Senate Bill 2711

AN ACT ENTITLED THE "HUNTER DAWKINS SEAT BELT ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 63-2-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE VIOLATION OF SEAT BELT REQUIREMENTS AS A PRIMARY OFFENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 63-2-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT FAILURE TO USE SEAT BELTS CANNOT CONSTITUTE CONTRIBUTORY OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. This act shall be entitled and may be cited as the "Hunter Dawkins Seat Belt Act."

SECTION 2. 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 by a fine of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) upon conviction; however, only the operator of a vehicle may be fined for a violation of this chapter by the operator or for a violation of this chapter by a passenger. * * * 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.

(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 3. Section 63-2-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-2-3. This chapter shall not be construed to create a duty, standard of care, right or liability between the operator and passenger of any passenger motor vehicle which is not recognized under the laws of the State of Mississippi as such laws existed on March 20, 1990, or as such laws may at any time thereafter be constituted by statute or court decision. A violation for failure to provide and use a seat belt restraint device or system shall not be * * * entered on the driving record of any individual.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.