House Bill 857

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-101-28, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE EACH STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING TO DISPLAY THE FLAG OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE MAIN UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING DURING THE HOURS OF DAYLIGHT WHEN THE INSTITUTION IS IN SESSION; TO REQUIRE STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO LOWER THE UNITED STATES FLAG WHENEVER THE FLAG IS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF BY ORDER OR INSTRUCTIONS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OR PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 37-101-28, Mississippi Code of 1972:

37-101-28. (1) At each state institution of higher learning, the flag of the State of Mississippi and the flag of the United States shall be displayed in close proximity to the main university administration building at all times during the hours of daylight when the institution is in session when the weather will permit without damage to the flag. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to provide for the flags and their display at the institutions.

(2) Whenever the flag of the United States is to be flown at half-staff by order or instructions of the President of the United States or pursuant to federal law, all state institutions of higher learning shall lower the United States flag in accordance with the executive order or instructions or federal law. The institution shall announce the reason that the flag is being flown at half-staff by prominently displaying written notice throughout the institution and providing electronic notice to the students and faculty stating the reason that the flag has been lowered.

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