MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Wells-Smith

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-43-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO MAINTAIN AND MAKE AVAILABLE TO PARENTS INFORMATION OF PURCHASING TEXTBOOKS FROM BOOK DEPOSITORIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-43-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-43-33. (1) Any parent, person or school board in any community of the state may purchase books from the depository that is given authority to sell books under the provisions of this chapter. The price of the books so ordered or bought shall be the same as the contract price, plus whatever postage or delivery charges might accrue.

(2) In order to assist parents and other persons interested in purchasing books from the depository, each public school shall maintain a purchasing list of all textbooks issued to students in that school. The list must include no less than the following information for each book:

(a) Name of the textbook;

(b) The grade level or class in which the textbook is being utilized during that school year;

(c) The name, address, telephone number and, if applicable, an Internet web site address of the depository where the textbook may be purchased;

(d) The contract price at which the textbook may be purchased; and

(e) The amount of any additional charges associated with the purchase of the textbook, such as shipping and handling charges.

(3) At the beginning of each school year, the public schools must notify parents of their option to purchase textbooks from the depository and of the availability of the textbook purchasing list upon request.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.