MississippiHB 16372026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Panel; create under State Department of Health.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Public Health and Human ServicesPublic Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Radioactive material details kept confidential

State Health Department records that could identify radioactive materials, sites, security steps, shipments, or licensees are confidential. They are not available through public records or subpoenas unless federal law requires it or another government agency needs them for official work. Non‑identifying summary statistics can still be released.

New panel to prevent infant deaths

The law creates a Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Panel at the Mississippi Department of Health. It reviews fetal deaths and deaths of babies under age one and develops ways to prevent them. For sudden and unexpected infant or child deaths, the panel reviews medical, prenatal, maternal, and vaccine records using national best practices. The Health Department checks that cases are reported to the SUID/SDY registry and that any vaccine reactions are reported to VAERS, and files any missing reports. Each year by December 1, the panel sends lawmakers a report with numbers, causes, demographics, and resource recommendations, and the Department publishes the panel’s review and recommendations. The Department assigns staff support, and the panel may form subcommittees and elects a chair each year.

Review meetings closed; records stay confidential

Information the panel collects is confidential and cannot be used in court, except as needed to review a case. Panel proceedings, member opinions, and records are not open to the public or subject to subpoenas, though the same facts can be used if obtained elsewhere. Panel members cannot be questioned in court about panel discussions. The Health Department may hold closed sessions for required mortality review work, but any final vote on general policy must be in public. The panel is exempt from the Open Meetings Act.

Providers must share records for death reviews

Doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and agencies must give the panel full and timely access to relevant records it requests. The panel can give written notice and up to 10 business days to fix delays, or skip that if delay harms its work. The Health Department can use subpoenas, injunctions, or other court tools to enforce requests. Courts must award reasonable costs and attorney fees to the winner in enforcement cases. Providers who share records in good faith are protected from lawsuits or discipline. The panel cannot impose licensure sanctions or civil penalties; it uses the courts to get required records.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 345 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 52 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/4/2026

Passed