MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representative Wells-Smith

House Bill 1555

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-3-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE MAXIMUM AGE QUALIFICATIONS FOR NEWLY EMPLOYED HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 45-3-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-3-9. The chief of patrol, directors, inspectors, assistant inspectors, patrol officers and investigators of the department shall be selected after an examination as to physical and mental fitness, knowledge of traffic laws, rules and regulations of this state, the laws of the state pertaining to arrest, and the rules and regulations of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and Public Service Commission, such examination to be prescribed by the commissioner. At the time of appointment they shall be citizens of the United States and the State of Mississippi, of good moral character, and shall be not less than twenty-one (21) years of age; however, they may be less than twenty-one (21) years of age provided they hold a degree from an accredited four-year senior college or university. * * * Sworn agents of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics who are employed as enforcement troopers shall retain all compensatory, personal and sick leave accrued pursuant to Sections 25-3-92, 25-3-93 and 25-3-95.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.