HB 1028 Summary

• Revises definitions and procedures under the Medical Practice Act to clarify licensure, renewal, and disciplinary processes for physicians, physician assistants, and other health care practitioners regulated by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure.

• Allows electronic notice of license renewal, permits physicians to request "inactive status" to retain licensure without active practice or continuing education requirements, and establishes procedures for retroactive reinstatement of lapsed licenses for good cause.

• Expands temporary license authority to allow up to seven (7) years for internships, residencies, and fellowships (previously five years), and clarifies special volunteer medical licenses for retired or military-service physicians providing care to indigent and underserved populations.

• Increases civil penalties for unlawful practice of medicine from unspecified amounts to $25,000 for first violation, $35,000 for second, and up to $50,000 for subsequent violations, and authorizes the board to seek injunctive relief against unlicensed practitioners.

• Extends disabled licensee law provisions to all professional licensees under the board and allows board to assess punitive fines up to $25,000 per offense (cumulative cap of $100,000) in disciplinary actions.