the authority.

(l) The authority is authorized to purchase, lease, or rent computer equipment or services and to operate that equipment and use those services in providing services to one or more state agencies when in its opinion such operation will provide maximum efficiency and economy in the functions of any such agency or agencies.

(m) Upon the request of the governing body of a political subdivision or instrumentality, the authority shall assist the political subdivision or instrumentality in its development of plans for the efficient acquisition and utilization of computer equipment and services. An appropriate fee shall be charged the political subdivision by the authority for such assistance.

(n) The authority shall adopt rules and regulations governing the protest procedures to be followed by any actual or prospective bidder, offerer or contractor who is aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of a contract for the acquisition of computer equipment or services. Such rules and regulations shall prescribe the manner, time and procedure for making protests and may provide that a protest not timely filed shall be summarily denied. The authority may require the protesting party, at the time of filing the protest, to post a bond, payable to the state, in an amount that the authority determines sufficient to cover any expense or loss incurred by the state, the authority or any state agency as a result of the protest if the protest subsequently is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been filed without any substantial basis or reasonable expectation to believe that the protest was meritorious; however, in no event may the amount of the bond required exceed a reasonable estimate of the total project cost. The authority, in its discretion, also may prohibit any prospective bidder, offerer or contractor who is a party to any litigation involving any such contract with the state, the authority or any agency of the state to participate in any other such bid, offer or contract, or to be awarded any such contract, during the pendency of the litigation.

(o) The authority shall make a report in writing to the Legislature each year in the month of January. Such report shall contain a full and detailed account of the work of the authority for the preceding year as specified in Section 25-53-29(3).

All acquisitions of computer equipment and services involving the expenditure of funds in excess of the dollar amount established in Section 31-7-13(c), or rentals or leases in excess of the dollar amount established in Section 31-7-13(c) for the term of the contract, shall be based upon competitive and open specifications, and contracts therefor shall be entered into only after advertisements for bids are published in one or more daily newspapers having a general circulation in the state not less than fourteen (14) days prior to receiving sealed bids therefor. The authority may reserve the right to reject any or all bids, and if all bids are rejected, the authority may negotiate a contract within the limitations of the specifications so long as the terms of any such negotiated contract are equal to or better than the comparable terms submitted by the lowest and best bidder, and so long as the total cost to the State of Mississippi does not exceed the lowest bid. If the authority accepts one (1) of such bids, it shall be that which is the lowest and best. Through July 1, 2024, the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to acquisitions of information technology equipment and services made by the Mississippi Department of Health for the purposes of implementing, administering and/or enforcing the provisions of the Compassion Mississippi Act.

(p) When applicable, the authority may procure equipment, systems and related services in accordance with the law or regulations, or both, which govern the Bureau of Purchasing of the Office of General Services or which govern the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services procurement of telecommunications equipment, software and services.

(q) The authority is authorized to purchase, lease, or rent information technology and services for the purpose of establishing pilot projects to investigate emerging technologies. These acquisitions shall be limited to new technologies and shall be limited to an amount set by annual appropriation of the Legislature. These acquisitions shall be exempt from the advertising and bidding requirement.

(r) All fees collected by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall be deposited into the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services Revolving Fund unless otherwise specified by the Legislature.

(s) The authority shall work closely with the council to bring about effective coordination of policies, standards and procedures relating to procurement of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) resources. In addition, the authority is responsible for development, operation and maintenance of a delivery system infrastructure for geographic information systems data. The authority shall provide a warehouse for Mississippi's geographic information systems data.

(t) The authority shall manage one or more State Data Centers to provide information technology services on a cost-sharing basis. In determining the appropriate services to be provided through the State Data Center, the authority should consider those services that:

(i) Result in savings to the state as a whole;

(ii) Improve and enhance the security and reliability of the state's information and business systems; and

(iii) Optimize the efficient use of the state's information technology assets, including, but not limited to, promoting partnerships with the state institutions of higher learning and community colleges to capitalize on advanced information technology resources.

(u) The authority shall increase federal participation in the cost of the State Data Center to the extent provided by law and its shared technology infrastructure through providing such shared services to agencies that receive federal funds. With regard to state institutions of higher learning and community colleges, the authority may provide shared services when mutually agreeable, following a determination by both the authority and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, as the case may be, that the sharing of services is mutually beneficial.

(v) The authority, in its discretion, may require new or replacement agency business applications to be hosted at the State Data Center. With regard to state institutions of higher learning and community colleges, the authority and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, as the case may be, may agree that institutions of higher learning or community colleges may utilize business applications that are hosted at the State Data Center, following a determination by both the authority and the applicable board that the hosting of those applications is mutually beneficial. In addition, the authority may establish partnerships to capitalize on the advanced technology resources of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, following a determination by both the authority and the applicable board that such a partnership is mutually beneficial.

(w) The authority shall provide a periodic update regarding reform-based information technology initiatives to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committees.

From and after July 1, 2018, the expenses of this agency shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund. In addition, in order to receive the maximum use and benefit from information technology and services, expenses for the provision of statewide shared services that facilitate cost-effective information processing and telecommunication solutions shall be defrayed by pass-through funding and shall be deposited into the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services Revolving Fund unless otherwise specified by the Legislature. These funds shall only be utilized to pay the actual costs incurred by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services for providing these shared services to state agencies. Furthermore, state agencies shall work in full cooperation with the Board of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services to identify computer equipment or services to minimize duplication, reduce costs, and improve the efficiency of providing common technology services across agency boundaries.

SECTION 35. Section 27-104-203, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-104-203. * * *~~(1)~~ From and after July 1, 2016, no state agency shall charge another state agency a fee, assessment, rent, audit fee, personnel fee or other charge for services or resources received. The provisions of this section shall not apply (a) to grants, contracts, pass-through funds, project fees or other charges for services between state agencies and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, any public university, the Mississippi Community College Board, any public community or junior college, and the State Department of Education, nor (b) to charges for services between the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, any public university, the Mississippi Community College Board, any public community or junior college, and the State Department of Education, nor (c) to federal grants, pass-through funds, cost allocation charges, surplus property charges or project fees between state agencies as approved or determined by the State Fiscal Officer, nor (d) telecommunications, data center services, and/or other information technology services that are used on an as-needed basis and those costs shall be passed through to the using agency, nor (e) to federal grants, special funds, or pass-through funds, available for payment by state agencies to the Department of Finance and Administration related to Mississippi Management and Reporting Systems (MMRS) Statewide Application charges and utilities as approved or determined by the State Fiscal Officer, nor (f) * * *~~[Repealed ‑ see subsection (2)]~~ to grants, contracts, pass-through funds, project fees or charges for services between the State Department of Health, and other state agencies or entities, including, but not limited to, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, any public university, the Mississippi Community College Board, any public community or junior college, and the State Department of Education, for the operation of the * * *~~state's~~ medical * * *~~marijuana~~ cannabis program as established by * * * the Compassion Mississippi Act. The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, any public university, the Mississippi Community College Board, any public community or junior college, and the State Department of Education shall retain the authority to charge and be charged for expenditures that they deemed nonrecurring in nature by the State Fiscal Officer.

* * *

SECTION 36. Section 17-1-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

17-1-3. (1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 17-1-21(2) and in Article VII of the Chickasaw Trail Economic Development Compact described in Section 57-36-1, for the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals, or the general welfare of the community, the governing authority of any municipality, and, with respect to the unincorporated part of any county, the governing authority of any county, in its discretion, are empowered to regulate the height, number of stories and size of building and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of the yards, courts and other open spaces, the density of population, and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes, but no permits shall be required with reference to land used for agricultural purposes, including forestry activities as defined in Section 95-3-29(2)(b), or for the erection, maintenance, repair or extension of farm buildings or farm structures, including forestry buildings and structures, outside the corporate limits of municipalities. The governing authority of each county and municipality may create playgrounds and public parks, and for these purposes, each of such governing authorities shall possess the power, where requisite, of eminent domain and the right to apply public money thereto, and may issue bonds therefor as otherwise permitted by law.

(2) Local land use regulation ordinances involving the placement, screening, or height of amateur radio antenna structures must reasonably accommodate amateur communications and must constitute the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish local authorities' legitimate purposes of addressing health, safety, welfare and aesthetic considerations. Judgments as to the types of reasonable accommodation to be made and the minimum practicable regulation necessary to address these purposes will be determined by local governing authorities within the parameters of the law. This legislation supports the amateur radio service in preparing for and providing emergency communications for the State of Mississippi and local emergency management agencies.

SECTION 37. Section 19-5-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

19-5-9. The construction codes published by a nationally recognized code group which sets minimum standards and has the proper provisions to maintain up-to-date amendments are adopted as minimum standard guides for building, plumbing, electrical, gas, sanitary, and other related codes in Mississippi. Any county within the State of Mississippi, in the discretion of the board of supervisors, may adopt building codes, plumbing codes, electrical codes, sanitary codes, or other related codes dealing with general public health, safety or welfare, or a combination of the same, within but not exceeding the provisions of the construction codes published by nationally recognized code groups, by order or resolution in the manner prescribed in this section, but those codes so adopted shall apply only to the unincorporated areas of the county. However, those codes shall not apply to the erection, maintenance, repair or extension of farm buildings or farm structures, except as may be required under the terms of the "Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973," and shall apply to a master planned community as defined in Section 19-5-10 only to the extent allowed in Section 19-5-10. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to authorize the adoption of any code which applies to the installation, repair or maintenance of electric wires, pipelines, apparatus, equipment or devices by or for a utility rendering public utility services, required by it to be utilized in the rendition of its duly authorized service to the public. Before any such code shall be adopted, it shall be either printed or typewritten and shall be presented in pamphlet form to the board of supervisors at a regular meeting. The order or resolution adopting the code shall not set out the code in full, but shall merely identify the same. The vote or passage of the order or resolution shall be the same as on any other order or resolution. After its adoption, the code or codes shall be certified to by the president and clerk of the board of supervisors and shall be filed as a permanent record in the office of the clerk who shall not be required to transcribe and record the same in the minute book as other orders and resolutions.

If the board of supervisors of any county adopts or has adopted construction codes which do not have proper provisions to maintain up-to-date amendments, specifications in such codes for cements used in portland cement concrete shall be superseded by nationally recognized specifications referenced in any code adopted by the Mississippi Building Code Council.

All provisions of this section shall apply to amendments and revisions of the codes mentioned in this section. The provisions of this section shall be in addition and supplemental to any existing laws authorizing the adoption, amendment or revision of county orders, resolutions or codes.

Any code adopted under the provisions of this section shall not be in operation or force until sixty (60) days have elapsed from the adoption of same; however, any code adopted for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare may be effective from and after its adoption by a unanimous vote of the members of the board. Within five (5) days after the adoption or passage of an order or resolution adopting that code or codes the clerk of the board of supervisors shall publish in a legal newspaper published in the county the full text of the order or resolution adopting and approving the code, and the publication shall be inserted at least three (3) times, and shall be completed within thirty (30) days after the passage of the order or resolution.

Any person or persons objecting to the code or codes may object in writing to the provisions of the code or codes within sixty (60) days after the passage of the order or resolution approving same, and if the board of supervisors adjudicates that ten percent (10%) or more of the qualified electors residing in the affected unincorporated areas of the county have objected in writing to the code or codes, then in such event the code shall be inoperative and not in effect unless adopted for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare until approved by a special election called by the board of supervisors as other special elections are called and conducted by the election commissioners of the county as other special elections are conducted, the special election to be participated in by all the qualified electors of the county residing in the unincorporated areas of the county. If the voters approve the code or codes in the special election it shall be in force and in operation thereafter until amended or modified as provided in this section. If the majority of the qualified electors voting in the special election vote against the code or codes, then, in such event, the code or codes shall be void and of no force and effect, and no other code or codes dealing with that subject shall be adopted under the provisions of this section until at least two (2) years thereafter.

After any such code shall take effect the board of supervisors is authorized to employ such directors and other personnel as the board, in its discretion, deems necessary and to expend general county funds or any other funds available to the board to fulfill the purposes of this section.

For the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals or the general welfare of the community, the governing authority of any municipality, and, with respect to the unincorporated part of any county, the governing authority of any county, in its discretion, is empowered to regulate the height, number of stories and size of building and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of the yards, courts and other open spaces, the density or population, and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes, but no permits shall be required except as may be required under the terms of the "Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973" for the erection, maintenance, repair or extension of farm buildings or farm structures outside the corporate limits of municipalities.

The authority granted in this section is cumulative and supplemental to any other authority granted by law.

Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, any code adopted by a county before or after April 12, 2001, is subject to the provisions of Section 41-26-14(10).

Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the Boards of Supervisors of Jackson, Harrison, Hancock, Stone and Pearl River Counties shall enforce the requirements imposed under Section 17-2-1 as provided in such section.

SECTION 38. Section 25-43-1.103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-43-1.103. (1) This chapter applies to all agencies and all proceedings not expressly exempted under this chapter.

(2) This chapter creates only procedural rights and imposes only procedural duties. They are in addition to those created and imposed by other statutes.

(3) Specific statutory provisions which govern agency proceedings and which are in conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter shall continue to be applied to all proceedings of any such agency to the extent of such conflict only.

(4) The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to amend, repeal or supersede the provisions of any other law; and, to the extent that the provisions of any other law conflict or are inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, the provisions of such other law shall govern and control.

(5) An agency may grant procedural rights to persons in addition to those conferred by this chapter so long as rights conferred upon other persons by any provision of law are not substantially prejudiced.

SECTION 39. Section 25-43-2.101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-43-2.101. Publication, compilation, indexing and public inspection of rules.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the Secretary of State shall prescribe a uniform numbering system, form, style and transmitting format for all proposed and adopted rules caused to be published by him and, with prior approval of each respective agency involved, may edit rules for publication and codification without changing the meaning or effect of any rule.

(2) The Secretary of State shall cause an administrative bulletin to be published in a format and at such regular intervals as the Secretary of State shall prescribe by rule. Upon proper filing of proposed rules, the Secretary of State shall publish them in the administrative bulletin as expeditiously as possible. The administrative bulletin must contain:

(a) Notices of proposed rule adoption prepared so that the text of the proposed rule shows the text of any existing rule proposed to be changed and the change proposed;

(b) Any other notices and materials designated by law for publication therein; and

(3) The Secretary of State shall cause an administrative bulletin to be published in a format and at such regular intervals as the Secretary of State shall prescribe by rule. Upon proper filing of newly adopted rules, the Secretary of State shall publish them as expeditiously as possible. The administrative bulletin must contain:

(a) Newly filed adopted rules prepared so that the text shows the text of any existing rule being changed and the change being made;

(b) Any other notices and materials designated by law for publication therein; and

(4) The Secretary of State retains the authority to reject proposed and newly adopted rules not properly filed in accordance with the Secretary of State's rules prescribing the numbering system, form, style or transmitting format for such filings. The Secretary of State shall not be empowered to reject filings for reasons of the substance or content or any proposed or newly adopted rule. The Secretary of State shall notify the agency of its rejection of a proposed or newly adopted rule as expeditiously as possible and accompany such notification with a stated reason for the rejection. A rejected filing of a proposed or newly adopted rule does not constitute filing pursuant to Section 25-43-3.101 et seq. of this chapter.

(5) (a) The Secretary of State shall cause an administrative code to be compiled, indexed by subject and published in a format prescribed by the Secretary of State by rule. All of the effective rules of each agency must be published and indexed in that publication. The Secretary of State shall also cause supplements to the administrative code to be published in a format and at such regular intervals as the Secretary of State shall prescribe by rule.

(b) The Joint Legislative Committee on Compilation, Revision and Publication of Legislation is hereby authorized to contract with a reputable and competent publishing company on such terms and conditions and at such prices as may be deemed proper to digest, compile, annotate, index and publish the state agency rules and regulations.

(6) (a) Copyrights of the Mississippi Administrative Code, including, but not limited to, cross references, tables of cases, notes of decisions, tables of contents, indices, source notes, authority notes, numerical lists and codification guides, other than the actual text of rules or regulations, shall be taken by and in the name of the publishers of said compilation. Such publishers shall thereafter promptly assign the same to the State of Mississippi and said copyright shall be owned by the state.

(b) Any information appearing on the same leaf with the text of any rule or regulation may be incidentally reproduced in connection with the reproduction of such rule or regulation, if such reproduction is for private use and not for resale.

(7) The Secretary of State may omit from the administrative bulletin or code any proposed or filed adopted rule, the publication in hard copy of which would be unduly cumbersome, expensive or otherwise inexpedient, if:

(a) Knowledge of the rule is likely to be important to only a small class of persons;

(b) On application to the issuing agency, the proposed or adopted rule in printed or processed form is made available at no more than its cost of reproduction; and

(c) The administrative bulletin or code contains a notice stating in detail the specific subject matter of the omitted proposed or adopted rule and how a copy of the omitted material may be obtained.

(8) The administrative bulletin and administrative code with supplements must be furnished to designated officials without charge and to all subscribers at a reasonable cost to be determined by the Secretary of State. Each agency shall also make available for public inspection and copying those portions of the administrative bulletin and administrative code containing all rules adopted or used by the agency in the discharge of its functions, and the index to those rules.

SECTION 40. Section 25-43-3.102, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-43-3.102. Public rule-making docket.

(1) Each agency shall maintain a current, public rule-making docket.

(2) The rule-making docket may, but need not, contain a listing of the subject matter of possible rules currently under active consideration within the agency for proposal under Section 25-43-3.103 and the name and address of agency personnel with whom persons may communicate with respect to the matter.

(3) The rule-making docket must list each pending rule-making proceeding. A rule-making proceeding is pending from the time it is commenced, by proper filing with the Secretary of State of a notice of proposed rule adoption, to the time it is terminated by the filing with the Secretary of State of a notice of termination or the rule becoming effective. For each pending rule-making proceeding, the docket must indicate:

(a) The subject matter of the proposed rule;

(b) A citation to all published notices relating to the proceeding;

(c) Where written submissions or written requests for an opportunity to make oral presentations on the proposed rule may be inspected;

(d) The time during which written submissions may be made;

(e) If applicable, where and when oral presentations may be made;

(f) Where any economic impact statement and written requests for the issuance of and other information concerning an economic impact statement of the proposed rule may be inspected;

(g) The current status of the proposed rule;

(h) The date of the rule's adoption; and

(i) When the rule will become effective.

SECTION 41. Section 25-43-3.103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-43-3.103. (1) At least twenty-five (25) days before the adoption of a rule an agency shall cause notice of its contemplated action to be properly filed with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin. The notice of proposed rule adoption must include:

(a) A short explanation of the purpose of the proposed rule and the agency's reasons for proposing the rule;

(b) The specific legal authority authorizing the promulgation of rules;

(d) Subject to Section 25-43-2.101(5), the text of the proposed rule;

(e) Where, when and how persons may present their views on the proposed rule; and

(f) Where, when and how persons may demand an oral proceeding on the proposed rule if the notice does not already provide for one.

(2) Within three (3) days after its proper filing with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin, the agency shall cause a copy of the notice of proposed rule adoption to be provided to each person who has made a timely request to the agency to be placed on the mailing list maintained by the agency of persons who have requested notices of proposed rule adoptions. An agency may mail the copy to the person and may charge the person a reasonable fee for such service, which fee may be in excess of the actual cost of providing the person with a mailed copy. Alternatively, the agency may provide the copy via the Internet or by transmitting it to the person by electronic means, including, but not limited to, facsimile transfer or e-mail at no charge to the person, if the person consents to this form of delivery.

SECTION 42. Section 25-43-3.104, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-43-3.104. Public participation.

(1) For at least twenty-five (25) days after proper filing with the Secretary of State of the notice of proposed rule adoption, an agency shall afford persons the opportunity to submit, in writing, argument, data and views on the proposed rule.

(2) (a) An agency, in its discretion, may schedule an oral proceeding on any proposed rule. However, an agency shall schedule an oral proceeding on a proposed rule if, within twenty (20) days after the proper filing of the notice of proposed rule adoption, a written request for an oral proceeding is submitted by a political subdivision, an agency or ten (10) persons. At that proceeding, persons may present oral or written argument, data and views on the proposed rule.

(b) An oral proceeding on a proposed rule, if required, may not be held earlier than twenty (20) days after notice of its location and time is properly filed with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin. Within three (3) days after its proper filing with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin, the agency shall cause a copy of the notice of the location and time of the oral proceeding to be mailed to each person who has made a timely request to the agency to be placed on the mailing list maintained by the agency of persons who have requested notices of proposed rule adoptions.

