MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representatives Stringer, Holland, Eaton, McCoy, Moody, Shows, Taylor, Warren

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-3-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL NOT BE UNLAWFUL FOR A RETIRED STATE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL OFFICER, WITH PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY, TO WEAR THE UNIFORM AND INSIGNIA OF THE STATE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 45-3-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-3-29. (1) Except as otherwise authorized under this section, it shall be unlawful for any person not authorized so to do to impersonate a State Highway Safety patrolman, wear or use the insignia or uniform thereof, or to in anywise imitate or impersonate such patrolman. Any person adjudged guilty of violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail, where such offense is committed, for a term not exceeding one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Nothing in this section, however, shall be construed to prevent or preclude the boards of supervisors of the several counties from employing county highway patrolmen as presently authorized by law, and said county patrolmen shall, when authorized by the commissioner and under rules and regulations with respect thereto, after completing such examinations and meeting such requirements as are specified by the commissioner, be entitled to wear the uniform and insignia of State Highway Safety patrolmen and discharge the duties thereof.

(2) It shall not be unlawful or a violation of this section for a retired State Highway Safety Patrol officer to wear the uniform and insignia of the State Highway Safety Patrol when making presentations, delivering speeches or addressing public or private audiences for the purpose of entertaining or amusing such audiences provided such retired officer obtains written authorization from the Commissioner of Public Safety before engaging in such events. The approval of the commissioner shall not be required for each separate event but shall remain effective as an authorization for all such events until revoked or rescinded by the commissioner.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.