MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A; Appropriations

By: Representative Stringer

House Bill 1157

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-33-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO IMPOSE UPON EVERY INDIVIDUAL CONVICTED OF A SEX OFFENSE A SEPARATE FEE, WHICH SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO A SPECIAL FUND CREATED IN THE STATE TREASURY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CRIME LABORATORY DNA IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES IN THE SPECIAL FUND SHALL BE EXPENDED BY THE CRIME LABORATORY TO DEFRAY THE COSTS OF THE DNA IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO IMPOSE A STATE ASSESSMENT UPON PERSONS CONVICTED OF A FELONY, WHICH SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE CRIME LABORATORY DNA IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 45-1-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO IMPOSE UPON EVERY INDIVIDUAL CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR A MISDEMEANOR IN A CASE WHERE THE CRIME LABORATORY PROVIDED FORENSIC SCIENCE OR LABORATORY SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE CASE A SEPARATE LABORATORY ANALYSIS FEE, WHICH SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE SPECIAL FUND OF THE CRIME LABORATORY; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 47-5-183, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO SECURE A BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE FOR PURPOSES OF DNA IDENTIFICATION ANALYSIS FROM EVERY INDIVIDUAL CONVICTED OF A FELONY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 45-33-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     45-33-37.  (1)  The Mississippi Crime Laboratory shall develop a plan for and establish a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) identification system.  In implementing the plan, the Mississippi Crime Laboratory shall purchase the appropriate equipment.  The DNA identification system as established in this section shall be compatible with that used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

     (2)  From and after January 1, 1996, every individual convicted of a sex offense or in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for a sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23 shall submit a biological sample for purposes of DNA identification analysis before release from or transfer to a state correctional facility or county jail or other detention facility.

     (3)  From and after January 1, 1996, any person having a duty to register under Section 45-33-25 for whom a DNA analysis is not already on file shall submit a biological sample for purposes of DNA identification analysis within five (5) working days after registration.

     (4)  The Mississippi Crime Laboratory shall be responsible for the policy management and administration of the state DNA identification record system to support law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies and shall:

          (a)  Promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section; and

          (b)  Provide for cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other criminal justice agencies relating to the state's participation in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) program and the national DNA identification index or in any DNA database designated by the crime laboratory.

     (5)  A DNA sample obtained in good faith shall be deemed to have been obtained in accordance with the requirements of this section.  Any entry into the database that is found to be erroneous shall not prohibit law enforcement officials from the legitimate use of information in the furtherance of a criminal investigation.

     (6)  Upon every individual convicted of a sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23, the court shall impose and collect a separate fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), in addition to any other assessments and costs imposed by statutory authority, unless the court finds that undue hardship would result by imposing the fee.  All fees collected under this section shall be deposited into a special fund created in the State Treasury to be known as the Crime Laboratory DNA Identification System Fund.  Monies in the fund shall be expended by the Mississippi Crime Laboratory to defray the costs of the DNA identification system established in this section.  Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

     SECTION 2.  Section 99-19-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     99-19-73.  (1)  Traffic violations.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation in Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, except offenses relating to the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 63-11-1 et seq.) and offenses relating to vehicular parking or registration:

     FUND                                                AMOUNT

State Court Education Fund......................... $  1.50

State Prosecutor Education Fund....................    2.00

     Vulnerable Adults Training,

Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund......     .50

Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund...............     .50

Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund............    7.00

Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund.............    5.00

     Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund

(for all moving violations)...................    6.00

Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund..........   20.00

Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging Fund.......    1.00

     Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death

Benefits Trust Fund...........................     .50

     Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

Disability Benefits Trust Fund................    1.00

     State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose

          of providing additional compensation for legal

assistants to district attorneys..............    1.50

Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund.............   10.00

Drug Court Fund....................................   10.00

Capital Defense Counsel Fund.......................    2.89

Indigent Appeals Fund..............................    2.29

Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund...............    2.33

Victims of Domestic Violence Fund..................     .49

Public Defenders Education Fund....................    1.00

Domestic Violence Training Fund....................    1.00

Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit................    1.00

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT............................. $ 77.50

     (2)  Implied Consent Law violations.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or any other penalty for any violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 63-11-1 et seq.):

