MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Farris

AN ACT CREATING THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN; TO PRESCRIBE ITS DUTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

WHEREAS, national medical reports indicate that psychiatric drugs are prescribed to between five million and six million children each year who represent about ten percent of the total school-age population; and

WHEREAS, the International Narcotics Control Board of the World Health Organization has reported that the united States is among the leading users of psychiatric drugs and has warned us against our national trend to overprescribe stimulants for children; NOW, THEREFORE,

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Mississippi Commission on Psychiatric Medication of School-Age Children. The commission shall be composed of twelve (12) members. Four (4) members of the House of Representatives shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and include a member of the House Committee on Public Health and Welfare, and a member of the House Committee on Education. Four (4) members of the Senate shall be appointed by the President of the Senate and include a member of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and a member of the Senate Education Committee. Four (4) members shall be appointed by the Governor to represent state governmental services in the areas of health, human resources, children services and education. The Governor shall appoint the chairperson who shall call all meetings and schedule the agenda of the commission.

(2) The commission shall undertake a study to investigate the use of psychiatric medications and their effects on school-age children of this state and to provide recommendations for improved oversight of the prescribed use of narcotics among Mississippi's youth. The commission may conduct meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation; provided, however that legislative members shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative committees but shall receive the same for not more than five (5) days unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the Senate and House of Representatives contingent expense fund. In the event the commission makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such reports shall be made on or before December 1, 2001. The commission shall stand abolished on December 1, 2001.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.