Senate Bill 2079 Summary

• Establishes the "Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Care Practitioners Act" to allow licensed health care and veterinary practitioners to volunteer during declared emergencies in Mississippi without state licensure, provided they are uncompensated and registered with an approved registration system.

• Requires volunteer practitioners to adhere to their scope of practice under their home state's laws and allows the State Department of Health to restrict services during emergencies; protects practitioners from liability except for reckless disregard or gross negligence.

• Creates volunteer health care practitioner registration systems that verify licensure and good standing, including Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Care Professionals, Medical Reserve Corps units, and systems designated by the State Department of Health.

• Allows out-of-state licensed practitioners registered in good standing to practice in Mississippi during emergencies with interstate licensure recognition, while prohibiting those with suspended or revoked licenses from receiving these protections.

• Amends 15 existing Mississippi Code sections across health care professions (physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, etc.) to explicitly permit licensed volunteer practitioners to provide services within their scope during emergency declarations.