House Bill 1644

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT CONTRACTS BETWEEN A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY AND A PRIVATE PROVIDER OF AMBULANCE SERVICES FOR THE CONTRACTING PROVIDER TO BE THE EXCLUSIVE PROVIDER OF AMBULANCE SERVICES IN THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY MUST CONTAIN A PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THE CONTRACTING PROVIDER TO HAVE A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT WITH OTHER AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RESPOND TO 911 AND NATURAL DISASTER CALLS AND PROVIDE SERVICE IN THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY DURING TIMES AND CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THE CONTRACTING PROVIDER IS EXPERIENCING SHORTAGES OF EQUIPMENT OR PERSONNEL THAT CAUSE A DELAY IN RESPONDING TO CALLS FOR SERVICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Any contract between the board of supervisors of a county or the governing authorities of a municipality and a private provider of ambulance services for the contracting provider to be the exclusive provider of ambulance services in the county or municipality, as the case may be, must contain a provision that requires the contracting provider to have a mutual aid agreement with other ambulance service providers to respond to 911 and natural disaster calls and provide service in the county or municipality, as the case may be, during times and circumstances when the contracting provider is experiencing shortages of equipment or personnel that cause a delay in responding to calls for service. The requirements of this section shall also apply to contracts between emergency medical service districts created under Section 41-59-51 and private providers of ambulance services.

(2) This section shall apply to all contracts described in subsection (1) of this section that are entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2024.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.