MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Holland

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON CONTAINERS WHICH SOLICIT CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. (1) No person or charitable organization, or agent of a person or charitable organization, whether paid or not paid, shall place any container offering a product for sale or distribution in a public place for solicitation purposes unless the container is affixed with a disclosure label conspicuously displaying the information set forth in subsection (2) of this section in a typed or printed clearly legible form.

(2) The disclosure label required pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall state the following:

(a) The percentage of annual contributions that are paid to any person or organization to maintain, service, or collect the contributions deposited in all the containers used by the person or charitable organization;

(b) The percentage of annual contributions that are paid to the charitable organization specified on the container;

(c) Whether the person maintaining, servicing, or collecting the contributions deposited in the container is a volunteer or is paid for the services.

(3) For purposes of this section, "container" means a box, carton, package, receptacle, canister, jar, dispenser, or machine.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as restricting, superseding, abrogating, or contravening any state or federal law or regulation regarding charitable solicitations.

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