MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2001 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B; Appropriations
By: Representative Mayo
House Bill 316
AN ACT TO ALLOW ALL VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES AND THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS OF MURDER VICTIMS TO RECEIVE FREE COUNSELING AT REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO ONE YEAR FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION OF THE CRIME; TO DEFINE VIOLENT CRIME; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 41-19-45, Mississippi Code of 1972:
41-19-45. (1) Any victim of a violent crime and the immediate family members of any murder victim may receive free counseling at any of the state's regional mental health centers or offices for a period of up to one (1) year following the commission of the crime. In order to receive the counseling, a prospective recipient must provide to the mental health center or office where treatment is being sought, evidence of the nature of the crime and the date on which the crime was committed.
(2) For the purpose of this section, "violent crime" means any crime which involves the use or attempted use of any force, the use or attempted use of a deadly weapon or a crime which involves injury or attempted injury of a human being.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.