Senate Bill 2983

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DEVELOP AND MAKE A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE ON THE USE OF FEES, PENALTIES AND FINES COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT FROM REGULATED ENTITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The State Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed, not later than October 15, 2007, to develop and make a report to the Chairmen of the Public Health and Welfare Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Governor, including any recommended legislation, on the following:

(a) A schedule of fees, penalties and civil fines authorized to be charged for violations of state or federal law or regulation by the State Department of Health from all persons, businesses and other legal entities licensed, inspected or otherwise regulated by the State Department of Health;

(b) The amount of funds generated by all such fees, penalties and civil fines authorized to be charged by the State Department of Health, including the state fund balances from such fees, penalties and fines;

(c) The state allocations and use of all such fees, penalties and civil fines authorized to be charged by the State Department of Health, a description of all programs funded by such fees, penalties and fines and a description of the process of allocating such funds;

(d) An evaluation and documented outcome of each program or project funded by such fees, penalties and civil fines;

(e) A description of any public information which is available or should be made available to stakeholders regarding the use and availability of funds from fees, penalties and civil fines authorized to be charged by the State Department of Health; and

(f) Recommendations to better utilize fees, penalties and civil fines as a resource for improving the quality of services provided by the State Department of Health.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.