House Bill 73

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-16-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO USE A LICENSE-PLATE READER THAT UTILIZES THE MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE VERIFICATION SYSTEM TO ENFORCE MOTOR VEHICLE LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-16-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-16-5. (1) A law enforcement officer or authorized employee of a law enforcement agency may, during the course of a traffic stop or accident investigation, or when using a license-plate reader that utilizes the verification system, access the verification system established under Section 63-16-3 to verify whether a motor vehicle is covered by a valid motor vehicle liability policy in at least the minimum amounts required under Section 63-15-3(j).

(2) The response received from the system supersedes an insurance card produced by a motor vehicle operator, and notwithstanding the display of an insurance card by the operator, the law enforcement officer may issue a complaint and notice to appear to the operator for a violation of the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety-Responsibility Law. A law enforcement officer may exercise discretion in issuing a citation during the first sixty (60) days after proof of temporary insurance is issued by an insurance company, if the verification system shows that the insured's policy is expired and the operator provides proof of insurance with a new insurance company or a new insurance card.

(3) Except when using a license-plate reader that utilizes the verification system or upon reasonable cause to believe that a driver has violated another traffic regulation or that the driver's motor vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as required by law, a law enforcement officer may not use the verification system to stop a driver for operating a motor vehicle in violation of this chapter.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.