Senate Bill 2674

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 99-19-301, 99-19-305 AND 99-19-307, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN THE CLASS OF VICTIMS WHERE OFFENSES ARE SUBJECT TO HATE CRIME PENALTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 99-19-301, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-19-301. (1) The penalty for any felony or misdemeanor shall be subject to enhancement as provided in Sections 99-19-301 through 99-19-307 if the felony or misdemeanor was committed because of the actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender of the victim or because of actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician.

(2) As used in this section:

(a) "Law enforcement officer" means any law enforcement officer, part-time law enforcement officer or law enforcement trainee as defined in Section 45-6-3, as well as any federal law enforcement officer or employee whose permanent duties include making arrests, performing search and seizures, execution of criminal arrest warrants, execution of civil seizure warrants, or the care, custody, control or supervision of inmates.

(b) "Firefighter" means any firefighter regularly employed by a fire department of any municipality, county or fire protection district of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 2. Section 99-19-305, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-19-305. (1) Upon conviction or adjudication of guilt of a defendant where notice has been duly given that an enhanced penalty will be sought as provided in Sections 99-19-301 through 99-19-307, the court shall conduct a separate sentencing proceeding to determine the sentence. The proceeding shall be conducted by the trial judge before the trial jury as soon as practicable. If, through impossibility or inability, the trial jury is unable to reconvene for a hearing on the issue of penalty, having determined the guilt of the accused, the trial judge shall summon a jury to determine whether an enhanced penalty should be imposed. If trial by jury has been waived, or if the defendant pleaded guilty, the sentencing proceeding shall be conducted before a jury impaneled for that purpose. Provided, however, that if the defendant enters a plea of guilty and waives trial by jury for the sentencing proceeding, the sentencing proceeding shall be conducted before the trial judge sitting without a jury. In the proceeding, evidence may be presented as to any matter that the court deems relevant to sentence. However, this subsection shall not be construed to authorize the introduction of any evidence secured in violation of the Constitution of the United States or of the State of Mississippi. The state and the defendant or his counsel or both defendant and counsel shall be permitted to present arguments for or against any sentence sought.

(2) In order to impose an enhanced penalty under the provisions of Sections 99-19-301 through 99-19-307, the jury must find beyond a reasonable doubt:

(a) That the defendant perceived, knew, or had reasonable grounds to know or perceive that the victim was within the class delineated; and

(b) That the defendant maliciously and with specific intent committed the offense because the victim was within the class delineated.

(3) That the victim was within the class delineated means that the reason the underlying crime was committed was the victim's actual or perceived race, color, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin or gender, or that the reason the underlying crime was committed was the victim's actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician.

SECTION 3. Section 99-19-307, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-19-307. In the event it is found beyond a reasonable doubt that the offense was committed by reason of (a) the actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender of the victim, or (b) the victim's actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician, then the penalty for the offense may be enhanced by punishment for a term of imprisonment of up to twice that authorized by law for the offense committed, or a fine of up to twice that authorized by law for the offense committed, or both.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.