MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representative Wells-Smith

House Bill 1057

AN ACT TO ALLOW HOME HEALTH CARE WORKERS TO REPORT ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES; TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM CIVIL LIABILITY IF SUCH REPORT IS BASED UPON A REASONABLE BELIEF; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  Any home health care worker who witnesses a criminal offense is authorized to report such criminal offense to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  A home health care worker shall not be liable in any civil action for making a report under this section, if such home health care worker had a good faith reasonable belief that a criminal offense was committed.

     (2)  For the purposes of this section, "home health care worker" means any person licensed or employed to provide medical or health services in the private residence of a patient, whether such person is employed by the state or any of its political subdivisions or by a private health care provider.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.