Senate Bill 2202

AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS "HELEN'S LAW;" TO AMEND SECTION 19-5-301, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO ADOPT E911 RESPONSE POLICIES; TO IMPOSE LOSS OF STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NONCOMPLIANT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 19-5-301, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

19-5-301. (1) The Legislature finds and declares it to be in the public interest to reduce the time required for a citizen to request and receive emergency aid, and to raise the level of competence of local public safety and 911 telecommunicators by establishing a minimum standard of training and certification for personnel involved in the answering and dispatching of calls to law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services. The provision of a single, primary three-digit emergency number through which emergency services can be quickly and efficiently obtained will provide a significant contribution to law enforcement and other public service efforts by simplifying the notification of public service personnel. Such a simplified means of procuring emergency services will result in the saving of life, a reduction in the destruction of property, quicker apprehension of criminals and, ultimately, the saving of monies. Establishment of a uniform emergency number is a matter of concern and interest to all citizens of the state.

(2) The Legislature also finds and declares it to be in the public interest to reduce the time required for a citizen to request and receive emergency aid, by requiring all owners and renters of residences, buildings and structures to obtain a 911 address from the county.

(3) On or before July 1, 2015, each law enforcement agency that accepts E911 reports or is capable of having E911 reports routed to it by any transfer method shall adopt written policies and training procedures that set forth the manner in which the agency shall respond to E911 calls. Each law enforcement agency and its law enforcement officers and other employees may create its own policy or may adopt an existing model. All E911 response policies created or adopted by any law enforcement agency must address response time and the proper keeping of records of dispatch and response to E911 calls. Law enforcement agencies that are out of compliance with this subsection (3) are subject to the withholding of any state funding or state-administered federal funding.

SECTION 2. Section 19-5-301(3) shall be known as "Helen's Law."

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.