MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A; Appropriations

By: Representative Clarke, Banks, Broomfield, Brown, Cameron, Chism, Coleman (29th), Ellis, Fleming, Fredericks, Green, Ishee, Livingston, Middleton, Nicholson, Robinson (84th), Rushing, Thomas, Wells-Smith

AN ACT TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY TO BE KNOWN AS THE DRUG COURT FUND; TO PRESCRIBE THE USE OF THE FUND; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Drug Court Fund. The fund shall be equally distributed annually between the five (5) congressional districts for the purpose of funding drug courts at the county court level. The Administrative Office of Courts shall administer the fund. County courts may apply to the Administrative Office of Courts for funds in order to establish drug courts.

(2) Drug courts shall only handle misdemeanor possession offenses of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law. The emphasis of the drug court shall be treatment, rehabilitation and other alternative adjudication. The county judge shall administer the drug court.

(3) The Drug Court Fund shall be funded by annual appropriation from the Legislature and may receive funds from grants, gifts or any other source. Any monies remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the general fund but shall remain in the fund and any interest accruing to the fund shall remain in the fund.

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