Senate Bill 2879

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-59-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT AS A CONDITION OF HOLDING A VALID AMBULANCE LICENSE AND PERMIT, EACH ENTITY MUST SHOW PROOF THAT THE ENTITY HAS ENTERED INTO A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT WITH ANOTHER ENTITY TO ENSURE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS PROVIDED WITH PROPER RESPONSE TIMES DURING A CRITICAL HEALTH EMERGENCY; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS REGARDING SUCH MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 41-59-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-59-9. From and after October 1, 1974, no person, firm, corporation, association, county, municipality, or metropolitan government or agency, either as owner, agent or otherwise, shall hereafter furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise or otherwise engage in the business of service of transporting patients upon the streets, highways or airways of Mississippi unless he holds a currently valid license and permit, for each ambulance, issued by the board; provided, however, that as a condition of holding a valid license and permit, each such entity must show proof that the entity has entered into a mutual aid agreement with another entity to ensure the general public is provided with proper response times during a critical health emergency. The board shall promulgate regulations regarding such mutual aid agreements.

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