House Bill 328

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-23-43, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR FIRST RESPONDERS OFFERED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 41-23-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-23-43. (1) As used in this section:

(a) "Department" means the Mississippi State Department of Health, Bioterrorism Division;

(b) "Director" means the Executive Director of the State Board of Health;

(c) "Bioterrorism" means the intentional use of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance or biological product, to cause or attempt to cause death, disease or other biological malfunction in any living organism;

(d) "Disaster locations" means any geographical location where a bioterrorism attack, terrorist attack, catastrophic or natural disaster or emergency occurs;

(e) "First responders" means state and local law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel, volunteer fire department personnel, emergency medical personnel, emergency management personnel and public works personnel who may be deployed to bioterrorism attacks, terrorist attacks, catastrophic or natural disasters and emergencies * * *.;

(f) "Volunteer fire department personnel" means the personnel of a volunteer fire department who are (i) actively and exclusively engaged in fire duty, (ii) in good standing with the department, and (iii) approved by the fire chief and the county fire coordinator to participate in the vaccination program authorized under this section.

(2) The department shall offer a vaccination program for first responders who may be exposed to infectious diseases when deployed to disaster locations. The vaccinations shall include, but are not limited to, hepatitis A vaccination, hepatitis B vaccination, diphtheria-tetanus vaccination, influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination and other vaccinations when recommended by the United States Public Health Service and in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Directors Policy. Immune globulin will be made available when necessary.

(3) Participation in the vaccination program shall be voluntary by the first responders, except for first responders who are classified as having "occupational exposure" to blood borne pathogens as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standard contained at 29 CFR 1910.10300, who shall be required to take the designated vaccinations or otherwise required by law.

(4) A first responder shall be exempt from vaccinations when a written statement from a licensed physician is presented indicating that a vaccine is medically contraindicated for that person or the first responder signs a written statement that the administration of a vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets.

(5) If there is a vaccine shortage, the director, in consultation with the Governor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall give priority for vaccination to first responders.

(6) The department shall notify first responders to the availability of the vaccination program and shall provide educational materials on ways to prevent exposure to infectious diseases.

(7) The department may contract with county and local health departments, not-for-profit home health care agencies, hospitals and physicians to administer a vaccination program for first responders.

(8) This section shall be effective upon receipt of federal funding and/or federal grants for administering a first responders vaccination program. Upon receipt of that funding, the department shall make available the vaccines to first responders as provided in this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.