MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representatives Horan, Baria
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-301, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD SEXUAL ORIENTATION TO THE LIST FOR ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR HATE CRIMES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 99-19-301, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
99-19-301. (1) The penalty
for any felony or misdemeanor shall be subject to enhancement as provided in
Sections 99-19-301 through 99-19-307 if the felony or misdemeanor was committed
because of the actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion,
national origin * * *,
gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of the victim.
(2) The penalty for any felony or misdemeanor shall be subject to enhancement as provided in Sections 99-19-301 through 99-19-307 if the felony or misdemeanor was committed with the specific intent to target an individual or group because of actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician.
(3) As used in Sections 99-19-301 through 99-19-307:
(a) "Law enforcement officer" means any law enforcement officer, part-time law enforcement officer or law enforcement trainee as defined in Section 45-6-3, as well as any reserve or volunteer law enforcement officer and any federal law enforcement officer or employee whose permanent duties include making arrests, performing search and seizures, execution of criminal arrest warrants, execution of civil seizure warrants, or the care, custody, control or supervision of inmates.
(b) "Firefighter" means any firefighter regularly employed by a fire department of any municipality, county, or fire protection district of the State of Mississippi and includes a volunteer firefighter.
(c) "Emergency medical technician" means a person qualified under Sections 41-59-33 and 41-59-35.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.