Senate Bill NO. 2111

By Representative(s) Committee

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Task Force on Gang Behavior in Mississippi, the purpose of which is to coordinate the efforts of law enforcement agencies in the state to study, track, identify and develop strategies for dealing with gangs and deviant groups and individuals.

(2) The task force shall be composed of the following voting members: the Director of the Bureau of Narcotics, or his designee; the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his designee; the chief drug investigator for the Mississippi Department of Corrections; the Attorney General, or his designee; the State Superintendent of Education, or his designee; the President of the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association, or his designee; the President of the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police, or his designee; the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, or his designee; the Director of the Office of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services, or his designee; a designee of the Mississippi Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement; an appointee of the Speaker of the House and an appointee of the Lieutenant Governor, both of whom shall be chosen from experts in criminal justice and gang activity, and who shall serve as co-vice chairmen of the task force; and an appointee of the Governor who is an expert in criminal justice and gang activity, who shall serve as chairman of the task force.

(3) The Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Juvenile Justice, Judiciary (Judiciary En Banc), Corrections and Education, or their designees, shall serve in an advisory capacity as ex officio nonvoting members of the task force.

(4) The Chairman of the Task Force on Gang Behavior shall be appointed annually by the Governor, who shall call the initial meeting of the task force. The task force shall adopt bylaws and rules for its efficient operation, which may include designation of its organizational structure including other officers and committees, duties of committees, staff policies and other such procedures as may be necessary.

(5) The task force shall be assigned to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for administrative purposes only, and the department shall designate staff to assist the task force. The task force shall be financed through the department's annual appropriation wherein funds are made available and shall be subject to Department of Public Safety policies and procedures. Members of the task force may receive, within the funds appropriated, reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while engaged in official business of the task force, except that the legislative members shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses.

(6) The task force shall meet and conduct business at least quarterly. All meetings of the task force and any committees of the task force shall be open to the public, with opportunities for public comment.

(7) The task force may apply for and expend grants or other contributions for the purpose of studying and tracking gang and deviant activity in Mississippi.

(8) The Task Force on Gang Behavior in Mississippi shall have the following responsibilities:

(a) Serve as a liaison with the appropriate local law enforcement agencies, public school officials, human services officials, youth court personnel and correctional officials to track, study, identify and develop strategies for the prevention, identification and suppression of illegal gang and deviant groups.

(b) Serve an advocacy and public awareness role with the general public regarding illegal gang and deviant group behavior.

(c) Recommend and make annual reports to the Legislature and Governor regarding appropriate policies to reduce illegal and deviant gang activity in Mississippi.

(d) Consult with experts and examine actions taken in other states regarding illegal gang activity.

(9) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2002.

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