(c) The agency, a member of the agency, or another presiding officer designated by the agency shall preside at a required oral proceeding on a proposed rule. Oral proceedings must be open to the public and may be recorded by stenographic or other means.

(d) An agency may issue rules for the conduct of oral rule-making proceedings or prepare reasonable guidelines or procedures for the conduct of any such proceedings. Those rules may include, but not be limited to, provisions calculated to prevent undue repetition in the oral proceedings.

SECTION 43. Section 25-43-3.105, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-43-3.105. (1) Prior to giving the notice required in Section 25-43-3.103, each agency proposing the adoption of a rule or significant amendment of an existing rule imposing a duty, responsibility or requirement on any person shall consider the economic impact the rule will have on the citizens of our state and the benefits the rule will cause to accrue to those citizens. For purposes of this section, a "significant amendment" means any amendment to a rule for which the total aggregate cost to all persons required to comply with that rule exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).

(2) Each agency shall prepare a written report providing an economic impact statement for the adoption of a rule or significant amendment to an existing rule imposing a duty, responsibility or requirement on any person, except as provided in subsection (7) of this section. The economic impact statement shall include the following:

(a) A description of the need for and the benefits which will likely accrue as the result of the proposed action;

(b) An estimate of the cost to the agency, and to any other state or local government entities, of implementing and enforcing the proposed action, including the estimated amount of paperwork, and any anticipated effect on state or local revenues;

(d) An analysis of the impact of the proposed rule on small business;

(e) A comparison of the costs and benefits of the proposed rule to the probable costs and benefits of not adopting the proposed rule or significantly amending an existing rule;

(f) A determination of whether less costly methods or less intrusive methods exist for achieving the purpose of the proposed rule where reasonable alternative methods exist which are not precluded by law;

(g) A description of reasonable alternative methods, where applicable, for achieving the purpose of the proposed action which were considered by the agency and a statement of reasons for rejecting those alternatives in favor of the proposed rule; and

(h) A detailed statement of the data and methodology used in making estimates required by this subsection.

(3) No rule or regulation shall be declared invalid based on a challenge to the economic impact statement for the rule unless the issue is raised in the agency proceeding. No person shall have standing to challenge a rule, based upon the economic impact statement or lack thereof, unless that person provided the agency with information sufficient to make the agency aware of specific concerns regarding the statement in an oral proceeding or in written comments regarding the rule. The grounds for invalidation of an agency action, based upon the economic impact statement, are limited to the agency's failure to adhere to the procedure for preparation of the economic impact statement as provided in this section, or the agency's failure to consider information submitted to the agency regarding specific concerns about the statement, if that failure substantially impairs the fairness of the rule-making proceeding.

(4) A concise summary of the economic impact statement must be properly filed with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin and the period during which persons may make written submissions on the proposed rule shall not expire until at least twenty (20) days after the date of such proper filing.

(5) The properly filed summary of the economic impact statement must also indicate where persons may obtain copies of the full text of the economic impact statement and where, when and how persons may present their views on the proposed rule and demand an oral proceeding on the proposed rule if one is not already provided.

(6) If the agency has made a good-faith effort to comply with the requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the rule may not be invalidated on the ground that the contents of the economic impact statement are insufficient or inaccurate.

(7) This section does not apply to the adoption of:

(a) Any rule which is required by the federal government pursuant to a state/federal program delegation agreement or contract;

(b) Any rule which is expressly required by state law; and

SECTION 44. Section 25-43-3.106, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-43-3.106. Time and manner of rule adoption.

(1) An agency may not adopt a rule until the period for making written submissions and oral presentations has expired.

(2) Following the proper filing with the Secretary of State of the notice of proposed rule adoption, an agency shall adopt a rule pursuant to the rule-making proceeding or terminate the proceeding by proper filing with the Secretary of State of a notice to that effect for publication in the administrative bulletin.

(3) Before the adoption of a rule, an agency shall consider the written submissions, oral submissions or any memorandum summarizing oral submissions, and any economic impact statement, provided for by this Article III.

(4) Within the scope of its delegated authority, an agency may use its own experience, technical competence, specialized knowledge and judgment in the adoption of a rule.

SECTION 45. Section 25-43-3.107, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-43-3.107. (1) An agency shall not adopt a rule that differs from the rule proposed in the notice of proposed rule adoption on which the rule is based unless all of the following apply:

(a) The differences are within the scope of the matter announced in the notice of proposed rule adoption and are in character with the issues raised in that notice;

(b) The differences are a logical outgrowth of the contents of that notice of proposed rule adoption and the comments submitted in response thereto; and

(c) The notice of proposed rule adoption provided fair warning that the outcome of that rulemaking proceeding could be the rule in question.

(2) In determining whether the notice of proposed rule adoption provided fair warning that the outcome of that rulemaking proceeding could be the rule in question, an agency shall consider all of the following factors:

(a) The extent to which persons who will be affected by the rule should have understood that the rulemaking proceeding on which it is based could affect their interests;

(b) The extent to which the subject matter of the rule or issues determined by the rule are different from the subject matter or issues contained in the notice of proposed rule adoption; and

(c) The extent to which the effects of the rule differ from the effects of the proposed rule contained in the notice of proposed rule adoption.

SECTION 46. Section 25-43-3.108, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-43-3.108. If an agency finds that an imminent peril to the public health, safety or welfare requires adoption of a rule upon fewer than twenty-five (25) days' notice and states in writing its reasons for that finding, it may proceed without prior notice of hearing or upon any abbreviated notice and hearing that it finds practicable to adopt an emergency rule. The rule may be effective for a period of not longer than one hundred twenty (120) days, renewable once for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days, but the adoption of an identical rule under * * * ~~subsection (1) of this section~~ this Article III is not precluded.

SECTION 47. Section 25-43-3.109, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-43-3.109. (1) Each rule adopted by an agency must contain the text of the rule and:

(a) The date the agency adopted the rule;

(b) An indication of any change between the text of the proposed rule contained in the published notice of proposed rule adoption and the text of the rule as finally adopted, with the reasons for any substantive change;

(c) Any changes to the information contained in the notice of proposed rule adoption as required by subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) of Section 25-43-3.103;

(d) Any findings required by any provision of law as a prerequisite to adoption or effectiveness of the rule; and

(e) The effective date of the rule if other than that specified in Section 25-43-3.113(1).

(2) To the extent feasible, each rule should be written in clear and concise language understandable to persons who may be affected by it.

(3) An agency may incorporate, by reference in its rules and without publishing the incorporated matter in full, all or any part of a code, standard, rule or regulation that has been adopted by an agency of the United States or of this state, another state or by a nationally recognized organization or association, if incorporation of its text in agency rules would be unduly cumbersome, expensive or otherwise inexpedient. The reference in the agency rules must fully identify the incorporated matter with an appropriate citation. An agency may incorporate by reference such matter in its rules only if the agency, organization or association originally issuing that matter makes copies of it readily available to the public. The rules must state if copies of the incorporated matter are available from the agency issuing the rule or where copies of the incorporated matter are available from the agency of the United States, this state, another state or the organization or association originally issuing that matter.

(4) In preparing its rules pursuant to this Article III, each agency shall follow the uniform numbering system, form and style prescribed by the Secretary of State.

SECTION 48. Section 25-43-3.110, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-43-3.110. Agency rule-making record.

(1) An agency shall maintain an official rule-making record for each rule it (a) proposes or (b) adopts. The agency has the exclusive authority to prepare and exclusive authority to certify the record or any part thereof, including, but not limited to, any transcript of the proceedings, and the agency's certificate shall be accepted by the court and by any other agency. The record must be available for public inspection.

(2) The agency rule-making record must contain:

(a) Copies of all notices of proposed rule-making or oral proceedings or other publications in the administrative bulletin with respect to the rule or the proceeding upon which the rule is based;

(b) Copies of any portions of the agency's public rule-making docket containing entries relating to the rule or the proceeding upon which the rule is based;

(c) All written requests, submissions and comments received by the agency and all other written materials considered by the agency in connection with the formulation, proposal or adoption of the rule or the proceeding upon which the rule is based;

(d) Any official transcript of oral presentations made in the proceeding upon which the rule is based or, if not transcribed, any tape recording or stenographic record of those presentations, and any memorandum prepared by a presiding official summarizing the contents of those presentations. The word "transcript" includes a written transcript, a printed transcript, an audible audiotape or videotape that is indexed and annotated so that it is readily accessible and any other means that the agency may have by rule provided for the reliable and accessible preservation of the proceeding;

(e) A copy of any economic impact statement prepared for the proceeding upon which the rule is based; and

(f) A copy of the rule and related information set out in Section 25-43-3.109 as filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.

(3) The agency shall have authority to engage such persons and acquire such equipment as may be reasonably necessary to record and preserve in any technically and practicably feasible manner all matters and all proceedings had at any rule-making proceeding.

(4) Upon judicial review, the record required by this section constitutes the official agency rule-making record with respect to a rule. Except as otherwise required by a provision of law, the agency rule-making record need not constitute the exclusive basis for agency action on that rule or for judicial review thereof.

SECTION 49. Section 25-43-3.113, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-43-3.113. (1) Except to the extent subsection (2) or (3) of this section provides otherwise, each rule adopted after July 1, 2005, becomes effective thirty (30) days after its proper filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

(2) (a) A rule becomes effective on a date later than that established by subsection (1) of this section if a later date is required by another statute or specified in the rule.

(b) A rule may become effective immediately upon its filing or on any subsequent date earlier than that established by subsection (1) of this section if the agency establishes such an effective date and finds that:

(i) It is required by Constitution, statute or court order;

(ii) The rule only confers a benefit or removes a restriction on the public or some segment thereof;

(iii) The rule only delays the effective date of another rule that is not yet effective; or

(iv) The earlier effective date is necessary because of imminent peril to the public health, safety or welfare.

(c) The finding and a brief statement of the reasons therefor required by paragraph (b) of this subsection must be made a part of the rule. In any action contesting the effective date of a rule made effective under paragraph (b) of this subsection, the burden is on the agency to justify its finding.

(d) A temporary rule may become effective immediately upon its filing or on any subsequent date earlier than that established by subsection (1) of this section.

(e) Each agency shall make a reasonable effort to make known to persons who may be affected by it a rule made effective before any date established by subsection (1) of this section.

(3) This section does not relieve an agency from compliance with any provision of law requiring that some or all of its rules be approved by other designated officials or bodies before they become effective.

SECTION 50. Section 27-7-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-7-17. In computing taxable income, there shall be allowed as deductions:

(1) Business deductions.

(a) Business expenses. All the ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business, including a reasonable allowance for salaries or other compensation for personal services actually rendered; nonreimbursable traveling expenses incident to current employment, including a reasonable amount expended for meals and lodging while away from home in the pursuit of a trade or business; and rentals or other payments required to be made as a condition of the continued use or possession, for purposes of the trade or business of property to which the taxpayer has not taken or is not taking title or in which he had no equity. Expense incurred in connection with earning and distributing nontaxable income is not an allowable deduction. Limitations on entertainment expenses shall conform to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. There shall also be allowed a deduction for expenses as provided in Section 27 of this act.

(b) Interest. All interest paid or accrued during the taxable year on business indebtedness, except interest upon the indebtedness for the purchase of tax-free bonds, or any stocks, the dividends from which are nontaxable under the provisions of this article; provided, however, in the case of securities dealers, interest payments or accruals on loans, the proceeds of which are used to purchase tax-exempt securities, shall be deductible if income from otherwise tax-free securities is reported as income. Investment interest expense shall be limited to investment income. Interest expense incurred for the purchase of treasury stock, to pay dividends, or incurred as a result of an undercapitalized affiliated corporation may not be deducted unless an ordinary and necessary business purpose can be established to the satisfaction of the commissioner. For the purposes of this paragraph, the phrase "interest upon the indebtedness for the purchase of tax-free bonds" applies only to the indebtedness incurred for the purpose of directly purchasing tax-free bonds and does not apply to any other indebtedness incurred in the regular course of the taxpayer's business. Any corporation, association, organization or other entity taxable under Section 27-7-23(c) shall allocate interest expense as provided in Section 27-7-23(c)(3)(I).

(c) Taxes. Taxes paid or accrued within the taxable year, except state and federal income taxes, excise taxes based on or measured by net income, estate and inheritance taxes, gift taxes, cigar and cigarette taxes, gasoline taxes, and sales and use taxes unless incurred as an item of expense in a trade or business or in the production of taxable income. In the case of an individual, taxes permitted as an itemized deduction under the provisions of subsection (3)(a) of this section are to be claimed thereunder.

(d) Business losses.

(i) Losses sustained during the taxable year not compensated for by insurance or otherwise, if incurred in trade or business, or nonbusiness transactions entered into for profit.

(ii) Limitations on losses from passive activities and rental real estate shall conform to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(e) Bad debts. Losses from debts ascertained to be worthless and charged off during the taxable year, if sustained in the conduct of the regular trade or business of the taxpayer; provided, that such losses shall be allowed only when the taxpayer has reported as income, on the accrual basis, the amount of such debt or account.

(f) Depreciation. A reasonable allowance for exhaustion, wear and tear of property used in the trade or business, or rental property, and depreciation upon buildings based upon their reasonable value as of March 16, 1912, if acquired prior thereto, and upon cost if acquired subsequent to that date. In the case of new or used aircraft, equipment, engines, or other parts and tools used for aviation, allowance for bonus depreciation conforms with the federal bonus depreciation rates and reasonable allowance for depreciation under this section is no less than one hundred percent (100%).

(g) Depletion. In the case of mines, oil and gas wells, other natural deposits and timber, a reasonable allowance for depletion and for depreciation of improvements, based upon cost, including cost of development, not otherwise deducted, or fair market value as of March 16, 1912, if acquired prior to that date, such allowance to be made upon regulations prescribed by the commissioner, with the approval of the Governor.

(h) Contributions or gifts. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (p) of this subsection or subsection (3)(a) of this section for individuals, contributions or gifts made by corporations within the taxable year to corporations, organizations, associations or institutions, including Community Chest funds, foundations and trusts created solely and exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inure to the benefit of any private stockholder or individual. This deduction shall be allowed in an amount not to exceed twenty percent (20%) of the net income. Such contributions or gifts shall be allowable as deductions only if verified under rules and regulations prescribed by the commissioner, with the approval of the Governor. Contributions made in any form other than cash shall be allowed as a deduction, subject to the limitations herein provided, in an amount equal to the actual market value of the contributions at the time the contribution is actually made and consummated.

(i) Reserve funds - insurance companies. In the case of insurance companies the net additions required by law to be made within the taxable year to reserve funds when such reserve funds are maintained for the purpose of liquidating policies at maturity.

(j) Annuity income. The sums, other than dividends, paid within the taxpayer year on policy or annuity contracts when such income has been included in gross income.

(k) Contributions to employee pension plans. Contributions made by an employer to a plan or a trust forming part of a pension plan, stock bonus plan, disability or death-benefit plan, or profit-sharing plan of such employer for the exclusive benefit of some or all of his, their, or its employees, or their beneficiaries, shall be deductible from his, their, or its income only to the extent that, and for the taxable year in which, the contribution is deductible for federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any other provisions of similar purport in the Internal Revenue Laws of the United States, and the rules, regulations, rulings and determinations promulgated thereunder, provided that:

(i) The plan or trust be irrevocable.

(ii) The plan or trust constitute a part of a pension plan, stock bonus plan, disability or death-benefit plan, or profit-sharing plan for the exclusive benefit of some or all of the employer's employees and/or officers, or their beneficiaries, for the purpose of distributing the corpus and income of the plan or trust to such employees and/or officers, or their beneficiaries.

(iii) No part of the corpus or income of the plan or trust can be used for purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of employees and/or officers, or their beneficiaries.

Contributions to all plans or to all trusts of real or personal property (or real and personal property combined) or to insured plans created under a retirement plan for which provision has been made under the laws of the United States of America, making such contributions deductible from income for federal income tax purposes, shall be deductible only to the same extent under the Income Tax Laws of the State of Mississippi.

(l) Net operating loss carrybacks and carryovers. A net operating loss for any taxable year ending after December 31, 1993, and taxable years thereafter, shall be a net operating loss carryback to each of the three (3) taxable years preceding the taxable year of the loss. If the net operating loss for any taxable year is not exhausted by carrybacks to the three (3) taxable years preceding the taxable year of the loss, then there shall be a net operating loss carryover to each of the fifteen (15) taxable years following the taxable year of the loss beginning with any taxable year after December 31, 1991.

For any taxable year ending after December 31, 1997, the period for net operating loss carrybacks and net operating loss carryovers shall be the same as those established by the Internal Revenue Code and the rules, regulations, rulings and determinations promulgated thereunder as in effect at the taxable year end or on December 31, 2000, whichever is earlier.

A net operating loss for any taxable year ending after December 31, 2001, and taxable years thereafter, shall be a net operating loss carryback to each of the two (2) taxable years preceding the taxable year of the loss. If the net operating loss for any taxable year is not exhausted by carrybacks to the two (2) taxable years preceding the taxable year of the loss, then there shall be a net operating loss carryover to each of the twenty (20) taxable years following the taxable year of the loss beginning with any taxable year after the taxable year of the loss.

The term "net operating loss," for the purposes of this paragraph, shall be the excess of the deductions allowed over the gross income; provided, however, the following deductions shall not be allowed in computing same:

(i) No net operating loss deduction shall be allowed.

(ii) No personal exemption deduction shall be allowed.

(iii) Allowable deductions which are not attributable to taxpayer's trade or business shall be allowed only to the extent of the amount of gross income not derived from such trade or business.

Any taxpayer entitled to a carryback period as provided by this paragraph may elect to relinquish the entire carryback period with respect to a net operating loss for any taxable year ending after December 31, 1991. The election shall be made in the manner prescribed by the Department of Revenue and shall be made by the due date, including extensions of time, for filing the taxpayer's return for the taxable year of the net operating loss for which the election is to be in effect. The election, once made for any taxable year, shall be irrevocable for that taxable year.

(m) Amortization of pollution or environmental control facilities. Allowance of deduction. Every taxpayer, at his election, shall be entitled to a deduction for pollution or environmental control facilities to the same extent as that allowed under the Internal Revenue Code and the rules, regulations, rulings and determinations promulgated thereunder.

(n) Dividend distributions - real estate investment trusts. "Real estate investment trust" (hereinafter referred to as REIT) shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 856 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. A REIT is allowed a dividend distributed deduction if the dividend distributions meet the requirements of Section 857 or are otherwise deductible under Section 858 or 860, federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In addition:

(i) A dividend distributed deduction shall only be allowed for dividends paid by a publicly traded REIT. A qualified REIT subsidiary shall be allowed a dividend distributed deduction if its owner is a publicly traded REIT.

(ii) Income generated from real estate contributed or sold to a REIT by a shareholder or related party shall not give rise to a dividend distributed deduction, unless the shareholder or related party would have received the dividend distributed deduction under this chapter.

(iii) A holding corporation receiving a dividend from a REIT shall not be allowed the deduction in Section 27-7-15(4)(t).

(iv) Any REIT not allowed the dividend distributed deduction in the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall not be allowed a dividend distributed deduction under this chapter.

The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations consistent with the provisions in Section 269 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, so as to prevent the evasion or avoidance of state income tax.

(o) Contributions to college savings trust fund accounts. Contributions or payments to a Mississippi Affordable College Savings Program account are deductible as provided under Section 37-155-113. Payments made under a prepaid tuition contract entered into under the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program are deductible as provided under Section 37-155-17.

(p) Contributions of human pharmaceutical products. To the extent that a "major supplier" as defined in Section 27-13-13(2)(d) contributes human pharmaceutical products in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00) as determined under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code, the charitable contribution limitation associated with those donations shall follow the federal limitation but cannot result in the Mississippi net income being reduced below zero.

(q) Contributions to ABLE trust fund accounts. Contributions or payments to a Mississippi Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program account are deductible as provided under Section 43-28-13.

(2) Restrictions on the deductibility of certain intangible expenses and interest expenses with a related member.

