MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representative Frierson
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL STATE ASSESSMENTS TO CERTAIN VIOLATIONS, MISDEMEANORS AND FELONIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHILDREN'S JUSTICE FUND AND THE MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 37-115-43, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO CREATE THE MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING DIVISION WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS; TO ESTABLISH AS SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY KNOWN AS THE MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING FUND AND STIPULATE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH FUNDS DEPOSITED THEREIN MAY BE USED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. 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 Persons Training,
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund...... 1.50
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
Children's Justice Fund ............................. 2.29
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
Mandated Reporter Training Fund ...................... 1.00
Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit................ 2.50
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT............................. $ 83.29
(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 Persons Training,
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund...... 1.50
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
Children's Justice Fund ............................. 2.29
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................ 2.50
Mandated Reporter Training Fund ...................... 1.00
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT............................. $238.29
(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
Vulnerable Persons Training,
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund...... 1.50
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................ 2.50
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT............................. $ 80.00
(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 Persons Training,
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund...... 1.50
Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund............... .50
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund............. 5.00
Children's Justice Fund ............................. 2.29
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
Mandated Reporter Training Fund ...................... 1.00
Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit................ 2.50
Information Exchange Network Fund.................. 4.00
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT............................ $ 100.79
(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 Persons Training,
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund...... 1.50
Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund............... .50
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund............. 5.00
Children's Justice Fund ............................. 2.29
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
Mandated Reporter Training Fund ...................... 1.00
Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit................ 2.50
Crime Laboratory DNA Identification System Fund.... 100.00
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT............................. $275.29
(8) Additional assessments on certain violations:
(a) Railroad crossing violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation involving railroad crossings under Section 37-41-55, 63-3-1007, 63-3-1009, 63-3-1011, 63-3-1013 or 77-9-249:
Operation Lifesaver Fund............................ $25.00
(b) Drug violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of Section 41-29-139:
Drug Evidence Disposition Fund...................... $25.00
(9) 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.
(10) 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.
(11) 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.
(12) 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 2. Section 37-115-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-115-43. (1) The University of Mississippi Medical Center in collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Human Services and the Office of the Attorney General is authorized and empowered to establish a Center of Excellence (Center), to provide care for abused and neglected children at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children located in Jackson, Mississippi, where suspected victims of child maltreatment referred by the Department of Human Services or law enforcement will receive comprehensive physical examinations conducted by medical professionals who specialize in child maltreatment. The University of Mississippi Medical Center shall promulgate such policies as may be necessary and desirable to carry out the programs of the Center. The Center shall serve as a resource for the assessment, investigation and prosecution of child maltreatment. The Center shall work in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, the Mississippi Department of Human Services and other such state agencies and entities that provide services to children, to ensure that CARE Clinic services are provided in a uniform fashion throughout the state.
(2) The Department of Pediatrics may use the Center for educational and outreach programs, telemedicine consultations, to develop satellite clinics in other locations in the state in cooperation with the local community or private hospital when applicable, and to conduct major research initiatives in child maltreatment.
(3) The Center of Excellence shall provide services to maltreated children and comply with national certification standards as necessary to provide services to the Department of Human Services, the youth courts, state child advocacy centers, district attorney's offices and law enforcement agencies.
(4) There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Children's Justice Fund. The State Treasurer shall transfer into the special fund those sums collected from the assessments authorized for the benefit of the special fund under Section 99-19-73 and any funds returned to the State Treasury by the MCI WorldCom Settlement by the Mississippi Children's Justice Center pursuant to agreement with the State Auditor. The University of Mississippi Medical Center shall expend funds pursuant to appropriation therefor by the Legislature for the support and maintenance of the Center. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is authorized to accept any and all grants, donations or matching funds from private, public or federal sources in order to add to, improve and enlarge the physical facilities of the Center and to expend any such funds for the support and maintenance of the Center.
SECTION 3. (1) There is created in the Administrative Office of Courts the Mandated Reporter Training Division. The division shall be staffed by any necessary personnel as determined and hired by the courts administrator. The mission of the division shall be to work closely with the court reporters to provide training and services to court reporters practicing in all state, county and municipal courts.
(2) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Mandated Reporter Training Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide funding for the continued educational training of court reporters for the purposes fulfilling the responsibilities required under Section 9-13-25. Monies from the funds derived from assessments under Section 99-19-73 shall be distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Administrative Office of Courts. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal-year limitations, and shall consist of:
(a) Monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding court reporters;
(b) The interest accruing to the fund;
(c) Monies received under the provisions of Section 99-19-73;
(d) Monies received from the federal government;
(e) Donations; and
(f) Monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2012.