House Bill 281

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-9-131, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A BENEFICIARY OF A MUNICIPAL OR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY TO RECEIVE THE OFFICER'S SIDEARM; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 45-3-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES A BENEFICIARY OF A MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL OFFICER OR AGENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI BUREAU OF NARCOTICS WHO IS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY TO RECEIVE THE OFFICER'S SIDEARM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Officer James White and Colonel Zach Moak Act".

SECTION 2. Section 45-9-131, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-9-131. Upon approval of the governing authority of the municipality or county, a member of any municipal or county law enforcement agency who retires under any state retirement system or the * * *~~spouse~~ beneficiary of a law enforcement officer who is killed in the line of duty may be allowed to purchase as his or her personal property one (1) sidearm which was issued to the law enforcement officer by the law enforcement agency from which he or she retired or by whom he or she was employed at the time of death. The governing authority of the municipality or county shall determine the amount to be paid for the firearm by the retiring member of the law enforcement agency or the * * *~~spouse~~ beneficiary of the law enforcement officer.

SECTION 3. Section 45-3-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

45-3-51. Each member of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol or agent of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics who retires under the Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System or the Public Employees' Retirement System, for superannuation or for reason of disability or a beneficiary of such member of the Highway Safety Patrol or agent of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics who is killed in the line of duty shall be allowed to retain, as his personal property, one (1) sidearm which was issued under authority of Section 45-3-19 or 41-29-159. Likewise, a beneficiary of any law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty shall be allowed to retain the officer's sidearm.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.