MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Representative Holden

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-27-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWAL FEE FOR PODIATRISTS AND PROVIDE THAT A PORTION OF THOSE FEES SHALL BE USED TO SUPPORT A PROGRAM TO AID IMPAIRED LICENSEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 73-27-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-27-12. (1) The license of every person licensed to practice podiatry in the State of Mississippi shall be renewed annually.

On or before May 1 of each year, the State Board of Medical Licensure shall mail an application for renewal of license to every podiatrist to whom a license was issued or renewed during the current licensing year. The applicant shall complete the application and return it to the board * * * before June 30 with the renewal fee of an amount established by the board, but not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), a portion of which fee shall be used to support a program to aid impaired podiatrists. Upon receipt of the application and fee, the board * * * shall verify the accuracy of the application and issue to applicant a certificate of renewal for the ensuing year, beginning July 1 and expiring June 30 of the succeeding calendar year. Such renewal shall render the holder thereof a legal practitioner as stated on the renewal form.

(2) Any podiatrist practicing in Mississippi who allows his license to lapse by failing to renew the license as provided in subsection (1) may be reinstated by the board * * * on satisfactory explanation for such failure to renew, by completion of a reinstatement form, and upon payment of the renewal fee for the current year, and shall be assessed a fine of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) plus an additional fine of Five Dollars ($5.00) for each month thereafter that the license renewal remains delinquent.

(3) Any podiatrist not practicing in Mississippi who allows his license to lapse by failing to renew the license as provided in subsection (1) may be reinstated by the board on satisfactory explanation for such failure to renew, by completion of a reinstatement form and upon payment of all arrearage and the renewal fee for the current year.

(4) Any podiatrist who allows his license to lapse shall be notified by the board of medical licensure within thirty (30) days of such lapse.

(5) Any person practicing as a licensed podiatrist during the time his license has lapsed shall be considered an illegal practitioner and shall be subject to penalties set forth in Section 73-27-17, provided he has not submitted the required reinstatement form and fee within fifteen (15) days after notification by the board * * * of such lapse.

(6) Fees collected under the provisions of this section shall be used by the board * * * to defray expenses of administering the licensure provisions of Title 73, Chapter 27, Mississippi Code of 1972, and to support a program to aid impaired podiatrists in an amount determined by the board.

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