MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Highways and Transportation; Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Fillingane, Frazier, Suber, Parker, Carter, England, Hill, McLendon, Wiggins, Branning, McCaughn, Tate, Thompson, Witherspoon, Blackwell, McMahan, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd)
AN ACT TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 63-1-1, 63-1-3, 63-1-8, 63-1-9, 63-1-10, 63-1-10.1, 63-1-11, 63-1-13, 63-1-15, 63-1-16, 63-1-17, 63-1-19, 63-1-33, 63-1-34, 63-1-34.1, 63-1-35, 63-1-43, 63-1-45, 63-1-46, 63-1-47, 63-1-49, 63-1-51, 63-1-52, 63-1-53, 63-1-71, 63-1-107, 63-1-109, 63-1-111, 63-1-202, 63-1-205, 63-1-208, 63-1-209, 63-1-210, 63-1-211, 63-1-212, 63-1-213, 63-1-214, 63-1-215, 63-1-216, 63-1-221, 63-1-225, 63-1-226, 63-3-401, 63-3-502, 63-3-615, 63-7-103, 63-9-25, 63-9-37, 63-10-3, 63-10-5, 63-11-21, 63-11-23, 63-11-26, 63-11-30, 63-11-31, 63-11-33, 63-11-40, 63-15-3, 63-15-4, 63-16-7, 63-16-13, 45-1-3, 45-1-12, 45-1-13, 45-1-21, 45-3-1, 45-9-101, 45-33-25, 45-33-27, 45-33-29, 45-33-31, 45-33-33, 45-33-35, 45-33-43, 45-35-7, 23-15-7, 23-15-47, 23-15-49, 23-15-169.1, 27-19-56, 37-25-7, 41-39-103, 41-39-127, 41-39-139, 43-21-159, 43-21-255, 67-3-69, 93-11-153 AND 97-17-43, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 63-1-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-1. This article may be cited as the Highway Safety Patrol and Driver's License Law of 1938.
SECTION 2. Section 63-1-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-3. The following words and phrases when used in this article shall, for the purpose of such law, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:
(a) The term "commissioner" means the commissioner of public safety of this state;
(b) The term "highway" means every way or place of whatever nature open to the use of the public for the purpose of vehicular travel, and shall include streets of municipalities;
(c) The term "operator" means any person in actual physical control of a motor vehicle on the highway;
(d) The term "owner" means a person who holds the legal title of a vehicle; in the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of this article.
SECTION 3. Section 63-1-8, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-8. The Commissioner of Public Safety is authorized to negotiate a mutual agreement between the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the Republic of China (Taiwan), through the Ministry of Transportation and Communications represented by the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, Texas, for reciprocity in issuing driver's licenses to citizens of the State of Mississippi residing in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and to Taiwanese citizens residing in the State of Mississippi. The mutual agreement shall be written and signed by the commissioner and Director General.
SECTION 4. Section 63-1-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-9. (1) No driver's license, intermediate license or regular learner's permit shall be issued pursuant to this article:
(a) To any person under the age of eighteen (18) years except as provided in this article.
(b) To any person whose license to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of Mississippi has been previously revoked or suspended by this state or any other state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, if the revocation or suspension period has not expired.
(c) To any person who is an habitual drunkard or who is addicted to the use of other narcotic drugs.
(d) To any person who would not be able by reason of physical or mental disability to operate a motor vehicle on the highways with safety. However, persons who have one (1) arm or leg, or have arms or legs deformed, and are driving a car provided with mechanical devices whereby the person is able to drive in a safe manner over the highways, if otherwise qualified, shall receive an operator's license the same as other persons. Moreover, deafness shall not be a bar to obtaining a license.
(e) To any person as an operator who has previously been adjudged to be afflicted with and suffering from any mental disability and who has not at time of application been restored to mental competency.
(f) To any unmarried person under the age of eighteen (18) years who does not at the time of application present a diploma or other certificate of high school graduation or a general educational development certificate issued to the person in this state or any other state; or on whose behalf documentation has not been received by the Department of Public Safety from that person or a school official verifying that the person:
(i) Is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a course leading to a general educational development certificate;
(ii) Is enrolled in school in this state or any other state;
(iii) Is enrolled in a "nonpublic school," as such term is defined in Section 37-13-91(2)(i); or
(iv) Is unable to attend any school program due to circumstances deemed acceptable as set out in Section 63-1-10.
(g) To any person under the age of eighteen (18) years who has been convicted under Section 63-11-30.
(2) All permits and licenses issued on or before July 31, 2009, shall be valid according to the terms upon which issued. From and after August 1, 2009:
(a) A regular learner's permit may be issued to any person who is at least fifteen (15) years of age who otherwise meets the requirements of this article.
(b) An intermediate license may be issued to any person who is at least sixteen (16) years of age who otherwise meets the requirements of this article and who has held a regular learner's permit for at least one (1) year without any conviction under Section 63-11-30 or of a moving violation. Any conviction under Section 63-11-30 or of a moving violation shall restart the one-year requirement for the holding of a regular learner's permit before an applicant can qualify for an intermediate license.
(c) A driver's license may be issued to any person who is at least sixteen and one-half (16-1/2) years of age who otherwise meets the requirements of this article and who has held an intermediate license for at least six (6) months without any conviction under Section 63-11-30 or of a moving violation. Any conviction under Section 63-11-30 or of a moving violation shall restart the six-month requirement for the holding of an intermediate license before an applicant can qualify for a driver's license. However, a person who is at least seventeen (17) years of age who has been issued a regular learner's permit and who has never been convicted under Section 63-11-30 or of a moving violation shall not be required to have held an intermediate license.
(d) An applicant for a Mississippi driver's license who, at the time of application, is at least sixteen and one-half (16-1/2) years of age and who has held a valid motor vehicle driver's license issued by another state for at least six (6) months shall not be required to hold a regular learner's permit or an intermediate license before being issued a driver's license.
(3) The commissioner shall ensure that the regular learner's permit, intermediate license and driver's license issued under this article are clear, distinct and easily distinguishable from one another.
SECTION 5. Section 63-1-10, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-10. (1) Upon the written request of a parent or guardian of any applicant for a license under eighteen (18) years of age, the school district in which the applicant is enrolled shall submit documentation to the Department of Public Safety verifying that the applicant is in compliance with Section 63-1-9(1)(g). The verification shall be signed by the school principal or his designee, or, in the case of a home study program, the parent, or the adult education supervisor of the General Educational Development Program or his designee. If the student is enrolled in a nonpublic school, the school principal or his designee is encouraged to submit the verification on behalf of the student. Documentation of the applicant's enrollment status shall be submitted on a form designed by the State Department of Education that includes the written signed and notarized parent or guardian's consent authorizing the release of the applicant's attendance records to the Department of Public Safety, as approved by the Department of Public Safety, in a manner that insures the authenticity of the form and the information or signature contained thereon, including via facsimile. The forms required under this section to provide documentation shall be made available to all public high schools, private schools accredited by the State Board of Education, adult education supervisors at school board offices and, upon request, to others through the Department of Public Safety.
(2) Whenever an applicant or licensee who is under eighteen (18) years of age is unable to attend any school program due to acceptable circumstances, the school where the student last attended shall transmit documentation to the department to excuse such student from the provisions of Section 63-1-9(1)(g). The school principal or his designee shall determine whether nonattendance or absences are excused pursuant to Section 37-13-91. For purposes of this section, suspension or expulsion from school or incarceration in a correctional institution is not an acceptable circumstance for a person being unable to attend school.
(3) Any person denied a license for failure to satisfy the education requirements of Section 63-1-9(1)(g) shall have the right to file a request within thirty (30) days thereafter for a hearing before the Department of Public Safety to determine whether the person is entitled to a license or is subject to the cancellation of his license under the provisions of this section. The hearing shall be held within ten (10) days of the receipt by the department of the request. Appeal from the decision of the department may be taken under Section 63-1-31.
SECTION 6. Section 63-1-10.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-10.1. A school superintendent or designee shall report to the Department of Education on a schedule determined by the State Board of Education when a student under eighteen (18) years of age who has been issued a driver's license, intermediate license or temporary learning permit has been coded as a "drop out" as defined by the State Board of Education. The Department of Education will provide notification to the Department of Public Safety of those students under eighteen (18) years of age who have obtained a driver's license, intermediate license or temporary learning permit and have been coded by the local school district as a "drop out" upon verification that prior written parental consent for the release of educational records has been obtained in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1972, as amended, 20 USCS Section 1232.
SECTION 7. Section 63-1-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-11. The provisions of this article with reference to administration shall be under the supervision of the commissioner of public safety at Jackson, Mississippi, who, if not otherwise specifically authorized, is hereby empowered to make and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this article.
SECTION 8. Section 63-1-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-13. The commissioner is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint a Director of the Driver Services Division who is a qualified elector of the State of Mississippi. Such director shall execute and furnish a bond in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) with a surety company authorized to do business in this state. The bond shall be conditioned on the faithful performance of his duties and be subject to the approval of the commissioner. The director shall have control and supervision of the Driver Services Division and shall be answerable to the commissioner in the performance of his duties.
The commissioner shall employ such other technical, professional and clerical assistants as may be needed to conduct the work of the division. The commissioner is also authorized to employ a Director of the Driver License Examining Bureau and the necessary supervising examiners to assist the Director of the Driver License Examining Bureau in the supervision of the license personnel. The commissioner is also authorized to employ the necessary additional personnel to serve and be designated as "license examiners." The commissioner shall not adopt or enforce any policy or any rule or regulation which prohibits any Highway Patrol officer from being employed and serving in any position in the Driver License Examining Bureau. The commissioner shall employ such other technical, professional and clerical assistants as may be needed to conduct the work of the bureau.
SECTION 9. Section 63-1-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-15. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall be authorized to designate persons who may act as examiners for license or instruction permits.
It shall be the duty of the license examiners to forward to the commissioner all applications rejected or approved in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the commissioner.
SECTION 10. Section 63-1-16, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-16. The Department of Public Safety shall, upon request of the board of supervisors, furnish either a permanent driver's license kiosk or a license examiner at a location in each county seat for at least one (1) day every month to conduct licensing examinations, road tests and renewals. It is the option of the board of supervisors so requesting to choose either the permanent driver's license kiosk or a license examiner. The county shall furnish the office, heating and cooling, phone service and Internet connectivity at the location for the kiosk or license examiner.
SECTION 11. Section 63-1-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-17. As the license examiners file their statements showing the serial numbers of licenses and temporary driving permits issued pursuant to this article during the preceding month, the commissioner shall keep a record of all licenses and permits issued pursuant to this article by such examiners, a record of all licenses and permits revoked, a record of all perforated sections mailed to him by the trial judges, and such other information that he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.
SECTION 12. Section 63-1-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-19. (1) (a) Every applicant for a license or permit issued pursuant to this article, or for renewal of such license or permit, shall file an application for such license, permit or renewal, on a form provided by the Department of Public Safety, with the commissioner or an official license examiner of the department. All persons not holding valid, unexpired licenses issued in this state shall be required to secure an original license, except those specifically exempted from licensing under Section 63-1-7. The application shall state the name, date of birth, the social security number of the applicant unless the applicant is not a United States citizen and does not possess a social security number issued by the United States government, sex, race, color of eyes, color of hair, weight, height and residence address, and whether or not the applicant's privilege to drive has been suspended or revoked at any time, and, if so, when, by whom, and for what cause, and whether any previous application by him has been denied, and whether he has any physical defects which would interfere with his operating a motor vehicle safely upon the highways.
