MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) White (5th)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-615, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DULY PROVED DESCRIPTION AND LICENSE TAG NUMBER OF A VEHICLE SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE AGAINST THE REGISTERED OWNER THEREOF IN ANY TRIAL FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-3-615, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-3-615. (1) The driver of a vehicle upon a street or highway upon meeting or overtaking any school bus which has stopped on the street or highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children shall come to a complete stop and shall not proceed until the children have crossed the street or highway and the school bus has proceeded in the direction it was going. The vehicle description and license tag information of a vehicle driven by a person in violation of this section may be introduced as prima facie evidence against the owner of the vehicle in a trial for a violation of this section.

(2) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year, or both.

(3) This section shall be applicable only in the event the school bus shall bear upon the front and rear thereon a plainly visible sign containing the words "school bus" in letters not less than four (4) inches in height.

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