Senate Bill 3225

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF FORREST COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL TO EMPLOY PERSONS CERTIFIED AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENFORCING ALL VIOLATIONS OF LAW THAT OCCUR ON OR WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF ANY PROPERTY OWNED BY THE HOSPITAL; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO ENTER INTO INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES FOR THE PROVISION OF EQUIPMENT OR TRAFFIC CONTROL DUTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. For the purposes of this act, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Board" means the Board of Trustees of Forrest County General Hospital.

(b) "Hospital" means Forrest County General Hospital.

SECTION 2. The Board of Trustees of Forrest County General Hospital, in its discretion, may employ persons certified as law enforcement officers by the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training under the provisions of Chapter 6 of Title 45, Mississippi Code of 1972. Such officers, when so employed, shall be vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing all violations of law that occur on or within five hundred (500) feet of any property owned by the hospital, if the board determines that it wants such law enforcement officers to exercise such powers and if reasonably determined to have a possible impact on the safety of hospital employees, staff, patients or visitors while on such property. However, nothing in this act shall be interpreted to require action by any such law enforcement officer employed by the hospital with regard to any activity occurring off the boundaries of hospital property, nor shall the board, any member of the board, any hospital employee or any member of the hospital staff be liable for any failure to act with regard to any event, situation or activity occurring off the boundaries of property owned by the hospital. The board may enter into interlocal agreements with other law enforcement entities for the provision of equipment or traffic control duties; however, the duty to enforce traffic regulations and to enforce the laws of the state or municipality off hospital property lies with the local police or sheriff's department which may not withhold its services solely because of the lack of such an agreement.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.