House Bill 73

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-2-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE PROVISIONS THAT PERMIT A FINE TO BE IMPOSED FOR A VIOLATION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT BELT LAW ONLY IF THE VIOLATOR IS ALSO CHARGED AND CONVICTED OF SOME OTHER OFFENSE; TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE FINE THAT MAY BE IMPOSED FOR A VIOLATION OF THE SEAT BELT LAW AND TO IMPOSE ENHANCED FINES FOR SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-2-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-2-7. (1) A violation of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction for a first violation by a fine of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), and punishable upon conviction for a second or subsequent violation occurring within three (3) years of a previous violation by a fine of Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00); however, only the operator of a vehicle may be fined for a violation of this chapter by the operator, for a violation of this chapter by a * * * front-seat passenger * * * or for a violation of this chapter by a child who is at least four (4) years of age but under eight (8) years of age, regardless of the seat that the child occupies * * *. The maximum fine that may be imposed against the operator of a vehicle for a violation of this chapter by the operator or for a violation of this chapter by one or more passengers shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), in the aggregate, for a first violation, and Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00), in the aggregate, for a second or subsequent violation.

(2) A violation of this chapter shall not be entered on the driving record of any individual so convicted, nor shall any state assessment provided for by Section 99-19-73, or any other state law, be imposed or collected.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.