MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2018 Regular Session

To: Judiciary, Division A; Corrections

By: Senator(s) Carter, Hill

Senate Bill 2637

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 97-3-28, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT AN OVERDOSE DEATH ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES WILL CONSTITUTE MANSLAUGHTER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  The following shall be codified as Section 97-3-28, Mississippi Code of 1972:

     97-3-28.  The death of a human being caused by an overdose of a controlled substance listed either in Schedule I, Section 41-29-113, or Schedule II, Section 41-29-115, when the controlled substance was unlawfully distributed to the deceased by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older, shall be manslaughter if the controlled substance unlawfully distributed to the deceased is proven to be the proximate cause of the death.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.