(b) Every applicant for an original license shall show proof of domicile in this state. The commissioner shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to enforce this requirement and shall prescribe the means by which an applicant for an original license may show domicile in this state. Proof of domicile shall not be required of applicants under eighteen (18) years of age.
(c) Unless the applicant is not a United States citizen and does not possess a social security number issued by the United States government, each application or filing made under this section shall include the social security number(s) of the applicant in accordance with Section 93-11-64, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(2) No person who is illegally in the United States or Mississippi shall be issued a license. The application of a person who is not a United States citizen and who does not possess a social security number issued by the United States government shall state the name, date of birth, sex, race, color of eyes, color of hair, weight, height and residence address, and whether or not the applicant's privilege to drive has been suspended or revoked at any time, and, if so, when, by whom, and for what cause, and whether any previous application by him has been denied, and whether he has any physical defects which would interfere with his operating a motor vehicle safely upon the highways. The commissioner shall adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as he deems appropriate requiring additional documents, materials, information or physical evidence to be provided by the applicant as may be necessary to establish the identity of the applicant and that the applicant is not present in the United States or the State of Mississippi illegally.
(3) Whenever a person who has applied for or who has been issued a license or permit under this article moves from the address listed in the application or on the permit or license, or whenever the name of a licensee changes by marriage or otherwise, such person, within thirty (30) days thereafter, shall notify, in writing, the Department of Public Safety, Driver Services Division, and inform the department of his or her previous address and new address and of his or her former name and new name. The department shall not change the name of a licensee or permittee on his or her license or permit unless the applicant appears in person at an office of the department and provides a certified copy of his or her marriage license, court order, birth certificate or divorce decree changing the licensee's or permittee's name.
(4) (a) Any male who is at least eighteen (18) years of age but less than twenty-six (26) years of age and who applies for a permit or license or a renewal of a permit or license under this chapter shall be registered in compliance with the requirements of Section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act, 50 USCS Appx 451 et seq., as amended.
(b) The department shall forward in an electronic format the necessary personal information of the applicant to the Selective Service System. The applicant's submission of the application shall serve as an indication that the applicant either has already registered with the Selective Service System or that he is authorizing the department to forward to the Selective Service System the necessary information for registration. The commissioner shall notify the applicant on, or as a part of, the application that his submission of the application will serve as his consent to registration with the Selective Service System, if so required. The commissioner also shall notify any male applicant under the age of eighteen (18) that he will be registered upon turning age eighteen (18) as required by federal law.
SECTION 13. Section 63-1-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-33. (1) Except as otherwise provided under subsection (6) of this section, it shall be the duty of the license examiner, when application is made for an operator's license or regular learner's permit, to test the applicant's ability to read and understand road signs and to give the required signals as adopted by the National Advisory Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
(2) Except as otherwise provided under subsection (6) of this section, the commissioner shall have prepared and administer a test composed of at least ten (10) questions relating to the safe operation of a motor vehicle and testing the applicant's knowledge of the proper operation of a motor vehicle. Every examination shall ensure adequate knowledge on the part of the applicant as to school bus safety requirements.
(3) Prior to the administration of the test, the license examiner shall inspect the horn, lights, brakes, vehicle registration and proof of liability coverage of the motor vehicle which the applicant expects to operate while being tested, and if he finds that any of the aforementioned items are deficient, no license or endorsement shall be issued to the applicant until same have been repaired.
(4) An applicant for a Mississippi driver's license who, at the time of application, holds a valid motor vehicle driver's license issued by another state shall not be required to take a written test.
(5) Except as otherwise provided by Section 63-1-6, when application is made for an original motorcycle endorsement, the applicant shall be required to pass a written test which consists of questions relating to the safe operation of a motorcycle and a skill test similar to the "Motorcycle Operator Skill Test," which is endorsed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. The commissioner may exempt any applicant from the skill test if the applicant presents a certificate showing successful completion of a course approved by the commissioner, which includes a similar examination of skills needed in the safe operation of a motorcycle.
(6) The Department of Public Safety may accept the certification of successful completion of an individual's training in the knowledge and skills needed for the proper and safe operation of a motor vehicle from a driver education and training program at a secondary school that meets the standards of the department, in lieu of the department administering the examination of the individual for the purpose of obtaining a driver's license. The commissioner and the State Board of Education shall jointly promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of this subsection.
SECTION 14. Section 63-1-34, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-34. From and after January 1, 1991, the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television shall prepare and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall make available for loan to applicants for driving permits and licenses under this article and under Article 5 of this chapter, who are reading impaired, video tapes of instructional material designed to assist such applicants in preparing for driver's license examinations. The commissioner shall be authorized to charge and collect a fee from any person to whom any such video tape is loaned, such fee to serve as security for the return of the video tape and which fee shall be refunded to the person upon return of the video tape to the commissioner. Such fee shall be in an amount as the commissioner determines necessary to defray the actual cost to the commissioner in replacing the video tape but shall not exceed the amount of the fee provided by law to be paid for the issuance of the class of driver's license for which the person is applying. The video tape shall be returned, in good working order, to the location that such tape was borrowed in order for the individual to receive his security refund. In the event such tape is not returned within thirty (30) days from time of rental all security fees will be forfeited to the Department of Public Safety. Such security funds and all forfeited fees shall be placed in a separate interest-bearing account known as the "Driver License Educational Fund for the Reading Impaired." All forfeited security fees shall be used to replace unreturned tapes and to offset the cost of this program.
SECTION 15. Section 63-1-34.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-34.1. (1) The Commissioner of Public Safety may issue a limited driver's license for persons using bioptic telescopic lenses. The license shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance. The commissioner may require the reevaluation of a licensee before the reissuance of a limited driver's license.
(2) The commissioner shall prepare and administer a test for the central and peripheral vision of persons using bioptic telescopic lenses. If the person passes the test and is otherwise qualified, the person may receive a license under this section.
(3) The commissioner may issue a one-year driving rehabilitation permit subject to such restrictions as the commissioner may require.
(4) The fee for a license or permit issued under this section shall be the fee required for one-year licenses under Section 63-1-43, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(5) The commissioner may impose restrictions on any license or permit issued under this section and may issue rules and regulations governing such licenses and permits.
SECTION 16. Section 63-1-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-35. (1) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall prescribe the form of license issued pursuant to this article which shall, among other features, include a driver's license number assigned by the Department of Public Safety. A licensee shall list his social security number with the department which shall cross reference the social security number with the driver's license number for purposes of identification. Additionally, each license shall bear a full-face color photograph of the licensee in such form that the license and the photograph cannot be separated. The photograph shall be taken so that one (1) exposure will photograph the applicant and the application simultaneously on the same film. The department shall use a process in the issuance of a license with a color photograph that shall prevent as nearly as possible any alteration, counterfeiting, duplication, reproduction, forging or modification of the license or the superimposition of a photograph without ready detection. The photograph shall be replaced by the department at the time of renewal. Drivers' licenses, including photographs appearing thereon, may be renewed by electronic means according to rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner in conformity to Section 27-104-33.
(2) The commissioner shall prescribe the form of license issued pursuant to this article to licensees who are not United States citizens and who do not possess a social security number issued by the United States government. The license of such persons shall include a number and/or other identifying features.
(3) Any new, renewal or duplicate driver's license, temporary driving permit, intermediate license or commercial driver's license issued to a person required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 45-33-25 shall bear a designation identifying the licensee or permittee as a sex offender.
(4) The commissioner is authorized to provide the new, renewal or duplicate driver's license, temporary driving permit, intermediate license or commercial driver's license to any honorably discharged veteran as defined in Title 38 of the United States Code, and such license or permit shall exhibit the letters "Vet" or any other mark identifying the person as a veteran. The veteran requesting the "Vet" designation shall present his DD-214 or equivalent document that includes a notation from the state Veterans Affairs Board that the applicant is a veteran.
SECTION 17. Section 63-1-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-43. (1) The commissioner shall charge and collect the following fees:
(a) Fees to which the card stock fee authorized in Section 45-1-21 shall be added:
Class R original or renewal four-year license
authorized in Section 63-1-5......................... $18.00
Class R original or renewal eight-year license
authorized in Section 63-1-5......................... $36.00
Class D original or renewal four-year license
authorized in Section 63-1-47........................ $23.00
Class D original or renewal eight-year license
authorized in Section 63-1-47........................ $46.00
Four-year Identification Card authorized in
Section 45-35-7...................................... $11.00
Eight-year Identification Card authorized in
Section 45-35-7...................................... $22.00
Eight-year Identification Card for the blind
authorized in Section 45-35-7........................ $11.00
Four-year Disability Identification Card authorized in
Section 45-35-53..................................... $11.00
Regular Learner's Permit authorized in Section 63-1-21..... $ 1.00
Duplicate Identification Card or Disability
Identification Card.................................. $ 5.00
Intermediate license authorized in Section 63-1-21......... $ 5.00
Duplicate Class R or Class D license
authorized in Section 63-1-37........................ $ 5.00
Class A, B or C Commercial driver's license
authorized in Section 63-1-208....................... $48.00
CDL Learner's Permit authorized in Section 63-1-208........ $10.00
Duplicate CDL or CDL learner's permit..................... $ 5.00
Ignition-Interlock-Restricted License
authorized in Section 63-11-31....................... $50.00
(b) Driver services fees to which the card stock fee authorized in Section 45-1-21 is not added:
Temporary Motorcycle Permit............................... $ 1.00
Four-year or eight-year Motorcycle Endorsement............. $ 5.00
Late Renewal Fee......................................... $ 1.00
Four-year Identification Card upon medical reason for
surrender of a driver's license as authorized in
Section 45-35-7 (one (1) time only).................. No fee
Hazardous Materials Background Check (federal)............. $63.00
Hazardous Materials Background Check (state)............... $37.00
CDL Application Fee....................................... $25.00
CDL Endorsements:
Tanker Endorsement....................................... $ 5.00
Doubles/Triples Endorsement............................... $ 5.00
Passenger Endorsement..................................... $ 5.00
Hazardous Materials Endorsement........................... $ 5.00
School Bus Endorsement.................................... $ 5.00
(c) In addition to the fees required in this section, an applicant may contribute an additional One Dollar ($1.00) which shall be deposited into the Statewide Litter Prevention Fund. The applicant shall be informed that he may contribute an additional One Dollar ($1.00) which shall be deposited into the Statewide Litter Prevention Fund and shall be expended solely for the purpose of funding litter prevention projects or litter education programs, as recommended by the Statewide Litter Prevention Program of Keep Mississippi Beautiful, Inc.
(2) All originals and renewals of operators' licenses shall be in compliance with Section 63-1-47.
SECTION 18. Section 63-1-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-45. (1) License examiners shall keep a complete record of all funds received from applicants upon forms to be prescribed and furnished by the department out of the operating funds of the department. Application forms shall be printed in book form and serially numbered and in such form that the original thereof may be transmitted by the license examiner to the commissioner, together with the renewal fee. A copy signed by the examiner shall be given to the applicant, and a copy shall be retained by the examiner. The license examiner shall, not later than ten (10) days from the date of an application, transmit the application, together with the fee, to the commissioner. The application blanks and funds shall be subject to audit at any time. The commissioner shall maintain records of all application forms on hand and issued to the examiners, who shall be charged therewith. The receipt provided for in this section shall be the only valid and recognized form of receipt for fees paid by applicants, and the receipt shall be sufficient in lieu of the renewed license for a period of sixty (60) days or until the renewed license has been issued to the applicant by the commissioner.