     FUND                                                AMOUNT

Crime Victims' Compensation Fund................... $ 10.00

State Court Education Fund.........................    1.50

State Prosecutor Education Fund....................    2.00

     Vulnerable Adults Training,

Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund......     .50

Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund...............     .50

Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund............   22.00

Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund.............   11.00

Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund..........   45.00

Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program Fund..    5.00

Federal-State Alcohol Program Fund.................   10.00

     Mississippi Crime Laboratory

Implied Consent Law Fund......................   25.00

Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund.............   25.00

Capital Defense Counsel Fund.......................    2.89

Indigent Appeals Fund..............................    2.29

Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund...............    2.33

Victims of Domestic Violence Fund..................     .49

State General Fund.................................   35.00

     Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death

Benefits Trust Fund...........................     .50

     Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability

Benefits Trust Fund...........................    1.00

     State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose

          of providing additional compensation for legal

assistants to district attorneys..............    1.50

Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund.............   10.00

Drug Court Fund....................................   10.00

     Statewide Victims' Information and Notification

System Fund...................................    6.00

Public Defenders Education Fund....................    1.00

Domestic Violence Training Fund....................    1.00

Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit................    1.00

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT............................. $232.50

     (3)  Game and Fish Law violations.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of the game and fish statutes or regulations of this state:

     FUND                                                AMOUNT

State Court Education Fund......................... $  1.50

State Prosecutor Education Fund....................    2.00

Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund.............    5.00

Hunter Education and Training Program Fund.........    5.00

State General Fund.................................   30.00

     Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death

Benefits Trust Fund...........................     .50

     Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability

Benefits Trust Fund...........................    1.00

     State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose

          of providing additional compensation for legal

assistants to district attorneys..............    1.00

Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund.............   10.00

Drug Court Fund....................................   10.00

Capital Defense Counsel Fund.......................    2.89

Indigent Appeals Fund..............................    2.29

Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund...............    2.33

Victims of Domestic Violence Fund..................     .49

Public Defenders Education Fund....................    1.00

Domestic Violence Training Fund....................    1.00

Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit................    1.00

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT............................. $ 77.00

     (4)  Litter Law violations.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of Section 97-15-29 or 97-15-30:

     FUND                                                 AMOUNT

Statewide Litter Prevention Fund.................    $25.00

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT...........................    $25.00

     (5)  Speeding, reckless and careless driving violations.  In addition to any assessment imposed under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for driving a vehicle on a road or highway:

(a)  At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by at least ten (10) miles per hour but not more than twenty (20) miles per hour......................................................... $10.00

(b)  At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by at least twenty (20) miles per hour but not more than thirty (30) miles per hour......................................................... $20.00

(c)  At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by thirty (30) miles per hour or more.............................. $30.00

(d)  In violation of Section 63-3-1201, which is the offense of reckless driving......................................... $10.00

(e)  In violation of Section 63-3-1213, which is the offense of careless driving......................................... $10.00

     All assessments collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the Mississippi Trauma Care Systems Fund established under Section 41-59-75.

     (6)  Other misdemeanors.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any misdemeanor violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section, except offenses relating to vehicular parking or registration:

     FUND                                                 AMOUNT

Crime Victims' Compensation Fund................... $ 10.00

State Court Education Fund.........................    1.50

State Prosecutor Education Fund....................    2.00

     Vulnerable Adults Training,

Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund......     .50

Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund...............     .50

Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund.............    5.00

Capital Defense Counsel Fund.......................    2.89

Indigent Appeals Fund..............................    2.29

Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund...............    2.33

Victims of Domestic Violence Fund..................     .49

State General Fund.................................   30.00

State Crime Stoppers Fund..........................    1.50

     Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death

Benefits Trust Fund...........................     .50

     Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability

Benefits Trust Fund...........................    1.00

     State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose

          of providing additional compensation for legal

assistants to district attorneys..............   1.50

Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund.............   10.00

Drug Court Fund....................................    8.00

Judicial Performance Fund..........................    2.00

     Statewide Victims' Information and Notification

System Fund...................................    6.00

Public Defenders Education Fund....................    1.00

Domestic Violence Training Fund....................    1.00

Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit................    1.00

Information Exchange Network Fund..................    4.00

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT............................. $ 95.00

     (7)  Other felonies.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any felony violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section:

