MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representatives Banks, Paden
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE CHANCERY COURTS TO ORDER PERSONS WITH SEXUAL OFFENDER PROPENSITIES TO BE HELD PENDING EVALUATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. If the chancery court finds, through evidence and testimony, during any proceeding before such court that a person has a propensity to commit an act that would be considered a sex offense, as defined in Section 45-33-23, then the court shall order such person to be evaluated by a licensed physician of a mental health facility. If the physician determines that the person has such propensity, then the person shall be committed to a mental health facility, and remain in the facility until two (2) licensed physicians determine through physical and mental examination that such person no longer has a propensity to commit an act that would be considered a sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23. For purposes of this section, the term "mental facility" means owned or operated by the Department of Mental Health.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.