MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Local and Private Legislation
By: Representatives Ladner, Bennett
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF HANCOCK COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, TO REQUIRE THE YOUTH COURT OF THE COUNTY TO RELEASE REDACTED YOUTH COURT RECORDS TO THE NEWS MEDIA OF ANY CHILD WHERE A CHILD IS THE SUBJECT OF AN ALLEGATION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE RECORDS SHALL BE RELEASED AT COST TO THE MEDIA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 43-21-261, Mississippi Code of 1972, or any other law to the contrary, the Board of Supervisors of Hancock County, Mississippi, is authorized in its discretion, to require the youth court of the county to provide the news media, in any case where an abuse or neglect allegation has been made, with the youth court records pertaining to the abuse or neglect allegation of the child.
(b) If a child's records are released to the news media, as authorized under this section, then the records shall be provided at cost to the news media. For purposes of this section, "news media" means bona fide radio and television stations, newspapers, journals or magazines or bona fide news bureaus or associations which in turn furnish information solely to bona fide radio or television stations, newspapers, journals or magazines.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.