House Bill 985 Summary

• Authorizes Mississippi state employees to use major medical leave for mental health care or treatment with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed professional counselor.

• Mental health leave usage is subject to the same provisions that apply to major medical leave for physical illness, including the requirement to use one day of personal or compensatory leave first (except for regularly scheduled appointments for chronic conditions certified by a physician).

• Mental health leave requires physician certification after 32 consecutive working hours of absence, consistent with provisions for physical illness.

• Effective July 1, 2024.