MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Public Property
By: Representative Weathersby
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER TO REARRANGE, DISINTER, REMOVE OR REINTER, WHERE APPLICABLE, HUMAN REMAINS REPOSING IN THE POTTER'S FIELD ON THE PROPERTY OF THE MEDICAL CENTER TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION ON THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PROPERTY; TO REPEAL SECTION 2, CHAPTER 846, LOCAL AND PRIVATE LAWS OF 1973, AS AMENDED BY CHAPTER 854, LAWS OF 1974, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS REGARDING HUMAN REMAINS IN THE POTTER'S FIELD ON ITS PROPERTY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The University of Mississippi Medical Center is authorized, in its discretion, to rearrange or disinter, remove or reinter, where applicable, human remains reposing in the potter's field located on the University of Mississippi Medical Center's property to a different location on the medical center's property when the disinterment, removal or reinterment, where applicable, is necessary for proper and efficient maintenance and management.
(2) Markers, headstones, or other identification shall accompany the remains whenever identification exists, and a record of the removal and reinterment, where applicable, shall be maintained in the files of the chancery clerk of Hinds County, Mississippi.
(3) Before taking any action authorized under this section, the University of Mississippi Medical Center shall first advertise its intent to rearrange, disinter, remove or reinter, where applicable, remains from the property by publishing notice in a newspaper of the county once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.
(4) The University of Mississippi Medical Center and its officers and employees shall be immune from any action or suit arising from the maintenance or attempted maintenance of the potter's field and the rearrangement, removal or reinterment, where applicable, of remains, when performed in good faith under authority of this section.
SECTION 2. Section 2, Chapter 846, Local and Private Laws of 1973, as amended by Chapter 854, Laws of 1974, which authorizes the University of Mississippi Medical Center to take certain actions regarding human remains in the potter's field on its property, is repealed.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.