MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2002 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Welfare
By: Representative Moody
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-17-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR A NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR'S LICENSE; TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FEES THAT THE STATE BOARD OF NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS MAY CHARGE FOR ADMINISTERING EXAMINATIONS AND ISSUING LICENSES; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON WHO SERVES AS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE OF EITHER HOUSE OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE IS EXEMPT FROM ANY CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL OF A NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR'S LICENSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 73-17-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
73-17-11. (1) From and after July 1, 1983, in order to be eligible to be licensed as a nursing home administrator an individual must submit evidence satisfactory to the board that he or she:
(a) Is at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
(b) Is of good moral character;
(c) Is in good health;
(d) Is a high school graduate or the equivalent;
(e) For initial licensure on or after July 1, 1988, has an associate degree from an accredited institution, or at least sixty-four (64) semester hours of college work from an accredited institution, or at least one (1) year of supervisory or administrative responsibilities in a licensed sub-acute or long-term health care facility in Mississippi within the twelve (12) months before making application; and
(f) Has successfully passed examinations administered by the board to test his or her proficiency and basic knowledge in the area of nursing home administration.
The board may establish the frequency of the offering of those examinations and the contents thereof.
(2) Reciprocity shall be extended to individuals holding licenses as nursing home administrators in other states, upon proper application and a finding on the part of the board that (a) the applicant possesses the basic qualifications listed in this chapter, and (b) that the standards and requirements of the licensing jurisdiction under which he or she holds a license are no less stringent than those of the State of Mississippi, and (c) that the licensing jurisdiction extends reciprocity to licensees of the State of Mississippi under reasonable terms and conditions.
(3) The board may prescribe appropriate fees for the taking of * * * examinations and for the issuance of licenses. Those fees shall be not more than Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) for taking the examinations and Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($450.00) for the issuance of a license. * * * However, the fee for an initial license may be prorated in proportion to the period of time from the date of issuance and the date of biennial license renewal prescribed in subsection (4). All licenses issued under this chapter shall be for a maximum period of two (2) years.
(4) The board may renew licenses on July 1, 1991, and biennially thereafter upon the payment of a fee to be established by the board, which shall be not more than Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($450.00), plus any administrative costs for late payment.
(5) Each application or filing made under this section shall include the social security number(s) of the applicant in accordance with Section 93-11-64.
(6) Any person who serves as a member of the Public Health and Welfare Committee of either house of the Mississippi Legislature is exempt from any continuing education requirements imposed by this chapter or regulations of the board for renewal of a nursing home administrator's license.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.