(2) There shall be tendered with all applications for a temporary driving permit, temporary motorcycle driving permit, initial issuance of any license issued pursuant to this article, renewal licenses, duplicate licenses or any other services for which a fee is charged, the proper fee required by law by cash, certified check, money order or electronic payment as authorized under Section 27-104-33.
(3) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall deposit the amount of fees, together with all fees for duplicate licenses, permits, delinquent fees and reinstatement fees collected by him into the General Fund of the State Treasury, in accordance with the provisions of Section 45-1-23(2); however, Seven Dollars ($7.00) of the fee derived from the fee charged for original and renewal operators' licenses imposed under Section 63-1-43(1) and Four Dollars ($4.00) of the fee derived from the fee charged for original and renewal Class D commercial drivers' licenses under Section 63-1-43(4) shall be deposited into a special fund that is created in the State Treasury. Monies in the fund may be expended upon legislative appropriation solely for the purchase by the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol of patrol cars, communications equipment and weapons.
SECTION 19. Section 63-1-46, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-46. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) shall be charged for the reinstatement of a license issued under this article to every person whose license has been validly suspended, revoked or cancelled.
(b) The funds received under the provisions of this subsection shall be distributed as follows:
(i) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) shall be deposited into the State General Fund in accordance with Section 45-1-23;
(ii) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) shall be paid to the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System for funding the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System as provided under Section 25-13-7;
(iii) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 63-1-45(3) for purchases of equipment by the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol; and
(iv) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) shall be deposited into the Interlock Device Fund created in Section 63-11-33.
(2) (a) A fee of One Hundred Seventy-five Dollars ($175.00) shall be charged for the reinstatement of a license issued under this article to every person whose license has been validly suspended or revoked under the provisions of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law.
(b) The funds received under the provisions of this subsection shall be distributed as follows:
(i) One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) shall be deposited into the State General Fund in accordance with Section 45-1-23;
(ii) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) shall be paid to the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System for funding the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System as provided under Section 25-13-7;
(iii) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 63-1-45(3) for purchases of equipment by the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol; and
(iv) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) shall be deposited into the Interlock Device Fund created in Section 63-11-33.
(3) (a) A fee of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) shall be charged for the reinstatement of a license issued under this article to every person whose license has been validly suspended for nonpayment of child support under the provisions of Sections 93-11-151 through 93-11-163. The funds received under the provisions of this subsection shall be deposited into the State General Fund in accordance with Section 45-1-23.
(b) The procedure for the reinstatement of a license issued under this article that has been suspended for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153, and the payment of any fees for the reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be.
(4) A fee of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) will be charged for the reinstatement of a license that was suspended due to payment by a draft or other instrument that is dishonored by the payor.
(5) All reinstatement fees charged under this section shall be in addition to the fees prescribed in Section 63-1-43.
SECTION 20. Section 63-1-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-47. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each applicant for an original or renewal Class R or Class D license issued pursuant to this article, who is entitled to issuance of same, shall be issued a four-year license or an eight-year license, at the option of the applicant, which will expire at midnight on the licensee's birthday and may be renewed any time within six (6) months before the expiration of the license upon application and payment of the required fee, unless required to be reexamined.
(b) The term of an intermediate license issued under this article shall be one (1) year.
(c) The term of an iginition-interlock-restricted license issued under this article shall be four (4) years.
(2) Any commercial driver's license issued under Article 5 of this chapter shall be issued for a five-year term to expire at midnight on the licensee's birthday.
(3) (a) All applications by an operator under eighteen (18) years of age must be accompanied by documentation that the applicant is in compliance with the education requirements of Section 63-1-9(1)(g), and the documentation used in establishing compliance must be dated no more than thirty (30) days before the date of application.
(b) All applications by an operator under eighteen (18) years of age, if applicable, must be accompanied by documentation signed and notarized by the parent or guardian of the applicant and the appropriate school official, authorizing the release of the applicant's attendance records to the Department of Public Safety as required under Section 63-1-10.
(c) The commissioner shall suspend the driver's license, intermediate license or regular learner's permit of a student under eighteen (18) years of age who has been reported by the Department of Education as required by Section 63-1-10.1, and shall give notice of the suspension to the licensee as provided in Section 63-1-52(4). A school superintendent or designee may request that the driver's license, intermediate license or regular learner's permit that has been suspended under the provisions of this subsection be reinstated after the student has successfully completed nine (9) weeks of school attendance without an unlawful absence.
(4) (a) Any original or renewal license issued under this chapter to a person who is not a United States citizen shall expire four (4) years from the date of issuance or on the expiration date of the applicant's authorized stay in the United States, whichever is the lesser period of time, and may be renewed, if the person is otherwise qualified to renew the license, within thirty (30) days of expiration. The fee for any such license and for renewal shall be as prescribed in Section 63-1-43.
(b) Any applicant for an original or renewal license under this subsection (4) must present valid documentary evidence documenting that the applicant:
(i) Is a citizen or national of the United States;
(ii) Is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence in the United States;
(iii) Has conditional permanent residence status in the United States;
(iv) Has an approved application for asylum in the United States or has entered into the United States in refugee status;
(v) Has a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa status for entry into or lawful presence in the United States;
(vi) Has a pending application for asylum in the United States;
(vii) Has a pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
(viii) Has approved deferred-action status;
(ix) Has a pending application for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States or conditional permanent resident status in the United States; or
(x) Has a valid employment authorization card issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
SECTION 21. Section 63-1-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-49. (1) An expired license issued pursuant to this article may be renewed at any time within eighteen (18) months after the expiration date of the license upon application and payment of the required fee, and the payment of a delinquent fee prescribed in Section 63-1-43, in lieu of a driver examination, unless the holder of the expired license is required to be examined, or unless the department has reason to believe the licensee is no longer qualified to receive a license.
(2) (a) Any person in the Armed Services of the United States, who holds a valid license issued pursuant to this chapter and is out of state due to military service at the time the license expires, may renew the license by mail or by online renewal services while out of state due to military service or at any time within ninety (90) days after being discharged from military service or upon returning to the state without payment of any delinquent fee or examination, unless the department has reason to believe that the licensee is no longer qualified to receive a license. The person shall make proof by affidavit of the fact of the person's current military service or of the time of discharge or return. The expiration of the license of a military person under the provisions of this paragraph (a) shall not affect the validity of the license, but the license shall continue to be valid and permit the person to operate a motor vehicle in this state for a period of ninety (90) days after discharge from military service or return to the state or until renewal of the license, whichever occurs first.
(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) also apply to a dependent of a person in the Armed Services of the United States who is out of state due to military service if the dependent resides out of state with the Armed Services member and the license of the dependent expires during the family member's absence from the state. The Commissioner of Public Safety may adopt such rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedures Act as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this paragraph.
(3) Any person holding a valid license issued pursuant to this article who is going overseas for two (2) to four (4) years and whose license will expire during the stay overseas may renew the license for four (4) years or eight (8) years before leaving. The person shall make proof by affidavit of the fact of the overseas travel.
SECTION 22. Section 63-1-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-51. (1) It shall be the duty of the court clerk, upon conviction of any person holding a license issued pursuant to this article where the penalty for a traffic violation is as much as Ten Dollars ($10.00), to mail a copy of abstract of the court record or provide an electronically or computer generated copy of abstract of the court record immediately to the commissioner at Jackson, Mississippi, showing the date of conviction, penalty, etc., so that a record of same may be made by the Department of Public Safety. The commissioner shall forthwith revoke the license of any person for a period of one (1) year upon receiving a duly certified record of each person's convictions of any of the following offenses when such conviction has become final:
(a) Manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;
(b) Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used;
(c) Failure to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another;
(d) Perjury or the willful making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the department under this article or under any other law relating to the ownership or operation of motor vehicles; or
(e) Conviction, or forfeiture of bail not vacated, upon three (3) charges of reckless driving committed within a period of twelve (12) months.
(2) The commissioner shall revoke the license issued pursuant to this article of any person convicted of negligent homicide, in addition to any penalty now provided by law.
(3) In addition to the reasons specified in this section, the commissioner shall be authorized to suspend the license issued to any person pursuant to this article for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this article, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
SECTION 23. Section 63-1-52, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-52. (1) Whenever the Commissioner of Public Safety suspends, cancels or revokes the driver's license or driving privileges of any person, notice of the suspension, cancellation or revocation shall be given to such person by the commissioner, or his duly authorized agent, in the manner provided in subsection (2) of this section and at the time provided in subsection (3) of this section or in the manner and at the time provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(2) Notice shall be given in the following manner:
(a) In writing, (i) by United States Certificate of Mailing; or (ii) by personal service at the person's address as it appears on the driving record maintained by the Department of Public Safety or at the person's last-known address; or (iii) by personal notice being given by any law enforcement officer of this state or any duly authorized agent of the Commissioner of Public Safety on forms prescribed and furnished by the Commissioner of Public Safety; whenever a person's driver's license or driving privileges are suspended, revoked or cancelled in accordance with the Mississippi Driver License Compact Law, the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law or subsection (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e) or (2)(f) of Section 63-1-53.
(b) In writing, by United States first class mail, whenever a person's driver's license or driving privileges are suspended, revoked or cancelled in accordance with the Mississippi Commercial Driver's License Law, the Youth Court Law, Chapter 23 of Title 43, Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 63-1-45, Section 63-1-51, subsection (2)(g) or (2)(h) of Section 63-1-53, or Section 63-9-25.
(3) Notice shall be given at the following time:
(a) Before suspension, revocation or cancellation, whenever a person's driver's license or driving privileges are suspended, revoked or cancelled in accordance with the Mississippi Driver License Compact Law, the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law or subsection (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e) or (2)(f) of Section 63-1-53.
(b) Unless otherwise specifically provided for by law, at the time of suspension, revocation or cancellation, whenever a person's driver's license or driving privileges are suspended, revoked or cancelled in accordance with the Mississippi Commercial Driver's License Law, the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, the Youth Court Law, Chapter 23 of Title 43, Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 63-1-45, Section 63-1-51, subsection (2)(g) or (2)(h) of Section 63-1-53, or Section 63-9-25.
(4) Whenever the Commissioner of Public Safety suspends, revokes or cancels the driver's license or driving privileges of any person in accordance with some provision of law other than a provision of law referred to in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, and the manner and time for giving notice is not provided for in such law, then notice of such suspension, revocation or cancellation shall be given in the manner and at the time provided for under subsections (2)(b) and (3)(b) of this section.
SECTION 24. Section 63-1-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-53. (1) Upon failure of any person to pay timely any fine, fee or assessment levied as a result of any violation of this title, the clerk of the court shall give written notice to such person by United States first-class mail at his last known address advising such person that, if within ninety (90) days after such notice is deposited in the mail, the person has not paid the entire amount of all fines, fees and assessments levied, then the court will pursue collection as for any other delinquent payment, and shall be entitled to collection of all additional fees in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.