(a) As used in this subsection (2):

(i) "Intangible expenses and costs" include:

1. Expenses, losses and costs for, related to, or in connection directly or indirectly with the direct or indirect acquisition, use, maintenance or management, ownership, sale, exchange or any other disposition of intangible property to the extent such amounts are allowed as deductions or costs in determining taxable income under this chapter;

2. Expenses or losses related to or incurred in connection directly or indirectly with factoring transactions or discounting transactions;

3. Royalty, patent, technical and copyright fees;

4. Licensing fees; and

5. Other similar expenses and costs.

(ii) "Intangible property" means patents, patent applications, trade names, trademarks, service marks, copyrights and similar types of intangible assets.

(iii) "Interest expenses and cost" means amounts directly or indirectly allowed as deductions for purposes of determining taxable income under this chapter to the extent such interest expenses and costs are directly or indirectly for, related to, or in connection with the direct or indirect acquisition, maintenance, management, ownership, sale, exchange or disposition of intangible property.

(iv) "Related member" means an entity or person that, with respect to the taxpayer during all or any portion of the taxable year, is a related entity, a component member as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, or is an entity or a person to or from whom there is attribution of stock ownership in accordance with Section 1563(e) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(v) "Related entity" means:

1. A stockholder who is an individual or a member of the stockholder's family, as defined in regulations prescribed by the commissioner, if the stockholder and the members of the stockholder's family own, directly, indirectly, beneficially or constructively, in the aggregate, at least fifty percent (50%) of the value of the taxpayer's outstanding stock;

2. A stockholder, or a stockholder's partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust or corporation, if the stockholder and the stockholder's partnerships, limited liability companies, estates, trusts and corporations own, directly, indirectly, beneficially or constructively, in the aggregate, at least fifty percent (50%) of the value of the taxpayer's outstanding stock;

3. A corporation, or a party related to the corporation in a manner that would require an attribution of stock from the corporation to the party or from the party to the corporation, if the taxpayer owns, directly, indirectly, beneficially or constructively, at least fifty percent (50%) of the value of the corporation's outstanding stock under regulation prescribed by the commissioner;

4. Any entity or person which would be a related member under this section if the taxpayer were considered a corporation for purposes of this section.

(b) In computing net income, a taxpayer shall add back otherwise deductible interest expenses and costs and intangible expenses and costs directly or indirectly paid, accrued to or incurred, in connection directly or indirectly with one or more direct or indirect transactions with one or more related members.

(c) The adjustments required by this subsection shall not apply to such portion of interest expenses and costs and intangible expenses and costs that the taxpayer can establish meets one (1) of the following:

(i) The related member directly or indirectly paid, accrued or incurred such portion to a person during the same income year who is not a related member; or

(ii) The transaction giving rise to the interest expenses and costs or intangible expenses and costs between the taxpayer and related member was done primarily for a valid business purpose other than the avoidance of taxes, and the related member is not primarily engaged in the acquisition, use, maintenance or management, ownership, sale, exchange or any other disposition of intangible property.

(d) Nothing in this subsection shall require a taxpayer to add to its net income more than once any amount of interest expenses and costs or intangible expenses and costs that the taxpayer pays, accrues or incurs to a related member.

(e) The commissioner may prescribe such regulations as necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including, but not limited to, clarifying definitions of terms, rules of stock attribution, factoring and discount transactions.

(3) Individual nonbusiness deductions.

(a) The amount allowable for individual nonbusiness itemized deductions for federal income tax purposes where the individual is eligible to elect, for the taxable year, to itemize deductions on his federal return except the following:

(i) The deduction for state income taxes paid or other taxes allowed for federal purposes in lieu of state income taxes paid;

(ii) The deduction for gaming losses from gaming establishments;

(iii) The deduction for taxes collected by licensed gaming establishments pursuant to Section 27-7-901;

(iv) The deduction for taxes collected by gaming establishments pursuant to Section 27-7-903.

(b) In lieu of the individual nonbusiness itemized deductions authorized in paragraph (a), for all purposes other than ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business, an optional standard deduction of:

(i) Three Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($3,400.00) through calendar year 1997, Four Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($4,200.00) for the calendar year 1998 and Four Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($4,600.00) for each calendar year thereafter in the case of married individuals filing a joint or combined return;

(ii) One Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($1,700.00) through calendar year 1997, Two Thousand One Hundred Dollars ($2,100.00) for the calendar year 1998 and Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($2,300.00) for each calendar year thereafter in the case of married individuals filing separate returns;

(iii) Three Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($3,400.00) in the case of a head of family; or

(iv) Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($2,300.00) in the case of an individual who is not married.

In the case of a husband and wife living together, having separate incomes, and filing combined returns, the standard deduction authorized may be divided in any manner they choose. In the case of separate returns by a husband and wife, the standard deduction shall not be allowed to either if the taxable income of one of the spouses is determined without regard to the standard deduction.

(c) A nonresident individual shall be allowed the same individual nonbusiness deductions as are authorized for resident individuals in paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection; however, the nonresident individual is entitled only to that proportion of the individual nonbusiness deductions as his net income from sources within the State of Mississippi bears to his total or entire net income from all sources.

(4) Nothing in this section shall permit the same item to be deducted more than once, either in fact or in effect.

SECTION 51. Section 27-65-111, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-65-111. The exemptions from the provisions of this chapter which are not industrial, agricultural or governmental, or which do not relate to utilities or taxes, or which are not properly classified as one (1) of the exemption classifications of this chapter, shall be confined to persons or property exempted by this section or by the Constitution of the United States or the State of Mississippi. No exemptions as now provided by any other section, except the classified exemption sections of this chapter set forth herein, shall be valid as against the tax herein levied. Any subsequent exemption from the tax levied hereunder, except as indicated above, shall be provided by amendments to this section.

No exemption provided in this section shall apply to taxes levied by Section 27-65-15 or 27-65-21, Mississippi Code of 1972.

The tax levied by this chapter shall not apply to the following:

(a) Sales of tangible personal property and services to hospitals or infirmaries owned and operated by a corporation or association in which no part of the net earnings inures to the benefit of any private shareholder, group or individual, and which are subject to and governed by Sections 41-7-123 through 41-7-127.

Only sales of tangible personal property or services which are ordinary and necessary to the operation of such hospitals and infirmaries are exempted from tax.

(b) Sales of daily or weekly newspapers, and periodicals or publications of scientific, literary or educational organizations exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as it exists as of March 31, 1975, and subscription sales of all magazines.

(d) Sales of tangible personal property for immediate export to a foreign country.

(e) Sales of tangible personal property to an orphanage, old men's or ladies' home, supported wholly or in part by a religious denomination, fraternal nonprofit organization or other nonprofit organization.

(f) Sales of tangible personal property, labor or services taxable under Sections 27-65-17, 27-65-19 and 27-65-23, to a YMCA, YWCA, a Boys' or Girls' Club owned and operated by a corporation or association in which no part of the net earnings inures to the benefit of any private shareholder, group or individual.

(g) Sales to elementary and secondary grade schools, junior and senior colleges owned and operated by a corporation or association in which no part of the net earnings inures to the benefit of any private shareholder, group or individual, and which are exempt from state income taxation, provided that this exemption does not apply to sales of property or services which are not to be used in the ordinary operation of the school, or which are to be resold to the students or the public.

(h) The gross proceeds of retail sales and the use or consumption in this state of drugs and medicines:

(i) Prescribed for the treatment of a human being by a person authorized to prescribe the medicines, and dispensed or prescription filled by a registered pharmacist in accordance with law; or

(ii) Furnished by a licensed physician, surgeon, dentist or podiatrist to his own patient for treatment of the patient; or

(iii) Furnished by a hospital for treatment of any person pursuant to the order of a licensed physician, surgeon, dentist or podiatrist; or

(iv) Sold to a licensed physician, surgeon, podiatrist, dentist or hospital for the treatment of a human being; or

(v) Sold to this state or any political subdivision or municipal corporation thereof, for use in the treatment of a human being or furnished for the treatment of a human being by a medical facility or clinic maintained by this state or any political subdivision or municipal corporation thereof.

"Medicines," as used in this paragraph (h), shall mean and include any substance or preparation intended for use by external or internal application to the human body in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease and which is commonly recognized as a substance or preparation intended for such use; provided that "medicines" do not include any auditory, prosthetic, ophthalmic or ocular device or appliance, any dentures or parts thereof or any artificial limbs or their replacement parts, articles which are in the nature of splints, bandages, pads, compresses, supports, dressings, instruments, apparatus, contrivances, appliances, devices or other mechanical, electronic, optical or physical equipment or article or the component parts and accessories thereof, or any alcoholic beverage or any other drug or medicine not commonly referred to as a prescription drug.

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this paragraph (h), "medicines" as used in this paragraph (h), shall mean and include sutures, whether or not permanently implanted, bone screws, bone pins, pacemakers and other articles permanently implanted in the human body to assist the functioning of any natural organ, artery, vein or limb and which remain or dissolve in the body.

The exemption provided in this paragraph (h) shall not apply to medical cannabis sold in accordance with the provisions of the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

"Hospital," as used in this paragraph (h), shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 41-9-3, Mississippi Code of 1972.

Insulin furnished by a registered pharmacist to a person for treatment of diabetes as directed by a physician shall be deemed to be dispensed on prescription within the meaning of this paragraph (h).

(i) Retail sales of automobiles, trucks and truck-tractors if exported from this state within forty-eight (48) hours and registered and first used in another state.

(j) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the Salvation Army and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc.

(k) From July 1, 1985, through December 31, 1992, retail sales of "alcohol-blended fuel" as such term is defined in Section 75-55-5. The gasoline-alcohol blend or the straight alcohol eligible for this exemption shall not contain alcohol distilled outside the State of Mississippi.

(l) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the Institute for Technology Development.

(m) The gross proceeds of retail sales of food and drink for human consumption made through vending machines serviced by full-line vendors from and not connected with other taxable businesses.

(n) The gross proceeds of sales of motor fuel.

(o) Retail sales of food for human consumption purchased with food stamps issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, or other federal agency, from and after October 1, 1987, or from and after the expiration of any waiver granted pursuant to federal law, the effect of which waiver is to permit the collection by the state of tax on such retail sales of food for human consumption purchased with food stamps.

(p) Sales of cookies for human consumption by the Girl Scouts of America no part of the net earnings from which sales inures to the benefit of any private group or individual.

(q) Gifts or sales of tangible personal property or services to public or private nonprofit museums of art.

(r) Sales of tangible personal property or services to alumni associations of state-supported colleges or universities.

(s) Sales of tangible personal property or services to National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc., and chapters of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc.

(t) Sales of tangible personal property or services to domestic violence shelters which qualify for state funding under Sections 93-21-101 through 93-21-113.

(u) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mississippi Chapter.

(v) Retail sales of food for human consumption purchased with food instruments issued the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians under the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.

(w) Sales of tangible personal property or services to a private company, as defined in Section 57-61-5, which is making such purchases with proceeds of bonds issued under Section 57-61-1 et seq., the Mississippi Business Investment Act.

(x) The gross collections from the operation of self-service, coin-operated car washing equipment and sales of the service of washing motor vehicles with portable high-pressure washing equipment on the premises of the customer.

(y) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the Mississippi Technology Alliance.

(z) Sales of tangible personal property to nonprofit organizations that provide foster care, adoption services and temporary housing for unwed mothers and their children if the organization is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(aa) Sales of tangible personal property to nonprofit organizations that provide residential rehabilitation for persons with alcohol and drug dependencies if the organization is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(bb) (i) Retail sales of an article of clothing or footwear designed to be worn on or about the human body and retail sales of school supplies if the sales price of the article of clothing or footwear or school supply is less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and the sale takes place during a period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the last Friday in July and ending at 12:00 midnight the following Saturday. This paragraph (bb) shall not apply to:

1. Accessories including jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, briefcases, garment bags and similar items carried on or about the human body, without regard to whether worn on the body in a manner characteristic of clothing;

2. The rental of clothing or footwear; and

3. Skis, swim fins, roller blades, skates and similar items worn on the foot.

(ii) For purposes of this paragraph (bb), "school supplies" means items that are commonly used by a student in a course of study. The following is an all-inclusive list:

1. Backpacks;

2. Binder pockets;

3. Binders;

4. Blackboard chalk;

5. Book bags;

6. Calculators;

7. Cellophane tape;

8. Clays and glazes;

9. Compasses;

10. Composition books;

11. Crayons;

12. Dictionaries and thesauruses;

13. Dividers;

14. Erasers;

15. Folders: expandable, pocket, plastic and manila;

16. Glue, paste and paste sticks;

17. Highlighters;

18. Index card boxes;

19. Index cards;

20. Legal pads;

21. Lunch boxes;

22. Markers;

23. Notebooks;

24. Paintbrushes for artwork;

25. Paints: acrylic, tempera and oil;

26. Paper: loose-leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board and construction paper;

27. Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes;

28. Pencil sharpeners;

29. Pencils;

30. Pens;

31. Protractors;

32. Reference books;

33. Reference maps and globes;

34. Rulers;

35. Scissors;

36. Sheet music;

37. Sketch and drawing pads;

38. Textbooks;

39. Watercolors;

40. Workbooks; and

41. Writing tablets.

(iii) From and after January 1, 2010, the governing authorities of a municipality, for retail sales occurring within the corporate limits of the municipality, may suspend the application of the exemption provided for in this paragraph (bb) by adoption of a resolution to that effect stating the date upon which the suspension shall take effect. A certified copy of the resolution shall be furnished to the Department of Revenue at least ninety (90) days prior to the date upon which the municipality desires such suspension to take effect.

(cc) The gross proceeds of sales of tangible personal property made for the sole purpose of raising funds for a school or an organization affiliated with a school.

As used in this paragraph (cc), "school" means any public or private school that teaches courses of instruction to students in any grade from kindergarten through Grade 12.

(dd) Sales of durable medical equipment and home medical supplies when ordered or prescribed by a licensed physician for medical purposes of a patient. As used in this paragraph (dd), "durable medical equipment" and "home medical supplies" mean equipment, including repair and replacement parts for the equipment or supplies listed under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act or under the state plan for medical assistance under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, prosthetics, orthotics, hearing aids, hearing devices, prescription eyeglasses, oxygen and oxygen equipment. Payment does not have to be made, in whole or in part, by any particular person to be eligible for this exemption. Purchases of home medical equipment and supplies by a provider of home health services or a provider of hospice services are eligible for this exemption if the purchases otherwise meet the requirements of this paragraph.

(ee) Sales of tangible personal property or services to Mississippi Blood Services.

(ff) (i) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph (ff), retail sales of firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies if sold during the annual Mississippi Second Amendment Weekend holiday beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the last Friday in August and ending at 12:00 midnight the following Sunday. For the purposes of this paragraph (ff), "hunting supplies" means tangible personal property used for hunting, including, and limited to, archery equipment, firearm and archery cases, firearm and archery accessories, hearing protection, holsters, belts and slings. Hunting supplies does not include animals used for hunting.

(ii) This paragraph (ff) shall apply only if one or more of the following occur:

1. Title to and/or possession of an eligible item is transferred from a seller to a purchaser; and/or

2. A purchaser orders and pays for an eligible item and the seller accepts the order for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the time period provided in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (ff), provided that the purchaser has not requested or caused the delay in shipment.

(gg) Sales of nonperishable food items to charitable organizations that are exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operate a food bank or food pantry or food lines.

(hh) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the United Way of the Pine Belt Region, Inc.

(ii) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the Mississippi Children's Museum or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof operating a satellite or branch museum within this state.

(jj) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the Jackson Zoological Park.

(kk) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the Hattiesburg Zoo.

(ll) Gross proceeds from sales of food, merchandise or other concessions at an event held solely for religious or charitable purposes at livestock facilities, agriculture facilities or other facilities constructed, renovated or expanded with funds for the grant program authorized under Section 18, Chapter 530, Laws of 1995.

(mm) Sales of tangible personal property and services to the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi and the Mississippi Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

(nn) Sales of potting soil, mulch, or other soil amendments used in growing ornamental plants which bear no fruit of commercial value when sold to commercial plant nurseries that operate exclusively at wholesale and where no retail sales can be made.

(oo) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the University of Mississippi Medical Center Research Development Foundation.

(pp) Sales of tangible personal property or services to Keep Mississippi Beautiful, Inc., and all affiliates of Keep Mississippi Beautiful, Inc.

(qq) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the Friends of Children's Hospital.

(rr) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the Pinecrest Weekend Snackpacks for Kids located in Corinth, Mississippi.

(ss) Sales of hearing aids when ordered or prescribed by a licensed physician, audiologist or hearing aid specialist for the medical purposes of a patient.

(tt) Sales exempt under the Facilitating Business Rapid Response to State Declared Disasters Act of 2015 (Sections 27-113-1 through 27-113-9).

(uu) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the Junior League of Jackson.

(vv) Sales of tangible personal property or services to the Mississippi's Toughest Kids Foundation for use in the construction, furnishing and equipping of buildings and related facilities and infrastructure at Camp Kamassa in Copiah County, Mississippi. This paragraph (vv) shall stand repealed on July 1, 2022.

(ww) Sales of tangible personal property or services to MS Gulf Coast Buddy Sports, Inc.

(xx) Sales of tangible personal property or services to Biloxi Lions, Inc.

(yy) Sales of tangible personal property or services to Lions Sight Foundation of Mississippi, Inc.

(zz) Sales of tangible personal property and services to the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL).

(aaa) Sales of medical cannabis by a dispensary to a registered qualifying patient who is terminally ill or has a particularly debilitating condition when sold in accordance with the provisions of the Mississippi Compassionate Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

SECTION 52. Section 33-13-520, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

33-13-520. (1) Any person subject to this code who uses, while on duty, any controlled substance listed in the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, not legally prescribed, or is found, by a chemical analysis of such person's blood or urine, to have in his blood, while on duty, any controlled substance described in subsection (3), not legally prescribed, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(2) Any person subject to this code who wrongfully uses, possesses, manufactures, distributes, imports into the customs territory of the United States, exports from the United States, or introduces into an installation, vessel, vehicle or aircraft used by or under the control of the state military forces a substance described in subsection (3) shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(3) The substances referred to in subsections (1) and (2) are the following:

(a) Opium, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, lysergic acid diethylamide, methamphetamine, phencyclidine, barbituric acid, and marijuana and any compound or derivative of any such substance. For the purposes of this paragraph (a), "marijuana" shall not include medical cannabis that is lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

(b) Any substance not specified in paragraph (a) that is listed on a schedule of controlled substance prescribed by the President for the purposes of the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice.

(c) Any other substance not specified in paragraph (a) or contained on a list prescribed by the President under paragraph (b) that is listed in Schedules I through V of Section 202 of the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 USCS 812).

SECTION 53. Section 37-11-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-11-29. (1) Any principal, teacher or other school employee who has knowledge of any unlawful activity which occurred on educational property or during a school related activity or which may have occurred shall report such activity to the superintendent of the school district or his designee who shall notify the appropriate law enforcement officials as required by this section. In the event of an emergency or if the superintendent or his designee is unavailable, any principal may make a report required under this subsection.

(2) Whenever any person who shall be an enrolled student in any school or educational institution in this state supported in whole or in part by public funds, or who shall be an enrolled student in any private school or educational institution, is arrested for, and lawfully charged with, the commission of any crime and convicted upon the charge for which he was arrested, or convicted of any crime charged against him after his arrest and before trial, the office or law enforcement department of which the arresting officer is a member, and the justice court judge and any circuit judge or court before whom such student is tried upon said charge or charges, shall make or cause to be made a report thereof to the superintendent or the president or chancellor, as the case may be, of the school district or other educational institution in which such student is enrolled.

If the charge upon which such student was arrested, or any other charges preferred against him are dismissed or nol prossed, or if upon trial he is either convicted or acquitted of such charge or charges, same shall be reported to said respective superintendent or president, or chancellor, as the case may be. A copy of said report shall be sent to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning of the State of Mississippi, at Jackson, Mississippi.

Said report shall be made within one (1) week after the arrest of such student and within one (1) week after any charge placed against him is dismissed or nol prossed, and within one (1) week after he shall have pled guilty, been convicted, or have been acquitted by trial upon any charge placed against him. This section shall not apply to ordinary traffic violations involving a penalty of less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and costs.

The State Superintendent of Public Education shall gather annually all of the reports provided under this section and prepare a report on the number of students arrested as a result of any unlawful activity which occurred on educational property or during a school related activity. All data must be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, school, offense and law enforcement agency involved. However, the report prepared by the State Superintendent of Public Education shall not include the identity of any student who was arrested.

