Senate Bill 2246

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE GATHERING OF MASKED INDIVIDUALS IN PUBLIC WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) A person is guilty of disorderly conduct when he (a) being masked or in any manner disguised by unusual or unnatural attire or facial alteration, loiters, remains or congregates in a public place with other persons so masked or disguised, or (b) knowingly permits or aids persons so masked or disguised to congregate in a public place; except that such conduct is not unlawful when it occurs in connection with a masquerade party or like entertainment, if, when such entertainment is held in a municipality which has promulgated regulations in connection with such entertainment, permission is first obtained from the police or other appropriate local governmental authorities.

(2) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (1) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(3) If any person alone or in concert with others violates subsection (1) under such circumstances or in such a manner as to evince a willful and wanton disregard for the life or safety of another and if as a result thereof another person or persons are injured, maimed or killed, the person or persons so violating subsection (1) shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, such person or persons shall be imprisoned in the State Penitentiary not longer than five (5) years or be fined not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.