MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Juvenile Justice

By: Senator(s) Jackson

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A JOINT COMMITTEE ON GANG BEHAVIOR IN MISSISSIPPI TO STUDY GANGS, GANG VIOLENCE AND JUVENILE CRIMES AND TO TRACK, IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH GANGS AND DEVIANT GROUPS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE TASK FORCE AND SPECIFY THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TASK FORCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives to be known as the Joint Juvenile Justice Committee on Gang Behavior in Mississippi, hereinafter referred to as the "committee." The committee shall study and make recommendations to the Legislature related to the coordination of policy to study, track, identify and develop strategies for dealing with gangs and deviant groups and individuals and to study gangs, gang violence and juvenile crimes.

(2) The committee shall consist of the following members:

(a) The Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the Senate Juvenile Justice Committee and the House Juvenile Justice Committee.

(b) Three (3) members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and three (3) members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House.

(3) The Chairman of the Senate Juvenile Justice Committee shall serve as chair of the committee.

(4) The committee shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than December 5, 2000.

(5) The members of the committee shall obtain the approval of the Management Committee of the House of Representatives and the Rules Committee of the Senate for per diem and travel expense expenditures of the committee. The members of the committee shall not receive per diem or expenses while the Legislature is in session. All expenses incurred by and on behalf of the committee shall be paid from the contingency funds of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

(6) In conducting its activities pursuant to this act, the committee may elicit the support of and participation by federal, state and local agencies and interested associations, organizations and individuals.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000, subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature during the 2000 Regular Session or any subsequent session. It is the intent of the Legislature that this act shall not take effect until the Legislature has funded the implementation thereof by line item appropriation as certified to the Secretary of State by the Legislative Budget Office.