MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Human Services; Revenue and Expenditure General Bills

By: Representative Holland

House Bill 1218

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-57-26, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS REGISTRATION WILL FURNISH FREE DEATH CERTIFICATES OF DECEASED VETERANS TO APPLICANTS UPON FURNISHING A COPY OF THE DECEASED PERSON'S DD-214 DISCHARGE FORM; TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE DECEASED PERSON BE AN HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 41-57-26, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     41-57-26.  The Office of Vital Records Registration shall furnish up to five (5) certified copies of the death certificate of any deceased person who was * * *an honorably discharged a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States or who was killed or died while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, without charge, to any person or entity that is authorized to receive death certificates.  The applicant for a copy of the death certificate must furnish a copy of the deceased person's DD-214 discharge form, if available, or such other written evidence of the deceased person's service in the Armed Forces of the United States as required by the office.  Copies of death certificates furnished under the authority under this section shall be in addition to any copies of death certificates furnished without charge under the authority of Section 35-3-9.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.