MS HB881

Expands the Mississippi Medical Emergency Good Samaritan Act to protect individuals from prosecution for drug violations when seeking or providing medical assistance during overdoses, and extends protections to those in proximity to someone seeking assistance.

Authorizes telemedicine providers to deliver treatment for substance use disorders, including medication-assisted treatment, under the same standards as in-person care.

Establishes pre-arrest diversion programs allowing law enforcement to divert adults committing nonviolent offenses to assessment, intervention, education, and behavioral health services, with no arrest record upon successful completion.

Eliminates license suspension for failure to pay traffic fines and fees, instead allowing courts to pursue collection as delinquent payments; removes license suspension as a penalty for controlled substance violations unrelated to vehicle operation.

Permits judges to allow drug court participation for individuals convicted of burglary of unoccupied dwellings with property owner consent, and requires drug courts to allow participants to use medication-assisted treatment while enrolled.

Allows hospice medical directors to prescribe controlled substances for terminal disease pain without requiring an in-person visit with the patient beforehand.