On or before January 1 of each year, the State Superintendent of Public Education shall report to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Joint PEER Committee on this section. The report must include data regarding arrests as a result of any unlawful activity which occurred on educational property or during a school related activity.

(3) When the superintendent or his designee has a reasonable belief that an act has occurred on educational property or during a school related activity involving any of the offenses set forth in subsection (6) of this section, the superintendent or his designee shall immediately report the act to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. For purposes of this subsection, "school property" shall include any public school building, bus, public school campus, grounds, recreational area or athletic field in the charge of the superintendent. The State Board of Education shall prescribe a form for making reports required under this subsection. Any superintendent or his designee who fails to make a report required by this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 37-11-35.

(4) The law enforcement authority shall immediately dispatch an officer to the educational institution and with probable cause the officer is authorized to make an arrest if necessary as provided in Section 99-3-7.

(5) Any superintendent, principal, teacher or other school personnel participating in the making of a required report pursuant to this section or participating in any judicial proceeding resulting therefrom shall be presumed to be acting in good faith. Any person reporting in good faith shall be immune from any civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.

(6) For purposes of this section, "unlawful activity" means any of the following:

(a) Possession or use of a deadly weapon, as defined in Section 97-37-1;

(b) Possession, sale or use of any controlled substance;

(d) Simple assault, as defined in Section 97-3-7, upon any school employee;

(e) Rape, as defined under Mississippi law;

(f) Sexual battery, as defined under Mississippi law;

(g) Murder, as defined under Mississippi law;

(h) Kidnapping, as defined under Mississippi law; or

(i) Fondling, touching, handling, etc., a child for lustful purposes, as defined in Section 97-5-23.

For the purposes of this subsection (6), the term "controlled substance" does not include the possession or use of medical cannabis that is lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

SECTION 54. Section 41-3-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-3-15. (1) (a) There shall be a State Department of Health.

(b) The State Board of Health shall have the following powers and duties:

(i) To formulate the policy of the State Department of Health regarding public health matters within the jurisdiction of the department;

(ii) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the department under any and all statutes within the department's jurisdiction, and as the board may deem necessary;

(iii) To apply for, receive, accept and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, trusts, devises, bequests, grants, endowments or funds from any other source or transfers of property of any kind;

(iv) To enter into, and to authorize the executive officer to execute contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the provisions of this chapter, if it finds those actions to be in the public interest and the contracts or agreements do not have a financial cost that exceeds the amounts appropriated for those purposes by the Legislature;

(v) To appoint, upon recommendation of the Executive Officer of the State Department of Health, a Director of Internal Audit who shall be either a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor, and whose employment shall be continued at the discretion of the board, and who shall report directly to the board, or its designee; and

(vi) To discharge such other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(i) To administer the policies of the State Board of Health within the authority granted by the board;

(ii) To supervise and direct all administrative and technical activities of the department, except that the department's internal auditor shall be subject to the sole supervision and direction of the board;

(iii) To organize the administrative units of the department in accordance with the plan adopted by the board and, with board approval, alter the organizational plan and reassign responsibilities as he or she may deem necessary to carry out the policies of the board;

(iv) To coordinate the activities of the various offices of the department;

(v) To employ, subject to regulations of the State Personnel Board, qualified professional personnel in the subject matter or fields of each office, and such other technical and clerical staff as may be required for the operation of the department. The executive officer shall be the appointing authority for the department, and shall have the power to delegate the authority to appoint or dismiss employees to appropriate subordinates, subject to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board;

(vi) To recommend to the board such studies and investigations as he or she may deem appropriate, and to carry out the approved recommendations in conjunction with the various offices;

(vii) To prepare and deliver to the Legislature and the Governor on or before January 1 of each year, and at such other times as may be required by the Legislature or Governor, a full report of the work of the department and the offices thereof, including a detailed statement of expenditures of the department and any recommendations the board may have;

(viii) To prepare and deliver to the Chairmen of the Public Health and Welfare/Human Services Committees of the Senate and House on or before January 1 of each year, a plan for monitoring infant mortality in Mississippi and a full report of the work of the department on reducing Mississippi's infant mortality and morbidity rates and improving the status of maternal and infant health; and

(ix) To enter into contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the provisions of this chapter, if he or she finds those actions to be in the public interest and the contracts or agreements do not have a financial cost that exceeds the amounts appropriated for those purposes by the Legislature. Each contract or agreement entered into by the executive officer shall be submitted to the board before its next meeting.

(2) The State Board of Health shall have the authority to establish an Office of Rural Health within the department. The duties and responsibilities of this office shall include the following:

(a) To collect and evaluate data on rural health conditions and needs;

(b) To engage in policy analysis, policy development and economic impact studies with regard to rural health issues;

(c) To develop and implement plans and provide technical assistance to enable community health systems to respond to various changes in their circumstances;

(d) To plan and assist in professional recruitment and retention of medical professionals and assistants; and

(e) To establish information clearinghouses to improve access to and sharing of rural health care information.

(3) The State Board of Health shall have general supervision of the health interests of the people of the state and to exercise the rights, powers and duties of those acts which it is authorized by law to enforce.

(4) The State Board of Health shall have authority:

(a) To make investigations and inquiries with respect to the causes of disease and death, and to investigate the effect of environment, including conditions of employment and other conditions that may affect health, and to make such other investigations as it may deem necessary for the preservation and improvement of health.

(b) To make such sanitary investigations as it may, from time to time, deem necessary for the protection and improvement of health and to investigate nuisance questions that affect the security of life and health within the state.

(c) To direct and control sanitary and quarantine measures for dealing with all diseases within the state possible to suppress same and prevent their spread.

(d) To obtain, collect and preserve such information relative to mortality, morbidity, disease and health as may be useful in the discharge of its duties or may contribute to the prevention of disease or the promotion of health in this state.

(e) To charge and collect reasonable fees for health services, including immunizations, inspections and related activities, and the board shall charge fees for those services; however, if it is determined that a person receiving services is unable to pay the total fee, the board shall collect any amount that the person is able to pay. Any increase in the fees charged by the board under this paragraph shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65.

(f) (i) To establish standards for, issue permits and exercise control over, any cafes, restaurants, food or drink stands, sandwich manufacturing establishments, and all other establishments, other than churches, church-related and private schools, and other nonprofit or charitable organizations, where food or drink is regularly prepared, handled and served for pay; and

(ii) To require that a permit be obtained from the Department of Health before those persons begin operation. If any such person fails to obtain the permit required in this subparagraph (ii), the State Board of Health, after due notice and opportunity for a hearing, may impose a monetary penalty not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each violation. However, the department is not authorized to impose a monetary penalty against any person whose gross annual prepared food sales are less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). Money collected by the board under this subparagraph (ii) shall be deposited to the credit of the State General Fund of the State Treasury.

(g) To promulgate rules and regulations and exercise control over the production and sale of milk pursuant to the provisions of Sections 75-31-41 through 75-31-49.

(h) On presentation of proper authority, to enter into and inspect any public place or building where the State Health Officer or his representative deems it necessary and proper to enter for the discovery and suppression of disease and for the enforcement of any health or sanitary laws and regulations in the state.

(i) To conduct investigations, inquiries and hearings, and to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and records at any hearing when authorized and required by statute to be conducted by the State Health Officer or the State Board of Health.

(j) To promulgate rules and regulations, and to collect data and information, on (i) the delivery of services through the practice of telemedicine; and (ii) the use of electronic records for the delivery of telemedicine services.

(k) To enforce and regulate domestic and imported fish as authorized under Section 69-7-601 et seq.

(5) (a) The State Board of Health shall have the authority, in its discretion, to establish programs to promote the public health, to be administered by the State Department of Health. Specifically, those programs may include, but shall not be limited to, programs in the following areas:

(i) Maternal and child health;

(ii) Family planning;

(iii) Pediatric services;

(iv) Services to crippled and disabled children;

(v) Control of communicable and noncommunicable disease;

(vi) Chronic disease;

(vii) Accidental deaths and injuries;

(viii) Child care licensure;

(ix) Radiological health;

(x) Dental health;

(xi) Milk sanitation;

(xii) Occupational safety and health;

(xiii) Food, vector control and general sanitation;

(xiv) Protection of drinking water;

(xv) Sanitation in food handling establishments open to the public;

(xvi) Registration of births and deaths and other vital events;

(xvii) Such public health programs and services as may be assigned to the State Board of Health by the Legislature or by executive order; and

(xviii) Regulation of domestic and imported fish for human consumption.

(b) The State Board of Health and State Department of Health shall not be authorized to sell, transfer, alienate or otherwise dispose of any of the home health agencies owned and operated by the department on January 1, 1995, and shall not be authorized to sell, transfer, assign, alienate or otherwise dispose of the license of any of those home health agencies, except upon the specific authorization of the Legislature by an amendment to this section. However, this paragraph (b) shall not prevent the board or the department from closing or terminating the operation of any home health agency owned and operated by the department, or closing or terminating any office, branch office or clinic of any such home health agency, or otherwise discontinuing the providing of home health services through any such home health agency, office, branch office or clinic, if the board first demonstrates that there are other providers of home health services in the area being served by the department's home health agency, office, branch office or clinic that will be able to provide adequate home health services to the residents of the area if the department's home health agency, office, branch office or clinic is closed or otherwise discontinues the providing of home health services. This demonstration by the board that there are other providers of adequate home health services in the area shall be spread at length upon the minutes of the board at a regular or special meeting of the board at least thirty (30) days before a home health agency, office, branch office or clinic is proposed to be closed or otherwise discontinue the providing of home health services.

(c) The State Department of Health may undertake such technical programs and activities as may be required for the support and operation of those programs, including maintaining physical, chemical, bacteriological and radiological laboratories, and may make such diagnostic tests for diseases and tests for the evaluation of health hazards as may be deemed necessary for the protection of the people of the state.

(6) (a) The State Board of Health shall administer the local governments and rural water systems improvements loan program in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-16.

(b) The State Board of Health shall have authority:

(i) To enter into capitalization grant agreements with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any successor agency thereto;

(ii) To accept capitalization grant awards made under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended;

(iii) To provide annual reports and audits to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as may be required by federal capitalization grant agreements; and

(iv) To establish and collect fees to defray the reasonable costs of administering the revolving fund or emergency fund if the State Board of Health determines that those costs will exceed the limitations established in the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended. The administration fees may be included in loan amounts to loan recipients for the purpose of facilitating payment to the board; however, those fees may not exceed five percent (5%) of the loan amount.

(7) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: The department shall issue a license to Alexander Milne Home for Women, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, for the construction, conversion, expansion and operation of not more than forty-five (45) beds for developmentally disabled adults who have been displaced from New Orleans, Louisiana, with the beds to be located in a certified ICF-MR facility in the City of Laurel, Mississippi. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program for the person receiving the license under this subsection (7). The license described in this subsection shall expire five (5) years from the date of its issue. The license authorized by this subsection shall be issued upon the initial payment by the licensee of an application fee of Sixty-seven Thousand Dollars ($67,000.00) and a monthly fee of Sixty-seven Thousand Dollars ($67,000.00) after the issuance of the license, to be paid as long as the licensee continues to operate. The initial and monthly licensing fees shall be deposited by the State Department of Health into the special fund created under Section 41-7-188.

(8) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: The State Department of Health is authorized to issue a license to an existing home health agency for the transfer of a county from that agency to another existing home health agency, and to charge a fee for reviewing and making a determination on the application for such transfer not to exceed one-half (1/2) of the authorized fee assessed for the original application for the home health agency, with the revenue to be deposited by the State Department of Health into the special fund created under Section 41-7-188.

(9) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: For the period beginning July 1, 2010, through July 1, 2017, the State Department of Health is authorized and empowered to assess a fee in addition to the fee prescribed in Section 41-7-188 for reviewing applications for certificates of need in an amount not to exceed twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (.25 of 1%) of the amount of a proposed capital expenditure, but shall be not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) regardless of the amount of the proposed capital expenditure, and the maximum additional fee permitted shall not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00). Provided that the total assessments of fees for certificate of need applications under Section 41-7-188 and this section shall not exceed the actual cost of operating the certificate of need program.

(10) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: The State Department of Health is authorized to extend and renew any certificate of need that has expired, and to charge a fee for reviewing and making a determination on the application for such action not to exceed one-half (1/2) of the authorized fee assessed for the original application for the certificate of need, with the revenue to be deposited by the State Department of Health into the special fund created under Section 41-7-188.

(11) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: The State Department of Health is authorized and empowered, to revoke, immediately, the license and require closure of any institution for the aged or infirm, including any other remedy less than closure to protect the health and safety of the residents of said institution or the health and safety of the general public.

(12) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: The State Department of Health is authorized and empowered, to require the temporary detainment of individuals for disease control purposes based upon violation of any order of the State Health Officer, as provided in Section 41-23-5. For the purpose of enforcing such orders of the State Health Officer, persons employed by the department as investigators shall have general arrest powers. All law enforcement officers are authorized and directed to assist in the enforcement of such orders of the State Health Officer.

SECTION 55. Section 41-29-125, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-29-125. (1) The State Board of Pharmacy may promulgate rules and regulations relating to the registration and control of the manufacture, distribution and dispensing of controlled substances within this state and the distribution and dispensing of controlled substances into this state from an out-of-state location.

(a) Every person who manufactures, distributes or dispenses any controlled substance within this state or who distributes or dispenses any controlled substance into this state from an out-of-state location, or who proposes to engage in the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of any controlled substance within this state or the distribution or dispensing of any controlled substance into this state from an out-of-state location, must obtain a registration issued by the State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Medical Licensure, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the Mississippi Board of Nursing or the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine, as appropriate, in accordance with its rules and the law of this state. Such registration shall be obtained annually or biennially, as specified by the issuing board, and a reasonable fee may be charged by the issuing board for such registration.

(b) Persons registered by the State Board of Pharmacy, with the consent of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the State Board of Medical Licensure, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the Mississippi Board of Nursing or the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine to manufacture, distribute, dispense or conduct research with controlled substances may possess, manufacture, distribute, dispense or conduct research with those substances to the extent authorized by their registration and in conformity with the other provisions of this article.

(1) An agent or employee of any registered manufacturer, distributor or dispenser of any controlled substance if he is acting in the usual course of his business or employment;

(2) A common or contract carrier or warehouse, or an employee thereof, whose possession of any controlled substance is in the usual course of business or employment;

(3) An ultimate user or a person in possession of any controlled substance pursuant to a valid prescription or in lawful possession of a Schedule V substance as defined in Section 41-29-121.

(d) The State Board of Pharmacy may waive by rule the requirement for registration of certain manufacturers, distributors or dispensers if it finds it consistent with the public health and safety.

(e) A separate registration is required at each principal place of business or professional practice where an applicant within the state manufactures, distributes or dispenses controlled substances and for each principal place of business or professional practice located out-of-state from which controlled substances are distributed or dispensed into the state.

(f) The State Board of Pharmacy, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the State Board of Medical Licensure, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the Mississippi Board of Nursing and the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine may inspect the establishment of a registrant or applicant for registration in accordance with the regulations of these agencies as approved by the board.

(2) Whenever a pharmacy ships, mails or delivers any Schedule II controlled substance listed in Section 41-29-115 to a private residence in this state, the pharmacy shall arrange with the entity that will actually deliver the controlled substance to a recipient in this state that the entity will: (a) deliver the controlled substance only to a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older; and (b) obtain the signature of that person before delivering the controlled substance. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to a pharmacy serving a nursing facility or to a pharmacy owned and/or operated by a hospital, nursing facility or clinic to which the general public does not have access to purchase pharmaceuticals on a retail basis.

(3) This section does not apply to any of the actions that are lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

SECTION 56. Section 41-29-127, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-29-127. (a) The State Board of Pharmacy shall register an applicant to manufacture or distribute controlled substances included in Sections 41-29-113 through 41-29-121 unless it determines that the issuance of that registration would be inconsistent with the public interest. In determining the public interest, the State Board of Pharmacy shall consider the following factors:

(1) Maintenance of effective controls against diversion of controlled substances into other than legitimate medical, scientific, or industrial channels;

(2) Compliance with applicable state and local law;

(3) Any convictions of the applicant under any federal and state laws relating to any controlled substance;

(4) Past experience in the manufacture or distribution of controlled substances and the existence in the applicant's establishment of effective controls against diversion;

(5) Furnishing by the applicant of false or fraudulent material in any application filed under this article;

(6) Suspension or revocation of the applicant's federal registration to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances as authorized by federal law; and

(7) Any other factors relevant to and consistent with the public health and safety.

(b) Registration under subsection (a) does not entitle a registrant to manufacture and distribute controlled substances in Schedule I or II, as set out in Sections 41-29-113 and 41-29-115, other than those specified in the registration.

(c) Practitioners must be registered to dispense any controlled substances or to conduct research with controlled substances in Schedules II through V, as set out in Sections 41-29-115 through 41-29-121, if they are authorized to dispense or conduct research under the law of this state. The State Board of Pharmacy need not require separate registration under this section for practitioners engaging in research with nonnarcotic controlled substances in the said Schedules II through V where the registrant is already registered therein in another capacity. Practitioners registered under federal law to conduct research with Schedule I substances, as set out in Section 41-29-113, may conduct research with Schedule I substances within this state upon furnishing the State Board of Health evidence of that federal registration.

(d) Compliance by manufacturers and distributors with the provisions of the federal law respecting registration (excluding fees) entitles them to be registered under this article.

(e) This section does not apply to any of the actions that are lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

SECTION 57. Section 41-29-136, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-29-136. (1) "CBD solution" means a pharmaceutical preparation consisting of processed cannabis plant extract in oil or other suitable vehicle.

(2) (a) CBD solution prepared from (i) Cannabis plant extract that is provided by the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi under appropriate federal and state regulatory approvals, or (ii) Cannabis extract from hemp produced pursuant to Sections 69-25-201 through 69-25-221, which is prepared and tested to meet compliance with regulatory specifications, may be dispensed by the Department of Pharmacy Services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC Pharmacy) after mixing the extract with a suitable vehicle. The CBD solution may be prepared by the UMMC Pharmacy or by another pharmacy or laboratory in the state under appropriate federal and state regulatory approvals and registrations.

(b) The patient or the patient's parent, guardian or custodian must execute a hold-harmless agreement that releases from liability the state and any division, agency, institution or employee thereof involved in the research, cultivation, processing, formulating, dispensing, prescribing or administration of CBD solution obtained from entities authorized under this section to produce or possess cannabidiol for research under appropriate federal and state regulatory approvals and registrations.

(c) The National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station at Mississippi State University are the only entities authorized to produce cannabis plants for cannabidiol research.

(d) Research of CBD solution under this section must comply with the provisions of Section 41-29-125 regarding lawful possession of controlled substances, of Section 41-29-137 regarding record-keeping requirements relative to the dispensing, use or administration of controlled substances, and of Section 41-29-133 regarding inventory requirements, insofar as they are applicable. Authorized entities may enter into public-private partnerships to facilitate research.

(3) (a) In a prosecution for the unlawful possession of marijuana under the laws of this state, it is an affirmative and complete defense to prosecution that:

(i) The defendant suffered from a debilitating epileptic condition or related illness and the use or possession of CBD solution was pursuant to the order of a physician as authorized under this section; or

(ii) The defendant is the parent, guardian or custodian of an individual who suffered from a debilitating epileptic condition or related illness and the use or possession of CBD solution was pursuant to the order of a physician as authorized under this section.

(b) An agency of this state or a political subdivision thereof, including any law enforcement agency, may not initiate proceedings to remove a child from the home based solely upon the possession or use of CBD solution by the child or parent, guardian or custodian of the child as authorized under this section.

(c) An employee of the state or any division, agency, institution thereof involved in the research, cultivation, processing, formulation, dispensing, prescribing or administration of CBD solution shall not be subject to prosecution for unlawful possession, use, distribution or prescription of marijuana under the laws of this state for activities arising from or related to the use of CBD solution in the treatment of individuals diagnosed with a debilitating epileptic condition.

(4) This section does not apply to any of the actions that are lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

( * * *45) This section shall be known as "Harper Grace's Law."

( * * *56) This section shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2024.

SECTION 58. Section 41-29-137, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-29-137. (a) (1) Except when dispensed directly by a practitioner, other than a pharmacy, to an ultimate user, no controlled substance in Schedule II, as set out in Section 41-29-115, may be dispensed without the written valid prescription of a practitioner. A practitioner shall keep a record of all controlled substances in Schedule I, II and III administered, dispensed or professionally used by him otherwise than by prescription.

