MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Gordon, Dearing

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO PLACE A DISTINCTIVE MARKER ON THE CEMETERY MEMORIAL OF EACH MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL OFFICER WHO IS KILLED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER OFFICIAL DUTIES AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DESIGN AND FUNDING OF THE DISTINCTIVE MARKER; TO AUTHORIZE ANY HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL OFFICER TO SECURE SUCH A DISTINCTIVE MARKER IF PAID FOR WITH FUNDS OTHER THAN APPROPRIATED FUNDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Department of Public Safety shall place a distinctive marker on the cemetery memorial of each Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol officer who is killed in the performance of his or her official duties. The distinctive marker shall be designed by the Department of Public Safety with the advice and recommendation of the Mississippi State Troopers' Association.

(2) The funding for the distinctive markers shall be made from any funds appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Public Safety or from any gifts, grants or donations received by the Department of Public Safety for the purpose of providing the distinctive markers.

(3) This section shall apply to all Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol officers who have given their lives in the performance of their official duties before and after July 1, 2000.

(4) Any Highway Safety Patrol officer may secure a distinctive marker as authorized in subsection (1) of this section if it is paid for with funds other than funds appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Public Safety.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.