Senate Bill 2792

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-4-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT HUNTING ACCIDENT REPORTS SHALL NOT BE A PUBLIC RECORD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-4-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-4-31. Upon notification by a duly authorized law enforcement officer of a death or injury that occurred by use of a weapon by any person engaged in hunting, a hunter safety officer of the department shall immediately initiate an investigation of the incident and shall submit a report to the executive director of the department. The executive director shall submit the report to the commission. Hunting accident reports shall not be a public record nor made available for public distribution, except as otherwise provided by law. If the commission determines there is probable cause to believe that the accident occurred as a result of culpable negligence on the part of the person causing the death or injury, the commission shall notify the district attorney of the circuit court district in which the incident occurred.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.