Mississippi

SUNucate

Current Status: Not Enacted

Current Law

No SUNucate legislation has been enacted. No law on sunscreen in schools. Multiple failed attempts (SC 671, SB 2414, SB 2044).

Comparison to SUNucate

Mississippi has not adopted the major components of the SUNucate model legislation. The state remains an opportunity state for comprehensive school and youth camp sunscreen access protections.

Opportunities for Improvement

Adopt the full SUNucate model, including student possession and self-application of sunscreen; staff assistance with parental permission; youth camp protections; sun-protective clothing; hats and sunglasses; sun-safe education; and a sunscreen sales-tax exemption.

Legislative History

SC 671 (2017), SB 2414 (2018), SB 2044 (2019) - Failed

Sources

No enacted statute 

Medical Spa Safety Act

Current Law

Mississippi does not have any state laws pertaining to medical spas. The Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure and the State Board of Nursing released a joint policy stating a nurse practitioner may administer botulinum toxin injections if they are properly trained, the collaborative physician is educated and trained, and the physician performs the initial examination of the patient.

Opportunities for Improvement

Since there are no laws in place, Mississippi would benefit from enacting the Medical Spa Safety Act, which would explicitly regulate medical spas, prevent conflicting Board opinions, and reduce confusion for patients and practitioners.

Sources

Joint Policy by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure and the Mississippi State Board of Nursing on Administration of Botox Injections  

PULSE

Current Law

Mississippi has stronger laser-specific regulation than many states. Medical Board regulations define surgery to include the use of lasers for aesthetic, reconstructive, or cosmetic purposes. Mississippi regulations also state that use of laser, pulsed light, or similar devices for invasive or cosmetic procedures is considered the practice of medicine and is limited to physicians or individuals directly supervised by physicians. The supervising physician must be on the premises and directly involved in treatment if required.

Comparison to PULSE

Mississippi aligns with PULSE by treating laser and pulsed light procedures as the practice of medicine and by requiring physician presence on the premises for supervised procedures. These are important patient-safety protections. However, Mississippi does not appear to have a full device-neutral framework addressing all energy-based technologies covered by PULSE, nor does it expressly prohibit delegation of ablative procedures in the same manner as the model bill.

Opportunities for Improvement

Mississippi could further align with PULSE by codifying a comprehensive laser and energy-device statute, requiring physician evaluation before treatment, expressly prohibiting delegation of ablative procedures, and expanding coverage to radiofrequency, ultrasound, cryolipolysis, microwave, and other technologies.

Sources

30 Miss. Code R. § 2635-3.1 - Laser Devices — Regulation stating use of laser, pulsed light, or similar devices is practice of medicine.

Mississippi Secretary of State Laser Devices PDF — PDF version of laser devices regulation.

Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure — Board page for rules and guidance.