Bill > SB2542

This bill, known as the Mississippi Maternal Health Protection Act, aims to improve maternal health outcomes in the state by requiring public health programs to offer at least 12 months of postpartum care, which includes mental health and substance use treatment, and by mandating timely postpartum follow-up appointments, including virtual options, at public hospitals and clinics. Public health facilities will be required to implement evidence-based safety protocols for common maternal emergencies like hemorrhage and hypertension, and to report data on maternal complications to the Mississippi State Department of Health (referred to as the "Department"). The Department will have the authority to issue corrective action plans to facilities that fail to adopt these safety measures. Additionally, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee will be empowered to examine all pregnancy-related deaths to identify systemic causes and publish annual reports with recommendations for prevention, while patient information reviewed will remain confidential. The bill also establishes a Maternal Emergency Transportation Fund by January 1, 2027, to support rapid-response plans for obstetric emergencies in rural areas and facilitate patient transfers when higher levels of care are needed, with funds usable for ambulances, telehealth equipment, and staff training.

Health and Social Services

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2542.xml