House Bill 1080

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE ANY SHERIFF OR HIS DESIGNEE TO USE COUNTY PRISON LABOR TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN CERTAIN CEMETERIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Any sheriff, or his designee, may use any person who has been convicted of a nonviolent offense and who is serving all or any part of his sentence in the county jail to clear, clean, stabilize, preserve, maintain and restore historic cemeteries in the county. For the purposes of this section the term "historic cemeteries" means cemeteries that are at least fifty (50) years old.

(2) Before undertaking work on an historic cemetery, the sheriff, or his designee, shall contact the Department of Archives and History to obtain information on the appropriate procedures for the preservation and restoration of an historical cemetery.

(3) Any sheriff, or his designee, may use any person who has been convicted of a crime and is serving all or part of his sentence in the county jail who volunteers their time to prepare or serve food in county or public facilities in conjunction with a 501C3 charity organization.

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