Laurel Considers Rules for Transporting Discharged Patients Into City
Laurel, Mississippi, is considering a new ordinance to regulate the drop-off of patients discharged from institutions. The proposed rules would require facilities to confirm a shelter's acceptance of the patient and notify the Laurel Police Department before transporting individuals into…
Hattiesburg Laurel, MS, October 13, 2026 —
Laurel, Mississippi, is considering an ordinance that would set requirements for facilities transporting patients discharged from institutions into the city. The proposed rules are intended to address concerns about patients being left in public locations without a safe place to go.
Under the proposal, a facility would have to confirm that a shelter has accepted a patient before transporting that person into Laurel. Facilities would also be required to notify the Laurel Police Department before the transportation takes place.
The measures would establish steps for facilities to take before bringing discharged patients into the city. The summary of the proposal does not specify how facilities would document a shelter’s acceptance, what information they would need to provide to police, or how much advance notice would be required.
Laurel is considering the ordinance; the information provided does not say that it has been adopted or taken effect. It also does not identify the institutions that would be covered, describe penalties for failing to follow the proposed rules, or provide a timetable for consideration.
The proposal focuses on confirming a destination and notifying local police before a patient is transported into the city. Further details about the ordinance, including its enforcement provisions and the process for facilities, were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Keaundria Milloy on www.wdam.com, see more information here.
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