House Bill 1371

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF THE DRIVER SERVICES DIVISION, DIRECTOR OF THE DRIVER LICENSE EXAMINING BUREAU AND SUPERVISING EXAMINERS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS SET BY THE STATE PERSONNEL BOARD FOR THE POSITION; TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-16, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT DRIVER'S LICENSE KIOSKS SHALL BE EQUIPPED WITH PRINTERS ON LOCATION AT ALL KIOSK LOCATIONS IN THE STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRINTING ALL KIOSK DOCUMENTS, CARDS AND OTHER PRINTOUTS ON SITE; TO PROVIDE THAT AT EACH DRIVER'S LICENSE LOCATION IN THE STATE, THERE SHALL BE LOCATION SIGNS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED PROVIDING FOR REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR THE VARIOUS LICENSES, CARDS AND OTHER SERVICES; TO PROVIDE THAT ON THE DRIVER SERVICES DIVISION'S WEBSITE, THERE SHALL BE TUTORIAL VIDEOS LINKED TO ONLINE PROCEDURES TO HELP CLEARLY ILLUSTRATE HOW TO USE THE WEBSITE; TO PROVIDE THAT ON THE DRIVER SERVICES DIVISION'S WEBSITE, THE "WAIT ANYWHERE APPOINTMENT," OR ITS EQUIVALENT OR SUCCESSOR PROGRAM, SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO USE FOR ALL DRIVER'S LICENSE LOCATIONS IN THE STATE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 63-1-35 AND 45-35-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIRECT THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT AN ELECTRONIC FORMAT FOR DRIVER'S LICENSES, DRIVING PERMITS AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS AS AN OPTION FOR LICENSE HOLDERS, PERMIT HOLDERS AND CARD HOLDERS; TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO ACCEPT THE CERTIFICATION OF SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S TRAINING IN THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NEEDED FOR THE PROPER AND SAFE OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE FROM A DRIVER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM AT A SECONDARY SCHOOL THAT MEETS THE STANDARDS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN LIEU OF THE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTERING THE EXAMINATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING A DRIVER'S LICENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO EMAIL AND TEXT NOTIFICATION OF THE UPCOMING EXPIRATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE AT LEAST THIRTY DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-1-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-1-13. The commissioner is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint a Director of the Driver Services Division who is a qualified elector of the State of Mississippi and who meets the qualifications set by the State Personnel Board for the position. Such director shall execute and furnish a bond in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) with a surety company authorized to do business in this state. The bond shall be conditioned on the faithful performance of his duties and be subject to the approval of the commissioner. The director shall have control and supervision of the Driver Services Division and shall be answerable to the commissioner in the performance of his duties.

The commissioner shall employ such other technical, professional and clerical assistants as may be needed to conduct the work of the division. The commissioner is also authorized to employ a Director of the Driver License Examining Bureau, who meets the qualifications set by the State Personnel Board for the position, and the necessary supervising examiners, who meet the qualifications set by the State Personnel Board for the position, to assist the Director of the Driver License Examining Bureau in the supervision of the license personnel. The commissioner is also authorized to employ the necessary additional personnel to serve and be designated as "license examiners." The commissioner shall not adopt or enforce any policy or any rule or regulation which prohibits any Highway Patrol officer from being employed and serving in any position in the Driver License Examining Bureau; however, the State Personnel Board shall not require that the Director of the Driver Services Division, the Director of the Driver License Examining Bureau or supervising examiners are Highway Patrol officers. The commissioner shall employ such other technical, professional and clerical assistants as may be needed to conduct the work of the bureau.

SECTION 2. Section 63-1-16, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-1-16. (1) The Department of Public Safety shall, upon request of the board of supervisors, furnish either a permanent driver's license kiosk or a license examiner at a location in each county seat for at least one (1) day every month to conduct licensing examinations, road tests and renewals. It is the option of the board of supervisors so requesting to choose either the permanent driver's license kiosk or a license examiner. The county shall furnish the office, heating and cooling, phone service and Internet connectivity at the location for the kiosk or license examiner.

(2) Driver's license kiosks shall be equipped with printers on location at all kiosk locations in the state for the purpose of printing all kiosk documents, cards and other printouts on site.

(3) At each driver's license location in the state, there shall be location signs prominently displayed providing for required information for the various licenses, cards and other services.

(4) On the Driver Services Division's website, there shall be tutorial videos linked to online procedures to help clearly illustrate how to use the website.

(5) On the Driver Services Division's website, the "Wait Anywhere Appointment," or its equivalent or successor program, shall be made available to use for all driver's license locations in the state.

SECTION 3. 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) Not later than July 1, 2021, the commissioner shall develop and implement a driver's license or driving permit in electronic format as an additional option for license or permit holders. Acceptable electronic formats include display of electronic images on a cellular phone or any other type of electronic device.

SECTION 4. 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) Not later than July 1, 2021, the commissioner shall develop and implement an identification card in electronic format as an additional option for card holders. Acceptable electronic formats include display of electronic images on a cellular phone or any other type of electronic device.

