Senate Bill 2020 Summary

• Establishes the "Mississippi Free Health Clinic Volunteers in Medicine Act" to provide liability immunity to health care providers and volunteers who contract with free clinics to deliver uncompensated services to low-income patients.

• Designates health care providers and volunteers under contract with certified free clinics as state employees for purposes of the Mississippi Tort Claims Act, providing them sovereign immunity protection while acting within the scope of their contract duties.

• Requires free clinics to register annually with the Mississippi State Department of Health and mandates written notice to patients that providers are state employees with limited liability remedies under the Tort Claims Act.

• Authorizes registered nurses and nurse practitioners to dispense medication in free clinic settings, and permits drug manufacturers to donate medications to free clinics up to one year following the labeled expiration date.

• Makes the law effective for incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2013, and requires free clinics and health care providers to pay assessed costs and premiums to the Tort Claims Board for liability coverage.