Bill

Bill > HB1547


MS HB1547

MS HB1547
Nurses; require to receive training on human trafficking and certify such receipt when applying for or renewing their licenses.


summary

Introduced
01/19/2026
In Committee
01/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Be Known As The Healing Outreach, Prevention And Education (h.o.p.e.) Act; To Require Every Nurse Who Applies For A Nursing License Or Applies To Renew His Or Her License Must Certify To The Mississippi Board Of Nursing That He Or She Has Completed One Hour Of Human Trafficking Training That Includes A Trauma-informed Curriculum Designed To Educate Nurses On Identifying, Responding To And Reporting Human Trafficking; To Require Nurses To Report Any Suspected Case Of Human Trafficking Involving A Minor To The Department Of Child Protection Services; To Require Nurses To Report Any Suspected Case Of Human Trafficking Involving An Adult To Appropriate Law Enforcement Authorities When A Victim Is In Imminent Danger, After Confirming A Victim's Consent, Or Any Other Circumstance When Disclosure To Law Enforcement Authorities Is Required By Law; To Require That Reports Be Made As Soon As Practicable, But No Later Than Twenty-four Hours After Forming A Reasonable Suspicion Of Human Trafficking; To Provide That Failure To Meet The Requirements Of This Act Is A Violation Of The Mississippi Nursing Practice Law And Subject To Disciplinary Action As Determined By The Board Of Nursing; To Amend Sections 73-15-19, 73-15-21 And 73-15-29, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform To The Preceding Provisions; To Amend Section 45-33-23, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That Persons Who Are Convicted Of Human Sex Trafficking Shall Be Registered As Sex Offenders; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the Healing Outreach, Prevention and Education (H.O.P.E.) Act, requires all nurses in Mississippi to complete a one-hour training on human trafficking, which includes a trauma-informed curriculum to help them identify, respond to, and report such crimes. Nurses will need to certify they have completed this training when applying for or renewing their licenses. The bill also mandates that nurses report suspected cases of human trafficking involving minors to the Department of Child Protection Services and suspected cases involving adults to law enforcement when a victim is in imminent danger, with consent, or as otherwise required by law, with reports due within 24 hours of reasonable suspicion. Failure to comply with these requirements will be considered a violation of the Mississippi Nursing Practice Law and subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Nursing. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to include human sex trafficking convictions as a registrable sex offense.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...