House Bill 1056

AN ACT TO CREATE THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION IN THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; TO PROVIDE THAT THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION SHALL INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. There is created and established within the Office of the Attorney General the "Civil Rights Division" which shall be charged with the investigation and prosecution of civil rights cases. The Attorney General shall employ the necessary personnel to carry out the provisions of this act.

SECTION 2. (1) The Civil Rights Division shall investigate and prosecute civil and criminal cases which result from acts of discrimination against a person because of the actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender of the person.

(2) The Civil Rights Division may bring an action in the name of the state against any person who commits an act of discrimination against a person because of the actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender of the person.

SECTION 3. The Legislature shall annually appropriate funds to defray the costs of operating the Civil Rights Division.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.