(2) The commissioner is hereby authorized to suspend the license of an operator without preliminary hearing upon a showing by his records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:
(a) Has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction except under the provisions of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law;
(b) Has been involved as a driver in any accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another or serious property damage;
(c) Is an habitually reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle;
(d) Has been convicted with such frequency of serious offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways;
(e) Is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle;
(f) Has permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of such license;
(g) Has committed an offense in another state which if committed in this state would be grounds for suspension or revocation; or
(h) Has committed a violation for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction, entering a plea of nolo contendere to, or adjudication of delinquency, pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) of Section 63-1-71.
(3) Notice that a person's license is suspended or will be suspended under subsection (2) of this section shall be given by the commissioner in the manner and at the time provided for under Section 63-1-52, and upon such person's request, he shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing as early as practicable, but not to exceed twenty (20) days after receipt of such request in the county wherein the licensee resides unless the department and the licensee agree that such hearing may be held in some other county. Upon such hearing the commissioner, or his duly authorized agent, may administer oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers and may require a reexamination of the licensee. Upon such hearing the commissioner shall either rescind any order of suspension or, good cause appearing therefor, may extend any suspension of such license or revoke such license.
(4) If a licensee has not paid all cash appearance bonds authorized under Section 99-19-3 or all fines, fees or other assessments levied as a result of a violation of this title within ninety (90) days after receiving notice of the licensee's failure to pay all fines, fees or other assessments as provided in subsection (1) of this section, the court is authorized to pursue collection under Section 21-17-1(6) or 19-3-41(2) as for any other delinquent payment, and shall be entitled to collection of all additional fees authorized under those sections.
SECTION 25. Section 63-1-71, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-71. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 63-11-30(3) and in addition to any penalty authorized by the Uniform Controlled Substances Law or any other statute indicating the dispositions that can be ordered for an adjudication of delinquency, every person convicted of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, or entering a plea of nolo contendere thereto, or adjudicated delinquent therefor, in a court of this state, the United States, another state, a territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, shall forthwith forfeit his right to operate a motor vehicle over the highways of this state for a period of not less than six (6) months. In the case of any person who at the time of the imposition of sentence does not have a driver's license or is less than sixteen (16) years of age, the period of the suspension of driving privileges authorized herein shall commence on the day the sentence is imposed and shall run for a period of not less than six (6) months after the day the person obtains a driver's license or reaches the age of sixteen (16). If the driving privilege of any person is under revocation or suspension at the time of any conviction or adjudication of delinquency for driving under the influence of a controlled substance, the revocation or suspension period imposed herein shall commence as of the date of termination of the existing revocation or suspension.
(2) The court in this state before whom any person is convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for driving under the influence of a controlled substance shall collect forthwith the Mississippi driver's license of the person and forward such license to the Department of Public Safety along with a report indicating the first and last day of the suspension or revocation period imposed pursuant to this section. If the court is for any reason unable to collect the license of the person, the court shall cause a report of the conviction or adjudication of delinquency to be filed with the Commissioner of Public Safety. That report shall include the complete name, address, date of birth, eye color and sex of the person and shall indicate the first and last day of the suspension or revocation period imposed by the court pursuant to this section. The court shall inform the person orally and in writing that if the person is convicted of personally operating a motor vehicle during the period of license suspension or revocation imposed pursuant to this section, the person shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties set forth in Section 63-11-40. A person shall be required to acknowledge receipt of the written notice in writing. Failure to receive a written notice or failure to acknowledge in writing the receipt of a written notice shall not be a defense to a subsequent charge of a violation of Section 63-11-40. If the person is the holder of a driver's license from another jurisdiction, the court shall not collect the license but shall notify forthwith the Commissioner of Public Safety who shall notify the appropriate officials in the licensing jurisdiction. The court shall, however, in accordance with the provisions of this section, revoke the person's nonresident driving privilege in this state.
(3) The county court or circuit court having jurisdiction, on petition, may reduce the suspension of driving privileges under this section if the suspension would constitute a hardship on the offender. When the petition is filed, such person shall pay to the circuit clerk of the court where the petition is filed a fee of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) for each year, or portion thereof, of license revocation or suspension remaining under the original sentence, which shall be deposited into the State General Fund to the credit of a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury to be used for alcohol or drug abuse treatment and education, upon appropriation by the Legislature. This fee shall be in addition to any other court costs or fees required for the filing of petitions.
SECTION 26. Section 63-1-107, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-107. As used in the compact, the term "licensing authority" with reference to this state, shall mean the department of public safety. The commissioner of public safety shall furnish to the appropriate authorities of any other party state any information or documents reasonably necessary to facilitate the administration of Articles III, IV and V of the compact.
SECTION 27. Section 63-1-109, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-109. The commissioner of public safety as compact administrator provided for in Article VII of the compact shall not be entitled to any additional compensation on account of his service as such administrator. However, he shall be entitled to expenses incurred in connection with his duties and responsibilities as such administrator, in the same manner as for expenses incurred in connection with any other duties or responsibilities of his office or employment.
SECTION 28. Section 63-1-111, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-111. Any court or other agency of this state, or a subdivision thereof, which has jurisdiction to take any action suspending, revoking or otherwise limiting a license to drive, shall report any such action and the adjudication upon which it is based to the commissioner of public safety in the manner and within the time provided by subsection (1) of section 63-1-51 and section 63-1-55.
SECTION 29. Section 63-1-202, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-202. The purpose of this article is to implement the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (49 USCS Appx. Section 2701 et seq.), hereinafter referred to as "CMVSA," and thereby prevent the loss to the State of Mississippi of substantial federal highway funds as a penalty for failure to comply therewith.
This article is a remedial law which should be liberally construed to promote public health, safety and welfare. The provisions of Article 1 of this chapter, being the Highway Safety Patrol and Driver's License Law of 1938, and the provisions of Title 63, Chapter 11, Mississippi Code of 1972, being the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, including penalties for violations thereof, shall be applicable to the provisions of this article to the extent that such laws do not conflict with the provisions of this article. If any provisions of this article conflict with the provisions of the Highway Safety Patrol and Driver's License Law of 1938 or the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, then the provisions of this article shall control.
SECTION 30. Section 63-1-205, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-205. The driver of a commercial motor vehicle shall notify the state and employers of convictions as follows:
(a) The state. Any driver of a commercial motor vehicle holding a driver's license issued by this state who is convicted of violating any state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control in any other state or federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal laws of Canada, other than parking violations, shall notify the commissioner in the manner specified by the commissioner within thirty (30) days of the date of conviction.
(b) Employers. Any driver of a commercial motor vehicle holding a driver's license issued by this state who is convicted of violating any state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control in this or any other state or federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal laws of Canada, other than parking violations, shall notify the driver's employer in writing of the conviction within thirty (30) days of the date of conviction.
(c) Notification of suspensions, revocations and cancellations. A driver whose driver's license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled by any state, who loses the privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle in any state for any period, or who is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for any period, shall notify the driver's employer of that fact before the end of the business day following the day the driver received notice of that fact.
(d) Notification of previous employment. Any person who applies to be a commercial motor vehicle driver must provide the employer, at the time of the application, with the following information for the ten (10) years preceding the date of application:
(i) A list of the names and addresses of the applicant's previous employers for which the applicant was a driver of a commercial motor vehicle;
(ii) The dates between which the applicant drove for each employer; and
(iii) The reason for leaving that employer.
The applicant must certify that all information furnished is true and complete. An employer may require an applicant to provide additional information.
SECTION 31. Section 63-1-208, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-208. (1) Except as otherwise provided, the commissioner shall not issue a commercial driver's license and commercial learner's permit to any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years.
(2) No person may be issued a commercial driver's license unless that person is domiciled in this state and has passed a knowledge and skills test for driving a commercial motor vehicle which complies with minimum federal standards established by federal regulation enumerated in 49 CFR, Part 383, subparts F, G and H and has satisfied all other requirements of Title XII of Public Law 99-570 in addition to other requirements imposed by state law or federal regulation. The tests shall be prescribed and conducted by the commissioner. If the applicant wishes to have a hazardous materials endorsement, the written test for a hazardous materials endorsement must be taken and passed. In addition, the applicant must successfully complete the security threat assessment required by 49 CFR, Part 1572.
(3) The commissioner may authorize a person, including an agency of this or another state, an employer, a private driver training facility, or other private institution, or a department, agency or instrumentality of local government, to administer the skills test specified by this section, provided:
(a) The test is the same as would otherwise be administered by the state; and
(b) The third party has entered into an agreement with this state which complies with requirements of 49 CFR, Part 383.75.
(4) A skills test may be waived as follows:
(a) The commissioner, by rules adopted pursuant to the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, shall provide for a waiver of the skills test specified in this section for a commercial driver's license applicant who meets the requirements of 49 CFR, Part 383.77;
(b) The rules may establish deadlines by which applicants must claim entitlement and qualification to skills test waivers and may provide for the scheduling of group knowledge testing;
(c) The commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subsection (4) as soon as practicable after July 1, 2017, but in any case no later than July 1, 2018.
(5) A commercial learner's permit shall be issued as follows:
(a) A commercial learner's permit may be issued to an individual who holds a valid Mississippi driver's license who has passed the vision and written tests required for the class of license authorizing the operation of the type of vehicle for which the permit application is being made;
(b) The commercial learner's permit shall be issued for a period of six (6) months for the fee prescribed in Section 63-1-43. Only one (1) renewal or reissuance may be granted within a two-year period. The holder of a commercial learner's permit may, unless otherwise disqualified, drive a commercial motor vehicle on a highway only when accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license valid for the type of vehicle driven who occupies a seat beside the individual for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the commercial motor vehicle.
(6) A commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit may not be issued to a person while the person is subject to a disqualification from driving a commercial motor vehicle, or while the person's driver's license is suspended, revoked or cancelled in any state. A driver's license may not be issued to a person who has a commercial driver's license issued by any state unless the person first surrenders all driver's licenses issued by any state, which licenses shall be returned to the issuing states for cancellation.
(7) A person shall be entitled to take the test for a commercial driver's license unless the person's driver's license is, at the time of the requested test, suspended, revoked, cancelled or disqualified in any other state.
(8) Notwithstanding any requirement imposed by state law or state or federal regulations restricting the issuance of a commercial driver's license to a person suffering from diabetes, a person suffering from diabetes may be issued a commercial driver's license if the person otherwise meets all qualifications for issuance provided:
(a) The driver is physically examined every year, including an examination by a board-certified/eligible endocrinologist attesting to the fact that the driver is:
(i) Free of insulin reactions (an individual is free of insulin reactions if that individual does not have severe hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia unawareness, and has less than one (1) documented, symptomatic hypoglycemic reaction per month);
(ii) Able to and has demonstrated willingness to properly monitor and manage the person's diabetes; and
(iii) Not likely to suffer any diminution in driving ability due to the person's diabetic condition.
(b) The driver agrees to and complies with the following conditions:
(i) A source of rapidly absorbable glucose shall be carried at all times while driving;
(ii) Blood glucose levels shall be self-monitored one (1) hour prior to driving and at least once every four (4) hours while driving or on duty prior to driving using a portable glucose monitoring device equipped with a computerized memory;
(iii) Submit blood glucose logs to the endocrinologist or medical examiner at the annual examination or when otherwise directed by the Department of Public Safety;
(iv) Provide a copy of the endocrinologist's report to the medical examiner at the time of the annual medical examination; and
(v) Provide a copy of the annual medical certification to the person's employer for retention in the driver's qualification file and retain a copy of the certification on his person while driving for presentation to a duly authorized federal, state or local enforcement official.
