MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Public Utilities; Appropriations
By: Representative Bain (By Request)
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MISSISSIPPI HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, TO DEVELOP AN EMERGENCY NETWORK FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING A STATEWIDE UNIFORM COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WITH HOSPITALS IN TIMES OF DISASTER; TO REQUIRE THE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK TO UTILIZE IRIDIUM OR COMPARABLE SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES; TO REQUIRE THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE UNIFORM COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. (1) The State Department of Health, in consultation with the Mississippi Hospital Association, shall develop an emergency network for the purpose of creating a reliable, uniform communications network with hospitals across the state in the event of a disaster. The uniform communications network must be designed to provide unparalleled coverage and the highest level of dependability in communications in an area damaged by a disaster in order to maximize the delivery of critical emergency aid to affected communities through the utilization of a communications system in connection with the Iridium or a comparable satellite communications company.
(2) In the 2019-2020 appropriation bill for the support of the State Department of Health, the Legislature shall appropriate such funds as may be necessary to develop and implement the uniform communications network required under subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.