MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Senator(s) Smith

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-4-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD A NURSE MEMBER TO THE STATE BOARD OF MENTAL HEALTH; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 41-4-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-4-3. (1) There is * * * created a State Board of Mental Health, herein referred to as "board," consisting of ten (10) members, to be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, each of whom shall be a qualified elector. One (1) member shall be appointed from each congressional district as presently constituted; and five (5) members shall be appointed from the state-at-large, one (1) of whom shall be a licensed medical doctor who is a psychiatrist; one (1) of whom shall hold a Ph.D. degree and be a licensed clinical psychologist; one (1) of whom shall be a licensed medical doctor; one (1) of whom shall be a social worker with experience in the mental health field; and one (1) of whom shall be a nurse who has psychiatric/mental health nursing certification or who is a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. The Mississippi Nurses Association shall submit a list of three (3) names for each appointment of the nurse member for consideration by the Governor in making the appointment.

No more than two (2) members of the board shall be appointed from any one (1) congressional district as presently constituted.

Each member of the initial board shall serve for a term of years represented by the number of his congressional district; two (2) state-at-large members shall serve for a term of six (6) years; two (2) state-at-large members shall serve for a term of seven (7) years. The first nurse member of the board will serve for a term of four (4) years, beginning on July 1, 2001. Subsequent appointments shall be for seven-year terms from the expiration date of the previous term, and the Governor shall fill any vacancy for the unexpired term.

The board shall elect a chairman whose term of office shall be one (1) year and until his successor shall be elected.

(2) Each board member shall be entitled to a per diem as is authorized by law and all actual and necessary expenses, including mileage as provided by law, incurred in the discharge of official duties.

(3) The board shall hold regular meetings monthly and such special meetings deemed necessary, except that no action shall be taken unless there is present a quorum of at least six (6) members.