Senate Bill 2739

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT OPERABLE SAFETY SEAT BELTS ARE REQUIRED FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER 1963; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

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

63-7-63. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate in forward motion on a public road, street or highway within this state or to buy, sell, lease, trade or transfer from or to Mississippi residents, at retail, an automobile which is manufactured or assembled commencing with the 1963 models, unless such automobile is equipped with safety belts installed for use in the left front and right front seats thereof. The violation of the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, the violator shall be fined not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), nor more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00), for each offense.

All such safety belts shall be of such type and be installed in a manner approved by the department of public safety of the State of Mississippi. The department shall establish specifications and requirements of approved types of safety belts and attachments. The department will accept, as approved, all seat belt installations and the belt and anchor meeting the specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers.

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