Senate Bill 2297

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 63-1-35 AND 45-35-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN DISABILITIES ON DRIVER'S LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO REQUIRE TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN RECOGNIZING CERTAIN MENTAL OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-1-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-1-35. (1) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall prescribe the form of license issued pursuant to this article which shall, among other features, include a driver's license number assigned by the Department of Public Safety. A licensee shall list his social security number with the department which shall cross-reference the social security number with the driver's license number for purposes of identification. Additionally, each license shall bear a full-face color photograph of the licensee in such form that the license and the photograph cannot be separated. The photograph shall be taken so that one (1) exposure will photograph the applicant and the application simultaneously on the same film. The department shall use a process in the issuance of a license with a color photograph that shall prevent as nearly as possible any alteration, counterfeiting, duplication, reproduction, forging or modification of the license or the superimposition of a photograph without ready detection. The photograph shall be replaced by the department at the time of renewal. Drivers' licenses, including photographs appearing thereon, may be renewed by electronic means according to rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner in conformity to Section 27-104-33.

(2) The commissioner shall prescribe the form of license issued pursuant to this article to licensees who are not United States citizens and who do not possess a social security number issued by the United States government. The license of such persons shall include a number and/or other identifying features.

(3) Any new, renewal or duplicate driver's license, temporary driving permit, intermediate license or commercial driver's license issued to a person required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 45-33-25 shall bear a designation identifying the licensee or permittee as a sex offender.

(4) The commissioner is authorized to provide the new, renewal or duplicate driver's license, temporary driving permit, intermediate license or commercial driver's license to any honorably discharged veteran as defined in Title 38 of the United States Code, and such license or permit shall exhibit the letters "Vet" or any other mark identifying the person as a veteran. The veteran requesting the "Vet" designation shall present his DD-214 or equivalent document that includes a notation from the State Veterans Affairs Board that the applicant is a veteran.

(5) Upon the presentation by the applicant of a letter signed by a physician or psychologist who is licensed to practice in Mississippi verifying that the applicant is diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder, the new, renewal or duplicate driver's license, temporary driving permit, intermediate license or commercial driver's license issued to the person shall exhibit the letters "PDD" identifying the licensee or permittee as a person who has a pervasive developmental disorder.

SECTION 2. Section 45-35-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-35-3. (1) Any person six (6) years of age or older may be issued an identification card by the department which is certified by the registrant and attested by the commissioner as to true name, correct age and such other identifying data as required by Section 45-35-5.

(2) The new, renewal or duplicate identification card of a person required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 45-33-25 shall bear a designation identifying the cardholder as a sex offender.

(3) The commissioner is authorized to provide the new, renewal or duplicate identification card to any honorably discharged veteran as defined in Title 38 of the United States Code, and such identification card shall exhibit the letters "Vet" or any other mark identifying the person as a veteran. The veteran requesting the "Vet" designation shall present his DD-214 or equivalent document that includes a notation from the State Veterans Affairs Board that the applicant is a veteran.

(4) Upon the presentation by the applicant of a letter signed by a physician or psychologist who is licensed to practice in Mississippi verifying that the applicant is diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder, the new, renewal or duplicate identification card issued to the person shall exhibit the letters "PDD" identifying the holder as a person who has a pervasive developmental disorder.

SECTION 3. The Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training shall promulgate regulations to require education and training components on mental health and behavioral issues to consist of not less than six (6) hours in the initial law enforcement officer certification program and not less than one (1) hour in any required continuing education program for law enforcement officers. The behavioral component will train officers to recognize behavioral characteristics that distinguish conditions such as autism, Asperger's syndrome, or any other mental or medical condition that may present with atypical developmental symptoms that are not developmentally typical which could be perceived by an untrained person as suspicious.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.