Community health workers; provide for certification of by Health Department and for Medicaid reimbursement for services of.

Created a new certification program for Community Health Workers administered by the State Department of Health, with the Department serving as the sole certifying body for CHWs in Mississippi.

Authorized Medicaid reimbursement for services provided by certified Community Health Workers when employed and supervised by a Medicaid participating provider, pending Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approval.

Amended Section 43-13-117 of the Mississippi Code to explicitly include services provided by certified Community Health Workers as reimbursable under Medicaid when federal approval is obtained.

Established that no person may represent themselves as a Community Health Worker after January 1, 2026, unless certified by the Department of Health in accordance with the new program.

Required the Department of Health to promulgate rules establishing core competencies, certification application and renewal processes, fees, and procedures for denial, suspension, and revocation of CHW certification.

Mandated that the Department approve competency-based training programs and training providers, as well as organizations providing continuing education for certified Community Health Workers.

Added requirements for CHW recertification on a regular basis as designated by the Department of Health.

Added formal definitions for 'Certified community health worker' and 'Core competencies' to the Mississippi Code, clarifying that core competencies are defined by the Department in rules.

Set January 1, 2026 as the effective date for CHW certification requirements and the implementation deadline for the Department of Health to launch the certification program.