Senate Bill 2759

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-28-1, 41-28-3 AND 41-28-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PRESCRIBE THE POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RELATING TO THE SCREENING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN FOR DIABETES RISK AND THE MANAGEMENT AND CARE OF STUDENTS WITH DIABETES; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH REGULATIONS SHALL BE ADOPTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 41-28-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-28-1. The words and terms as used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:

(a) "State Health Officer" shall mean the State Health Officer of the State Board of Health, or his designated representative.

(b) "Board" shall mean the State Board of Health.

(d) "Diabetes" shall include, but not be limited to, Type I, Type II, Gestational and all secondary forms of diabetes regardless of mode of treatment if such treatment is prescribed by a health care professional legally authorized to prescribe such treatment and regardless of the age of onset or duration of the disease.

SECTION 2. Section 41-28-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-28-3. (1) The State Board of Health is authorized to establish a program of public education and awareness of the symptoms and care and treatment of persons suffering from diabetes to be implemented by the State Department of Health. The program shall be designed to disseminate information to the public, to the medical and paramedical communities, and others, relating to the symptoms, care and treatment of diabetes. The program shall include information regarding the mandatory coverage of diabetes treatment in all individual and group health insurance policies or plans, as required under Section 83-9-46, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(2) The State Board of Health and the State Board of Education shall jointly establish and issue regulations which establish a program of noninvasive screening of compulsory-school-age children for diabetes risk. Said regulations shall include guidelines to be adopted by local school districts for the care or self-care and medical management of students with diabetes and for the training of appropriate school personnel for this purpose.

SECTION 3. Section 41-28-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-28-5. The board, acting through the State Department of Health, is authorized to:

(a) Assist in the development and expansion of educational programs for persons suffering from diabetes, including self-administration, prevention and home care and other medical and dental procedures and techniques designed to provide maximum control over any episodes typical of this condition;

(b) Enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations for the dissemination of such public information, through all forms of news media, local chapters or organizations, and other persons qualified to perform such functions;

(c) Employ all necessary administrative personnel as may be provided in its budget to carry out the provisions of this chapter;

(d) Develop regulations in conjunction with the State Board of Health providing for the noninvasive screening of compulsory-school-age children for diabetes risk, and adopting guidelines to be adopted by local school districts for the care or self-care and medical management of students with diabetes and providing for the training of appropriate school district personnel for this purpose; and

(e) Promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.