MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2002 Regular Session
To: Banks and Banking
By: Representative Frierson
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 75-3-414, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A MERCHANT THAT FOLLOWS A BANK'S POLICY FOR ACCEPTING A CHECK SHALL NOT BE LIABLE IF THE CHECK IS DISHONORED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 75-3-414, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
75-3-414. (a) This section does not apply to cashier's checks or other drafts drawn on the drawer.
(b) If an unaccepted draft is dishonored, the drawer is obliged to pay the draft (i) according to its terms at the time it was issued or, if not issued, at the time it first came into possession of a holder, or (ii) if the drawer signed an incomplete instrument, according to its terms when completed, to the extent stated in Sections 75-3-115 and 75-3-407. The obligation is owed to a person entitled to enforce the draft or to an indorser who paid the draft under Section 75-3-415.
(c) If a draft is accepted by a bank, the drawer is discharged, regardless of when or by whom acceptance was obtained.
(d) If a draft is accepted and the acceptor is not a bank, the obligation of the drawer to pay the draft if the draft is dishonored by the acceptor is the same as the obligation of an indorser under Section 75-3-415(a) and (c).
(e) If a draft states that it is drawn "without recourse" or otherwise disclaims liability of the drawer to pay the draft, the drawer is not liable under subsection (b) to pay the draft if the draft is not a check. A disclaimer of the liability stated in subsection (b) is not effective if the draft is a check.
(f) If (i) a check is not presented for payment or given to a depositary bank for collection within thirty (30) days after its date, (ii) the drawee suspends payments after expiration of the thirty-day period without paying the check, and (iii) because of the suspension of payments, the drawer is deprived of funds maintained with the drawee to cover payment of the check, the drawer to the extent deprived of funds may discharge its obligation to pay the check by assigning to the person entitled to enforce the check the rights of the drawer against the drawee with respect to the funds.
(g) A merchant shall not be liable for a dishonored check if the merchant followed the policy of the bank in accepting the check.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.