     FUND                                                 AMOUNT

Crime Victims' Compensation Fund................... $ 10.00

State Court Education Fund.........................    1.50

State Prosecutor Education Fund....................    2.00

     Vulnerable Adults Training,

Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund......     .50

Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund...............     .50

Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund.............    5.00

Capital Defense Counsel Fund.......................    2.89

Indigent Appeals Fund..............................    2.29

Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund...............    2.33

Victims of Domestic Violence Fund..................     .49

State General Fund.................................   60.00

Criminal Justice Fund..............................   50.00

     Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death

Benefits Trust Fund...........................     .50

     Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability

Benefits Trust Fund...........................    1.00

     State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose

          of providing additional compensation for legal

assistants to district attorneys..............    1.50

Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund.............   10.00

Drug Court Fund....................................   10.00

     Statewide Victims' Information and Notification

System Fund...................................    6.00

Public Defenders Education Fund....................    1.00

Domestic Violence Training Fund....................    1.00

Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit................    1.00

Crime Laboratory DNA Identification System Fund..... 100.00

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT............................ $ 269.50

     (8)  If a fine or other penalty imposed is suspended, in whole or in part, such suspension shall not affect the state assessment under this section.  No state assessment imposed under the provisions of this section may be suspended or reduced by the court.

     (9)  After a determination by the court of the amount due, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court to promptly collect all state assessments imposed under the provisions of this section.  The state assessments imposed under the provisions of this section may not be paid by personal check.  It shall be the duty of the chancery clerk of each county to deposit all such state assessments collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in such county on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by the State Auditor.  The chancery clerk shall make a monthly lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in such county under this section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total number of violations under each subsection for which state assessments were collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in such county during such month.  It shall be the duty of the municipal clerk of each municipality to deposit all such state assessments collected in the municipal court in such municipality on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by the State Auditor.  The municipal clerk shall make a monthly lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the municipal court in such municipality under this section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total number of violations under each subsection for which state assessments were collected in the municipal court in such municipality during such month.

     (10)  It shall be the duty of the Department of Finance and Administration to deposit on a monthly basis all such state assessments into the proper special fund in the State Treasury.  The monthly deposit shall be based upon the number of violations reported under each subsection and the pro rata amount of such assessment due to the appropriate special fund.  The Department of Finance and Administration shall issue regulations providing for the proper allocation of these special funds.

     (11)  The State Auditor shall establish by regulation procedures for refunds of state assessments, including refunds associated with assessments imposed before July 1, 1990, and refunds after appeals in which the defendant's conviction is reversed.  The Auditor shall provide in such regulations for certification of eligibility for refunds and may require the defendant seeking a refund to submit a verified copy of a court order or abstract by which such defendant is entitled to a refund. All refunds of state assessments shall be made in accordance with the procedures established by the Auditor.

     SECTION 3.  Section 45-1-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     45-1-29.  (1)  The Mississippi Crime Laboratory shall be funded separately from the Department of Public Safety.  Any appropriated funds shall be maintained in an account separate from any funds of the Department of Public Safety and shall never be commingled with any funds of the department.  However, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the utilization of the combined resources of the Mississippi Crime Laboratory, the Division of Support Services of the Department of Public Safety or the Mississippi Justice Information Center to efficiently carry out the mission of the Department of Public Safety.

     (2)  Grants and donations to the Crime Laboratory may be accepted from individuals, the federal government, firms, corporations, foundations and other interested organizations and societies.

     (3)  The Commissioner of Public Safety shall establish and the Division of Support Services of the Department of Public Safety shall collect for services rendered proper fees commensurate with the services rendered by the Crime Laboratory.  Those fees shall be deposited into a special fund in the State Treasury to the credit of the Crime Laboratory and expended in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration.  Those fees may be used for any authorized expenditure of the Crime Laboratory except expenditures for salaries, wages and fringe benefits.

     (4)   Upon every individual convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor and every individual who participates in a pretrial intervention program established under Section 99-15-101 et seq., in a case where the Crime Laboratory provided forensic science or laboratory services in connection with the case, the court shall impose and collect a separate laboratory analysis fee of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), in addition to any other assessments and costs imposed by statutory authority, unless the court finds that undue hardship would result by imposing the fee.  All fees collected under this section shall be deposited into the special fund of the Crime Laboratory created in subsection (3) of this section.

     SECTION 4.  Section 47-5-183, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     47-5-183.  The Mississippi Department of Corrections is authorized, subject to the availability of funds, to secure a biological sample for purposes of DNA identification analysis from every individual convicted of a felony or in its custody before release from or transfer to a state correctional facility or county jail or other detention facility.

     SECTION 5.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.