Senate Bill 2840 Summary

• Expands the Mississippi Medical Emergency Good Samaritan Act to protect individuals from prosecution for additional drug violations (including paraphernalia possession and related offenses) when seeking or receiving medical assistance for opioid overdoses.

• Authorizes telemedicine providers to treat substance use disorders including medication-assisted treatment, and directs the State Board of Medical Licensure to adopt regulations allowing primary care physicians to provide maintenance therapy for substance use disorders.

• Permits municipalities, counties, and educational institutions to establish pre-arrest diversion programs allowing law enforcement to divert adults committing nonviolent misdemeanors to assessment and behavioral health services, with no arrest record upon successful completion.

• Requires drug courts to allow medication-assisted treatment for participants when medically appropriate and establishes first responder training standards for opioid antagonist administration including signs/symptoms, protocols, and storage procedures.

• Effective July 1, 2018 and brings forward existing code sections regarding controlled substance prescriptions, opioid antagonist emergency response, dental board powers, pharmacy prescription monitoring programs, and medical licensure board responsibilities for possible amendment.