MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Corrections; Judiciary, Division B

By: Senator(s) Horhn

Senate Bill 2232

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-198, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE MANDATORY SENTENCE AND FINE IMPOSED FOR BRINGING ANY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OR NARCOTIC DRUG INTO OR POSSESSING ANY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OR NARCOTIC DRUG WITHIN ANY STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, COUNTY JAIL, MUNICIPAL JAIL OR OTHER JAIL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 47-5-198, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     47-5-198.  (1)  (a)  It is unlawful for any person to * * * sell within, bring to * * *, or be in possession of, in any correctional facility or convict camp within the state or any county, municipal or other jail within the state, except as authorized by law, any controlled substance or narcotic drug.

          (b)  A person who violates this subsection (1), if convicted, shall be punished by imprisonment for no more than one (1) year or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both.

     (2)  (a)  It is unlawful for any person who is the keeper or officer in charge of the facility, camp or jail, or who is employed in or about the facility, camp or jail to knowingly permit any controlled substance or narcotic drug to be sold, possessed or used therein contrary to law.

          (b)  It is unlawful for any person to sell within any correctional facility or convict camp within the state or any county, municipal or other jail within the state, a controlled substance or narcotic drug except as authorized by law.

          ( * * *3c)  Any person who violates the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection and is convicted shall be fined up to Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and be punished by imprisonment for not less than three (3) years nor more than seven (7) years; and the person is not eligible for probation, parole, suspension of sentence, earned time allowance or any other reduction of sentence.

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