Senate Bill 2380

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHALL BE THE LANGUAGE OF STATE GOVERNMENT IN MISSISSIPPI; TO CLARIFY AND PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Legislature of the State of Mississippi finds and declares the following:

(a) The State of Mississippi is comprised of individuals from different ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The State of Mississippi encourages the assimilation of Mississippi into Mississippi's rich culture.

(b) Throughout the history of Mississippi and of the United States, the common thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds together has been the English language.

(c) Among the powers reserved to each state is the power to establish the English language as the official language of the state, and otherwise to promote the English language within the state, subject to the prohibition enumerated in the Constitution of the United States and in laws of the state.

(2) In order to encourage every citizen of this state to become more proficient in the English language, thereby facilitating participation in the economic, political and cultural activities of this state and of the United States, the English language is hereby declared to be the official language of the State of Mississippi.

(3) Except as otherwise provided for in subsections (4) and (5), the English language shall be the language of government in Mississippi. All official documents, regulations, orders, transactions, proceedings, programs, meetings, publications or actions taken or issued, which are conducted or regulated by, or on behalf of, or representing the state and all of its political subdivisions shall be in the English language. For the purposes of this section, "official action" means any action taken by the government in Mississippi or by an authorized officer or agent of the government in Mississippi that does any of the following:

(a) Binds the government.

(b) Is required by law.

(4) This section shall not apply to:

(a) The teaching of languages.

(b) Requirements under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

(d) Actions or documents that protect the public health and safety.

(e) Actions or documents that facilitate activities pertaining to compiling any census of populations.

(f) Actions or documents that protect the rights of victims of crimes or criminal defendants.

(g) Use of proper names, terms of art or phrases from languages other than English.

(h) Any language usage required by or necessary to secure the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America or the Constitution of the State of Mississippi.

(i) Any oral or written communications, examinations or publications produced or utilized by a driver's license station, provided public safety is not jeopardized.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to do any of the following:

(a) Prohibit an individual member of the Legislature or officer of state government, while performing official business, from communicating through any medium with another person in a language other than English, if that member or officer deems it necessary or desirable to do so.

(b) Limit the preservation or use of Native American languages, as defined in the federal Native American Languages Act of 1992.

(c) Disparage any language other than English or discourage any person from learning or using a language other than English.

(6) It is presumed that English language requirements in the public sector are consistent with the laws of Mississippi and any ambiguity in the English language text of the laws of Mississippi shall be resolved, in accordance with the ninth and tenth amendments of the Constitution of the United States, not to deny or disparage rights retained by the people, and to reserve powers to the states or to the people.

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