MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative McInnis

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 37-13-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES FROM ENACTING OR ENFORCING LAWS, ORDINANCES, RULES, REGULATIONS OR POLICIES THAT PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM DISPLAYING THE OFFICIAL STATE FLAG ON THAT PERSON'S CLOTHING; TO PRESCRIBE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 37-13-8, Mississippi Code of 1972:

37-13-8. (1) It is unlawful for the executive head or governing body of any state agency, institution, board, commission, or instrumentality of the state, or the governing authorities of any county, municipality or school district, to enact or enforce any law, ordinance, rule, regulation, or policy that prohibits any person from displaying the official flag of the State of Mississippi on any article of that person's clothing.

(2) A violation of subsection (1) of this section is punishable, upon conviction, as a misdemeanor.

(3) In addition to the penalty prescribed in subsection (2) of this section, any governmental entity that enacts or enforces any law, ordinance, rule, regulation, or policy in violation of subsection (1) of this section is not eligible to the receipt of any state funds during the period that such law, ordinance, rule, regulation, or policy remains in effect.

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