MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Bean

Senate Bill 2220

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-2-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FOUR YEARS TO BE IN A CHILD PASSENGER RESTRAINT DEVICE WHILE IN A MOTOR VEHICLE; TO AMEND SECTION 63-2-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE THE VIOLATION OF MANDATORY USE OF A SEAT BELT IN A MOTOR VEHICLE A PRIMARY OFFENSE AND TO DELETE CERTAIN CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE VIOLATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

 

SECTION 1. Section 63-2-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-2-1. (1) Every operator and front-seat passenger of a passenger motor vehicle operated in forward motion on the highways of this state shall wear a properly fastened safety seat belt system, required to be installed in the vehicle when manufactured pursuant to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. Children under the age of four (4) years shall be protected as required by Sections 63-7-301 through 63-7-313.

(2) "Passenger motor vehicle" for purposes of this chapter means a motor vehicle designed to carry ten (10) or fewer passengers but does not include motorcycles, mopeds, all-terrain vehicles or trailers.

(3) This section shall not apply to:

(a) Vehicles which may be registered for "farm" use, including "implements of husbandry" as defined in Section 63-21-5(d), and "farm tractors" as defined in Section 63-3-105(a).

(b) An operator or passenger possessing a written verification from a licensed physician that he is unable to wear a safety belt system for medical reasons.

(c) A passenger car operated by a rural letter carrier of the United States Postal Service or by a utility meter reader while on duty.

SECTION 2. Section 63-2-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-2-7. (1) A violation of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) upon conviction * * *. The maximum fine that may be imposed against the operator of a vehicle for a violation of this chapter by the operator or for a violation of this chapter by one or more front-seat passengers shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) in the aggregate.

(2) A violation of this chapter shall not be entered on the driving record of any individual so convicted, nor shall any state assessment provided for by Section 99-19-73, or any other state law, be imposed or collected.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.