MS SB2673

Creates the Mississippi Frontline Nurses and Health Care Workers Retention Grant Program to provide premium pay to frontline nurses and licensed/certified healthcare workers providing bedside care during the COVID-19 pandemic, funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act recovery funds

Distributes grants to licensed hospitals, long-term care facilities, and ambulance services using formulas weighted toward COVID-19 patient volume (January 1, 2021 through September 17, 2021) and facility capacity

Requires recipients of premium pay to sign a written agreement committing to remain employed with their current employer for 5 months or potentially repay the funds to the state

Excludes travel nurses and contract workers employed for less than one year, as well as any healthcare workers earning $150,000 or more annually from their primary employer

Premium pay received under this program is excluded from earned compensation calculations for the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi