House Bill 1375

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-30-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN A PATIENT WHO IS AN ALCOHOLIC OR DRUG ADDICT IS DISCHARGED FROM A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE TREATMENT FACILITY, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SHALL MAKE A REASONABLE EFFORT TO ARRANGE FOR ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR THE PATIENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 41-30-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-30-25. Upon his or her discharge from, or upon leaving, an approved public or private treatment facility, a patient who was receiving treatment for alcoholism or for drug addiction or dependency shall be encouraged to consent to appropriate out-patient, intermediate care, or other after-care treatment. If it appears to the administrator in charge of the treatment facility, upon the advice of the attending physician, that the patient is an alcoholic or drug addict who requires such help, the division * * *~~may~~ shall make a reasonable effort to arrange for assistance in obtaining supportive services and residential facilities for the patient, such as maintenance in a hotel or halfway house operated by the division or by any other public or private agency.

For the purposes of this section, the terms "drug addict" and "drug addition" have the meanings as defined in Section 41-31-1.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.