MS HB764

Appropriates $56,000,000 from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Mississippi Department of Health to provide premium pay to health care workers responding to COVID-19.

Distributes funds as follows: $40,000,000 to hospitals (based on COVID-19 patient volume and bed count), $7,500,000 to long-term care facilities (based on COVID-19 cases and staffed beds), $2,500,000 to ambulance services (based on ambulance runs), $5,000,000 for additional distribution at department discretion, and $1,000,000 for departmental administrative expenses.

Provides eligible health care workers with premium pay up to $5,000 within 60 days, contingent on signing a written agreement to continue employment with their current employer or another eligible Mississippi health care employer for five months following receipt.

Excludes workers earning $150,000 or more annually and those employed by staffing agencies for contracts lasting less than one year, such as travel nurses.

Premium pay funds are not considered earned compensation for Public Employees' Retirement System purposes, and workers may be required to repay funds if employment agreement terms are not met.