MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Representative Flaggs

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A FRINGE BENEFITS PACKAGE OF PREVENTIVE CARE MEASURES FOR LICENSED TEACHERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The State Department of Education shall develop a comprehensive fringe benefits package of preventive care measures to be made available to all licensed teachers. The package shall include coverage for the following services:

(a) Annual screenings by low-dose mammography for all women teachers thirty-five (35) years of age or older for the presence of occult breast cancer;

(b) Annual prostate cancer screenings for men teachers fifty (50) years of age or older and for younger men who are at high risk;

(c) Annual cholesterol screenings; and

(d) Any other services required by the department or included within the scope of generalized support for prevention offered by health care providers.

Subject to the availability of appropriations, preventive services offered under the fringe benefits package shall be made available to licensed teachers at no cost.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.