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MississippiHB 14042025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Mental health; provide exemption from pre-affidavit screening for persons being treated in an acute psych hospital who have already had evaluations.

Sponsored By: Samuel Creekmore IV (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Public Health and Human ServicesPublic Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Patients can be held awaiting hearings

Beginning July 1, 2025, a judge can order a person kept in care while an admission hearing is pending. An evaluator must find that the person has a mental illness and needs confinement or treatment. The person can be kept at a licensed medical facility, crisis stabilization unit, or another suitable place.

Screening required before seeking forced treatment

Beginning July 1, 2025, screening is required before filing a sworn request for inpatient commitment or outpatient treatment, unless exempt. Relatives or interested adults must contact the community mental health center in the financially responsible county or where the patient is present. Interested adults include public officials, guardians, spouses, parents, lawyers, adult children, next of kin, and adults the patient names. Screening must finish within 24 hours after notice; a licensed doctor can screen if the center is unavailable. The screener investigates, checks treatment alternatives, interviews the patient when practical, and reports to the court clerk. Reasons for skipping an interview must be documented. If evidence is insufficient, the screener must refuse support and notify the person seeking treatment and the court. An interested person can still ask the judge to proceed despite that finding.

Some hospital patients skip commitment screening

Beginning July 1, 2025, some hospital patients are exempt from screening before a commitment request is filed. They must be receiving treatment in a licensed hospital with licensed acute psychiatric beds. They must already have received two qualified professional evaluations. The hospital must notify the community mental health center at least 24 hours before filing. This removes the separate screening step, but keeps the two-evaluation requirement.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Samuel Creekmore IV

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Kevin Felsher

    Republican • House

  • Joey Hood

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 287 • No: 0

House vote • 3/20/2025

Concurred in Amend From Senate

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2025

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/13/2025

Passed As Amended

Yes: 116 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/28/2025legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/24/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/24/2025House

  4. Concurred in Amend From Senate

    3/20/2025House

  5. Returned For Concurrence

    3/14/2025Senate

  6. Passed As Amended

    3/12/2025Senate

  7. Amended

    3/12/2025Senate

  8. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/3/2025Senate

  9. Referred To Public Health and Welfare

    2/18/2025Senate

  10. Transmitted To Senate

    2/17/2025House

  11. Passed As Amended

    2/13/2025House

  12. Amended

    2/13/2025House

  13. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/13/2025House

  14. Read the Third Time

    2/12/2025House

  15. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/4/2025House

  16. Referred To Public Health and Human Services

    1/20/2025House

Bill Text

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