(c) The commercial license issued under this subsection (8) will bear an endorsement restricting commercial driving on the license to driving only within the boundaries of Mississippi.
(9) The fees for all licenses, permits, renewals and endorsements shall be as prescribed in Section 63-1-43.
SECTION 32. Section 63-1-209, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-209. The commissioner may issue a nonresident commercial driver's license to a person domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction if the United States Secretary of Transportation has determined that the commercial motor vehicle testing and licensing standards in the foreign jurisdiction do not meet the testing standards established in 49 CFR, Part 383. In addition, the commissioner may issue a nonresident commercial driver's license to a person domiciled in a state while that state is prohibited from issuing commercial driver's licenses in accordance with 49 CFR, Part 384.405. The word "nonresident" must appear on the face of the nonresident commercial driver's license. An applicant shall surrender any nonresident commercial driver's license issued by another state. Prior to issuing a nonresident commercial driver's license, the commissioner shall establish the practical capability of revoking or suspending the nonresident commercial driver's license.
SECTION 33. Section 63-1-210, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-210. (1) The application for a commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit shall include the following:
(a) The full name and current mailing and residential addresses of the person.
(b) A physical description of the person, including sex, height and weight.
(c) Date of birth.
(d) The applicant's social security number.
(e) The person's signature.
(f) Certifications that:
(i) For an applicant who operates or expects to operate in interstate or foreign commerce or who is otherwise subject to 49 CFR, Part 391, the applicant meets the qualification requirements contained in Part 391; or for an applicant who operates or expects to operate entirely in intrastate commerce and who is not subject to Part 391, that the applicant is subject to state driver qualification requirements and is not subject to Part 391;
(ii) The motor vehicle in which the applicant's skills test will be taken is representative of the type of motor vehicle that the applicant operates or expects to operate;
(iii) The applicant is not subject to any disqualification under 49 CFR, Part 385.51, or any license suspension, revocation, or cancellation under state law; and
(iv) The applicant does not have a driver's license from more than one (1) state or jurisdiction.
(g) Any other information required by the commissioner, including, but not limited to, the names of all states or jurisdictions where the applicant has been licensed to operate any type of motor vehicle during the previous ten (10) years.
(h) The application shall be accompanied by a fee as prescribed in Section 63-1-43.
(2) When a licensee or permittee changes his or her name, mailing address, or residence or in the case of the loss, mutilation, or destruction of a license or permit, the licensee or permittee shall notify the commissioner within sixty (60) days and apply in person for a duplicate license or permit in the same manner as set forth in subsection (1) of this section. The fee for a duplicate license or permit shall be as prescribed in Section 63-1-43.
(3) A person who has been a resident of this state for more than thirty (30) days shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle under the authority of a commercial driver's license issued by another jurisdiction.
(4) Any person who knowingly falsifies information or certifications required under subsection (1) of this section shall have the person's commercial driver's license revoked. Such persons may reapply for a commercial driver's license no sooner than sixty (60) days after the revocation.
(5) (a) Any male who is at least eighteen (18) years of age but less than twenty-six (26) years of age and who applies for or renews a commercial driver's license or renewal of a commercial learner's permit under this article shall be registered in compliance with the requirements of Section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act, 50 USCS Appx. 451 et seq., as amended.
(b) The department shall forward in an electronic format the necessary personal information of the applicant to the Selective Service System. The applicant's submission of the application shall serve as an indication that the applicant either has already registered with the Selective Service System or that he is authorizing the department to forward to the Selective Service System the necessary information for registration. The commissioner shall notify the applicant on, or as a part of, the application that his submission of the application will serve as his consent to registration with the Selective Service System, if so required. The commissioner also shall notify any male applicant under the age of eighteen (18) that he will be registered upon turning age eighteen (18) as required by federal law.
SECTION 34. Section 63-1-211, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-211. (1) Contents of license. A commercial driver's license shall be marked "commercial driver's license" or "CDL," and shall be, to the maximum extent practicable, tamper proof, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(a) The name and residential address of the person.
(b) The person's color photograph or imaged likeness.
(c) A physical description of the person including sex, height, and weight.
(d) Date of birth.
(e) Any number or identifier deemed appropriate by the commissioner.
(f) The person's signature.
(g) The class or type of commercial motor vehicle or vehicles which the person is authorized to drive together with any endorsements or restrictions.
(h) The name of this state.
(i) The dates between which the license is valid.
(2) Classifications, endorsements and restrictions. Driver's licenses may be issued with the following classifications, endorsements, and restrictions:
(a) Classifications. Licensees may drive all vehicles in the class for which the license is issued and all lesser classes of vehicles, except those requiring special endorsements.
(i) Class A - Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one (26,001) pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle being towed is in excess of ten thousand (10,000) pounds.
(ii) Class B - Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one (26,001) pounds or more, and any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of ten thousand (10,000) pounds.
(iii) Class C - Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one (26,001) pounds:
1. Vehicles designed to transport sixteen (16) or more passengers, including the driver; and
2. Vehicles used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in Section 63-1-203.
(iv) Class D - Class D licenses are not commercial driver's licenses and shall be governed by the provisions of Section 63-1-5.
(b) Licenses may be issued with appropriate endorsements and restrictions noted thereon. The commissioner shall determine the manner of notation. Endorsements and restrictions may include, but are not limited to, those which:
(i) Authorize a driver to drive a vehicle transporting hazardous materials;
(ii) Restrict the driver to vehicles not equipped with air brakes when the person either fails the air brake component of the knowledge test or performs the skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes;
(iii) Authorize driving motorcycles that are not autocycles as defined in Section 63-3-103;
(iv) Authorize driving tank vehicles;
(v) Authorize driving vehicles carrying passengers;
(vi) Authorize driving school buses;
(vii) Authorize driving double trailers;
(viii) Restrict the driver to operation solely within this state. A commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit with this restriction may be issued to any person who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years.
(3) Before issuing a commercial driver's license, the commissioner shall request the applicant's complete operating record from any state in which the applicant was previously licensed to operate any type of motor vehicle in the past ten (10) years, conduct a check of the applicant's operating record by querying the national driver register, established under 49 USCS Section 30302, and the Commercial Driver's License Information System, established under 49 USCS Section 31309, to determine if:
(a) The applicant has already been issued a commercial driver's license; and the applicant's commercial driver's license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled;
(b) The applicant had been convicted of any offenses contained in Section 205(a)(3) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982 (23 USCS Section 401 note).
(4) Within ten (10) days after issuing a commercial driver's license, the commissioner shall notify the Commercial Driver License Information System of that fact, providing all information required to ensure identification of the person.
(5) The commercial driver's license shall expire in the manner set forth in Section 63-1-47.
(6) When applying for renewal of a commercial driver's license, the applicant shall complete the application form required by Section 63-1-210, providing updated information and required certifications. If the applicant wishes to retain a hazardous materials endorsement, the written test for a hazardous materials endorsement must be taken and passed. In addition, the applicant must successfully complete the security threat assessment required by 49 CFR, Part 1572. If notice is received from the United States Transportation Security Administration that the applicant poses a security risk, the commissioner shall refuse to issue, or revoke within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the notice, a hazardous materials endorsement.
(7) The department shall provide a means for electronic transmission of a medical card and may charge a vendor convenience fee in an amount not to exceed Two Dollars and Fifty Cents ($2.50) per transmission.
SECTION 35. Section 63-1-212, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-212. (1) After suspending, revoking, or disqualifying a person from holding a commercial driver's license, the commissioner shall update the person's records to reflect that action within ten (10) days. After suspending, revoking, or disqualifying a nonresident commercial driver's privileges, the commissioner shall notify the licensing authority of the state which issued the commercial driver's license or commercial driver certificate within ten (10) days, including in the notice both the disqualification period and the reason for the disqualification.
(2) Upon receipt from another jurisdiction of the prior record of an applicant for a commercial driver's license or a commercial learner's permit, the commissioner shall incorporate the prior record into the applicant's driver record and, in the case of adverse information, promptly implement any disqualification, licensing limitations, denials, and penalties that are required under 49 CFR, Part 384, that have not been applied by those jurisdictions where the applicant was previously licensed.
SECTION 36. Section 63-1-213, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-213. When any person operating a commercial motor vehicle or who holds a commercial driver's license issued by another state is convicted in this state of any violation of state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than parking violations, the commissioner shall notify the driver licensing authority in the licensing state of the conviction within ten (10) days of the date of conviction.
SECTION 37. Section 63-1-214, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-214. The commissioner may enter into or make agreements, arrangements or declarations to carry out the provisions of this article.
SECTION 38. Section 63-1-215, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-215. (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a person may drive a commercial motor vehicle in this state if the person has a valid commercial driver's license issued by:
(a) Any state of the United States;
(b) Any province or territory of Canada in accordance with the minimum federal standards for the issuance of commercial motor vehicle driver's licenses; or
(c) The Licensia Federal de Conductor issued by the Republic of Mexico, if the person's license is not suspended, revoked, or canceled and if the person is not disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle and is not in violation of an out-of-service order.
(2) The commissioner shall give all out-of-state convictions full faith and credit and treat them for sanctioning purposes under this article as if they occurred in this state.
(3) The commissioner shall record disqualifications and convictions received from other jurisdictions regarding Mississippi operators.
SECTION 39. Section 63-1-216, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-216. (1) (a) A person shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of one (1) year if the person's license or permit to drive has been administratively suspended under Section 63-11-23 or the person has been convicted of a first violation of:
(i) Operating, attempting to operate, or being in actual physical control of a commercial motor vehicle on a highway with an alcohol concentration of four one-hundredths percent (0.04%) or more, or under the influence as provided in Section 63-11-30;
(ii) Failure to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another;
(iii) Using a motor vehicle in the commission of any offense under state or federal law that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one (1) year;
(iv) Refusal to submit to a test to determine the operator's alcohol concentration, as provided in Title 63, Chapter 11, Mississippi Code of 1972;
(v) Operating, attempting to operate, or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle on a highway with an alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths percent (0.08%) or more, or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or other substance, as provided in Section 63-11-30;
(vi) Operating, attempting to operate, or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle on a highway when the person is under the influence of any other drug or under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drug to a degree which renders the person incapable of driving safely as provided in Section 63-11-30;
(vii) Operating or attempting to operate a commercial motor vehicle while the license is revoked, suspended, cancelled, or disqualified;
(viii) Operating a commercial motor vehicle in a negligent manner resulting in a fatal injury.
(b) A person shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for three (3) years if convicted of a violation listed in subsection (1) of this section, if the violation occurred while transporting a hazardous material required to be placarded.
(c) A person shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for life if convicted of two (2) or more violations or a combination of them listed in subsection (1) of this section arising from two (2) or more separate occurrences.
(d) A person shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of sixty (60) days if convicted of two (2) serious traffic violations, or one hundred twenty (120) days if convicted of three (3) serious traffic violations, arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period. A disqualification for three (3) serious traffic violations must be imposed consecutively to any other previous period of disqualification.
(e) A person shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for life if the person uses a motor vehicle in the commission of any offense under state or federal law that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one (1) year involving the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a regulated drug, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a regulated drug and for which the person was convicted.
(f) A person who is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle shall surrender the person's Mississippi commercial driver's license no later than the effective date of the disqualification. Upon receipt of the person's commercial driver's license, that person, if otherwise eligible, may apply for a non-CDL, and upon payment of sufficient fees receive the driver's license.
