Senate Bill 2551

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-30-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH TO REOPEN THE MISSISSIPPI STATE HOSPITAL CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY UNIT FOR MALE CLIENTS AT WHITFIELD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 41-30-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-30-9. (1) The division shall establish a comprehensive statewide plan for the identification of alcohol abuse and treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics and intoxicated persons. The statewide plan shall include a variety of treatment methods, and shall provide or arrange for a variety of approved treatment facilities so that the needs of persons suffering from alcoholism, and of persons who are intoxicated and in need of emergency medical aid, may be fully met.

(2) The division in implementing the statewide plan shall utilize to the fullest extent possible the facilities of regional or community mental health facilities presently existing or to be established hereafter along with any facility or program of a county, municipality or private organization. The division shall coordinate implementation of its statewide plan with existing or planned programs of regional and local public and private organizations.

(3) The statewide plan of the division shall include, but need not be limited to, the following public or private treatment services and facilities:

(a) Emergency medical-social services and facilities to render emergency medical care, including detoxication and emergency social services. Such facilities and services shall provide for the immediate physical and social needs, including the needs for medication and shelter of intoxicated persons, and shall also provide for initial examination, diagnosis and referral. Each such facility or service shall be affiliated with or constitute a part of the general medical service of a licensed hospital or other medical facility, but need not be physically a part of such hospital or facility.

(b) Outpatient facilities, including, but not limited to, clinics, vocational rehabilitation services and community mental health facilities.

(c) Intermediate care services, including, but not limited to, partial hospitalization and supportive residential facilities such as halfway houses, nursing homes, nursing care facilities and community mental health facilities. The intermediate care facilities may be operated by or may be jointly operated with state or local, public or private agencies approved by the division.

(d) Inpatient short-term or extended-care facilities for diagnostic study, intensive study, treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics, which may be part of public or private licensed hospitals, mental hospitals or community mental health facilities, and may be provided to inmates of any correctional facility.

(e) Aftercare services for patients.

(4) The division shall reopen and operate the Mississippi State Hospital Chemical Dependency Unit for male clients located at Whitfield, Mississippi, not later than July 1, 2018.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.