HB 1547

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.