Senate Bill 2562

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-37-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE PROHIBITED MEANS OF COMMUNICATION OF A BOMB THREAT; TO AMEND SECTION 97-37-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXPAND THE BOMB PROHIBITION TO OTHER WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 97-37-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-37-21. It shall be unlawful for any person to report to another by any means, whether in person or by telephone, mail, electronic mail, mobile phone, fax or any other means of communication, that a bomb or other explosive has been, or is to be, placed or secreted in any public or private place, knowing that such report is false. Any person who shall be convicted of a violation of this section shall be fined not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or shall be committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than ten (10) years, or both.

SECTION 2. Section 97-37-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-37-25. It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to bomb or to plant or place any bomb, other explosive matter or thing, or any biological or chemical weapon or other weapon of mass destruction in, upon or near any building, residence, ship, vessel, boat, railroad station, railroad car or coach, bus station, or depot, bus, truck, aircraft, or other vehicle, gas and oil stations and pipelines, radio station or radio equipment or other means of communication, warehouse or any electric plant or water plant, telephone exchange or any of the lines belonging thereto, wherein a person or persons are located or being transported, or where there is being manufactured, stored, assembled or shipped or in the preparation of shipment any goods, wares, merchandise or anything of value, with the felonious intent to hurt or harm any person or property, and upon conviction thereof shall be imprisoned for life in the State Penitentiary if the penalty is so fixed by the jury; and in cases where the jury fails to fix the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Penitentiary the court shall fix the penalty at imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for any term as the court, in its discretion, may determine, but not to be less than five (5) years.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.