MS SB2347

Authorizes privately owned hospitals to establish police departments if the hospital was previously publicly owned and had a police department at that time.

Hospital police officers must meet state law enforcement certification requirements and can carry firearms, make arrests for offenses committed on hospital premises, and exercise full law enforcement powers on hospital property.

Requires hospitals to enter into a memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement to maintain officer certifications, and officers must complete crisis de-escalation training within 180 days of employment.

Hospital police officers are protected from civil and criminal liability unless their actions were outside the scope of employment, done with malicious purpose, or liability is expressly imposed by law.

The hospital governing body pays all officer salaries, furnishes uniforms, badges, firearms, and credentials, and officers serve at the will and pleasure of the governing body; the law repeals on July 1, 2028.