(2) In emergency situations, as defined by rule of the State Board of Pharmacy, Schedule II drugs may be dispensed upon the oral valid prescription of a practitioner, reduced promptly to writing and filed by the pharmacy. Prescriptions shall be retained in conformity with the requirements of Section 41-29-133. No prescription for a Schedule II substance may be refilled unless renewed by prescription issued by a licensed medical doctor.

(b) Except when dispensed directly by a practitioner, other than a pharmacy, to an ultimate user, a controlled substance included in Schedule III or IV, as set out in Sections 41-29-117 and 41-29-119, shall not be dispensed without a written or oral valid prescription of a practitioner. The prescription shall not be filled or refilled more than six (6) months after the date thereof or be refilled more than five (5) times, unless renewed by the practitioner.

(c) A controlled substance included in Schedule V, as set out in Section 41-29-121, shall not be distributed or dispensed other than for a medical purpose.

(d) An optometrist certified to prescribe and use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents under Sections 73-19-153 through 73-19-165 shall be authorized to prescribe oral analgesic controlled substances in Schedule IV or V, as pertains to treatment and management of eye disease by written prescription only.

(e) Administration by injection of any pharmaceutical product authorized in this section is expressly prohibited except when dispensed directly by a practitioner other than a pharmacy.

(f) (1) For the purposes of this article, Title 73, Chapter 21, and Title 73, Chapter 25, Mississippi Code of 1972, as it pertains to prescriptions for controlled substances, a "valid prescription" means a prescription that is issued for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice by:

(A) A practitioner who has conducted at least one (1) in-person medical evaluation of the patient, except as otherwise authorized by Section 41-29-137.1; or

(B) A covering practitioner.

(2) (A) "In-person medical evaluation" means a medical evaluation that is conducted with the patient in the physical presence of the practitioner, without regard to whether portions of the evaluation are conducted by other health professionals.

(B) "Covering practitioner" means a practitioner who conducts a medical evaluation other than an in-person medical evaluation at the request of a practitioner who has conducted at least one (1) in-person medical evaluation of the patient or an evaluation of the patient through the practice of telemedicine within the previous twenty-four (24) months and who is temporarily unavailable to conduct the evaluation of the patient.

(3) A prescription for a controlled substance based solely on a consumer's completion of an online medical questionnaire is not a valid prescription.

(4) Nothing in this subsection (f) shall apply to:

(A) A prescription issued by a practitioner engaged in the practice of telemedicine as authorized under state or federal law; or

(B) The dispensing or selling of a controlled substance pursuant to practices as determined by the United States Attorney General by regulation.

(g) This section does not apply to any of the actions that are lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

SECTION 59. Section 41-29-139, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-29-139. (a) Transfer and possession with intent to transfer. Except as authorized by this article, it is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally:

(1) To sell, barter, transfer, manufacture, distribute, dispense or possess with intent to sell, barter, transfer, manufacture, distribute or dispense, a controlled substance; or

(2) To create, sell, barter, transfer, distribute, dispense or possess with intent to create, sell, barter, transfer, distribute or dispense, a counterfeit substance.

(b) Punishment for transfer and possession with intent to transfer. Except as otherwise provided in Section 41-29-142, any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be, if convicted, sentenced as follows:

(1) For controlled substances classified in Schedule I or II, as set out in Sections 41-29-113 and 41-29-115, other than marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids:

(A) If less than two (2) grams or ten (10) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than eight (8) years or a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(B) If two (2) or more grams or ten (10) or more dosage units, but less than ten (10) grams or twenty (20) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than three (3) years nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both.

(C) If ten (10) or more grams or twenty (20) or more dosage units, but less than thirty (30) grams or forty (40) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than five (5) years nor more than thirty (30) years or a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or both.

(2) (A) For marijuana:

1. If thirty (30) grams or less, by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years or a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or both;

2. If more than thirty (30) grams but less than two hundred fifty (250) grams, by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both;

3. If two hundred fifty (250) or more grams but less than five hundred (500) grams, by imprisonment for not less than three (3) years nor more than ten (10) years or a fine of not more than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), or both;

4. If five hundred (500) or more grams but less than one (1) kilogram, by imprisonment for not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not more than Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), or both.

(B) For synthetic cannabinoids:

1. If ten (10) grams or less, by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years or a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or both;

2. If more than ten (10) grams but less than twenty (20) grams, by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both;

3. If twenty (20) or more grams but less than forty (40) grams, by imprisonment for not less than three (3) years nor more than ten (10) years or a fine of not more than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), or both;

4. If forty (40) or more grams but less than two hundred (200) grams, by imprisonment for not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not more than Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), or both.

(3) For controlled substances classified in Schedules III and IV, as set out in Sections 41-29-117 and 41-29-119:

(A) If less than two (2) grams or ten (10) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both;

(B) If two (2) or more grams or ten (10) or more dosage units, but less than ten (10) grams or twenty (20) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than eight (8) years or a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both;

(C) If ten (10) or more grams or twenty (20) or more dosage units, but less than thirty (30) grams or forty (40) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than fifteen (15) years or a fine of not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or both;

(D) If thirty (30) or more grams or forty (40) or more dosage units, but less than five hundred (500) grams or two thousand five hundred (2,500) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both.

(4) For controlled substances classified in Schedule V, as set out in Section 41-29-121:

(A) If less than two (2) grams or ten (10) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both;

(B) If two (2) or more grams or ten (10) or more dosage units, but less than ten (10) grams or twenty (20) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both;

(C) If ten (10) or more grams or twenty (20) or more dosage units, but less than thirty (30) grams or forty (40) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years or a fine of not more than Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), or both;

(D) For thirty (30) or more grams or forty (40) or more dosage units, but less than five hundred (500) grams or two thousand five hundred (2,500) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than fifteen (15) years or a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(c) Simple possession. Except as otherwise provided under subsection (i) of this section for actions that are lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder, it is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess any controlled substance unless the substance was obtained directly from, or pursuant to, a valid prescription or order of a practitioner while acting in the course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by this article. The penalties for any violation of this subsection (c) with respect to a controlled substance classified in Schedules I, II, III, IV or V, as set out in Section 41-29-113, 41-29-115, 41-29-117, 41-29-119 or 41-29-121, including marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, shall be based on dosage unit as defined herein or the weight of the controlled substance as set forth herein as appropriate:

"Dosage unit (d.u.)" means a tablet or capsule, or in the case of a liquid solution, one (1) milliliter. In the case of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) the term, "dosage unit" means a stamp, square, dot, microdot, tablet or capsule of a controlled substance.

For any controlled substance that does not fall within the definition of the term "dosage unit," the penalties shall be based upon the weight of the controlled substance.

The weight set forth refers to the entire weight of any mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of the controlled substance.

If a mixture or substance contains more than one (1) controlled substance, the weight of the mixture or substance is assigned to the controlled substance that results in the greater punishment.

A person shall be charged and sentenced as follows for a violation of this subsection with respect to:

(1) A controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II, except marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids:

(A) If less than one-tenth (0.1) gram or two (2) dosage units, the violation is a misdemeanor and punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year or a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(B) If one-tenth (0.1) gram or more or two (2) or more dosage units, but less than two (2) grams or ten (10) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years or a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(C) If two (2) or more grams or ten (10) or more dosage units, but less than ten (10) grams or twenty (20) dosage units, by imprisonment for not more than eight (8) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both.

(D) If ten (10) or more grams or twenty (20) or more dosage units, but less than thirty (30) grams or forty (40) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than three (3) years nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or both.

(2) (A) Marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids:

1. If thirty (30) grams or less of marijuana or ten (10) grams or less of synthetic cannabinoids, by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00). The provisions of this paragraph (2)(A) may be enforceable by summons if the offender provides proof of identity satisfactory to the arresting officer and gives written promise to appear in court satisfactory to the arresting officer, as directed by the summons. A second conviction under this section within two (2) years is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), not more than sixty (60) days in the county jail, and mandatory participation in a drug education program approved by the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse of the State Department of Mental Health, unless the court enters a written finding that a drug education program is inappropriate. A third or subsequent conviction under this paragraph (2)(A) within two (2) years is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and confinement for not more than six (6) months in the county jail.

Upon a first or second conviction under this paragraph (2)(A), the courts shall forward a report of the conviction to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics which shall make and maintain a private, nonpublic record for a period not to exceed two (2) years from the date of conviction. The private, nonpublic record shall be solely for the use of the courts in determining the penalties which attach upon conviction under this paragraph (2)(A) and shall not constitute a criminal record for the purpose of private or administrative inquiry and the record of each conviction shall be expunged at the end of the period of two (2) years following the date of such conviction;

2. Additionally, a person who is the operator of a motor vehicle, who possesses on his person or knowingly keeps or allows to be kept in a motor vehicle within the area of the vehicle normally occupied by the driver or passengers, more than one (1) gram, but not more than thirty (30) grams of marijuana or not more than ten (10) grams of synthetic cannabinoids is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or confined for not more than ninety (90) days in the county jail, or both. For the purposes of this subsection, such area of the vehicle shall not include the trunk of the motor vehicle or the areas not normally occupied by the driver or passengers if the vehicle is not equipped with a trunk. A utility or glove compartment shall be deemed to be within the area occupied by the driver and passengers;

(B) Marijuana:

1. If more than thirty (30) grams but less than two hundred fifty (250) grams, by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or confinement in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or both; or by a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than three (3) years, or both;

2. If two hundred fifty (250) or more grams but less than five hundred (500) grams, by imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than eight (8) years or by a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both;

3. If five hundred (500) or more grams but less than one (1) kilogram, by imprisonment for not less than four (4) years nor more than sixteen (16) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both;

4. If one (1) kilogram or more but less than five (5) kilograms, by imprisonment for not less than six (6) years nor more than twenty-four (24) years or a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or both;

5. If five (5) kilograms or more, by imprisonment for not less than ten (10) years nor more than thirty (30) years or a fine of not more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), or both.

1. If more than ten (10) grams but less than twenty (20) grams, by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or confinement in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or both; or by a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than three (3) years, or both;

2. If twenty (20) or more grams but less than forty (40) grams, by imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than eight (8) years or by a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both;

3. If forty (40) or more grams but less than two hundred (200) grams, by imprisonment for not less than four (4) years nor more than sixteen (16) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both;

4. If two hundred (200) or more grams, by imprisonment for not less than six (6) years nor more than twenty-four (24) years or a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or both.

(3) A controlled substance classified in Schedule III, IV or V as set out in Sections 41-29-117 through 41-29-121, upon conviction, may be punished as follows:

(A) If less than fifty (50) grams or less than one hundred (100) dosage units, the offense is a misdemeanor and punishable by not more than one (1) year or a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(B) If fifty (50) or more grams or one hundred (100) or more dosage units, but less than one hundred fifty (150) grams or five hundred (500) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than one (1) year nor more than four (4) years or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.

(C) If one hundred fifty (150) or more grams or five hundred (500) or more dosage units, but less than three hundred (300) grams or one thousand (1,000) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than eight (8) years or a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.

(D) If three hundred (300) or more grams or one thousand (1,000) or more dosage units, but less than five hundred (500) grams or two thousand five hundred (2,500) dosage units, by imprisonment for not less than four (4) years nor more than sixteen (16) years or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), or both.

(d) Paraphernalia. (1) Except as otherwise provided under subsection (i) of this section for actions that are lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder, it is unlawful for a person who is not authorized by the State Board of Medical Licensure, State Board of Pharmacy, or other lawful authority to use, or to possess with intent to use, paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance in violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law. Any person who violates this subsection (d)(1) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be confined in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both; however, no person shall be charged with a violation of this subsection when such person is also charged with the possession of thirty (30) grams or less of marijuana under subsection (c)(2)(A) of this section.

(2) It is unlawful for any person to deliver, sell, possess with intent to deliver or sell, or manufacture with intent to deliver or sell, paraphernalia, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that it will be used to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance in violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law. Except as provided in subsection (d)(3), a person who violates this subsection (d)(2) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be confined in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both.

(3) Any person eighteen (18) years of age or over who violates subsection (d)(2) of this section by delivering or selling paraphernalia to a person under eighteen (18) years of age who is at least three (3) years his junior is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be confined in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to place in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication any advertisement, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the purpose of the advertisement, in whole or in part, is to promote the sale of objects designed or intended for use as paraphernalia. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be confined in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any physician practicing medicine in this state to prescribe, dispense or administer any amphetamine or amphetamine-like anorectics and/or central nervous system stimulants classified in Schedule II, pursuant to Section 41-29-115, for the exclusive treatment of obesity, weight control or weight loss. Any person who violates this subsection, upon conviction, is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be confined for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(f) Trafficking. (1) Any person trafficking in controlled substances shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be imprisoned for a term of not less than ten (10) years nor more than forty (40) years and shall be fined not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) nor more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). The ten-year mandatory sentence shall not be reduced or suspended. The person shall not be eligible for probation or parole, the provisions of Sections 41-29-149, 47-5-139, 47-7-3 and 47-7-33, to the contrary notwithstanding.

(2) "Trafficking in controlled substances" as used herein means:

(A) A violation of subsection (a) of this section involving thirty (30) or more grams or forty (40) or more dosage units of a Schedule I or II controlled substance except marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids;

(B) A violation of subsection (a) of this section involving five hundred (500) or more grams or two thousand five hundred (2,500) or more dosage units of a Schedule III, IV or V controlled substance;

(C) A violation of subsection (c) of this section involving thirty (30) or more grams or forty (40) or more dosage units of a Schedule I or II controlled substance except marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids;

(D) A violation of subsection (c) of this section involving five hundred (500) or more grams or two thousand five hundred (2,500) or more dosage units of a Schedule III, IV or V controlled substance; or

(E) A violation of subsection (a) of this section involving one (1) kilogram or more of marijuana or two hundred (200) grams or more of synthetic cannabinoids.

(g) Aggravated trafficking. Any person trafficking in Schedule I or II controlled substances, except marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids, of two hundred (200) grams or more shall be guilty of aggravated trafficking and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to a term of not less than twenty-five (25) years nor more than life in prison and shall be fined not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) nor more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). The twenty-five-year sentence shall be a mandatory sentence and shall not be reduced or suspended. The person shall not be eligible for probation or parole, the provisions of Sections 41-29-149, 47-5-139, 47-7-3 and 47-7-33, to the contrary notwithstanding.

(h) Sentence mitigation. (1) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a person who has been convicted of an offense under this section that requires the judge to impose a prison sentence which cannot be suspended or reduced and is ineligible for probation or parole may, at the discretion of the court, receive a sentence of imprisonment that is no less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence prescribed by the applicable statute. In considering whether to apply the departure from the sentence prescribed, the court shall conclude that:

(A) The offender was not a leader of the criminal enterprise;

(B) The offender did not use violence or a weapon during the crime;

(C) The offense did not result in a death or serious bodily injury of a person not a party to the criminal enterprise; and

(D) The interests of justice are not served by the imposition of the prescribed mandatory sentence.

The court may also consider whether information and assistance were furnished to a law enforcement agency, or its designee, which, in the opinion of the trial judge, objectively should or would have aided in the arrest or prosecution of others who violate this subsection. The accused shall have adequate opportunity to develop and make a record of all information and assistance so furnished.

(2) If the court reduces the prescribed sentence pursuant to this subsection, it must specify on the record the circumstances warranting the departure.

(i) This section does not apply to any of the actions that are lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

SECTION 60. Section 41-29-141, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-29-141. It is unlawful for any person:

(1) Who is subject to Section 41-29-125 to distribute or dispense a controlled substance in violation of Section 41-29-137;

(2) Who is a registrant under Section 41-29-125 to manufacture a controlled substance not authorized by his registration, or to distribute or dispense a controlled substance not authorized by his registration to another registrant or other authorized person;

(3) To refuse or fail to make, keep or furnish any record, notification, order form, statement, invoice or information required under this article;

(4) To refuse a lawful entry into any premises for any inspection authorized by this article; or

(5) Knowingly to keep or maintain any store, shop, warehouse, dwelling, building, vehicle, boat, aircraft, or other structure or place, which is resorted to by persons using controlled substances in violation of this article for the purpose of using these substances, or which is used for keeping or selling them in violation of this article.

Any person who violates this section shall, with respect to such violation, be subject to a civil penalty payable to the State of Mississippi of not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00).

In addition to the civil penalty provided in the preceding paragraph, any person who knowingly or intentionally violates this section shall be guilty of a crime and upon conviction thereof may be confined for a period of not more than one (1) year or fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

This section does not apply to any of the actions that are lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

SECTION 61. Section 41-29-143, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-29-143. It is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally:

(1) To distribute as a registrant a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II, as set out in Sections 41-29-113 and 41-29-115, except pursuant to an order form as required by Section 41-29-135;

(2) To use in the course of the manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance a registration number which is fictitious, revoked, suspended, or issued to another person * * *.;

(3) To furnish false or fraudulent material information in, or omit any material information from, any application, report, or other document required to be kept or filed under this article, or any record required to be kept by this article; or

(4) To make, distribute, or possess any punch, die, plate, stone, or other thing designed to print, imprint, or reproduce the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint or device of another or any likeness of any of the foregoing upon any drug or container or labeling thereof so as to render the drug a counterfeit substance.

Any person who violates this section is guilty of a crime and upon conviction may be confined for not more than one (1) year or fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or both. This section does not apply to any of the actions that are lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

SECTION 62. Section 43-21-301, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-21-301. (1) No court other than the youth court shall issue an arrest warrant or custody order for a child in a matter in which the youth court has exclusive original jurisdiction but shall refer the matter to the youth court.

(2) Except as otherwise provided, no child in a matter in which the youth court has exclusive original jurisdiction shall be taken into custody by a law enforcement officer, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Child Protection Services, or any other person unless the judge or his designee has issued a custody order to take the child into custody.

(3) The judge or his designee may require a law enforcement officer, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Child Protection Services, or any suitable person to take a child into custody for a period not longer than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory state holidays.

(a) Custody orders under this subsection may be issued if it appears that there is probable cause to believe that:

(i) The child is within the jurisdiction of the court;

(ii) Custody is necessary because of any of the following reasons: the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm, any person would be in danger of a significant risk of harm by the child, to ensure the child's attendance in court at such time as required, or a parent, guardian or custodian is not available to provide for the care and supervision of the child; and

(iii) There is no reasonable alternative to custody.

A finding of probable cause under this subsection (3)(a) shall not be based solely upon a positive drug test of a newborn or parent for marijuana or solely upon the status of a parent as a cardholder under the Compassion Mississippi Act; however, a finding of probable cause may be based upon an evidence-based finding of harm to the child or a parent's inability to provide for the care and supervision of the child due to the parent's use of marijuana. Probable cause for unlawful use of any controlled substance, except as otherwise provided in this subsection (3)(a) for marijuana, may be based: 1. upon a parent's positive drug test for unlawful use of a controlled substance only if the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm or the parent is unable to provide proper care or supervision of the child because of the unlawful use and there is no reasonable alternative to custody; and 2. upon a newborn's positive drug screen for a controlled substance that was used unlawfully only if the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm or the parent is unable to provide proper care or supervision of the child because of the unlawful use and there is no reasonable alternative to custody.

(b) Custody orders under this subsection shall be written. In emergency cases, a judge or his designee may issue an oral custody order, but the order shall be reduced to writing within forty-eight (48) hours of its issuance.

(c) Each youth court judge shall develop and make available to law enforcement a list of designees who are available after hours, on weekends and on holidays.

(4) The judge or his designee may order, orally or in writing, the immediate release of any child in the custody of any person or agency. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, custody orders as provided by this chapter and authorizations of temporary custody may be written or oral, but, if oral, reduced to writing within forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory state holidays. The written order shall:

(a) Specify the name and address of the child, or, if unknown, designate him or her by any name or description by which he or she can be identified with reasonable certainty;

(b) Specify the age of the child, or, if unknown, that he or she is believed to be of an age subject to the jurisdiction of the youth court;

(c) Except in cases where the child is alleged to be a delinquent child or a child in need of supervision, state that the effect of the continuation of the child's residing within his or her own home would be contrary to the welfare of the child, that the placement of the child in foster care is in the best interests of the child, and unless the reasonable efforts requirement is bypassed under Section 43-21-603(7)(c), also state that (i) reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his or her own home, but that the circumstances warrant his removal and there is no reasonable alternative to custody; or (ii) the circumstances are of such an emergency nature that no reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his own home, and that there is no reasonable alternative to custody. If the court makes a finding in accordance with (ii) of this paragraph, the court shall order that reasonable efforts be made toward the reunification of the child with his or her family;

(d) State that the child shall be brought immediately before the youth court or be taken to a place designated by the order to be held pending review of the order;

(e) State the date issued and the youth court by which the order is issued; and

(f) Be signed by the judge or his designee with the title of his office.

(5) The taking of a child into custody shall not be considered an arrest except for evidentiary purposes.

(6) (a) No child who has been accused or adjudicated of any offense that would not be a crime if committed by an adult shall be placed in an adult jail or lockup. An accused status offender shall not be held in secure detention longer than twenty-four (24) hours prior to and twenty-four (24) hours after an initial court appearance, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory state holidays, except under the following circumstances: a status offender may be held in secure detention for violating a valid court order pursuant to the criteria as established by the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002, and any subsequent amendments thereto, and out-of-state runaways may be detained pending return to their home state.

(b) No accused or adjudicated juvenile offender, except for an accused or adjudicated juvenile offender in cases where jurisdiction is waived to the adult criminal court, shall be detained or placed into custody of any adult jail or lockup for a period in excess of six (6) hours.

(c) If any county violates the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection, the state agency authorized to allocate federal funds received pursuant to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 2750 (codified in scattered Sections of 5, 18, 42 USCS), shall withhold the county's share of such funds.

(d) Any county that does not have a facility in which to detain its juvenile offenders in compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection may enter into a contractual agreement to detain or place into custody the juvenile offenders of that county with any county or municipality that does have such a facility, or with the State of Mississippi, or with any private entity that maintains a juvenile correctional facility.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this subsection, all counties shall be allowed a one-year grace period from March 27, 1993, to comply with the provisions of this subsection.

SECTION 63. Section 43-21-303, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-21-303. (1) No child in a matter in which the youth court has original exclusive jurisdiction shall be taken into custody by any person without a custody order except that:

(a) A law enforcement officer may take a child in custody if:

(i) Grounds exist for the arrest of an adult in identical circumstances; and

(ii) Such law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that custody is necessary as defined in Section 43-21-301; and

(iii) Such law enforcement officer can find no reasonable alternative to custody; or

(b) A law enforcement officer or an agent of the Department of Child Protection Services or the Department of Human Services may take a child into immediate custody if:

(i) There is probable cause to believe that the child is in immediate danger of personal harm; however, probable cause shall not be based solely upon a positive drug test of a newborn or parent for marijuana or solely upon the status of a parent as a cardholder under the Compassion Mississippi Act, but a finding of probable cause may be based upon an evidence-based finding of harm to the child or a parent's inability to provide for the care and supervision of the child due to the parent's use of marijuana. Probable cause for unlawful use of any controlled substance, except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph (i) for marijuana, may be based: 1. upon a parent's positive drug test for unlawful use of a controlled substance only if the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm or the parent is unable to provide proper care or supervision of the child because of the unlawful use and there is no reasonable alternative to custody; and 2. upon a newborn's positive drug screen for a controlled substance that was used unlawfully only if the child is in danger of a significant risk of harm or the parent is unable to provide proper care or supervision of the child because of the unlawful use and there is no reasonable alternative to custody; and

(ii) There is probable cause to believe that immediate custody is necessary as set forth in Section 43-21-301(3); and

(iii) There is no reasonable alternative to custody; and

(c) Any other person may take a child into custody if grounds exist for the arrest of an adult in identical circumstances. Such other person shall immediately surrender custody of the child to the proper law enforcement officer who shall thereupon continue custody only as provided in subsection (1)(a) of this section.

(2) When it is necessary to take a child into custody, the least restrictive custody should be selected.

(3) Unless the child is immediately released, the person taking the child into custody shall immediately notify the judge or his designee. A person taking a child into custody shall also make continuing reasonable efforts to notify the child's parent, guardian or custodian and invite the parent, guardian or custodian to be present during any questioning.

(4) A child taken into custody shall not be held in custody for a period longer than reasonably necessary, but not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours, and shall be released to his parent, guardian or custodian unless the judge or his designee authorizes temporary custody.

SECTION 64. Section 45-9-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-9-101. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided, the Department of Public Safety is authorized to issue licenses to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers to persons qualified as provided in this section. Such licenses shall be valid throughout the state for a period of five (5) years from the date of issuance, except as provided in subsection (25) of this section. Any person possessing a valid license issued pursuant to this section may carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or concealed revolver.

(b) The licensee must carry the license, together with valid identification, at all times in which the licensee is carrying a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver and must display both the license and proper identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer. A violation of the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall constitute a noncriminal violation with a penalty of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) and shall be enforceable by summons.

(2) The Department of Public Safety shall issue a license if the applicant:

(a) Is a resident of the state. However, this residency requirement may be waived if the applicant possesses a valid permit from another state, is a member of any active or reserve component branch of the United States of America Armed Forces stationed in Mississippi, is the spouse of a member of any active or reserve component branch of the United States of America Armed Forces stationed in Mississippi, or is a retired law enforcement officer establishing residency in the state;

(b) (i) Is twenty-one (21) years of age or older; or

(ii) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age but not yet twenty-one (21) years of age and the applicant:

1. Is a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces, including National Guard or Reserve; and

2. Holds a valid Mississippi driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety or a valid and current tribal identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe containing a photograph of the holder;

(d) Is not ineligible to possess a firearm by virtue of having been convicted of a felony in a court of this state, of any other state, or of the United States without having been pardoned or without having been expunged for same;

(e) Does not chronically or habitually abuse controlled substances to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired. It shall be presumed that an applicant chronically and habitually uses controlled substances to the extent that his faculties are impaired if the applicant has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a treatment facility for the abuse of a controlled substance or been found guilty of a crime under the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law or similar laws of any other state or the United States relating to controlled substances within a three-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted;

(f) Does not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired. It shall be presumed that an applicant chronically and habitually uses alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired if the applicant has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed as an alcoholic to a treatment facility or has been convicted of two (2) or more offenses related to the use of alcohol under the laws of this state or similar laws of any other state or the United States within the three-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted;

(g) Desires a legal means to carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver to defend himself;

(h) Has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent, or has waited five (5) years from the date of his restoration to capacity by court order;

(i) Has not been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or mental health treatment facility unless he possesses a certificate from a psychiatrist licensed in this state that he has not suffered from disability for a period of five (5) years;

(j) Has not had adjudication of guilt withheld or imposition of sentence suspended on any felony unless three (3) years have elapsed since probation or any other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled;

(k) Is not a fugitive from justice; and

(l) Is not disqualified to possess a weapon based on federal law.

(3) The Department of Public Safety may deny a license if the applicant has been found guilty of one or more crimes of violence constituting a misdemeanor unless three (3) years have elapsed since probation or any other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled or expunction has occurred prior to the date on which the application is submitted, or may revoke a license if the licensee has been found guilty of one or more crimes of violence within the preceding three (3) years. The department shall, upon notification by a law enforcement agency or a court and subsequent written verification, suspend a license or the processing of an application for a license if the licensee or applicant is arrested or formally charged with a crime which would disqualify such person from having a license under this section, until final disposition of the case. The provisions of subsection (7) of this section shall apply to any suspension or revocation of a license pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(4) The application shall be completed, under oath, on a form promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and shall include only:

(a) The name, address, place and date of birth, race, sex and occupation of the applicant;

(b) The driver's license number or social security number of applicant;

(d) A statement that the applicant is in compliance with criteria contained within subsections (2) and (3) of this section;

(e) A statement that the applicant has been furnished a copy of this section and is knowledgeable of its provisions;

(f) A conspicuous warning that the application is executed under oath and that a knowingly false answer to any question, or the knowing submission of any false document by the applicant, subjects the applicant to criminal prosecution; and

(g) A statement that the applicant desires a legal means to carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver to defend himself.

(5) The applicant shall submit only the following to the Department of Public Safety:

(a) A completed application as described in subsection (4) of this section;

(b) A full-face photograph of the applicant taken within the preceding thirty (30) days in which the head, including hair, in a size as determined by the Department of Public Safety, except that an applicant who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age must submit a photograph in profile of the applicant;

(c) A nonrefundable license fee of Eighty Dollars ($80.00). Costs for processing the set of fingerprints as required in paragraph (d) of this subsection shall be borne by the applicant. Honorably retired law enforcement officers, disabled veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States, and law enforcement officers employed with a law enforcement agency of a municipality, county or state at the time of application for the license, shall be exempt from the payment of the license fee;

(d) A full set of fingerprints of the applicant administered by the Department of Public Safety; and

(e) A waiver authorizing the Department of Public Safety access to any records concerning commitments of the applicant to any of the treatment facilities or institutions referred to in subsection (2) of this section and permitting access to all the applicant's criminal records.

(6) (a) The Department of Public Safety, upon receipt of the items listed in subsection (5) of this section, shall forward the full set of fingerprints of the applicant to the appropriate agencies for state and federal processing.

(b) The Department of Public Safety shall forward a copy of the applicant's application to the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence and, if applicable, the police chief of the applicant's municipality of residence. The sheriff of the applicant's county of residence, and, if applicable, the police chief of the applicant's municipality of residence may, at his discretion, participate in the process by submitting a voluntary report to the Department of Public Safety containing any readily discoverable prior information that he feels may be pertinent to the licensing of any applicant. The reporting shall be made within thirty (30) days after the date he receives the copy of the application. Upon receipt of a response from a sheriff or police chief, such sheriff or police chief shall be reimbursed at a rate set by the department.

(c) The Department of Public Safety shall, within forty-five (45) days after the date of receipt of the items listed in subsection (5) of this section:

(i) Issue the license;

(ii) Deny the application based solely on the ground that the applicant fails to qualify under the criteria listed in subsections (2) and (3) of this section. If the Department of Public Safety denies the application, it shall notify the applicant in writing, stating the ground for denial, and the denial shall be subject to the appeal process set forth in subsection (7); or

(iii) Notify the applicant that the department is unable to make a determination regarding the issuance or denial of a license within the forty-five-day period prescribed by this subsection, and provide an estimate of the amount of time the department will need to make the determination.

(d) In the event a legible set of fingerprints, as determined by the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, cannot be obtained after a minimum of two (2) attempts, the Department of Public Safety shall determine eligibility based upon a name check by the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol and a Federal Bureau of Investigation name check conducted by the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol at the request of the Department of Public Safety.

(7) (a) If the Department of Public Safety denies the issuance of a license, or suspends or revokes a license, the party aggrieved may appeal such denial, suspension or revocation to the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, within thirty (30) days after the aggrieved party receives written notice of such denial, suspension or revocation. The Commissioner of Public Safety, or his duly authorized agent, shall rule upon such appeal within thirty (30) days after the appeal is filed and failure to rule within this thirty-day period shall constitute sustaining such denial, suspension or revocation. Such review shall be conducted pursuant to such reasonable rules and regulations as the Commissioner of Public Safety may adopt.

(b) If the revocation, suspension or denial of issuance is sustained by the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his duly authorized agent pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection, the aggrieved party may file within ten (10) days after the rendition of such decision a petition in the circuit or county court of his residence for review of such decision. A hearing for review shall be held and shall proceed before the court without a jury upon the record made at the hearing before the Commissioner of Public Safety or his duly authorized agent. No such party shall be allowed to carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver pursuant to the provisions of this section while any such appeal is pending.

(8) The Department of Public Safety shall maintain an automated listing of license holders and such information shall be available online, upon request, at all times, to all law enforcement agencies through the Mississippi Crime Information Center. However, the records of the department relating to applications for licenses to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers and records relating to license holders shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, and shall be released only upon order of a court having proper jurisdiction over a petition for release of the record or records.

(9) Within thirty (30) days after the changing of a permanent address, or within thirty (30) days after having a license lost or destroyed, the licensee shall notify the Department of Public Safety in writing of such change or loss. Failure to notify the Department of Public Safety pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall constitute a noncriminal violation with a penalty of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) and shall be enforceable by a summons.

(10) In the event that a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver license is lost or destroyed, the person to whom the license was issued shall comply with the provisions of subsection (9) of this section and may obtain a duplicate, or substitute thereof, upon payment of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) to the Department of Public Safety, and furnishing a notarized statement to the department that such license has been lost or destroyed.

(11) A license issued under this section shall be revoked if the licensee becomes ineligible under the criteria set forth in subsection (2) of this section.

(12) (a) Except as provided in subsection (25) of this section, no less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date of the license, the Department of Public Safety shall mail to each licensee a written notice of the expiration and a renewal form prescribed by the department. The licensee must renew his license on or before the expiration date by filing with the department the renewal form, a notarized affidavit stating that the licensee remains qualified pursuant to the criteria specified in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, and a full set of fingerprints administered by the Department of Public Safety or the sheriff of the county of residence of the licensee. The first renewal may be processed by mail and the subsequent renewal must be made in person. Thereafter every other renewal may be processed by mail to assure that the applicant must appear in person every ten (10) years for the purpose of obtaining a new photograph.

(i) Except as provided in this subsection, a renewal fee of Forty Dollars ($40.00) shall also be submitted along with costs for processing the fingerprints;

(ii) Honorably retired law enforcement officers, disabled veterans, active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States and law enforcement officers employed with a law enforcement agency of a municipality, county or state at the time of renewal, shall be exempt from the renewal fee; and

(iii) The renewal fee for a Mississippi resident aged sixty-five (65) years of age or older shall be Twenty Dollars ($20.00).

(b) The Department of Public Safety shall forward the full set of fingerprints of the applicant to the appropriate agencies for state and federal processing. The license shall be renewed upon receipt of the completed renewal application and appropriate payment of fees.

(c) A licensee who fails to file a renewal application on or before its expiration date must renew his license by paying a late fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00). No license shall be renewed six (6) months or more after its expiration date, and such license shall be deemed to be permanently expired. A person whose license has been permanently expired may reapply for licensure; however, an application for licensure and fees pursuant to subsection (5) of this section must be submitted, and a background investigation shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(13) No license issued pursuant to this section shall authorize any person, except a law enforcement officer as defined in Section 45-6-3 with a distinct license authorized by the Department of Public Safety, to carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver into any place of nuisance as defined in Section 95-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972; any police, sheriff or highway patrol station; any detention facility, prison or jail; any courthouse; any courtroom, except that nothing in this section shall preclude a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon in his courtroom; any polling place; any meeting place of the governing body of any governmental entity; any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof; any school, college or professional athletic event not related to firearms; any portion of an establishment, licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, that is primarily devoted to dispensing alcoholic beverages; any portion of an establishment in which beer, light spirit product or light wine is consumed on the premises, that is primarily devoted to such purpose; any elementary or secondary school facility; any junior college, community college, college or university facility unless for the purpose of participating in any authorized firearms-related activity; inside the passenger terminal of any airport, except that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal if the firearm is encased for shipment, for purposes of checking such firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft; any church or other place of worship, except as provided in Section 45-9-171; or any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law. In addition to the places enumerated in this subsection, the carrying of a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver may be disallowed in any place in the discretion of the person or entity exercising control over the physical location of such place by the placing of a written notice clearly readable at a distance of not less than ten (10) feet that the "carrying of a pistol or revolver is prohibited." No license issued pursuant to this section shall authorize the participants in a parade or demonstration for which a permit is required to carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver.

(14) A law enforcement officer as defined in Section 45-6-3, chiefs of police, sheriffs and persons licensed as professional bondsmen pursuant to Chapter 39, Title 83, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be exempt from the licensing requirements of this section.

(a) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations to provide licenses to law enforcement officers as defined in Section 45-6-3 who choose to obtain a license under the provisions of this section, which shall include a distinction that the officer is an "active duty" law enforcement officer and an endorsement that such officer is authorized to carry in the locations listed in subsection (13). A law enforcement officer shall provide the following information to receive the license described in this subsection: (i) a letter, with the official letterhead of the agency or department for which the officer is employed at the time of application and (ii) a letter with the official letterhead of the agency or department, which explains that such officer has completed a certified law enforcement training academy.

(b) The licensing requirements of this section do not apply to the carrying by any person of a stun gun, pistol or revolver, knife, or other deadly weapon that is not concealed as defined in Section 97-37-1.

(15) Any person who knowingly submits a false answer to any question on an application for a license issued pursuant to this section, or who knowingly submits a false document when applying for a license issued pursuant to this section, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 99-19-31, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(16) All fees collected by the Department of Public Safety pursuant to this section shall be deposited into a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury and shall be used for implementation and administration of this section. After the close of each fiscal year, the balance in this fund shall be certified to the Legislature and then may be used by the Department of Public Safety as directed by the Legislature.

(17) All funds received by a sheriff or police chief pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be deposited into the general fund of the county or municipality, as appropriate, and shall be budgeted to the sheriff's office or police department as appropriate.

(18) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require or allow the registration, documentation or providing of serial numbers with regard to any stun gun or firearm.

(19) Any person holding a valid unrevoked and unexpired license to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers issued in another state shall have such license recognized by this state to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers. The Department of Public Safety is authorized to enter into a reciprocal agreement with another state if that state requires a written agreement in order to recognize licenses to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers issued by this state.

(20) The provisions of this section shall be under the supervision of the Commissioner of Public Safety. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.

(21) For the purposes of this section, the term "stun gun" means a portable device or weapon from which an electric current, impulse, wave or beam may be directed, which current, impulse, wave or beam is designed to incapacitate temporarily, injure, momentarily stun, knock out, cause mental disorientation or paralyze.

(22) (a) From and after January 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations which provide that licenses authorized by this section for honorably retired law enforcement officers and honorably retired correctional officers from the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall (i) include the words "retired law enforcement officer" on the front of the license, and (ii) unless the licensee chooses to have this license combined with a driver's license or identification card under subsection (25) of this section, that the license itself have a red background to distinguish it from other licenses issued under this section.

(b) An honorably retired law enforcement officer and honorably retired correctional officer shall provide the following information to receive the license described in this section: (i) a letter, with the official letterhead of the agency or department from which such officer is retiring, which explains that such officer is honorably retired, and (ii) a letter with the official letterhead of the agency or department, which explains that such officer has completed a certified law enforcement training academy.

(23) A disabled veteran who seeks to qualify for an exemption under this section shall be required to provide a veterans health services identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs indicating a service-connected disability, which shall be sufficient proof of such service-connected disability.

(24) A license under this section is not required for a loaded or unloaded pistol or revolver to be carried upon the person in a sheath, belt holster or shoulder holster or in a purse, handbag, satchel, other similar bag or briefcase or fully enclosed case if the person is not engaged in criminal activity other than a misdemeanor traffic offense, is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a pistol or revolver under state or federal law, and is not in a location prohibited under subsection (13) of this section. However, the medical use of medical cannabis by a cardholder who is a registered qualifying patient which is lawful under the provisions of the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder shall not disqualify a person under this subsection (24) solely because the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm under 18 USCS Section 922(g)(3) due to such medical use of medical cannabis.

(25) An applicant for a license under this section shall have the option of, instead of being issued a separate card for the license, having the license appear as a notation on the individual's driver's license or identification card. If the applicant chooses this option, the license issued under this section shall have the same expiration date as the driver's license or identification card, and renewal shall take place at the same time and place as renewal of the driver's license or identification card. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations which may be necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the concurrent application and renewal processes.

SECTION 65. Section 59-23-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

59-23-7. (1) It is unlawful for any person to operate a watercraft on the public waters of this state who:

(a) Is under the influence of intoxicating liquor;

(b) Is under the influence of any other substance which has impaired such person's ability to operate a watercraft; or

(c) Has eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more by weight volume of alcohol in the person's blood based upon milligrams of alcohol per one hundred (100) cubic centimeters of blood as shown by a chemical analysis of such person's breath, blood or urine administered as authorized by this chapter.

(2) (a) Upon conviction of any person for the first offense of violating subsection (1) of this section where chemical tests provided for under Section 59-23-5 were given, or where chemical test results are not available, such person shall be fined not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisoned for not more than twenty-four (24) hours in jail, or both; and the court shall order such person to attend and complete a boating safety education course developed by the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(b) Upon any second conviction of any person violating subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be fined not less than Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and shall be imprisoned not less than forty-eight (48) consecutive hours nor more than one (1) year or sentenced to community service work for not less than ten (10) days nor more than one (1) year. The court shall order the person not to operate a watercraft for one (1) year.

