MS SB2108

Authorizes Mississippi hospitals to allow patients or their legal guardians to designate one lay caregiver upon admission and before discharge to their residence.

Requires hospitals to record the designated caregiver's information in the patient's medical record and notify the caregiver of the patient's discharge or transfer to another facility as soon as practicable.

Prohibits designation of a lay caregiver from obligating any individual to perform aftercare tasks and does not require patients or guardians to designate a caregiver.

Requires hospitals to make a reasonable number of attempts to consult with the designated caregiver about aftercare and discharge planning, with failure to contact not delaying or affecting patient discharge.

Clarifies that no state or federal funds may be used to pay lay caregivers, and the act does not create private rights of action against hospitals or supersede existing legal remedies; effective July 1, 2015.