(g) The commissioner shall adopt rules establishing guidelines, including conditions, under which a disqualification for life under this section, except for a disqualification issued pursuant to paragraph (e) of this subsection, may be reduced to a period of not less than ten (10) years.
(h) A person shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of sixty (60) days if the driver is convicted of a first violation of a railroad-highway grade crossing violation.
(i) A person shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days if, during any three-year period, the driver is convicted of a second railroad-highway grade crossing violation in a separate incident.
(j) A person shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of one (1) year if, during any three-year period, the driver is convicted of a third or subsequent railroad-highway grade crossing violation in separate incidents.
(k) A person who is simultaneously subject to a disqualification issued by the administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration pursuant to 49 CFR, Part 383.52 and a disqualification under any other provision of this section shall serve those disqualification periods concurrently.
(2) (a) A person's privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the State of Mississippi shall be suspended for one (1) year, if:
(i) The person is convicted of a first violation of operating, attempting to operate or being in actual physical control of a commercial motor vehicle on a highway with an alcohol concentration of four one-hundredths percent (0.04%) or more, or under the influence, as provided in Section 63-11-30; and
(ii) The person's commercial driver's license is issued by a state or country that does not issue commercial driver's licenses and disqualify persons in accordance with 49 CFR, Parts 383 and 384.
(b) A person's privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the State of Mississippi shall be suspended for three (3) years if the person is convicted of violating subsection (1) of this section, and the violation occurred while the person was transporting a hazardous material required to be placarded.
(c) A person's privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the State of Mississippi shall be suspended for life if the person is convicted a second time of violating subsection (1) of this section, and both convictions arise out of separate occurrences.
(d) A person's privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the State of Mississippi shall be suspended for sixty (60) days if the person is convicted of two (2) serious traffic violations, or for one hundred twenty (120) days if the person is convicted of three (3) serious traffic violations, arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period.
(e) A person's privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the State of Mississippi shall be suspended for life if the person uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any offense under state or federal law that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one (1) year, involving the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a regulated drug, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a regulated drug, and for which the person was convicted.
(f) In addition to the reasons specified in this section for suspension of the commercial driver's license, the commissioner shall be authorized to suspend the commercial driver's license of any person for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a commercial driver's license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a commercial driver's license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a commercial driver's license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this article, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
SECTION 40. Section 63-1-221, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-221. (1) An applicant for a school bus endorsement shall satisfy the following requirements:
(a) Pass the knowledge and skills test for obtaining a passenger vehicle endorsement.
(b) Pass the knowledge test covering the following topics, at minimum:
(i) Loading and unloading children, including the safe operation of stop signal devices, external mirror systems, flashing lights, and other warning and passenger safety devices required for school buses by state or federal law or regulation.
(ii) Emergency exits and procedures for safely evacuating passengers in an emergency.
(iii) State and federal laws and regulations related to traversing safely highway rail grade crossings.
(c) Pass a skills test in a school bus of the same vehicle group as the applicant will operate.
(2) The department may waive the skills test required in subsection (1)(a) of this section for an applicant who:
(a) Is currently licensed, has experience operating a school bus, and has a good operating record;
(b) Certifies, and whose certification is verified by the department, that, during the two-year period immediately prior to applying for the school bus endorsement, the applicant:
(i) Held a valid commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement to operate a school bus representative of the group the applicant will be operating;
(ii) Has not had the applicant's operator's license or commercial driver's license suspended, revoked, or cancelled or been disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle;
(iii) Has not been convicted of any offense that would require disqualification under Section 63-1-216 or 49 CFR, Part 383.51(b);
(iv) Has not had more than one (1) conviction for a serious traffic violation while operating any type of motor vehicle;
(v) Has not had any conviction for a violation of state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, arising in connection with any traffic accident;
(vi) Has not been convicted of any motor vehicle traffic violation that resulted in an accident; and
(vii) Has been regularly employed as a school bus driver and provides evidence of such employment.
SECTION 41. Section 63-1-225, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-225. Except as otherwise specifically provided by this article, any violation of this article for which the only penalty under this article is the requirement that the commissioner suspend the commercial learner's permit or commercial driver's license of a person shall not, for the purposes of this article, constitute a criminal offense. However, if a violation of this article also constitutes a criminal offense under the provisions of some other law, then any criminal penalty which may be imposed for violation of such criminal law shall be in addition to suspension of a person's license under this article.
If violation of any law of this state other than a violation of this article requires that the driver's license or driving privileges of a person be suspended, cancelled or revoked, then any suspension, cancellation or revocation imposed for violation of such law shall also result in suspension, revocation or cancellation of the person's commercial learner's permit or commercial driver's license under the provisions of this article for the same period of time and to run concurrently therewith.
If any person is disqualified under the provisions of this article and the violation is not an offense for which a person's driver's license or driving privilege is suspended, revoked or cancelled under the provisions of some law other than the provisions of this article, then the person may apply for and obtain, upon meeting all qualifications as required by law, any type of driver's license other than a commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit issued under the provisions of this article.
SECTION 42. Section 63-1-226, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-1-226. The commissioner is authorized to make use of the facilities and property upon which are located inspection stations, as prescribed in Sections 27-5-71 and 27-5-73, for the purpose of commercial driver's license testing sites under the Mississippi Commercial Driver's License Law. The State Tax Commission shall cooperate with the Commissioner of Public Safety in making such property and facilities available for such use; however, the use of the inspection stations by the Commissioner of Public Safety shall not unreasonably interfere with the duties of the State Tax Commission.
SECTION 43. Section 63-3-401, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-3-401. (1) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of Section 63-3-405.
(2) Every stop under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be made without obstructing traffic or endangering the life of any person more than is necessary.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, if any driver of a vehicle involved in an accident that results in injury to any person willfully fails to stop or to comply with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, then such person, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than one (1) year, or by fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(4) If any driver of a vehicle involved in an accident that results in the death of another or the mutilation, disfigurement, permanent disability or the destruction of the tongue, eye, lip, nose or any other limb, organ or member of another willfully fails to stop or to comply with the requirements under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, then such person, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five (5) nor more than twenty (20) years, or by fine of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(5) The commissioner shall revoke the driver's license of any person convicted under this section.
SECTION 44. Section 63-3-502, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-3-502. (1) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Motor vehicle" has the meaning ascribed in Section 27-19-3.
(b) "Motorcycle" has the meaning ascribed in Section 27-19-3.
(c) "Street" or "highway" means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for purposes of vehicular traffic.
(2) Any person driving a motor vehicle or motorcycle upon a street or highway in a race, upon conviction, shall be punished as follows:
(a) A person convicted for the first offense of violating this subsection shall be fined not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), imprisoned for not more than forty-eight (48) hours, or both.
(b) For a second conviction of any person violating this subsection, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be fined not less than Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) nor more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), shall be imprisoned not less than five (5) days nor more than one (1) year, and shall be sentenced to community service work for not less than ten (10) days nor more than one (1) year.
(c) (i) For a third or subsequent conviction of any person violating this subsection, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a felony and fined not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and shall serve not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections; however, for any such offense that does not result in serious injury or death to any person, the sentence of incarceration may be served in the county jail at the discretion of the circuit court judge.
(ii) After a conviction under this subsection and upon receipt of the court abstract, the Commissioner of Public Safety shall suspend the driver's license and driving privileges of the person for not less than five (5) years.
(3) A conviction and imposition of a sentence under this section does not prevent a conviction and imposition of a sentence under Section 63-7-103.
SECTION 45. Section 63-3-615, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-3-615. (1) (a) The driver of a vehicle upon a street or highway upon meeting or overtaking any school bus that has stopped on the street or highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children shall come to a complete stop at least ten (10) feet from the school bus before reaching the school bus when there is in operation on the school bus the flashing red lights provided in Section 63-7-23, or when a retractable, hand-operated stop sign is extended; the driver shall not proceed until the children have crossed the street or highway and the school bus has resumed motion or the flashing red lights are no longer actuated and the hand-operated stop sign is retracted.
(b) The driver of a vehicle upon a divided highway that has four (4) lanes or more and permits at least two (2) lanes of traffic to travel in opposite directions need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus that is stopped in the opposing roadway, or if the school bus is stopped in a loading zone that is a part of or adjacent to the highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.
(2) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon a first conviction thereof shall be fined not less than Three Hundred Fifty Dollars ($350.00) nor more than Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year, or both. For a second or subsequent offense, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00) nor more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year, or both. In addition, the Commissioner of Public Safety or his duly authorized designee, after conviction for a second or subsequent offense and upon receipt of the court abstract, shall suspend the driver's license and driving privileges of the person for a period of ninety (90) days.
(b) A conviction under this section for a violation resulting in any injury to a child who is in the process of boarding or exiting a school bus shall be a violation of Section 97-3-7, and a violator shall be punished under subsection (2) of that section.
(3) This section shall be applicable only in the event the school bus shall bear upon the front and rear thereon a plainly visible sign containing the words "school bus" in letters not less than four (4) inches in height.
(4) If any person witnesses the driver of any vehicle violating the provisions of this section and the identity of the driver of the vehicle is not otherwise apparent, it shall be a rebuttable inference that the person in whose name the vehicle is registered committed the violation. If charges are filed against multiple owners of a motor vehicle, only one (1) of the owners may be convicted and court costs may be assessed against only one (1) of the owners. If the vehicle that is involved in the violation is registered in the name of a rental or leasing company and the vehicle is rented or leased to another person at the time of the violation, the rental or leasing company may rebut the inference of guilt by providing the law enforcement officer or prosecuting authority with a copy of the rental or lease agreement in effect at the time of the violation.
SECTION 46. Section 63-7-103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-7-103. (1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Trooper Steve Hood Act: The Nitrous Oxide Prohibition Act."
(2) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Motor vehicle" has the meaning ascribed in Section 27-19-3; however, the term "motor vehicle" does not include any vehicle with a gross vehicle or combination weight greater than ten thousand (10,000) pounds.
(b) "Motorcycle" has the meaning ascribed in Section 27-19-3.
(c) "Nitrous oxide" means a gas or liquid form of nitrous oxide that is used to increase the speed or performance of a motor vehicle or motorcycle.
(d) "Street" or "highway" means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for purposes of vehicular traffic.
(3) (a) (i) A person shall not operate on a street or highway a motor vehicle or motorcycle that is equipped to supply the engine with nitrous oxide unless the nitrous oxide supply system is made inoperative by means of disconnecting the nitrous oxide feed line from the engine or removing the nitrous oxide canister from the motor vehicle or motorcycle.
(ii) No fine or imprisonment shall be imposed against the operator for a violation of this section, unless at the time the operator was charged with a violation of this section he also was charged with some other offense under Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, and he is convicted of both offenses.
(b) A person convicted for the first offense of violating this subsection shall be fined not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), imprisoned for not more than forty-eight (48) hours, or both.
(c) For a second conviction of any person violating this subsection, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be fined not less than Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) nor more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), shall be imprisoned not less than five (5) days nor more than one (1) year, and shall be sentenced to community service work for not less than ten (10) days nor more than one (1) year.
(d) (i) For a third or subsequent conviction of any person violating this subsection, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a felony and fined not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and shall serve not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections; however, for any such offense that does not result in serious injury or death to any person, the sentence of incarceration may be served in the county jail at the discretion of the circuit court judge.
