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Bill > HB1461
MS HB1461
MS HB1461Advanced practice registered nurses; authorize to sign death certificates and POLST orders.
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 Authorize An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (aprn) To Complete, Sign And File A Certificate Of Death If The Aprn Was The Provider In Charge Of The Patient's Care For The Illness Or Condition That Resulted In Death, Or If The Aprn Is Providing Coverage For The Patient's Primary Provider; To Amend Sections 41-57-13 And 41-61-63, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform To The Provisions Of This Act; To Amend Section 41-41-302, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Authorize An Aprn To Sign And Execute A Physician Order For Life-sustaining Treatment (polst) For A Patient Under The Nurse's Care; To Amend Section 41-41-303, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform To The Preceding Provision; To Amend Section 73-15-5, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That The Practice Of Nursing By An Aprn Includes The Authority To Sign, Certify, Or Endorse Documents As Required By Law, Including Death Certificates And Polst Orders; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill expands the authority of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) by allowing them to sign death certificates under specific circumstances, such as when they were the primary caregiver for the deceased or were covering for the patient's main provider, and also permits them to sign Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) orders for patients under their care. A POLST order is a medical document that outlines a patient's wishes for life-sustaining treatments, ensuring their preferences are known and followed by healthcare providers. The bill also clarifies that the practice of nursing by an APRN includes the authority to sign, certify, or endorse various legal documents, aligning with their expanded roles in patient care and end-of-life planning.
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/HB1461.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/1400-1499/HB1461IN.htm |
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