MS SB2797

Permanently transfers Mississippi State Asylum Records (patient records from 1855-1935) from Mississippi State Hospital to the Rowland Medical Library at University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Establishes the Asylum Hill Oversight Committee to govern access, use, and disclosure of asylum records, with requirements to identify and notify descendants and allow them to opt out of record disclosure.

Exempts asylum records relating to persons deceased 50+ years from confidentiality requirements under hospital records, medical records, and physician-patient privilege statutes, while protecting records of those deceased less than 50 years under HIPAA.

Requires all patient information in asylum records to be anonymized and exempts asylum records from the Mississippi Public Records Act.

Becomes effective July 1, 2023.