MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations

By: Representative Barnett (116th)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY HOSPITAL-SPONSORED SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CARE CLINIC THAT WILL PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE AND REFERRAL BASE FOR ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOLS OF THE DISTRICT; TO LIST SERVICES THAT MAY BE PROVIDED IN THOSE CLINICS; TO PROVIDE THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR SERVICES AT THOSE CLINICS TO ANY STUDENT, CHILD OF A STUDENT OR FACULTY MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PARTNER WITH LOCAL OR REGIONAL HOSPITALS TO ESTABLISH AND MANAGE ALL CLINIC POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOLS; TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THOSE CLINICS TO FURNISH THE ON-CAMPUS SPACE NECESSARY FOR THE CLINIC TO OPERATE PROPERLY; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVING THOSE CLINICS TO COORDINATE THE OPERATION AND SERVICES OF THE CLINIC WITH THE OPERATION AND SERVICES OF ANY SCHOOL NURSE INTERVENTION PROGRAM IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO PROVIDE THAT THOSE CLINICS SHALL BE FUNDED FROM MONIES APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATURE FROM THE HEALTH CARE EXPENDABLE FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Legislature finds that the well-being of the students in the state's public education system are greatly improved when hospital-sponsored health care clinics are available in the schools.

(2) The Legislature declares that the public policy of the State of Mississippi requires hospital-sponsored health care clinics in the public schools in this state.

SECTION 2. (1) Any public school district may participate in any hospital-sponsored school-based health care clinic that will provide a comprehensive health care and referral base for adolescents and children in the schools of the district.

(2) Services that may be provided in any hospital-sponsored school-based health care clinic include:

(a) Health education: nutrition, hygiene, self care, healthy lifestyle development, safety and violence alternatives;

(b) Screenings: vision, hearing and physical assessment;

(c) Sports physicals: on-site physicals for school sports;

(d) CLEA-certified laboratory: tests for strep throats, mononucleosis and urinalysis;

(e) Injury stabilization;

(f) Primary care: evaluation and assessment of health concerns, illness and chronic health problems;

(g) Networking: community resources and physicians; and

(h) Mental health counseling.

(3) There will be no charge for services at the health care clinic to any student, child of a student or faculty member of the school district.

(4) School districts may partner with local or regional hospitals to establish and manage all health care clinic policies, procedures, protocols and operating licensures. All policies and protocols used in a health care clinic will be in accordance with the policies and protocols used by the hospital.

(5) Schools participating in a health care clinic must furnish the on-campus space that is necessary for the clinic to operate properly.

(6) School districts having clinics under the authority of this section shall coordinate the operation and services of the clinic with the operation and services of any school nurse intervention program in the school district that is provided under the authority of Section 41-79-5.

SECTION 3. Hospital-sponsored school-based health care clinics authorized under Section 2 of this act shall be funded from monies appropriated by the Legislature from the Health Care Expendable Fund established under Section 43-13-407 and from any other funds appropriated to or otherwise made available for the purpose of the clinics.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.