CON; require SDH to provide detailed explanation on its website of reasons for providing exemptions or deviating from the State Health Plan.

HB 1617 requires Mississippi's State Department of Health (SDH) to publish detailed online explanations when granting exemptions from Certificate of Need (CON) requirements or when deviating from the State Health Plan's projections. Specifically, SDH must post reasons for exempting any entity from CON rules (under Section 41-7-187) or for issuing a CON that doesn't align with the State Health Plan (under Section 41-7-193). This bill aims to increase transparency around SDH's decisions affecting healthcare providers seeking CON approvals. It directly impacts SDH's public reporting duties and entities navigating the CON process. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.