(c) For any third conviction of any person violating subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be fined not less than Eight Hundred Dollars ($800.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and shall be imprisoned not less than thirty (30) days nor more than one (1) year. The court shall order the person not to operate a watercraft for two (2) years.

(d) Any fourth or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section shall be a felony offense and, upon conviction, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be fined not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and shall be imprisoned not less than ninety (90) days nor more than five (5) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. The court shall order the person not to operate a watercraft for three (3) years.

(3) Any person convicted of operating any watercraft in violation of subsection (1) of this section where the person (a) refused a law enforcement officer's request to submit to a chemical test, or (b) was unconscious at the time of a chemical test and refused to consent to the introduction of the results of such test in any prosecution, shall be punished consistent with the penalties prescribed herein for persons submitting to the test and the court shall order the person not to operate a watercraft for the time periods specified in subsection (2) of this section.

(4) Any person who operates any watercraft in violation of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section and who in a negligent manner causes the death of another or mutilates, disfigures, permanently disables or destroys the tongue, eye, lip, nose or any other member or limb of another shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony and shall be committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for a period of time not to exceed ten (10) years.

(5) Upon conviction of any violation of subsection (1) of this section, the judge shall cause a copy of the citation and any other pertinent documents concerning the conviction to be sent immediately to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Department of Marine Resources. A copy of the citation or other pertinent documents, having been attested as true and correct by the Director of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, or his designee, or the Director of the Department of Marine Resources, or his designee, shall be sufficient proof of the conviction for purposes of determining the enhanced penalty for any subsequent convictions of violations of subsection (1) of this section.

(6) The provisions of this section are fully applicable to any person who is under the influence of medical cannabis that is lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder which has impaired the person's ability to operate a watercraft.

SECTION 66. Section 63-11-30, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-11-30. (1) It is unlawful for a person to drive or otherwise operate a vehicle within this state if the person:

(a) Is under the influence of intoxicating liquor;

(b) Is under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle;

(c) Is under the influence of any drug or controlled substance, the possession of which is unlawful under the Mississippi Controlled Substances Law; or

(d) Has an alcohol concentration in the person's blood, based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) milliliters of blood, or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath, as shown by a chemical analysis of the person's breath, blood or urine administered as authorized by this chapter, of:

(i) Eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more for a person who is above the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law;

(ii) Two one-hundredths percent (.02%) or more for a person who is below the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law; or

(iii) Four one-hundredths percent (.04%) or more for a person operating a commercial motor vehicle.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section (Zero Tolerance for Minors):

(a) First offense DUI. (i) Upon conviction of any person for the first offense of violating subsection (1) of this section where chemical tests under Section 63-11-5 were given, or where chemical test results are not available, the person shall be fined not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisoned for not more than forty-eight (48) hours in jail, or both; the court shall order the person to attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months of sentencing. The court may substitute attendance at a victim impact panel instead of forty-eight (48) hours in jail.

(ii) Suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216.

(iii) A qualifying first offense may be nonadjudicated by the court under subsection (14) of this section. The holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense is ineligible for nonadjudication.

(iv) Eligibility for an interlock-restricted license is governed by Section 63-11-31 and suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23.

(b) Second offense DUI. (i) Upon any second conviction of any person violating subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, fined not less than Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) nor more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), shall be imprisoned not less than five (5) days nor more than six (6) months and sentenced to community service work for not less than ten (10) days nor more than six (6) months. The minimum penalties shall not be suspended or reduced by the court and no prosecutor shall offer any suspension or sentence reduction as part of a plea bargain.

(ii) Suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216.

(iii) Eligibility for an interlock-restricted license is governed by Section 63-11-31 and suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23.

(c) Third offense DUI. (i) For a third conviction of a person for violating subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a felony and fined not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and shall serve not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. For any offense that does not result in serious injury or death to any person, the sentence of incarceration may be served in the county jail rather than in the State Penitentiary at the discretion of the circuit court judge. The minimum penalties shall not be suspended or reduced by the court and no prosecutor shall offer any suspension or sentence reduction as part of a plea bargain.

(ii) The suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216.

(iii) The suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23.

(d) Fourth and subsequent offense DUI. (i) For any fourth or subsequent conviction of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, without regard to the time period within which the violations occurred, the person shall be guilty of a felony and fined not less than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and shall serve not less than two (2) years nor more than ten (10) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections.

(ii) The suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216.

(iii) A person convicted of a fourth or subsequent offense is ineligible to exercise the privilege to operate a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition-interlock device for ten (10) years.

(e) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section shall receive an in-depth diagnostic assessment, and if as a result of the assessment is determined to be in need of treatment for alcohol or drug abuse, the person must successfully complete treatment at a program site certified by the Department of Mental Health. Each person who receives a diagnostic assessment shall pay a fee representing the cost of the assessment. Each person who participates in a treatment program shall pay a fee representing the cost of treatment.

(f) The use of ignition-interlock devices is governed by Section 63-11-31.

(3) Zero Tolerance for Minors. (a) This subsection shall be known and may be cited as Zero Tolerance for Minors. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only when a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years has a blood alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths percent (.02%) or more, but lower than eight one-hundredths percent (.08%). If the person's blood alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more, the provisions of subsection (2) shall apply.

(b) (i) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) is eligible for nonadjudication of a qualifying first offense by the court pursuant to subsection (14) of this section.

(ii) Upon conviction of any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years for the first offense of violating subsection (1) of this section where chemical tests provided for under Section 63-11-5 were given, or where chemical test results are not available, the person shall be fined Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00); the court shall order the person to attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months. The court may also require attendance at a victim impact panel.

(c) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who is convicted of a second violation of subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(d) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

(e) License suspension is governed by Section 63-11-23 and ignition interlock is governed by Section 63-11-31.

(f) Any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years convicted of a third or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section must complete treatment of an alcohol or drug abuse program at a site certified by the Department of Mental Health.

(4) DUI test refusal. In addition to the other penalties provided in this section, every person refusing a law enforcement officer's request to submit to a chemical test of the person's breath as provided in this chapter, or who was unconscious at the time of a chemical test and refused to consent to the introduction of the results of the test in any prosecution, shall suffer an additional administrative suspension of driving privileges as set forth in Section 63-11-23.

(5) Aggravated DUI. (a) Every person who operates any motor vehicle in violation of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section and who in a negligent manner causes the death of another or mutilates, disfigures, permanently disables or destroys the tongue, eye, lip, nose or any other limb, organ or member of another shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a separate felony for each victim who suffers death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury and shall be committed to the custody of the State Department of Corrections for a period of time of not less than five (5) years and not to exceed twenty-five (25) years for each death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury, and the imprisonment for the second or each subsequent conviction, in the discretion of the court, shall commence either at the termination of the imprisonment for the preceding conviction or run concurrently with the preceding conviction. Any person charged with causing the death of another as described in this subsection shall be required to post bail before being released after arrest.

(b) A holder of a commercial driver's license who is convicted of operating a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of eight one- * * *~~hundreths~~hundredths percent (.08%) or more shall be guilty of a felony and shall be committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than two (2) years and not more than ten (10) years.

(c) The court shall order an ignition-interlock restriction on the offender's privilege to drive as a condition of probation or post-release supervision not to exceed five (5) years unless a longer restriction is required under other law. The ignition-interlock restriction shall not be applied to commercial license privileges until the driver serves the full disqualification period required by Section 63-1-216.

(6) DUI citations. (a) Upon conviction of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the trial judge shall sign in the place provided on the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit stating that the person arrested either employed an attorney or waived his right to an attorney after having been properly advised. If the person arrested employed an attorney, the name, address and telephone number of the attorney shall be written on the ticket, citation or affidavit. The court clerk must immediately send a copy of the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit, and any other pertinent documents concerning the conviction or other order of the court, to the Department of Public Safety as provided in Section 63-11-37.

(b) A copy of the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit and any other pertinent documents, having been attested as true and correct by the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his designee, shall be sufficient proof of the conviction for purposes of determining the enhanced penalty for any subsequent convictions of violations of subsection (1) of this section. The Department of Public Safety shall maintain a central database for verification of prior offenses and convictions.

(7) Out-of-state prior convictions. Convictions in another state, territory or possession of the United States, or under the law of a federally recognized Native American tribe, of violations for driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or while under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle occurring within five (5) years before an offense shall be counted for the purposes of determining if a violation of subsection (1) of this section is a second, third, fourth or subsequent offense and the penalty that shall be imposed upon conviction for a violation of subsection (1) of this section.

(8) Charging of subsequent offenses. (a) For the purposes of determining how to impose the sentence for a second, third, fourth or subsequent conviction under this section, the affidavit or indictment shall not be required to enumerate previous convictions. It shall only be necessary that the affidavit or indictment states the number of times that the defendant has been convicted and sentenced within the past five (5) years for a second or third offense, or without a time limitation for a fourth or subsequent offense, under this section to determine if an enhanced penalty shall be imposed. The amount of fine and imprisonment imposed in previous convictions shall not be considered in calculating offenses to determine a second, third, fourth or subsequent offense of this section.

(b) Before a defendant enters a plea of guilty to an offense under this section, law enforcement must submit certification to the prosecutor that the defendant's driving record, the confidential registry and National Crime Information Center record have been searched for all prior convictions, nonadjudications, pretrial diversions and arrests for driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or while under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. The results of the search must be included in the certification.

(9) License eligibility for underage offenders. A person who is under the legal age to obtain a license to operate a motor vehicle at the time of the offense and who is convicted under this section shall not be eligible to receive a driver's license until the person reaches the age of eighteen (18) years.

(10) License suspensions and restrictions to run consecutively. Suspension or restriction of driving privileges for any person convicted of or nonadjudicated for violations of subsection (1) of this section shall run consecutively to and not concurrently with any other administrative license suspension.

(11) Ignition interlock. If the court orders installation and use of an ignition-interlock device as provided in Section 63-11-31 for every vehicle operated by a person convicted or nonadjudicated under this section, each device shall be installed, maintained and removed as provided in Section 63-11-31.

(12) DUI child endangerment. A person over the age of twenty-one (21) who violates subsection (1) of this section while transporting in a motor vehicle a child under the age of sixteen (16) years is guilty of the separate offense of endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. The offense of endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle shall not be merged with an offense of violating subsection (1) of this section for the purposes of prosecution and sentencing. An offender who is convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be punished as follows:

(a) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a first conviction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for not more than twelve (12) months, or both;

(b) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a second conviction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for one (1) year, or both;

(c) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a third or subsequent conviction shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both; and

(d) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which results in the serious injury or death of a child, without regard to whether the offense was a first, second, third or subsequent offense, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and shall be imprisoned for not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty-five (25) years.

(13) Expunction. (a) Any person convicted under subsection (2) or (3) of this section of a first offense of driving under the influence and who was not the holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense may petition the circuit court of the county in which the conviction was had for an order to expunge the record of the conviction at least five (5) years after successful completion of all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed for the conviction. Expunction under this subsection will only be available to a person:

(i) Who has successfully completed all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed for the conviction;

(ii) Who did not refuse to submit to a test of his blood or breath;

(iii) Whose blood alcohol concentration tested below sixteen one-hundredths percent (.16%) if test results are available;

(iv) Who has not been convicted of and does not have pending any other offense of driving under the influence;

(v) Who has provided the court with justification as to why the conviction should be expunged; and

(vi) Who has not previously had a nonadjudication or expunction of a violation of this section.

(b) A person is eligible for only one (1) expunction under this subsection, and the Department of Public Safety shall maintain a permanent confidential registry of all cases of expunction under this subsection for the sole purpose of determining a person's eligibility for expunction, for nonadjudication, or as a first offender under this section.

(c) The court in its order of expunction shall state in writing the justification for which the expunction was granted and forward the order to the Department of Public Safety within five (5) days of the entry of the order.

(14) Nonadjudication. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, "nonadjudication" means that the court withholds adjudication of guilt and sentencing, either at the conclusion of a trial on the merits or upon the entry of a plea of guilt by a defendant, and places the defendant in a nonadjudication program conditioned upon the successful completion of the requirements imposed by the court under this subsection.

(b) A person is eligible for nonadjudication of an offense under this Section 63-11-30 only one (1) time under any provision of a law that authorizes nonadjudication and only for an offender:

(i) Who has successfully completed all terms and conditions imposed by the court after placement of the defendant in a nonadjudication program;

(ii) Who was not the holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense;

(iii) Who has not previously been convicted of and does not have pending any former or subsequent charges under this section; and

(iv) Who has provided the court with justification as to why nonadjudication is appropriate.

(c) Nonadjudication may be initiated upon the filing of a petition for nonadjudication or at any stage of the proceedings in the discretion of the court; the court may withhold adjudication of guilt, defer sentencing, and upon the agreement of the offender to participate in a nonadjudication program, enter an order imposing requirements on the offender for a period of court supervision before the order of nonadjudication is entered. Failure to successfully complete a nonadjudication program subjects the person to adjudication of the charges against him and to imposition of all penalties previously withheld due to entrance into a nonadjudication program. The court shall immediately inform the commissioner of the conviction as required in Section 63-11-37.

(i) The court shall order the person to:

1. Pay the nonadjudication fee imposed under Section 63-11-31 if applicable;

2. Pay all fines, penalties and assessments that would have been imposed for conviction;

3. Attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months of the date of the order;

4. a. If the court determines that the person violated this section with respect to alcohol or intoxicating liquor, the person must install an ignition-interlock device on every motor vehicle operated by the person, obtain an interlock-restricted license, and maintain that license for one hundred twenty (120) days or suffer a one-hundred-twenty-day suspension of the person's regular driver's license, during which time the person must not operate any vehicle.

b. If the court determines that the person violated this section by operating a vehicle when under the influence of a substance other than alcohol that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle, including any drug or controlled substance which is unlawful to possess under the Mississippi Controlled Substances Law, the person must submit to a one-hundred-twenty-day period of a nonadjudication program that includes court-ordered drug testing at the person's own expense not less often than every thirty (30) days, during which time the person may drive if compliant with the terms of the program, or suffer a one-hundred-twenty-day suspension of the person's regular driver's license, during which time the person will not operate any vehicle.

(ii) Other conditions that may be imposed by the court include, but are not limited to, alcohol or drug screening, or both, proof that the person has not committed any other traffic violations while under court supervision, proof of immobilization or impoundment of vehicles owned by the offender if required, and attendance at a victim-impact panel.

(d) The court may enter an order of nonadjudication only if the court finds, after a hearing or after ex parte examination of reliable documentation of compliance, that the offender has successfully completed all conditions imposed by law and previous orders of the court. The court shall retain jurisdiction over cases involving nonadjudication for a period of not more than two (2) years.

(e) (i) The clerk shall immediately forward a record of every person placed in a nonadjudication program and of every nonadjudication order to the Department of Public Safety for inclusion in the permanent confidential registry of all cases that are nonadjudicated under this subsection (14).

(ii) Judges, clerks and prosecutors involved in the trial of implied consent violations and law enforcement officers involved in the issuance of citations for implied consent violations shall have secure online access to the confidential registry for the purpose of determining whether a person has previously been the subject of a nonadjudicated case and 1. is therefore ineligible for another nonadjudication; 2. is ineligible as a first offender for a violation of this section; or 3. is ineligible for expunction of a conviction of a violation of this section.

(iii) The Driver Services Bureau of the department shall have access to the confidential registry for the purpose of determining whether a person is eligible for a form of license not restricted to operating a vehicle equipped with an ignition-interlock device.

(iv) The Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program shall have secure online access to the confidential registry for research purposes only.

(15) The provisions of this section are fully applicable to any person who is under the influence of medical cannabis that is lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle.

SECTION 67. Section 71-3-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

71-3-7. (1) Compensation shall be payable for disability or death of an employee from injury or occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment, without regard to fault as to the cause of the injury or occupational disease. An occupational disease shall be deemed to arise out of and in the course of employment when there is evidence that there is a direct causal connection between the work performed and the occupational disease. In all claims in which no benefits, including disability, death and medical benefits, have been paid, the claimant shall file medical records in support of his claim for benefits when filing a petition to controvert. If the claimant is unable to file the medical records in support of his claim for benefits at the time of filing the petition to controvert because of a limitation of time established by Section 71-3-35 or Section 71-3-53, the claimant shall file medical records in support of his claim within sixty (60) days after filing the petition to controvert.

(2) Where a preexisting physical handicap, disease, or lesion is shown by medical findings to be a material contributing factor in the results following injury, the compensation which, but for this subsection, would be payable shall be reduced by that proportion which such preexisting physical handicap, disease, or lesion contributed to the production of the results following the injury. The preexisting condition does not have to be occupationally disabling for this apportionment to apply.

(3) The following provisions shall apply to subsections (1) and (2) of this section:

(a) Apportionment shall not be applied until the claimant has reached maximum medical recovery.

(b) The employer or carrier does not have the power to determine the date of maximum medical recovery or percentage of apportionment. This must be done by the attorney-referee, subject to review by the commission as the ultimate finder of fact.

(c) After the date the claimant reaches maximum medical recovery, weekly compensation benefits and maximum recovery shall be reduced by that proportion which the preexisting physical handicap, disease, or lesion contributes to the results following injury.

(d) If maximum medical recovery has occurred before the hearing and order of the attorney-referee, credit for excess payments shall be allowed in future payments. Such allowances and method of accomplishment of the same shall be determined by the attorney-referee, subject to review by the commission. However, no actual repayment of such excess shall be made to the employer or carrier.

(4) No compensation shall be payable if the use of drugs illegally, or the use of a valid prescription medication(s) taken contrary to the prescriber's instructions and/or contrary to label warnings, or the use of medical cannabis in accordance with the Compassion Mississippi Act and rules and regulations adopted thereunder, or intoxication due to the use of alcohol of the employee was the proximate cause of the injury, or if it was the willful intention of the employee to injure or kill himself or another.

(5) Every employer to whom this chapter applies shall be liable for and shall secure the payment to his employees of the compensation payable under its provisions.

(6) In the case of an employer who is a subcontractor, the contractor shall be liable for and shall secure the payment of such compensation to employees of the subcontractor, unless the subcontractor has secured such payment.

SECTION 68. Section 71-3-121, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

71-3-121. (1) In the event that an employee sustains an injury at work or asserts a work-related injury, the employer shall have the right to administer drug and alcohol testing or require that the employee submit himself to drug and alcohol testing. If the employee has a positive test indicating the presence, at the time of injury, of any drug illegally used or the use of a valid prescription medication(s) taken contrary to the prescriber's instructions and/or contrary to label warnings, or the use of medical cannabis in accordance with the Compassion Mississippi Act and rules and regulations adopted thereunder, or eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more by weight volume of alcohol in the person's blood, it shall be presumed that the proximate cause of the injury was the use of a drug illegally, or the use of a valid prescription medication(s) taken contrary to the prescriber's instructions and/or contrary to label warnings, or the use of medical cannabis in accordance with the Compassion Mississippi Act and rules and regulations adopted thereunder, or the intoxication due to the use of alcohol by the employee. If the employee refuses to submit himself to drug and alcohol testing immediately after the alleged work-related injury, then it shall be presumed that the employee was using a drug illegally, or was using a valid prescription medication(s) contrary to the prescriber's instructions and/or contrary to label warnings, or the use of medical cannabis in accordance with the Compassion Mississippi Act and rules and regulations adopted thereunder, or was intoxicated due to the use of alcohol at the time of the accident and that the proximate cause of the injury was the use of a drug illegally, or the use of a valid prescription medication(s) taken contrary to the prescriber's instructions and/or contrary to label warnings, or the use of medical cannabis in accordance with the Compassion Mississippi Act and rules and regulations adopted thereunder, or the intoxication due to the use of alcohol of the employee. The burden of proof will then be placed upon the employee to prove that the use of drugs illegally, or the use of a valid prescription medication(s) taken contrary to the prescriber's instructions and/or contrary to label warnings, or the use of medical cannabis in accordance with the Compassion Mississippi Act and rules and regulations adopted thereunder, or intoxication due to the use of alcohol was not a contributing cause of the accident in order to defeat the defense of the employer provided under Section 71-3-7.

