Mississippi Board of Pharmacy; authorize to establish an alternative-to-discipline program for certain impaired licensees.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on the financial contributions required from licensees.

Mississippi Board of Pharmacy Can Create a Program for Impaired Pharmacists

This law allows the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy to create an alternative-to-discipline program for pharmacists with impairments due to substance abuse or mental health issues.

What This Bill Does

• The board can make rules about an alternative-to-discipline program for licensees who have impairments from substance abuse or mental health conditions.
• Licensee participation in the program must be voluntary and occur before any disciplinary action is taken against them.
• Participants may be required to contribute to the cost of their treatment, counseling, or education.
• All information about a licensee's participation in this program will be kept confidential.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Mississippi Board of Pharmacy
• Pharmacists who volunteer for the alternative-to-discipline program

Terms To Know

Impairment

A condition that affects a person's ability to work properly, often due to substance abuse or mental health issues.

Alternative-to-Discipline Program

A program designed to help professionals with certain impairments get treatment instead of facing disciplinary action.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify the exact amount that pharmacists will have to pay for their participation in the program.
• It is unclear what additional criteria or requirements beyond those listed may be set by the board.

Official Summary Text

Mississippi Board of Pharmacy; authorize to establish an alternative-to-discipline program for certain impaired licensees.

Current Bill Text

S. B. No. 2476 *SS08/R1179* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS08/R1179
PAGE 1 (baf\kr)

To: Public Health and
Welfare
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Bryan

SENATE BILL NO. 2476

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF PHARMACY TO 1
ESTABLISH AN ALTERNATIVE-TO-DISCIPLINE PROGRAM FOR LICENSEES WHO 2
HAVE AN IMPAIRMENT AS A RESULT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR A MENTAL 3
HEALTH CONDITION; TO SET FORTH MINIMUM PROGRAM CRITERIA; AND FOR 4
RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. The Mississippi Board of Pharmacy may establish 7
by rule an alternative-to-discipline program for licensees who 8
have an impairment as a result of substance abuse or a mental 9
health condition. Any such program shall include, but not be 10
limited to, the following criteria: 11
(a) The licensee's participation in the program must be 12
voluntary, and the licensee must enter the program before the 13
board holds a disciplinary action hearing regarding the licensee; 14
(b) The licensee may be required to contribute to the 15
cost of participation in the program, including the cost of any 16
care, counseling, treatment and/or education received by the 17
licensee; and 18
S. B. No. 2476 *SS08/R1179* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS08/R1179
PAGE 2 (baf\kr)
ST: Mississippi Board of Pharmacy; authorize to
establish an alternative-to-discipline program
for certain impaired licensees.
(c) All of the procedures and records regarding the 19
licensee's participation in the program shall be confidential, 20
shall not be disclosed and shall be exempt from the provisions of 21
the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983. 22
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 23
and after its passage. 24