House Bill 1367

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-31-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS TO ESTABLISH A POLICY TO BURY OR ASSIST IN THE BURIAL OF A PERSON DETERMINED TO BE A PAUPER, AND TO ALLOW SUCH BOARDS TO MAKE SUCH DETERMINATION BASED ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECORDS AND OTHER EVIDENCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 43-31-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-31-29. (1) The boards of supervisors shall also relieve, support or employ paupers found or being in the county, though not entitled to a settlement therein, and, in case of their decease, shall decently bury them. All expenses shall be chargeable to and recoverable from the county in which such pauper had a settlement. In addition, the boards of supervisors shall decently bury all strangers dying in the county.

(2) The boards of supervisors are authorized to establish a policy to bury or to assist in the burial of a person who is determined to be a pauper. Such determination is to be based on available records of public assistance and other available evidence.

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