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SB 2704

Annual inspection of the infirmary at the State Penitentiary at Parchman; require State Department of Health to conduct.

2025 Regular Session

SDH must conduct annual inspections of the Parchman infirmary to ensure correctional health services meet public health standards, increasing independent oversight.

Approved by Governor
#corrections #publichealthandhumanservices #publichealthandwelfare
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Bill Summary · SB 2704

SB 2704 — Summary

Status: Approved by Governor (signed April 10, 2025)
Introduced: March 13, 2025
Primary sponsor: Sen. Doris Turner
Subjects: Corrections; Public Health and Human Services; Public Health and Welfare

Purpose and intent

SB 2704 directs the State Department of Health (SDH) to perform annual inspections of the infirmary at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman. The reported intent is to increase independent public‑health oversight of medical care conditions in the State Penitentiary and to ensure that correctional health services meet applicable public‑health standards.

Key provisions (as reflected in enrolled/ amended text)

  • Requires the State Department of Health to conduct an annual inspection of the infirmary at the State Penitentiary at Parchman. (This requirement is described in the bill title and legislative history; the enrolled/house‑amended text augments statutory powers of the State Board of Health and the Executive Officer of the Department.)
  • The House Committee substitute/Amendment No. 1 substantially revises Section 41‑3‑15 of the Mississippi Code (the provisions governing the State Department of Health and State Board of Health). Notable elements inserted or clarified by the amendment include:
    • Enumerated powers and duties of the State Board of Health (policy formulation, rulemaking, fee authority, contracting, receipt and use of funds, and appointment of a Director of Internal Audit).
    • Duties and authorities of the Department’s Executive Officer (administration of board policies, organizational authority, personnel appointment authority, contracting authority, and annual reporting obligations to the Legislature and governor).
    • Authorization to establish an Office of Rural Health with responsibilities for rural health data collection, policy analysis, recruitment/retention assistance, technical support, and information clearinghouses.
    • Standard public‑health authorities such as sanitary investigations, quarantine measures, data collection on mortality/morbidity, and fee collection for public health services.

(The provided text is truncated; readers should consult the final enrolled act for the exact statutory language that explicitly places the annual‑inspection duty into law.)

Who is affected

  • Inmates and staff at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman — the infirmary and its operations will be subject to annual SDH inspections.
  • Mississippi Department of Health — responsible for conducting inspections, documenting findings, and (as applicable) initiating follow‑up actions.
  • Mississippi Department of Corrections and local correctional health contractors — may be required to respond to inspection findings and to implement corrective measures.
  • The State Board of Health and Office of Rural Health (if implemented) — may take on new or clarified responsibilities in oversight and reporting.

Implementation, reporting, and procedural notes

  • SB 2704 was introduced March 13, 2025 and underwent committee and floor actions in both houses; conference reports and amendments were adopted before final enrollment. The bill was signed by the Governor on April 10, 2025.
  • The House amendment expands SDH statutory responsibilities and reporting obligations (including annual reporting to the Legislature and Governor on departmental work). The enrolled text should be reviewed to confirm where and how the annual‑inspection mandate is codified and what reporting/follow‑up requirements accompany inspection results.
  • Practical impacts may include the need for SDH to allocate staff/time for annual prison inspections, development of inspection protocols specific to correctional infirmaries, and possible coordination with the Department of Corrections for access, remediation plans, and compliance.

Where to find the full text / next steps

  • For precise statutory language and any implementation timelines or reporting requirements, consult the enrolled bill as signed into law (official state legislative website or the Office of the Secretary of State).
  • Agencies and stakeholders (SDH, MDOC, county/jail health contractors) should review the enrolled act to identify operational steps, resource needs, and compliance deadlines.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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