MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Corrections; Appropriations

By: Representatives Banks, Denton, Johnson, Straughter

House Bill 368

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-555, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI PRISON INDUSTRIES TO PAY WAGES AT THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE RATE TO INMATES WHO ARE USED FOR LABOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 47-5-555, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     47-5-555.  (1)  The department shall, subject to the necessary security requirements and the needs of the corporation, provide to the corporation sufficient inmate labor for the various prison industry programs.  The department may adopt rules and regulations as may be necessary to govern the use of inmates by the corporation.  The corporation shall establish policies and procedures, subject to the approval of the department, relating to the use of inmates in the prison industry programs.

     (2)  The corporation shall pay wages at the federal minimum wage rate to inmates who are used for labor in the prison industry programs.  This subsection shall not apply to inmates who are  participants in the Prison Industry Enhancement Program.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.