MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Universities and Colleges
By: Senator(s) Boyd, Parker
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-85, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN; TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-87, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO CREATE A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN; TO REQUIRE STAFF TRAINING; TO REQUIRE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES WITH THEIR STUDENTS AT CERTAIN TIMES AND IN CERTAIN MANNERS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE IHL BOARD, AND THE MCCB TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN COMPLYING WITH THIS ACT; TO REQUIRE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO PARTNER WITH CERTAIN ENTITIES TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AT THE LOWEST AND BEST COST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-11-85, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-11-85. The following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein:
(a) "Cardiac and Mental Health Emergency Response Plan (CMHERP)" shall mean a written document that establishes the specific steps to reduce death or injury from cardiac arrest or mental health emergencies in any setting – be it a school, community college, public university, community organization, workplace, or sports facility.
(b) "Automated External Defibrillator (AED)" shall mean a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock can potentially stop an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
(c) "Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)" means when the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly, and if not treated within minutes, it quickly leads to death.
SECTION 2. Section 37-11-87, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-11-87. (1)
Beginning in the * * * 2025-2026 school year,
each public school, community college or university shall develop a
cardiac and mental health emergency response plan (CMHERP) that
addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents
involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a mental health
emergency or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds.
(2) Beginning in the * * *
2025-2026 school year, each public school, community college or
public university with an athletic department or organized athletic program
shall develop a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the appropriate
use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual
experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a mental health emergency or a
similar life-threatening emergency while attending or participating in an
athletic practice or event while on school grounds.
(3) School officials shall work directly with local emergency service providers to integrate the CMHERP into the community's EMS responder protocols. Each plan shall integrate evidence-based core elements, such as those recommended by the American Heart Association guidelines, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health or another nationally recognized, evidence-based standard.
(4) The CMHERP shall integrate, at a minimum, the following guidelines, to be updated from time to time:
(a) Establishing a cardiac and mental health emergency response team;
(b) Activating the team in response to a SCA or mental health emergency;
(c) A plan for implementing AED placement and routine maintenance within the school;
(d) Disseminating the plan throughout the school campus;
(e) Maintaining ongoing staff training in CPR/AED use, as well as mental health first aid training;
(f) Practicing using drills annually;
(g) Integrating local EMS with the plan; and
(h) Ongoing and annual review and evaluation of the plan.
(5) Appropriate AED placement shall be dictated by the CERP and in accordance with guidelines set by the American Heart Association or another nationally recognized, evidence-based standard. A school or local and regional board of education may accept gifts, grants and donations, including in-kind donations designated for the purchase of an AED that meets the standards established by the United States Food and Drug Administration and for the costs incurred to inspect and maintain such device and train staff in the use of such device.
(6) All teachers,
administrators and other appropriate school staff shall be trained in first-aid,
mental health first aid training, CPR, and AED use that follow evidence-based
guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association, the Mississippi
Department of Mental Health or another nationally recognized, evidence-based
standard. * * * The
Mississippi Community College Board and the Board of Trustees of the
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning shall, in conjunction with the
institutions and colleges, determine staff to be trained on community college
and public university campuses, including, but not limited to, healthcare
providers, counselors and resident assistants.
SECTION 3. (1) All public institutions of higher learning and community and junior colleges in the State of Mississippi shall be required to share information at their new student orientations about support services offered on campus, including counseling centers, health clinics and telehealth services. Additionally, all public institutions of higher learning and community and junior colleges shall make information concerning college or university policies related to the mental and behavioral health and wellbeing of students available on the institution's public webpage, as well as in public places including dormitories, libraries and other common areas.
(2) The Mississippi Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with the Mississippi Community College Board and the Board of Directors of the State Institutions of Higher Learning, shall develop information and materials to distribute to all incoming students regarding mental and behavioral health and wellbeing, as well as materials concerning the same to be distributed to other parties involved in student life, including parents, community members and business owners.
(3) Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, each public institution of higher learning and community or junior college shall develop a plan, in coordination with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, to provide information concerning mental and behavioral health and wellbeing resources to all incoming students, without regard to whether those students attend a new student orientation.
(4) The Mississippi Department of Education, the Mississippi Community College Board, the Board of Directors of the Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Mississippi Department of Mental Health shall, in coordination, provide guidance as needed to community and junior colleges and public institutions of higher learning regarding mental health screenings and resources for students.
(5) All public institutions and colleges subject to the purview of either the Mississippi Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board shall partner with either Community Mental Health Centers, including Crisis Intervention Teams, or private providers in order to provide high quality mental health resources at the lowest and best cost, including free resources.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.