Miss. Code Ann. § 41-129-1 Umbilical cord blood banking program established; duties of State Department of Health; funding.
Short title.This section shall be known and may be cited as “The Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Program Act.” Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Program; establishment; duties of the State Department of Health; funding.The Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Awareness Program is established and the State Department of Health is authorized to promote public awareness of the potential benefits of cord blood banking. The department shall: Develop a public education and outreach campaign via written materials, brochures, the Internet, and public service announcements to promote cord blood banking awareness and the benefits of cord blood banking. Develop educational materials and brochures which shall be made available to health care practitioners, including obstetricians, gynecologists and pediatricians, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, walk-in medical centers, mobile care units, surgical centers, urgent care centers, and clinics and organizations serving pregnant women. Promote professional education programs for health care providers on the benefits of cord blood banking. Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. The State Department of Health shall accept and expend any grants, awards or other funds as may be made available for the purposes of this section. Subject to an appropriation from the Legislature, the department shall implement the provisions of this section. The State Department of Health is prohibited from using the Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Program for cloning or DNA research purposes. Cord blood banks may prepare and provide brochures and other written materials for distribution to promote cord blood banking awareness and the benefits of cord blood banking, if the brochures and materials are first approved by the State Department of Health.