MS HB386

Requires any person mandated to report suspected abuse under the Mississippi Vulnerable Adults Act to report to the medical examiner or coroner if they have reasonable cause to suspect an adult died as a result of abuse, sexual abuse, or negligence.

Mandates long-term care facilities and hospice facilities to immediately report all resident deaths to the appropriate medical examiner or coroner, regardless of whether the death appears to be from natural causes or other causes.

Requires hospitals to immediately report deaths of individuals who were residents of a long-term care facility within five days of entering the hospital to the appropriate medical examiner or coroner.

Directs medical examiners and coroners to investigate reported deaths and report findings to police, prosecuting attorneys, and the Department of Human Services when reasonable cause exists to believe death resulted from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Effective July 1, 2010.