MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2005 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B; Appropriations

By: Representative Carlton

House Bill 976

AN ACT TO PROVIDE AN ASSESSMENT ON OFFENSES AGAINST CHILDREN TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO CHILDREN ADVOCACY CENTERS; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE  FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of Sections 97-3-65, 97-5-1 et seq. and 97-3-7 when committed against a minor an assessment of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) which shall be deposited into a special fund which is hereby created in the State Treasury which shall be known as the Children Advocacy Fund.

     (2)  The purpose of the fund shall be to provide funding for children advocacy centers certified by the Attorney General.  The Attorney General shall develop a formula for distributing the funds to centers throughout the state.  The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal-year limitations and shall consist of:

     (a)  Monies appropriated by the Legislature;

     (b)  The interest accruing to the fund;

     (c)  Monies received under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section;

     (d)  Monies received from the federal government; and

     (e)  Monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.