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H. B. No. 1550 *HR43/R1977* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
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To: Public Health and Human
Services
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Nelson
HOUSE BILL NO. 1550
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN 1
COORDINATION WITH THE MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND 2
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, TO ESTABLISH A VOLUNTARY 3
STATEWIDE BLEEDING CONTROL PROGRAM; TO AUTHORIZE STATE AGENCIES, 4
COUNTIES, MUNICIPALITIES, PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PUBLIC 5
COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTS AND STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 6
LEARNING TO PLACE BLEEDING CONTROL KITS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS, 7
SCHOOLS AND OTHER HIGH-TRAFFIC PUBLIC LOCATIONS; TO ENCOURAGE 8
THOSE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TO OFFER TRAINING TO EMPLOYEES, 9
STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC; TO PROVIDE LIABILITY 10
PROTECTIONS FOR PERSONS WHO IN GOOD FAITH RENDER EMERGENCY CARE OR 11
ASSISTANCE USING A BLEEDING CONTROL KIT OR TOURNIQUET; AND FOR 12
RELATED PURPOSES. 13
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 14
SECTION 1. Legislative findings and purpose. (1) The 15
Legislature finds that uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of 16
preventable death following traumatic injury and that immediate 17
bleeding control, including the use of tourniquets, can 18
significantly increase survival until emergency medical services 19
arrive. 20
(2) The purpose of this act is to encourage access to 21
bleeding control equipment and training, promote public safety 22
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preparedness, and reduce preventable loss of life due to severe 23
hemorrhage. 24
SECTION 2. Definitions. As used in this act, the following 25
terms shall be defined as provided in this section: 26
(a) "Bleeding control kit" means a kit containing 27
medical supplies designed to control life-threatening bleeding, 28
which may include tourniquets, wound-packing gauze, compression 29
bandages, gloves and instructional materials. 30
(b) "Stop the Bleed training" means evidence-based 31
bleeding control education consistent with guidelines established 32
by the American College of Surgeons or another nationally 33
recognized authority. 34
(c) "Public building" means a building owned, leased or 35
operated by a state agency, county, municipality, public school 36
district, public community college district or state institution 37
of higher learning. 38
SECTION 3. Voluntary statewide bleeding control program. 39
(1) The State Department of Health, in coordination with the 40
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Department of 41
Public Safety, may establish a voluntary statewide bleeding 42
control program. 43
(2) The program may include, but is not limited to: 44
(a) Guidance regarding the placement and maintenance of 45
bleeding control kits; 46
(b) Promotion of Stop the Bleed training opportunities; 47
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(c) Coordination with local governments, public school 48
districts, community college districts, state institutions of 49
higher learning and nonprofit organizations; and 50
(d) Assistance in identifying federal or private grant 51
funding for bleeding control supplies and training. 52
SECTION 4. Placement of bleeding control kits. (1) State 53
agencies, counties, municipalities, public school districts, 54
public community college districts and state institutions of 55
higher learning may place bleeding control kits in public 56
buildings, schools and other high-traffic public locations. 57
(2) Placement of such kits under this section shall be 58
voluntary and subject to the availability of funding. 59
SECTION 5. Training encouraged. (1) State agencies, local 60
governments, public school districts, community college districts, 61
state institutions of higher learning are encouraged to offer Stop 62
the Bleed training to employees, students and members of the 63
public when feasible. 64
(2) Training may be conducted in partnership with emergency 65
medical services providers, law enforcement agencies, fire 66
departments, hospitals, trauma centers, or nonprofit 67
organizations. 68
SECTION 6. Liability protection. (1) Any person who, in 69
good faith and without compensation, renders emergency care or 70
assistance using a bleeding control kit or tourniquet shall be 71
immune from civil liability for acts or omissions resulting from 72
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ST: Voluntary statewide bleeding control
program; authorize Health Dept to establish.
such care, except for acts or omissions constituting willful or 73
wanton misconduct. 74
(2) This section shall supplement, and not limit, the 75
protections provided under Section 73-25-37 and other applicable 76
Good Samaritan provisions of law. 77
SECTION 7. Funding. (1) The program authorized under this 78
act may be supported through: 79
(a) Federal grants; 80
(b) Private donations; 81
(c) Public-private partnerships; and 82
(d) Any other funds lawfully available. 83
(2) Nothing in this act shall be construed to require an 84
appropriation of state funds. 85
SECTION 8. Construction. Nothing in this act shall be 86
construed to: 87
(a) Require any individual to render emergency care; 88
(b) Restrict the lawful possession or use of medical 89
devices; or 90
(c) Supersede existing emergency medical services 91
protocols or regulations. 92
SECTION 9. This act shall take effect and be in force from 93
and after July 1, 2026. 94