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Bill > HB1252
MS HB1252
MS HB1252Licensing boards; prohibit from disciplinary or threatening discipline of health care providers for exercising free speech rights.
summary
Introduced
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
In Committee
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Create New Section 73-49-5, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Prohibit The Licensing Boards Or Agencies Of Health Care Practitioners From Reprimanding, Sanctioning, Revoking Or Threatening To Revoke A License, Certificate Or Registration Of A Practitioner For Exercising His Or Her Constitutional Right Of Free Speech, Unless The Board Or Agency Proves Beyond A Reasonable Doubt That The Speech Used By The Practitioner Led To The Direct Physical Harm Of A Person With Whom The Practitioner Had A Practitioner-patient Relationship; To Require The Licensing Boards Or Agencies Of Health Care Practitioners To Provide A Practitioner With Any Complaints Received For Which Revocation Actions May Be In Order Within Seven Days After Receipt Of Such Complaint; To Amend Sections 73-6-19, 73-9-61, 73-15-29, 73-19-23, 73-21-97, 73-23-59, 73-25-29, 73-26-5, 73-27-13, 73-31-21, 73-39-77, 73-71-33 And 73-75-19, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform To The Preceding Provisions; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes new protections for healthcare providers in Mississippi, ensuring that their licensing boards cannot discipline or threaten to discipline them for exercising their constitutional right to free speech, unless that speech directly leads to physical harm to a patient with whom the provider has a professional relationship, and this harm is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The bill also mandates that licensing boards must provide healthcare providers with copies of any complaints that could lead to license revocation within seven days of receiving them. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws for various healthcare professions, including chiropractors, dentists, nurses, optometrists, pharmacists, physical therapists, physicians, podiatrists, psychologists, veterinarians, acupuncturists, and behavior analysts, to conform to these new provisions, effectively limiting the disciplinary actions these boards can take based on a provider's speech.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1252.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/1200-1299/HB1252IN.htm |
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