MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representative Broomfield

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY MINOR UNDER THE AGE OF TWELVE YEARS TO RIDE WITHIN OR UPON ANY PORTION OR AREA OF A VEHICLE NOT DESIGNED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF PASSENGERS UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PERSON TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER; TO PRESCRIBE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated upon any public road, street or highway within this state, a minor under the age of twelve (12) years may not ride, and any person operating a motor vehicle may not knowingly permit a minor under the age of twelve (12) years to ride, within or upon any portion or area of that motor vehicle, or within or upon any trailer or other vehicle attached to or being drawn by that motor vehicle, that is not designed by the vehicle manufacturer for the transportation of passengers unless a person twenty-one (21) years of age or older immediately accompanies the minor in that portion of the vehicle.

(2) Any operator of a motor vehicle who violates the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, upon conviction, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 63-9-11.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this act shall be codified in Chapter 3 of Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.