MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representatives Currie, Boyd, Carpenter, Monsour
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS FROM PERFORMING ANY FUNCTION THAT IS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF ANY PROFESSION OR OCCUPATION LICENSED BY THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI UNLESS THE PERSON HOLDS A LICENSE ISSUED BY THE LICENSING AGENCY FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROFESSION OR OCCUPATION, OR IS EXEMPT FROM LICENSURE UNDER THE LICENSING LAWS FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROFESSION OR OCCUPATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the term "community health worker" means an individual who promotes health or nutrition within the community in which the individual resides:
(a) By serving as a liaison between communities and health care agencies;
(b) By providing guidance and social assistance to community residents;
(c) By enhancing community residents' ability to effectively communicate with health care providers;
(d) By providing culturally and linguistically appropriate health or nutrition education;
(e) By advocating for individual and community health;
(f) By providing referral and follow-up services or otherwise coordinating care; and/or
(g) By proactively identifying and enrolling eligible individuals in federal, state, local, private or nonprofit health and human services programs.
(2) A community health worker shall not be authorized to perform any function that is within the scope of practice of any profession or occupation licensed by the State of Mississippi unless the person holds a license issued by the licensing agency for that particular profession or occupation, or is exempt from licensure under the licensing laws for that particular profession or occupation.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.