AN ACT TO REQUIRE LICENSED HOSPITALS THAT OPERATE AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE PHYSICIAN, ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT OR REGISTERED NURSE ON DUTY DURING EACH SHIFT THROUGHOUT THE DAY WHO IS ABLE TO CONDUCT FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PREPARE SEXUAL ASSAULT EVIDENCE COLLECTION KITS FOR THOSE VICTIMS; TO PROHIBIT LICENSED HOSPITALS FROM TURNING AWAY OR REFUSING TO EXAMINE OR TREAT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT; TO REQUIRE LICENSED HOSPITALS TO MAINTAIN A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT EVIDENCE COLLECTION KITS FOR USE WHEN CONDUCTING FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT; TO AUTHORIZE LICENSED HOSPITALS TO CONTRACT WITH FORENSIC NURSES TO CONDUCT FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PREPARE SEXUAL ASSAULT EVIDENCE COLLECTION KITS FOR THE HOSPITAL; TO AMEND SECTION 99-51-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE MEDICAL FACILITIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO KEEP SEXUAL ASSAULT EVIDENCE COLLECTION KITS IN A SEPARATE REFRIGERATION UNIT THAT IS USED ONLY FOR THE STORAGE OF LABORATORY RESULTS OR A SIMILAR UNIT USED TO STORE SENSITIVE HOSPITAL MATERIALS RELATED TO THE MEDICAL TREATMENT OF PATIENTS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 99-37-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR PAYMENT FOR FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PREPARATION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT EVIDENCE COLLECTION KITS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 99-51-1, 99-37-25
As Passed by the House: 99-51-1, 99-37-25