Mississippi Code Title 25. Public Officers and Employees; Public Records § 25-9-120

(1)(a) Contract personnel, whether classified as contract workers or independent contractors shall not be deemed state service or nonstate service employees of the State of Mississippi, and shall not be eligible to participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System, nor be allowed credit for personal and sick leave and other leave benefits as employees of the State of Mississippi, notwithstanding Sections 25-3-91 through 25-3-101; 25-9-101 through 25-9-151; 25-11-1 through 25-11-126; 25-11-128 through 25-11-131; 25-15-1 through 25-15-23 and for the purpose set forth herein. Contract workers, i.e., contract personnel who do not meet the criteria of independent contractors, shall be subject to the provisions of Section 25-11-127.

(b) Contract workers for any department, agency or institution of the state government, any school district, community/junior college, public library or university-based program, whether classified as contract workers or independent contractors, may purchase the base plan of the State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan provided that such person pays the full price of such plan without contribution from their employer. Such government entities shall offer the base plan to any such personnel who work at least one hundred thirty (130) hours per month. The provisions of this paragraph (b) shall not apply to independent contractors. The State and School Employees' Health Insurance Management Board shall establish the premiums.