(ii) After a conviction under this subsection and upon receipt of the court abstract, the Commissioner of Public Safety shall suspend the driver's license and driving privileges of the person for not less than five (5) years.
(iii) After a conviction under this subsection, the law enforcement agency shall seize the vehicle owned by any person convicted of a third or subsequent violation of this subsection, if the convicted person was driving the vehicle at the time the offense was committed. The vehicle may be forfeited in the manner provided by Sections 63-11-49 through 63-11-53.
SECTION 47. Section 63-9-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-9-25. (1) Whenever any person lawfully possessed of a driver's license theretofore issued to him by the Department of Public Safety of the State of Mississippi, or under the laws of any other state or territory, or the District of Columbia of the United States, shall be arrested and charged with any offense against the traffic or motor vehicle laws or rules of the road of this state, or any municipality thereof, he shall have the option of depositing his driver's license so issued to him with the arresting officer or the court in lieu of any other security which may be required for his appearance in any court in this state in answer to such charge lodged in such court.
(2) If such person arrested elects to deposit his license as provided, the arresting officer or court shall issue such person a receipt for said license upon a form furnished or prescribed by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, and thereafter said person shall be permitted to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state and streets of the municipalities thereof during the pendency of the case in which the license was deposited unless his license or privilege is otherwise revoked, suspended or canceled, but in no case for a period longer than thirty (30) days.
(3) The clerk of the court in which the charge is lodged shall immediately forward to the department the license of the driver deposited in lieu of bail if the driver fails to appear in answer to the charge against him. The Commissioner of Public Safety or his authorized agent shall, upon receipt of a license so forwarded by the court, suspend the driver's license and driving privilege of the defaulting driver until notified by the court that the charge against such driver has been finally adjudicated.
(4) The commissioner shall, upon receipt of a license of a nonresident driver, forward notice to his counterpart in the state of the driver's residence of the fact that such driver has been charged with a traffic or motor vehicle offense or a violation of the rules of the road and has so deposited his license in lieu of bail.
(5) The making of an application for a duplicate driver's license during the period when the original license is posted for an appearance in a court shall be unlawful, shall constitute a misdemeanor and a person convicted thereof shall be subject to a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both fine and imprisonment.
(6) The provisions of this section shall not govern arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol. The procedure set forth in the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, Sections 63-11-1 through 63-11-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall apply.
SECTION 48. Section 63-9-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-9-37. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety shall only recognize any civil or criminal fine, fee, citation or penalty for a violation of compliance with traffic signals, traffic speeds or other traffic laws, rules or regulations in another state that results from the use of automated recording equipment or system as defined under Section 17-25-19 if that state is a member of the Driver License Compact as provided under Section 63-1-103. Further, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety shall not suspend the driver's license of a person for failure to pay any civil or criminal fine, fee, citation or penalty for such a violation unless the state that is due the fine, fee, citation or penalty is a member of the Driver License Compact.
SECTION 49. Section 63-10-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-10-3. (1) A state highway patrol officer, in lieu of arrest for a traffic violation, may issue a citation, as would be appropriate under the circumstances, to any motorist who is a resident of this state or holds a license issued by a reciprocating state and shall not, subject to the exceptions noted in subsection (2) of this section, require such motorist to post collateral or bond to secure his appearance but shall accept such motorist's drivers license in lieu of bond or security as provided by Section 63-9-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, provided, however, that a person so charged shall have the right, upon his request, to post collateral or bond in a manner as provided by law, and in such case, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply.
(2) No motorist shall be entitled to receive a citation under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section nor shall any state highway patrol officer issue a citation as provided for therein if the offense be included in the following:
(a) An offense for which the issuance of a citation in lieu of a hearing or the posting of collateral or bond is prohibited by the laws of this state; or
(b) An offense for which state statutes require the revocation or suspension of a motorist's license.
(3) Upon the failure of any resident or nonresident to comply with the terms of a traffic citation, the issuing officer shall request that a warrant be issued and shall report same to the commissioner of public safety or his duly authorized agent, who shall suspend such person's drivers license until such time as a disposition is had on said undisposed of traffic citation. Such report shall clearly identify the person charged; describe the violation, specify the statute, code or ordinance violated; indicate the location of the offense; give a description of the vehicle involved; and show the registration or license number of the vehicle. Such report shall be signed by the issuing officer.
SECTION 50. Section 63-10-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-10-5. (1) Upon receipt of a state highway patrol officer's report as described in Section 63-10-3 the commissioner of public safety or his duly authorized agent shall transmit a certified copy of such report to the official in charge of the issuance of licenses in the reciprocating state in which the nonresident resides or by which he is licensed.
(2) Upon receipt from the licensing authority of this state or a reciprocating state in which a citation was issued of a certification of noncompliance with a citation issued in this state or a reciprocating state by a person holding a valid license issued by this state, the commissioner of public safety or his duly authorized agent shall immediately suspend such person's drivers license. The order of suspension shall indicate the reason therefor and notify the motorist that his license shall remain suspended until he has furnished satisfactory evidence indicating that he has fully complied with the terms of the court having jurisdiction in the matter. However, the department of public safety, or any employee thereof, shall not collect nor act as a collecting agency for any court-imposed fine in relation to an outstanding, undisposed of traffic case.
(3) A copy of any suspension order issued hereunder shall be furnished to the licensing authority of the reciprocating state in which the citation was issued.
(4) It shall be the duty of the director of driver services, department of public safety, to ascertain and remain informed as to which states are "reciprocating states" hereunder and, accordingly, to maintain a current listing of such states. The listings shall periodically be disseminated among the appropriate official positions of any state agency, county or municipality of this state and the licensing authorities in all other reciprocating states pursuant hereto.
SECTION 51. Section 63-11-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-11-21. If a person refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer to submit to a chemical test of his breath designated by the law enforcement agency as provided in Section 63-11-5, none shall be given, but the officer shall at that point demand the driver's license of the person, who shall deliver his driver's license into the hands of the officer. If a person refuses to submit to a chemical test under the provisions of this chapter, the person shall be informed by the law enforcement officer that the refusal to submit to the test shall subject him to suspension of the privilege to operate a motor vehicle. The officer shall give the driver a receipt for his license on forms prescribed and furnished by the Commissioner of Public Safety. The officer shall forward the driver's license together with a sworn report to the Commissioner of Public Safety stating that he had reasonable grounds and probable cause to believe the person had been operating a motor vehicle upon the public highways, public roads and streets of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any other substance which may impair a person's mental or physical ability, stating the grounds, and that the person had refused to submit to the chemical test of his breath upon request of the law enforcement officer.
SECTION 52. Section 63-11-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
[Effective until July 1, 2020, this section will read as follows:]
63-11-23. (1) Administrative license suspension for test refusal. The Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, shall review the sworn report by a law enforcement officer as provided in Section 63-11-21.
(a) If upon review the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, finds (i) that the law enforcement officer had reasonable grounds and probable cause to believe the person had been operating a motor vehicle upon the public highways, public roads and streets of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any other substance that may impair a person's mental or physical ability; (ii) that he refused to submit to the chemical test upon request of the officer; and (iii) that the person was informed that his license and driving privileges would be suspended or denied if he refused to submit to the chemical test then the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, shall give notice to the licensee that his license or permit to drive, or any nonresident operating privilege, shall be suspended thirty (30) days after the date of the notice for a period of ninety (90) days if the person has not previously been convicted of or nonadjudicated for a violation of Section 63-11-30, or, for a period of one (1) year if the person was previously convicted or nonadjudicated under Section 63-11-30. If the commissioner or his authorized agent determines that the license or permit should not be suspended, he shall return the license or permit to the licensee.
(b) The notice of suspension shall be in writing and conform to Section 63-1-52.
(2) Extension or suspension of privilege to drive; request for trial. (a) If the chemical testing of a person's breath indicates the blood alcohol concentration was eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more for persons who are above the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law, or two one-hundredths percent (.02%) or more for persons who are below the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law, based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath as shown by a chemical analysis of the person's blood, breath, or urine, the arresting officer shall seize the license and give the driver a receipt for his license on forms prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Safety and shall promptly forward the license together with a sworn report to the Commissioner of Public Safety. The receipt given a person shall be valid as a permit to operate a motor vehicle for thirty (30) days in order that the defendant may be processed through the court having original jurisdiction and a final disposition had.
(b) If the defendant requests a trial within thirty (30) days and trial is not commenced within thirty (30) days, then the court shall determine if the delay in the trial is the fault of the defendant or his counsel. If the court finds that it is not the fault of the defendant or his counsel, then the court shall order the defendant's privileges to operate a motor vehicle to be extended until the defendant is convicted upon final order of the court.
(c) If a receipt or permit to drive issued under this subsection expires without a trial having been requested as provided in this subsection, then the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, shall suspend the license or permit to drive or any nonresident operating privilege for the applicable period of time as provided in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Offenders driving without a license. If the person is a resident without a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle in this state, the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, shall deny to the person the issuance of a license or permit for a period of one (1) year beginning thirty (30) days after the date of notice of the suspension.
(4) Appeal. It shall be the duty of the municipal prosecuting attorney, county prosecuting attorney, an attorney employed under the provisions of Section 19-3-49, or if there is not a prosecuting attorney for the municipality or county, the duty of the district attorney to represent the state in any hearing on a de novo appeal held under the provisions of Section 63-11-25, Section 63-11-37 or Section 63-11-30.
(5) Suspension subsequent to conviction. Unless the person obtains an interlock-restricted license or the court orders the person to exercise the privilege to operate a motor vehicle only under an interlock-restricted license thirty (30) days after receipt of the court abstract documenting a person's conviction under Section 63-11-30, the Department of Public Safety shall suspend the driver's license and privileges of the person to operate a motor vehicle as follows:
(a) When sentenced under Section 63-11-30(2):
(i) For a first offense: one hundred twenty (120) days;
(ii) For a second offense: one (1) year;
(iii) For a third offense: for the full period of the person's sentence; upon release from incarceration, the person will be eligible for only an interlock-restricted license for three (3) years;
(iv) For a fourth or subsequent offense: for the full period of the person's sentence; upon release from incarceration, the person will be eligible for only an interlock-restricted license for ten (10) years.
(b) When sentenced under Section 63-11-30(3) (Zero Tolerance for Minors):
(i) For a first offense: one hundred twenty (120) days;
(ii) For a second offense: one (1) year;
(iii) For a third offense occurring within five (5) years, suspend or deny the driving privilege for two (2) years or until the person reaches the age of twenty-one (21), whichever is longer.
(6) Suspensions. (a) Notices of suspension given under this section shall be in writing and conform to Section 63-1-52.
(b) Suspensions under this and any other chapter shall run consecutively and not concurrently.
(7) License reinstatement. A person is eligible for an unrestricted license when the person has completed an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32, has satisfied all other conditions of law and of the person's sentence or nonadjudication, and is not otherwise barred from obtaining an unrestricted license.
[Effective from and after July 1, 2020, this section will read:]
63-11-23. (1) Administrative license suspension for test refusal. The Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, shall review the sworn report by a law enforcement officer as provided in Section 63-11-21.
