MS SB2185

Establishes an Office of Workplace Safety and Health within the Mississippi Department of Health to implement occupational safety and health programs and enforce child labor laws.

Empowers the new office to develop safety standards, conduct on-site consultations, collect workplace disability statistics, and make rules to prevent occupational accidents and diseases.

Transfers child labor inspection duties from county health officers to the Office of Workplace Safety and Health, requiring unannounced inspections of mills, factories, and manufacturing establishments at least twice annually.

Increases civil penalties for employers who fail to comply with child labor inspection orders from $10-$100 to $100-$1,000.

Takes effect July 1, 2022.