MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Moore, Akins, Bentz, Chism, Reed, Reeves

House Bill 1297

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-45-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT THE INTRODUCTION OF A VIRUS INTO A COMPUTER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 97-45-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     97-45-7.  (1)  An offense against computer equipment or supplies is the intentional modification or destruction, including the introduction of a virus, without consent, of computer equipment or supplies used or intended to be used in a computer, computer system or computer network.

     (2)  Whoever commits an offense against computer equipment or supplies shall be punished, upon conviction, by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than six months or both such fine and imprisonment.  However, when the damage or loss amounts to a value of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or more, the offender may be punished, upon conviction, by a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.