Licensing boards; prohibit from disciplinary or threatening discipline of health care providers for exercising free speech rights.

HB 1252 prohibits Mississippi health care licensing boards from disciplining or threatening to discipline licensed health care providers (such as doctors, nurses, or therapists) for exercising free speech, including social media posts, unless the board proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the speech directly caused physical harm to a patient with whom the provider had a current patient relationship. The bill requires boards to provide any complaint leading to potential license revocation to the provider within seven days of receipt. This law directly affects health care practitioners by protecting their speech rights while setting a high standard of proof for any disciplinary action related to speech.