House Bill 1239

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-121-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS TO WEAR A PHOTO IDENTIFICATION NAME TAG DURING ALL PATIENT ENCOUNTERS THAT INCLUDES THE TYPE OF LICENSE HELD BY THE PRACTITIONER AND THAT IS OF SUFFICIENT SIZE AND WORN IN A CONSPICUOUS MANNER SO THAT IT WILL BE VISIBLE AND APPARENT TO PATIENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 41-121-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-121-7. (1) An advertisement for health care services that names a health care practitioner must identify the type of license held according to the definitions under this chapter. The advertisement shall be free from any and all deceptive or misleading information.

(2) A health care practitioner providing health care services in this state must conspicuously post in their office and affirmatively communicate the practitioner's specific licensure as defined under this chapter. This shall consist of the following:

(a) (i) The health care practitioner shall wear a photo identification name tag during all patient encounters that includes:

1. A recent photograph of the practitioner;

2. The practitioner's name; and

3. The type of license held by the practitioner (e.g. physician, psychologist, nurse practitioner or podiatrist).

(ii) The name tag shall be of sufficient size and be worn in a conspicuous manner so that it will be visible and apparent to all current and prospective patients; and

(b) The health care practitioner shall display in his or her office a writing that clearly identifies the type of license held by the health care practitioner. The writing must be of sufficient size so as to be visible and apparent to all current and prospective patients.

(3) A health care practitioner who practices in more than one (1) office shall be required to comply with these requirements in each practice setting.

(4) A health care practitioner who is not a practitioner of allopathic or osteopathic medicine who practices in a collaborative/consultative relationship with a practitioner of allopathic or osteopathic medicine shall conspicuously post in his or her office or offices the name of the collaborative/consultative physician.

( * * *45) Health care practitioners working in nonpatient care settings, and who do not have any direct patient care interactions, are not subject to the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.