Miss. Code § 43-15-203

Current through 5/14/2024
Section 43-15-203 - Notification to Department of Child Protection Services that provider has taken possession of abandoned child; department to assume care, control, and custody of child upon receipt of notification; determination that infant is a missing child
(1) No later than the close of the first business day after the date on which an emergency medical services provider takes possession of a child pursuant to Section 43-15-201, the provider shall notify the Department of Child Protection Services that the provider has taken possession of the child.
(2) The department shall assume the care, control and custody of the child immediately on receipt of notice pursuant to subsection (1). The department shall be responsible for all medical and other costs associated with the child and shall reimburse the hospital for any costs incurred prior to the child being placed in the care of the department.
(3)
(a) Immediately after assuming legal custody of the infant, the department shall contact the local law enforcement agency in the municipality or county in which the infant was surrendered and the Department of Public Safety to determine whether the infant is a missing child in this state or another state. If the department determines that the infant is a missing child, then the department shall perform its due diligence to reunite the infant with his or her family.
(b) A law enforcement agency that is contacted under the provisions of this subsection shall investigate whether the child is reported as missing.
(c) For purposes of this subsection (3), the term "missing child" means person under the age of eighteen (18) reported to police or by police as someone whose whereabouts are unknown for any reason.

Miss. Code § 43-15-203

Laws, 2001, ch. 484, § 2, eff. 7/1/2001.
Amended by Laws, 2023, ch. 516, HB 1149,§ 53, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by Laws, 2023, ch. 518, HB 1318,§ 2, eff. 4/19/2023.