Senate Bill 2204

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE AND SERVICES TO RETIRED AND DISABLED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIRE FIGHTERS AT NO COST TO THE RECIPIENT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROGRAM IS SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM; TO CREATE A MEDICAL CARE FUND FOR RETIRED OR DISABLED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OR FIRE FIGHTERS IN THE STATE TREASURY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Whenever used in this section, the term:

(a) "Law enforcement officer" means any lawfully sworn officer or employee of the state or any political subdivision or municipality of the state whose duties required the officer or employee to investigate, pursue, apprehend, arrest, transport or maintain custody of persons who are charged with, suspected of committing, or convicted of a crime.

(b) "Fire fighter" means an individual who is a lawfully sworn employee of any political subdivision or municipality of the state trained for the prevention and control of loss of life and property from fire or other emergencies, who is assigned to fire-fighting activity, and is required to respond to alarms and perform emergency actions at the location of a fire, hazardous materials or other emergency incident.

(2) The University of Mississippi Medical Center is authorized and directed to design and implement a program to provide medical care and services for law enforcement officers and fire fighters who are sixty-five (65) years of age or older or are disabled as determined under Section 1614(a)(3) of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, at no cost to the recipient of such medical care and services. Medical care and services made available under this section shall be in addition to any workers' compensation benefits. Medical care and services made available under this section shall be in addition to any Medicaid benefits available to the recipient, and it is not necessary for the covered recipient to apply for Medicaid benefits to participate in this program. Chronic or repetitive injury or illness shall be covered by the University of Mississippi Medical Center under this program.

(3) There is established in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Retired/Disabled Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters UMC Medical Services Fund, which shall be funded by any funds made available by the Legislature or by donation, contribution, gift or any other source. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the state fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General fund, and any income earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.