Mississippi House Bill HB32

Mississippi 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/24
• Refer: 1/17/24
• Failed: 3/5/24

Caption

County health departments; require nurse practitioner to be present weekly to provide contraceptive supplies.

Impact

The amendments proposed by HB32 modify existing Mississippi laws concerning family planning by specifically altering sections within the state code. By formally directing the State Department of Health to ensure that healthcare professionals are available to dispense contraceptive supplies, the bill strengthens the state's commitment to family planning and reproductive health services. It has the potential to impact public health outcomes positively by improving educational outreach and service availability in rural and underserved areas.

Summary

House Bill 32 aims to improve access to contraceptive supplies and information in Mississippi by mandating that a nurse practitioner be present at each county health department for at least one day a week. This initiative intends to facilitate the provision of contraceptive prescriptions and supplies to individuals seeking them. Furthermore, the bill establishes that eligible recipients may obtain these services either at no cost or at a reduced cost based on their income, thereby increasing accessibility for lower-income individuals seeking family planning services.

Contention

Notably, HB32 addresses the sensitive issue regarding the provision of contraceptive information and supplies to minors. The bill permits nurse practitioners to offer these services to certain minors under specific conditions, such as parental consent or referrals from authorized entities. This provision may lead to debates among legislators and constituents about adolescent healthcare autonomy and the ethical implications of providing minors with access to contraceptive resources without parental notification in some cases.