MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representative Martinson

House Bill 736

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF RIDGELAND TO PAY ANY CITY POLICE OFFICER WHO IS INJURED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND WHO, BECAUSE OF SUCH INJURY OR INJURIES, IS UNABLE TO PERFORM HIS DUTIES AS A POLICE OFFICER, AN AMOUNT OF MONEY NOT GREATER THAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS PAID TO THE OFFICER BECAUSE OF THE INJURY OR INJURIES AND THE POLICE OFFICER'S NET BASE PAY BEFORE SUCH INJURY OR INJURIES; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE CITY OF RIDGELAND CHOOSES TO MAKE THE PAYMENT AUTHORIZED BY THIS ACT, SUCH A POLICE OFFICER SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO USE PERSONAL LEAVE OR SICK LEAVE DURING THE CONVALESCENCE FROM SUCH INJURY OR INJURIES; TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF RIDGELAND TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PAYMENT AUTHORIZED BY THIS ACT WILL BEGIN AND WHEN THE PAYMENT WILL END; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. The governing authorities of the City of Ridgeland, Mississippi, in their discretion, may pay to any police officer of the city who is injured in the line of duty and who, because of such injury or injuries, is unable to perform his duties as a police officer, an amount of money not greater than the difference between the amount of workers' compensation benefits paid to the officer because of the injury or injuries and the police officer's net base pay before such injury or injuries. If the governing authorities of the city choose to make the payment authorized by this section, such a police officer shall not be required to use personal leave or sick leave during the convalescence from such injury or injuries. If the governing authorities of the city choose to make the payment authorized by this section, the governing authorities may determine when the payment will begin and when such payment will end.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.