Bill > HB1572

This bill modifies existing Mississippi state law to require that any orders issued by the State Health Officer related to sanitary and quarantine measures must first be approved by the Governor before being released to the public. Specifically, the bill amends two sections of the Mississippi Code: Section 41-3-15 and Section 41-23-5. Under the current law, the State Health Officer has broad authority to investigate and control epidemic and infectious diseases, including establishing quarantine and isolation measures. The new legislation adds a critical step to this process by mandating gubernatorial review and approval of any such orders before they can be implemented. This means that during public health emergencies or disease outbreaks, the State Health Officer cannot unilaterally issue orders to control disease spread without first obtaining the Governor's consent. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving state agencies time to prepare for the new approval process. The intent appears to be to increase executive oversight of public health emergency responses and ensure that significant health-related directives have high-level political approval before being enacted.

Health and Social Services

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1572.xml