MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representative Banks
AN ACT TO REGULATE THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF BRONZE OBJECTS USED AT CEMETERIES OR OTHER LOCATIONS FOR MEMORIAL PURPOSES; TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) It shall be unlawful to sell any bronze vase marker, memorial, statues, plaque, or other bronze object used at a cemetery or other location where deceased persons are interred or memorialized to dealer in scrap metal or for any such dealer to purchase such objects, unless the source of the bronze is known and notice is provided to the municipal or county law enforcement agency where the dealer is located. The notice shall identify all names, letters, dates and symbols on the bronze and a photograph of the bronze shall be attached thereto. Written permission from the cemetery and the appropriate law enforcement agency must be received before any type of bronze described in this section may be purchased, processed, sold or melted.
(2) A violation of this section shall be a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for five (5) years and a civil penalty of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for each violation.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.