House Bill 975

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DEDUCT FROM THE SALARY OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES CERTAIN DUES FOR MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-9-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-9-49. * * * The school district superintendentmay deduct or permit to be deducted from the salary of any superintendent, principal, teacher or other employee * * * dues * * * payable because of the membership of such superintendent, principal, teacher or other employee in a professional organization or association. However, the dues deduction may be made only upon written authorization from the superintendent, principal, teacher or other employee requesting the deduction. School boards may adopt policies and procedures for implementing this voluntary dues deduction process. Dues or premiums in health associations or corporations and tax sheltered annuity deductions authorized by the United States Internal Revenue Code may be deducted upon written authorization from the superintendent, principal, teacher or other employee involved. Any superintendent of schools who shall make any unauthorized deduction or permit any unauthorized deduction to be made * * * shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each such deduction.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.