AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-13-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY AND EXPAND THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF COMMUNITY HOSPITALS AND TO PROVIDE THAT ANY CONSOLIDATION OR COLLABORATION INVOLVING A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AND OTHER PUBLIC, PRIVATE OR NONPROFIT HOSPITALS, HEALTH CARE FACILITIES OR PROVIDERS SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM LIABILITY UNDER THE FEDERAL AND STATE ANTITRUST OR COMPETITION LAWS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 41-13-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PER DIEM PAYABLE TO TRUSTEES; TO AMEND SECTION 37-115-50, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER AND ITS HEALTH CARE COLLABORATIVES ACTING INDIVIDUALLY OR JOINTLY SHALL BE IMMUNIZED FROM LIABILITY UNDER THE FEDERAL AND STATE ANTITRUST OR COMPETITION LAWS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-115-50.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS RELATED TO THE ACT; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-115-50.3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN POWERS TO THE ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER AND ITS HEALTH CARE COLLABORATIVES SUBJECT TO ANY REQUIRED APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; TO AMEND SECTION 75-21-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-9-301, 41-9-303, 41-9-305 AND 41-9-307, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE PRIVATE HOSPITALS IN THE RURAL HEALTH AVAILABILITY ACT AND RENAME THE ACT AS THE "RURAL AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS HEALTH AVAILABILITY ACT;" TO PROVIDE THAT PRIVATE HOSPITALS, WHETHER IN A RURAL OR NONRURAL AREA, AND ANY OTHER ENTITY MAY NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC ADVANTAGE GOVERNING THE AGREEMENT THAT IS APPROVED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 41-13-35, 41-13-29, 37-115-50
Committee Substitute: 41-13-35, 41-13-29, 37-115-50, 75-21-13
As Passed by the Senate: 41-13-35, 41-13-29, 37-115-50, 75-21-13
Approved by the Governor: 41-13-35, 41-13-29, 37-115-50, 75-21-13, 41-9-301, 41-9-303, 41-9-305, 41-9-307