SECTION 5. Section 63-1-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-1-33. (1) Except as otherwise provided under subsection (6) of this section, it shall be the duty of the license examiner, when application is made for an operator's license or regular learner's permit, to test the applicant's ability to read and understand road signs and to give the required signals as adopted by the National Advisory Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

(2) Except as otherwise provided under subsection (6) of this section, the commissioner shall have prepared and administer a test composed of at least ten (10) questions relating to the safe operation of a motor vehicle and testing the applicant's knowledge of the proper operation of a motor vehicle. Every examination shall ensure adequate knowledge on the part of the applicant as to school bus safety requirements.

(3) Prior to the administration of the test, the license examiner shall inspect the horn, lights, brakes, vehicle registration and proof of liability coverage of the motor vehicle which the applicant expects to operate while being tested, and if he finds that any of the aforementioned items are deficient, no license or endorsement shall be issued to the applicant until same have been repaired.

(4) An applicant for a Mississippi driver's license who, at the time of application, holds a valid motor vehicle driver's license issued by another state shall not be required to take a written test.

(5) Except as otherwise provided by Section 63-1-6, when application is made for an original motorcycle endorsement, the applicant shall be required to pass a written test which consists of questions relating to the safe operation of a motorcycle and a skill test similar to the "Motorcycle Operator Skill Test," which is endorsed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. The commissioner may exempt any applicant from the skill test if the applicant presents a certificate showing successful completion of a course approved by the commissioner, which includes a similar examination of skills needed in the safe operation of a motorcycle.

(6) The Department of Public Safety * * *~~may~~ shall accept the certification of successful completion of an individual's training in the knowledge and skills needed for the proper and safe operation of a motor vehicle from a driver education and training program at a secondary school that meets the standards of the * * *~~department~~ State Board of Education, in lieu of the department administering the examination of the individual for the purpose of obtaining a driver's license. The commissioner and the State Board of Education shall jointly promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of this subsection.

SECTION 6. Section 63-1-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-1-47. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each applicant for an original or renewal Class R or Class D license issued pursuant to this article, who is entitled to issuance of same, shall be issued a four-year license or an eight-year license, at the option of the applicant, which will expire at midnight on the licensee's birthday and may be renewed any time within six (6) months before the expiration of the license upon application and payment of the required fee, unless required to be reexamined.

(b) The term of an intermediate license issued under this article shall be one (1) year.

(c) The term of an * * * ~~iginition~~ ignition-interlock-restricted license issued under this article shall be four (4) years.

(2) Any commercial driver's license issued under Article 5 of this chapter shall be issued for a five-year term to expire at midnight on the licensee's birthday.

(3) (a) All applications by an operator under eighteen (18) years of age must be accompanied by documentation that the applicant is in compliance with the education requirements of Section 63-1-9(1)(g), and the documentation used in establishing compliance must be dated no more than thirty (30) days before the date of application.

(b) All applications by an operator under eighteen (18) years of age, if applicable, must be accompanied by documentation signed and notarized by the parent or guardian of the applicant and the appropriate school official, authorizing the release of the applicant's attendance records to the Department of Public Safety as required under Section 63-1-10.

(c) The commissioner shall suspend the driver's license, intermediate license or regular learner's permit of a student under eighteen (18) years of age who has been reported by the Department of Education as required by Section 63-1-10.1, and shall give notice of the suspension to the licensee as provided in Section 63-1-52(4). A school superintendent or designee may request that the driver's license, intermediate license or regular learner's permit that has been suspended under the provisions of this subsection be reinstated after the student has successfully completed nine (9) weeks of school attendance without an unlawful absence.

(4) (a) Any original or renewal license issued under this chapter to a person who is not a United States citizen shall expire four (4) years from the date of issuance or on the expiration date of the applicant's authorized stay in the United States, whichever is the lesser period of time, and may be renewed, if the person is otherwise qualified to renew the license, within thirty (30) days of expiration. The fee for any such license and for renewal shall be as prescribed in Section 63-1-43.

(b) Any applicant for an original or renewal license under this subsection (4) must present valid documentary evidence documenting that the applicant:

(i) Is a citizen or national of the United States;

(ii) Is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence in the United States;

(iii) Has conditional permanent residence status in the United States;

(iv) Has an approved application for asylum in the United States or has entered into the United States in refugee status;

(v) Has a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa status for entry into or lawful presence in the United States;

(vi) Has a pending application for asylum in the United States;

(vii) Has a pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;

(viii) Has approved deferred-action status;

(ix) Has a pending application for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States or conditional permanent resident status in the United States; or

(x) Has a valid employment authorization card issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

(5) For any driver's license issued under this chapter, the Department of Public Safety shall send an email and text message notification of an upcoming driver's license expiration date to the known emails and phone numbers authorized by license holders for such notices not less than thirty (30) days before the expiration date of that license.

SECTION 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.