House Bill 130

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE TO RIDE WITHIN OR UPON ANY PORTION OR AREA OF A MOTOR VEHICLE NOT DESIGNED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF PASSENGERS; TO PRESCRIBE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) When a motor vehicle is being operated upon any public road, street or highway within this state, a person under eighteen (18) years of age may not ride, and any person operating a motor vehicle may not knowingly permit any person under eighteen (18) years of age to ride, within or upon any portion or area of the motor vehicle that is not designed by the vehicle manufacturer for the transportation of passengers including, but not limited to, pick-up truck beds and areas where seat belts are not available in the vehicle.

(2) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, upon conviction, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 63-9-11.

(3) Conviction of a violation of this section shall not be entered on the driving record of the convicted person, nor shall any state assessment provided for in Section 99-19-73, or any other state law, be imposed on the person.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this act shall be codified in Chapter 3, Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2011.