(2) The results of the drug and alcohol tests, employer-administered or otherwise, shall be considered admissible evidence solely on the issue of causation in the determination of the use of drugs illegally, or the use of a valid prescription medication(s) taken contrary to the prescriber's instructions and/or contrary to label warnings, or the use of medical cannabis in accordance with the Compassion Mississippi Act and rules and regulations adopted thereunder, or the intoxication due to the use of alcohol of an employee at the time of injury for workers' compensation purposes under Section 71-3-7.

(3) No cause of action for defamation of character, libel, slander or damage to reputation arises in favor of any person against an employer under the provisions of this section.

SECTION 69. Section 73-15-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-15-29. (1) The board shall have power to revoke, suspend or refuse to renew any license issued by the board, or to revoke or suspend any privilege to practice, or to deny an application for a license, or to fine, place on probation and/or discipline a licensee, in any manner specified in this article, upon proof that such person:

(a) Has committed fraud or deceit in securing or attempting to secure such license;

(b) Has been convicted of a felony, or a crime involving moral turpitude or has had accepted by a court a plea of nolo contendere to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude (a certified copy of the judgment of the court of competent jurisdiction of such conviction or pleas shall be prima facie evidence of such conviction);

(c) Has negligently or willfully acted in a manner inconsistent with the health or safety of the persons under the licensee's care;

(d) Has had a license or privilege to practice as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction, has voluntarily surrendered such license or privilege to practice in any jurisdiction, has been placed on probation as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in any jurisdiction or has been placed under a disciplinary order(s) in any manner as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in any jurisdiction, (a certified copy of the order of suspension, revocation, probation or disciplinary action shall be prima facie evidence of such action);

(e) Has negligently or willfully practiced nursing in a manner that fails to meet generally accepted standards of such nursing practice;

(f) Has negligently or willfully violated any order, rule or regulation of the board pertaining to nursing practice or licensure;

(g) Has falsified or in a repeatedly negligent manner made incorrect entries or failed to make essential entries on records;

(h) Is addicted to or dependent on alcohol or other habit-forming drugs or is a habitual user of narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens, or other drugs having similar effect, or has misappropriated any medication;

(i) Has a physical, mental or emotional condition that renders the licensee unable to perform nursing services or duties with reasonable skill and safety;

(j) Has engaged in any other conduct, whether of the same or of a different character from that specified in this article, that would constitute a crime as defined in Title 97 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as now or hereafter amended, and that relates to such person's employment as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;

(k) Engages in conduct likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public;

(l) Engages in any unprofessional conduct as identified by the board in its rules;

(m) Has violated any provision of this article; or

(n) Violation(s) of the provisions of Sections 41-121-1 through 41-121-9 relating to deceptive advertisement by health care practitioners. This paragraph shall stand repealed on July 1, 2025.

(2) When the board finds any person unqualified because of any of the grounds set forth in subsection (1) of this section, it may enter an order imposing one or more of the following penalties:

(a) Denying application for a license or other authorization to practice nursing or practical nursing;

(b) Administering a reprimand;

(c) Suspending or restricting the license or other authorization to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse for up to two (2) years without review;

(d) Revoking the license or other authorization to practice nursing or practical nursing;

(e) Requiring the disciplinee to submit to care, counseling or treatment by persons and/or agencies approved or designated by the board as a condition for initial, continued or renewed licensure or other authorization to practice nursing or practical nursing;

(f) Requiring the disciplinee to participate in a program of education prescribed by the board as a condition for initial, continued or renewed licensure or other authorization to practice;

(g) Requiring the disciplinee to practice under the supervision of a registered nurse for a specified period of time; or

(h) Imposing a fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(3) In addition to the grounds specified in subsection (1) of this section, the board shall be authorized to suspend the license or privilege to practice of any licensee for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a license or privilege to practice for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license or privilege to practice suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license or privilege to practice suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this article, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.

(4) If the public health, safety or welfare imperatively requires emergency action and the board incorporates a finding to that effect in an order, the board may order summary suspension of a license pending proceedings for revocation or other action. These proceedings shall be promptly instituted and determined by the board.

(5) The board may establish by rule an alternative to discipline program for licensees who have an impairment as a result of substance abuse or a mental health condition, which program shall include at least the following components:

(a) Participation in the program is voluntary with the licensee, and the licensee must enter the program before the board holds a disciplinary action hearing regarding the licensee;

(b) The full cost of participation in the program, including the cost of any care, counseling, treatment and/or education received by the licensee, shall be borne by the licensee;

(c) All of the procedures and records regarding the licensee's participation in the program shall be confidential, shall not be disclosed and shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983; and

(d) A licensee may not participate in the program more often than one (1) time during any period of five (5) years or such longer period as set by the board.

(6) A nurse practitioner who provides a written certification as authorized under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder shall not be subject to any disciplinary action under this section solely due to providing the written certification.

SECTION 70. Section 73-19-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-19-23. (1) (a) The board shall refuse to grant a certificate of licensure to any applicant and may cancel, revoke or suspend the operation of any certificate by it granted for any or all of the following reasons: unprofessional and unethical conduct or the conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, habitual intemperance in the use of ardent spirits, or stimulants, narcotics, or any other substance that impairs the intellect and judgment to such an extent as to incapacitate one for the performance of the duties of an optometrist. The certificate of licensure of any person can be revoked for violating any section of this chapter.

(b) The board shall conduct a criminal history records check on licensure applicants and on licensees whose licenses are subject to investigation.

(i) The applicant or licensee shall undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history records check of the Mississippi central criminal database and the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history database. Each applicant or licensee shall submit a full set of the applicant's fingerprints in a form or manner prescribed by the board, which shall be forwarded to the Bureau of Investigation Identification Division for this purpose.

(ii) Any and all state or national criminal history records information obtained by the board that is not already a matter of public record shall be deemed nonpublic and confidential information restricted to the exclusive use of the board, its members, officers, investigators, agents and attorneys in evaluating the applicant's eligibility or disqualification for licensure, and shall be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983. Except when introduced into evidence in a hearing before the board to determine licensure, no such information or records related thereto shall, except with the written consent of the applicant or licensee or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, be released or otherwise disclosed by the board to any other person or agency.

(iii) The board shall provide to the department the fingerprints of the applicant or licensee, any additional information that may be required by the department, and a form signed by the applicant consenting to the check of the criminal records and to the use of the fingerprints and other identifying information required by the state or national repositories.

(iv) The board shall charge and collect from the applicant or licensee, in addition to all other applicable fees and costs, such amount as may be incurred by the board in requesting and obtaining state and national criminal history records information on the applicant or licensee.

(2) The board shall further be authorized to take disciplinary action against a licensee for any unlawful acts, which shall include violations of regulations promulgated by the board, as well as the following acts:

(a) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or procuring an optometric license or in connection with applying for or procuring periodic renewal of an optometric license.

(b) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the optometric licensing examination(s).

(c) The conviction of a felony in this state or any other jurisdiction, or the entry of a guilty or nolo contendere plea to a felony charge.

(d) The conviction of a felony as defined by federal law, or the entry of a guilty or nolo contendere plea to a felony charge.

(e) Conduct likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public.

(f) Making a false or misleading statement regarding his or her skill or the efficacy or value of the medicine, device, treatment or remedy prescribed by him or her or used at his or her direction in the treatment of any disease or other condition.

(g) Willfully or negligently violating the confidentiality between doctor and patient, except as required by law.

(h) Negligence or gross incompetence in the practice of optometry as determined by the board.

(i) Being found to be a person with mental illness or with an intellectual disability by any court of competent jurisdiction.

(j) The use of any false, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading statement in any document connected with the practice of optometry.

(k) Aiding or abetting the practice of optometry by an unlicensed, incompetent or impaired person.

(l) Commission of any act of sexual abuse, misconduct or exploitation related to the licensee's practice of optometry.

(m) Being addicted or habituated to a drug or intoxicant.

(n) Violating any state or federal law or regulation relating to a drug legally classified as a controlled substance.

(o) Obtaining any fee by fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

(p) Disciplinary action of another state or jurisdiction against a licensee or other authorization to practice optometry based upon acts or conduct by the licensee similar to acts or conduct that would constitute grounds for action as defined in this chapter, a certified copy of the record of the action taken by the other state or jurisdiction being conclusive evidence thereof.

(q) Failure to report to the board the relocation of his or her office in or out of the jurisdiction, or to furnish floor plans as required by regulation.

(r) Violation of any provision(s) of the Optometry Practice Act or the rules and regulations of the board or of an action, stipulation or agreement of the board.

(s) To advertise in a manner that tends to deceive, mislead or defraud the public.

(t) The designation of any person licensed under this chapter, other than by the terms "optometrist," "Doctor of Optometry" or "O.D.," which through June 30, 2025, shall include any violation(s) of the provisions of Sections 41-121-1 through 41-121-9 relating to deceptive advertisement by health care practitioners.

(u) To knowingly submit or cause to be submitted any misleading, deceptive or fraudulent representation on a claim form, bill or statement.

(v) To practice or attempt to practice optometry while his or her license is suspended.

(3) Any person who is a holder of a certificate of licensure or who is an applicant for examination for a certificate of licensure, against whom is preferred any charges, shall be furnished by the board with a copy of the complaint and shall have a hearing in Jackson, Mississippi, before the board, at which hearing he may be represented by counsel. At the hearing, witnesses may be examined for and against the accused respecting those charges, and the hearing orders or appeals will be conducted according to the procedure now provided in Section 73-25-27. The suspension of a certificate of licensure by reason of the use of stimulants or narcotics may be removed when the holder of the certificate has been adjudged by the board to be cured and capable of practicing optometry.

(4) In addition to the reasons specified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the board shall be authorized to suspend the license of any licensee for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.

(5) A licensee who provides a written certification as authorized under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder shall not be subject to any disciplinary action under this section solely due to providing the written certification.

SECTION 71. Section 73-21-127, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-21-127. (1) The Board of Pharmacy shall develop and implement a computerized program to track prescriptions for controlled substances and to report suspected abuse and misuse of controlled substances in compliance with the federal regulations promulgated under authority of the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act of 2005 and in compliance with the federal HIPAA law, under the following conditions:

(a) Submission or reporting of dispensing information shall be mandatory and required by the State Board of Pharmacy for any entity dispensing controlled substances in or into the State of Mississippi, except for the dispensing of controlled substance drugs by a veterinarian residing in the State of Mississippi.

(b) The prescriptions tracked shall be prescriptions for controlled substances listed in Schedule II, III, IV or V and specified noncontrolled substances identified by the State Board of Pharmacy that are dispensed to residents in the State of Mississippi by licensed pharmacies, nonresident pharmacies, institutions and dispensing practitioners, regardless of dispenser location.

(c) The Board of Pharmacy shall report any activity it reasonably suspects may be fraudulent or illegal to the appropriate law enforcement agency or occupational licensing board and provide them with the relevant information obtained for further investigation.

(d) The program shall provide information regarding the potential inappropriate use of controlled substances and the specified noncontrolled substances to practitioners, pharmacists-in-charge and appropriate state agencies in order to prevent the inappropriate or illegal use of these controlled substances. The specific purposes of the program shall be to: be proactive in safeguarding public health and safety; support the legitimate use of controlled substances; facilitate and encourage the identification, intervention with and treatment of individuals addicted to controlled substances and specified noncontrolled drugs; identify and prevent drug diversion; provide assistance to those state and federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies investigating cases of drug diversion or other misuse; and inform the public and health care professionals of the use and abuse trends related to controlled substance and specified noncontrolled drugs.

(e) (i) Access to collected data shall be confidential and not subject to the provisions of the federal Freedom of Information Act or the Mississippi Public Records Act. Upon request, the State Board of Pharmacy shall provide collected information to: pharmacists or practitioners who are properly registered with the State Board of Pharmacy and are authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances for the purpose of providing medical and pharmaceutical care for their patients; local, state and federal law enforcement officials engaged in the administration, investigation or enforcement of the laws governing illicit drug use; regulatory and licensing boards in this state; Division of Medicaid regarding Medicaid and Medicare Program recipients; judicial authorities under grand jury subpoena; an individual who requests the individual's own prescription monitoring information; and prescription monitoring programs in other states through mutual agreement adhering to State Board of Pharmacy policies.

(ii) The Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, or his designee, shall have access to the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) database for the purpose of investigating the potential illegal acquisition, distribution, dispensing, prescribing or administering of the controlled and noncontrolled substances monitored by the program, subject to all legal restrictions on further dissemination of the information obtained.

(iii) The State Board of Pharmacy may also provide statistical data for research or educational purposes if the board determines the use of the data to be of significant benefit to public health and safety. The board maintains the right to refuse any request for PMP data.

(iv) A pharmacist licensed by the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy must be a registered user of the PMP. Failure of a pharmacist licensed by the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy to register as a user of the PMP is grounds for disciplinary action by the board.

(v) All licensed practitioners as defined under Section 73-21-73(ee) holding an active DEA number shall register as users of the PMP.

(f) The Prescription Monitoring Program through the Board of Pharmacy may:

(i) Establish the cost of administration, maintenance, and operation of the program and charge to like agencies a fee based on a formula to be determined by the board with collaboration and input from participating agencies; and

(ii) Assess charges for information and/or statistical data provided to agencies, institutions and individuals. The amounts of those fees shall be set by the Executive Director of the Board of Pharmacy based on the recommendation of the Director of the PMP.

All such fees collected shall be deposited into the special fund of the State Board of Pharmacy and used to support the operations of the PMP.

(g) A dispenser pharmacist or practitioner licensed to dispense controlled substances and specified noncontrolled substance drugs who knowingly fails to submit drug-monitoring information or knowingly submits incorrect dispensing information shall be subject to actions against the pharmacist's or practitioner's license, registrations or permit and/or an administrative penalty as provided in Sections 73-21-97 and 73-21-103. Any misuse of the PMP is subject to penalties as provided in Sections 73-21-97 and 73-21-103.

(h) The Board of Pharmacy and the Prescription Monitoring Program shall be immune from civil liability arising from inaccuracy of any of the information submitted to the program.

(i) "Practitioner," as used in this section, shall include any person licensed, registered or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, prescribe or administer a controlled substance, as defined under Section 41-29-105(y), and any person defined as a "practitioner" under Section 73-21-73(ee).

(j) In addition to any funds appropriated by the Legislature, the State Board of Pharmacy may apply for any available grants and accept any gifts, grants or donations to assist in future development or in maintaining the program.

(2) In addition to receiving the dispensing information regarding controlled substances as provided in subsection (1) of this section, the State Board of Pharmacy shall receive and maintain in the Prescription Monitoring Program (a) the medical cannabis dispensing information that medical cannabis dispensaries under the Compassion Mississippi Act are required to report to the PMP under Section 18 of this act, and (b) any other medical cannabis dispensing information that dispensaries are required to report to the PMP. The medical cannabis dispensing information reported by medical cannabis dispensaries under Section 18 of this act shall not be considered to be a prescription for the purposes of the Mississippi Pharmacy Practice Act or the Uniform Controlled Substance Law.

SECTION 72. Section 73-25-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-25-29. The grounds for the nonissuance, suspension, revocation or restriction of a license or the denial of reinstatement or renewal of a license are:

(1) Habitual personal use of narcotic drugs, or any other drug having addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability.

(2) Habitual use of intoxicating liquors, or any beverage, to an extent which affects professional competency.

(3) Administering, dispensing or prescribing any narcotic drug, or any other drug having addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability otherwise than in the course of legitimate professional practice.

(4) Conviction of violation of any federal or state law regulating the possession, distribution or use of any narcotic drug or any drug considered a controlled substance under state or federal law, a certified copy of the conviction order or judgment rendered by the trial court being prima facie evidence thereof, notwithstanding the pendency of any appeal.

(5) Procuring, or attempting to procure, or aiding in, an abortion that is not medically indicated.

(6) Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, a certified copy of the conviction order or judgment rendered by the trial court being prima facie evidence thereof, notwithstanding the pendency of any appeal.

(7) Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license by fraud or deception.

(8) Unprofessional conduct, which includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Practicing medicine under a false or assumed name or impersonating another practitioner, living or dead.

(b) Knowingly performing any act which in any way assists an unlicensed person to practice medicine.

(d) Being guilty of any dishonorable or unethical conduct likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public.

(e) Obtaining a fee as personal compensation or gain from a person on fraudulent representation of a disease or injury condition generally considered incurable by competent medical authority in the light of current scientific knowledge and practice can be cured or offering, undertaking, attempting or agreeing to cure or treat the same by a secret method, which he refuses to divulge to the board upon request.

(f) Use of any false, fraudulent or forged statement or document, or the use of any fraudulent, deceitful, dishonest or immoral practice in connection with any of the licensing requirements, including the signing in his professional capacity any certificate that is known to be false at the time he makes or signs such certificate.

(g) Failing to identify a physician's school of practice in all professional uses of his name by use of his earned degree or a description of his school of practice.

(9) The refusal of a licensing authority of another state or jurisdiction to issue or renew a license, permit or certificate to practice medicine in that jurisdiction or the revocation, suspension or other restriction imposed on a license, permit or certificate issued by such licensing authority which prevents or restricts practice in that jurisdiction, a certified copy of the disciplinary order or action taken by the other state or jurisdiction being prima facie evidence thereof, notwithstanding the pendency of any appeal.

(10) Surrender of a license or authorization to practice medicine in another state or jurisdiction or surrender of membership on any medical staff or in any medical or professional association or society while under disciplinary investigation by any of those authorities or bodies for acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for action as defined in this section.

(11) Final sanctions imposed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General or any successor federal agency or office, based upon a finding of incompetency, gross misconduct or failure to meet professionally recognized standards of health care; a certified copy of the notice of final sanction being prima facie evidence thereof. As used in this paragraph, the term "final sanction" means the written notice to a physician from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Officer of Inspector General or any successor federal agency or office, which implements the exclusion.

(12) Failure to furnish the board, its investigators or representatives information legally requested by the board.

(13) Violation of any provision(s) of the Medical Practice Act or the rules and regulations of the board or of any order, stipulation or agreement with the board.

(14) Violation(s) of the provisions of Sections 41-121-1 through 41-121-9 relating to deceptive advertisement by health care practitioners.

(15) Performing or inducing an abortion on a woman in violation of any provision of Sections 41-41-131 through 41-41-145.

(16) Performing an abortion on a pregnant woman after determining that the unborn human individual that the pregnant woman is carrying has a detectable fetal heartbeat as provided in Section 41-41-34.1.

In addition to the grounds specified above, the board shall be authorized to suspend the license of any licensee for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.

A physician who provides a written certification as authorized under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder shall not be subject to any disciplinary action under this section solely due to providing the written certification.

SECTION 73. Section 83-9-22, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

83-9-22. (1) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, no health coverage plan shall restrict coverage for medically appropriate treatment prescribed by a physician and agreed to by a fully informed insured, or if the insured lacks legal capacity to consent by a person who has legal authority to consent on his or her behalf, based on an insured's diagnosis with a terminal condition. Refusing to pay for treatment rendered to an insured near the end of life that is consistent with best practices for treatment of a disease or condition, approved uses of a drug or device, or uses supported by peer reviewed medical literature, is a per se violation of this section.

(b) Violations of this section shall constitute an unfair trade practice and subject the violator to the penalties provided by law.

(c) As used in this section "terminal condition" means any aggressive malignancy, chronic end-stage cardiovascular or cerebral vascular disease, or any other disease, illness or condition which a physician diagnoses as terminal.

(d) As used in this section, a "health coverage plan" shall mean any hospital, health or medical expense insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract, employee welfare benefit plan, contract or agreement with a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization, health and accident insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this type, including a group insurance plan and the State Health and Life Insurance Plan.

(2) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary, no health benefit paid directly or indirectly with state funds, specifically Medicaid, shall restrict coverage for medically appropriate treatment prescribed by a physician and agreed to by a fully informed individual, or if the individual lacks legal capacity to consent by a person who has legal authority to consent on his or her behalf, based on an individual's diagnosis with a terminal condition.

(b) Refusing to pay for treatment rendered to an individual near the end of life that is consistent with best practices for treatment of a disease or condition, approved uses of a drug or device, or uses supported by peer reviewed medical literature, is a per se violation of this section.

(3) This section does not require a health coverage plan to cover and pay for the treatment of a person who is a cardholder and registered qualifying patient with medical cannabis that is lawful under the Compassion Mississippi Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.

SECTION 74. Sections 1 through 33 of this act shall be codified as a new chapter in Title 41, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 75. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.