MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2018 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Chism

House Bill 1197

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-15-69, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE CODE SECTION REFERENCE ON PROVISIONS OF LAW REGARDING REPORTING OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 63-15-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     63-15-69.  (1)  Where any person fails to report an accident as required in Section * * *63‑15‑9 63-3-411, in addition to any other penalties prescribed by law, the department shall suspend the license of the person failing to make such report, or the nonresident's operating privilege of such person, until such report has been filed and for such further period not to exceed thirty (30) days as the department may fix.

     (2)  Any person who gives information required in a report or otherwise as provided for in Section * * *63‑15‑9 63-3-411, knowing or having reason to believe that such information is false, or who shall forge, or without authority, sign any evidence of proof of financial responsibility, or who files or offers for filing any such evidence of proof, knowing or having reason to believe that it is forged or signed without authority, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year, or both, except where the statement may be made under oath, in which case the person making the false statement under oath shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties for perjury.

     (3)  Any person whose license or nonresident's operating privilege has been suspended or revoked under this chapter, and who, during such suspension or revocation drives any motor vehicle upon any highway or knowingly permits any motor vehicle owned by such person to be operated by another upon any highway, except as permitted under this chapter, shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned not exceeding six (6) months, or both.

     (4)  Any person willfully failing to return his license as required in Section 63-15-67, shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned not to exceed thirty (30) days, or both.

     (5)  Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter for which no penalty is otherwise provided shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both.

     (6)  In order for an individual who has received a license suspension under the State of Mississippi's Implied Consent Laws to be eligible for reinstatement, in addition to other requirements at law, he or she must provide to the Department of Public Safety, a certificate of insurance as a method of giving proof of financial responsibility as provided in Sections 63-15-37(1), 63-15-39 and 63-15-41, that shall be maintained for not less than a period of three (3) years after issuance in accordance with the requirements as set forth in Section 63-15-61.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.