Senate Bill 2853

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 felony 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 purposes of this section the term "historic cemeteries" means cemeteries that are at least fifty (50) years old.

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

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