Essential health care workers premium pay; Department of Health to create program using any available funds.

HB 215 creates a $1,500 premium pay program for essential health care workers in Mississippi who face elevated COVID-19 exposure risk in public settings. It directly affects eligible workers (like nurses, janitors, food service staff, and security guards) earning $75,000 or less annually, and their employers who must apply for grants using existing Department of Health funds. The program requires employers to apply for grants, prohibits retroactive payments, and mandates annual reports to legislators on applications and funds distributed. The program expires on July 1, 2028, and applies to work performed in person with regular patient/public interaction or handling of items from patients.