MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Green (72nd)

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE RENTAL OF HOTEL ROOMS TO UNMARRIED PERSONS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE; TO PROHIBIT THE RENTAL OF HOTEL ROOMS FOR LESS THAN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) It shall be unlawful to rent any room in a hotel as that term is defined in Section 41-49-3 to any unmarried person who is under eighteen (18) years of age. It shall also be unlawful to rent any room in a hotel to any person for less than twenty-four (24) hours, except for organizational conferences, receptions or meeting purposes.

(2) Any person or entity that commits a first violation of the provisions of subsection (1) upon conviction shall be fined One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year, or both. For a second or subsequent offense, upon conviction such person or entity shall be fined Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than three (3) years, or both.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.