House Bill 181

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE RIGHT OF A DISABLED VETERAN TO PROCEED ON APPEAL IN FORMA PAUPERIS IN CASES WHERE A JUDGMENT CREDITOR SEEKS TO COLLECT A DEBT FROM FUNDS DERIVED FROM THE VETERAN'S DISABILITY BENEFITS AND IN CASES WHERE THE VETERAN, AS A DEFENDANT OR PLAINTIFF, HAS BEEN PERMITTED TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS IN THE TRIAL COURT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) A disabled veteran judgment debtor sued in a civil case in any court in the state by a creditor seeking to collect a debt from funds of the disabled veteran which are derived from disability benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration or any other source who desires to appeal the decision of the trial court may proceed on appeal in forma pauperis. The veteran defendant shall file a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis in the trial court, together with an affidavit establishing that the defendant is a disabled veteran. If the motion is granted, the defendant may so proceed without further application to any appellate court, including the Mississippi Supreme Court, and without the prepayment of fees or costs in either court. If the motion is denied, the trial court must state in writing the reasons for the denial.

(2) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a disabled veteran who is a party defendant or plaintiff in any action who has been permitted to proceed in forma pauperis in the trial court may proceed on appeal in forma pauperis without further authorization unless, either before or after notice of appeal is filed, the trial court certifies that the party is no longer disabled and is not entitled otherwise to proceed in forma pauperis. The court shall state in writing the reasons for this certification or finding. When an appeal is taken to the Mississippi Supreme Court in forma pauperis, the certification of compliance required by Rule 11(b)(1) of the Mississippi Rules of Appellate Procedure must indicate that the appeal is taken in forma pauperis.

(3) If a motion for leave to proceed on appeal in forma pauperis is denied by the trial court, the trial court clerk immediately must serve notice of the action. A motion for leave so to proceed may be filed in the Mississippi Supreme Court within thirty (30) days after service of notice of the action of the trial court. The motion must be accompanied by a copy of the affidavit filed in the trial court, or by the affidavit prescribed by Rule 6(a)(1) of the Mississippi Rules of Appellate Procedure if no affidavit has been filed in the trial court, and by a copy of the statement of the reasons given by the trial court for its action.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.