Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

Mississippi House Bill HB1540

Introduced

1/20/25

Refer

1/20/25

Failed

2/4/25

Caption

Nursing facilities and assisted living facilities; Health Dept. shall inspect to determine compliance with rules for emergency power sources.

Impact

If passed, HB1540 would significantly influence regulations surrounding nursing and assisted living facilities in Mississippi by enforcing minimum safety standards related to emergency power supplies. Notably, facilities will be mandated to maintain operational emergency power sources capable of sustaining residents for a minimum of five days during outages. This requirement aims to prevent potential health and safety crises that could arise from power failures, particularly in caring for vulnerable populations such as the elderly.

Summary

House Bill 1540 amends Section 43-11-13 of the Mississippi Code to enhance safety regulations for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. This bill requires the State Board of Health to establish rules mandating inspections during which compliance with regulations regarding electricity and emergency power sources will be assessed. These inspections will be part of regular unannounced evaluations every fifteen months, ensuring that facilities are equipped to handle power outages effectively.

Contention

While the bill seeks to establish vital safeguards, there may be contention regarding the feasibility and cost implications for smaller facilities. Critics might argue that the financial burden of maintaining such stringent standards could strain resources for operators, especially those serving rural areas. Supporters highlight the essential nature of these regulations in safeguarding residents' health and comfort, particularly during emergencies, and the potential reputational risks for facilities that fail to comply with updated standards.