MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representative Bain
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT PLACEMENT OF A GLOBAL POSITIONING DEVICE ON ANOTHER PERSON'S MOTOR VEHICLE; TO PROHIBIT TRACKING OF ANOTHER PERSON'S LOCATION OR MOVEMENTS BY MEANS OF A GLOBAL POSITIONING DEVICE; TO CREATE EXCEPTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) (a) It is unlawful to place a global positioning device on a vehicle owned or leased by another person, without the owner or lessee's knowledge, to obtain information regarding another person's movement or location generated by the global positioning device without the knowledge of the person whose movement or location is being obtained.
For purposes of this section, the term "Global positioning device" means a system that electronically determines and reports the location of an individual through the use of a transmitter or similar device.
(b) A violation of this subsection (1) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both.
(2) This section does not apply to:
(a) A person acting within the scope of the person's employment who installs a subscription-based communication or navigation system;
(b) A law enforcement officer acting in the officer's official capacity;
(c) A parent or guardian acting to track the movement or location of his or her minor child or minor ward;
(d) A lienholder or agent of a lienholder acting to track the movement or location of a motor vehicle in order to lawfully repossess the motor vehicle; or
(e) An employer or business owner acting to track the movement or location of a motor vehicle owned, leased, or assigned for use by the employer or business owner.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.