(a) If upon review the
Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, finds (i) that the law
enforcement officer had reasonable grounds and probable cause to believe the
person had been operating a motor vehicle upon the public highways, public
roads * * * or
streets of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any
other substance that may impair a person's mental or physical ability; (ii)
that the person refused to submit to the chemical test of the person's breath,
blood or urine upon request of the officer; and (iii) that the person was
informed that his license and driving privileges would be suspended or denied
if he refused to submit to the chemical test of his breath, blood or urine,
then the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, shall give
notice to the licensee that his license or permit to drive, or any nonresident
operating privilege, shall be suspended thirty (30) days after the date of the
notice for a period of ninety (90) days if the person has not previously been
convicted of or nonadjudicated for a violation of Section 63-11-30, or, for a
period of one (1) year if the person was previously convicted or nonadjudicated
under Section 63-11-30. If the commissioner or his authorized agent determines
that the license or permit should not be suspended, he shall return the license
or permit to the licensee.
(b) The notice of suspension shall be in writing and conform to Section 63-1-52.
(c) A person may continue to drive on either an interlock-restricted license or under a drug-testing program if so ordered by a court in the course of a criminal proceeding for a violation of Section 63-11-30.
(2) Extension or suspension of privilege to drive; request for trial. (a) If the chemical testing of a person's breath indicates the blood alcohol concentration was eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more for persons who are above the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law, or two one-hundredths percent (.02%) or more for persons who are below the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law, based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath as shown by a chemical analysis of the person's blood, breath, or urine, the arresting officer shall seize the license and give the driver a receipt for his license on forms prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Safety and shall promptly forward the license together with a sworn report to the Commissioner of Public Safety. The receipt given a person shall be valid as a permit to operate a motor vehicle for thirty (30) days in order that the defendant may be processed through the court having original jurisdiction and a final disposition had.
(b) If the defendant requests a trial within thirty (30) days and trial is not commenced within thirty (30) days, then the court shall determine if the delay in the trial is the fault of the defendant or his counsel. If the court finds that it is not the fault of the defendant or his counsel, then the court shall order the defendant's privileges to operate a motor vehicle to be extended until the defendant is convicted upon final order of the court.
(c) If a receipt or permit to drive issued under this subsection expires without a trial having been requested as provided in this subsection, then the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, shall suspend the license or permit to drive or any nonresident operating privilege for the applicable period of time as provided in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Offenders driving without a license. If the person is a resident without a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle in this state, the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, shall deny to the person the issuance of a license or permit for a period of one (1) year beginning thirty (30) days after the date of notice of the suspension.
(4) Appeal. It shall be the duty of the municipal prosecuting attorney, county prosecuting attorney, an attorney employed under the provisions of Section 19-3-49, or if there is not a prosecuting attorney for the municipality or county, the duty of the district attorney to represent the state in any hearing on a de novo appeal held under the provisions of Section 63-11-25, Section 63-11-37 or Section 63-11-30.
(5) Suspension subsequent to conviction. Unless the person obtains an interlock-restricted license or the court orders the person to exercise the privilege to operate a motor vehicle only under an interlock-restricted license or while participating in a court-ordered drug-testing program, thirty (30) days after receipt of the court abstract documenting a person's conviction under Section 63-11-30, the Department of Public Safety shall suspend the driver's license and privileges of the person to operate a motor vehicle as follows:
(a) When sentenced under Section 63-11-30(2):
(i) For a first offense: one hundred twenty (120) days;
(ii) For a second offense: one (1) year;
(iii) For a third offense: for the full period of the person's sentence; upon release from incarceration, the person will be eligible for only an interlock-restricted license for three (3) years;
(iv) For a fourth or subsequent offense: for the full period of the person's sentence; upon release from incarceration, the person will be eligible for only an interlock-restricted license for ten (10) years and will further be subject to court-ordered drug testing if the original offense involved operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug other than alcohol.
(b) When sentenced under Section 63-11-30(3) (Zero Tolerance for Minors):
(i) For a first offense: one hundred twenty (120) days;
(ii) For a second offense: one (1) year;
(iii) For a third offense occurring within five (5) years, suspend or deny the driving privilege for two (2) years or until the person reaches the age of twenty-one (21), whichever is longer.
(6) Suspensions. (a) Notices of suspension given under this section shall be in writing and conform to Section 63-1-52.
(b) Suspensions under this and any other chapter shall run consecutively and not concurrently.
(7) License reinstatement. A person is eligible for an unrestricted license when the person has completed an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32, has satisfied all other conditions of law and of the person's sentence or nonadjudication, and is not otherwise barred from obtaining an unrestricted license.
SECTION 53. Section 63-11-26, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-11-26. When the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, shall suspend the driver's license or permit to drive of a person or shall deny the issuance of a license or permit to a person as provided in Section 63-11-30, the person shall not be entitled to any judicial review of or appeal from the actions of the commissioner. A final conviction under said section shall finally adjudicate the privilege of such convicted person to operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways, public roads and streets of this state.
SECTION 54. Section 63-11-30, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-11-30. (1) It is unlawful for a person to drive or otherwise operate a vehicle within this state if the person:
(a) Is under the influence of intoxicating liquor;
(b) Is under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle;
(c) Is under the influence of any drug or controlled substance, the possession of which is unlawful under the Mississippi Controlled Substances Law; or
(d) Has an alcohol concentration in the person's blood, based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) milliliters of blood, or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath, as shown by a chemical analysis of the person's breath, blood or urine administered as authorized by this chapter, of:
(i) Eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more for a person who is above the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law;
(ii) Two one-hundredths percent (.02%) or more for a person who is below the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law; or
(iii) Four one-hundredths percent (.04%) or more for a person operating a commercial motor vehicle.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section (Zero Tolerance for Minors):
(a) First offense DUI. (i) Upon conviction of any person for the first offense of violating subsection (1) of this section where chemical tests under Section 63-11-5 were given, or where chemical test results are not available, the person shall be fined not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisoned for not more than forty-eight (48) hours in jail, or both; the court shall order the person to attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months of sentencing. The court may substitute attendance at a victim impact panel instead of forty-eight (48) hours in jail.
(ii) Suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216.
(iii) A qualifying first offense may be nonadjudicated by the court under subsection (14) of this section. The holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense is ineligible for nonadjudication.
(iv) Eligibility for an interlock-restricted license is governed by Section 63-11-31 and suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23.
(b) Second offense DUI. (i) Upon any second conviction of any person violating subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, fined not less than Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) nor more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), shall be imprisoned not less than five (5) days nor more than six (6) months and sentenced to community service work for not less than ten (10) days nor more than six (6) months. The minimum penalties shall not be suspended or reduced by the court and no prosecutor shall offer any suspension or sentence reduction as part of a plea bargain.
(ii) Suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216.
(iii) Eligibility for an interlock-restricted license is governed by Section 63-11-31 and suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23.
(c) Third offense DUI. (i) For a third conviction of a person for violating subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a felony and fined not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and shall serve not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. For any offense that does not result in serious injury or death to any person, the sentence of incarceration may be served in the county jail rather than in the State Penitentiary at the discretion of the circuit court judge. The minimum penalties shall not be suspended or reduced by the court and no prosecutor shall offer any suspension or sentence reduction as part of a plea bargain.
(ii) The suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216.
(iii) The suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23.
(d) Fourth and subsequent offense DUI. (i) For any fourth or subsequent conviction of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, without regard to the time period within which the violations occurred, the person shall be guilty of a felony and fined not less than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and shall serve not less than two (2) years nor more than ten (10) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections.
(ii) The suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216.
(iii) A person convicted of a fourth or subsequent offense is ineligible to exercise the privilege to operate a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition-interlock device for ten (10) years.
(e) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section shall receive an in-depth diagnostic assessment, and if as a result of the assessment is determined to be in need of treatment for alcohol or drug abuse, the person must successfully complete treatment at a program site certified by the Department of Mental Health. Each person who receives a diagnostic assessment shall pay a fee representing the cost of the assessment. Each person who participates in a treatment program shall pay a fee representing the cost of treatment.
(f) The use of ignition-interlock devices is governed by Section 63-11-31.
(3) Zero Tolerance for Minors. (a) This subsection shall be known and may be cited as Zero Tolerance for Minors. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only when a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years has a blood alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths percent (.02%) or more, but lower than eight one-hundredths percent (.08%). If the person's blood alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more, the provisions of subsection (2) shall apply.
(b) (i) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) is eligible for nonadjudication of a qualifying first offense by the court pursuant to subsection (14) of this section.
(ii) Upon conviction of any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years for the first offense of violating subsection (1) of this section where chemical tests provided for under Section 63-11-5 were given, or where chemical test results are not available, the person shall be fined Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00); the court shall order the person to attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months. The court may also require attendance at a victim impact panel.
(c) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who is convicted of a second violation of subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).
(d) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
(e) License suspension is governed by Section 63-11-23 and ignition interlock is governed by Section 63-11-31.
(f) Any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years convicted of a third or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section must complete treatment of an alcohol or drug abuse program at a site certified by the Department of Mental Health.
(4) DUI test refusal. In addition to the other penalties provided in this section, every person refusing a law enforcement officer's request to submit to a chemical test of the person's breath as provided in this chapter, or who was unconscious at the time of a chemical test and refused to consent to the introduction of the results of the test in any prosecution, shall suffer an additional administrative suspension of driving privileges as set forth in Section 63-11-23.
(5) Aggravated DUI. (a) Every person who operates any motor vehicle in violation of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section and who in a negligent manner causes the death of another or mutilates, disfigures, permanently disables or destroys the tongue, eye, lip, nose or any other limb, organ or member of another shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a separate felony for each victim who suffers death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury and shall be committed to the custody of the State Department of Corrections for a period of time of not less than five (5) years and not to exceed twenty-five (25) years for each death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury, and the imprisonment for the second or each subsequent conviction, in the discretion of the court, shall commence either at the termination of the imprisonment for the preceding conviction or run concurrently with the preceding conviction. Any person charged with causing the death of another as described in this subsection shall be required to post bail before being released after arrest.
(b) A holder of a commercial driver's license who is convicted of operating a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of eight one-hundreths percent (.08%) or more shall be guilty of a felony and shall be committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than two (2) years and not more than ten (10) years.
(c) The court shall order an ignition-interlock restriction on the offender's privilege to drive as a condition of probation or post-release supervision not to exceed five (5) years unless a longer restriction is required under other law. The iginition-interlock restriction shall not be applied to commercial license privileges until the driver serves the full disqualification period required by Section 63-1-216.
(6) DUI citations. (a) Upon conviction of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the trial judge shall sign in the place provided on the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit stating that the person arrested either employed an attorney or waived his right to an attorney after having been properly advised. If the person arrested employed an attorney, the name, address and telephone number of the attorney shall be written on the ticket, citation or affidavit. The court clerk must immediately send a copy of the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit, and any other pertinent documents concerning the conviction or other order of the court, to the Department of Public Safety as provided in Section 63-11-37.
(b) A copy of the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit and any other pertinent documents, having been attested as true and correct by the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his designee, shall be sufficient proof of the conviction for purposes of determining the enhanced penalty for any subsequent convictions of violations of subsection (1) of this section. The Department of Public Safety shall maintain a central database for verification of prior offenses and convictions.
(7) Out-of-state prior convictions. Convictions in another state, territory or possession of the United States, or under the law of a federally recognized Native American tribe, of violations for driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or while under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle occurring within five (5) years before an offense shall be counted for the purposes of determining if a violation of subsection (1) of this section is a second, third, fourth or subsequent offense and the penalty that shall be imposed upon conviction for a violation of subsection (1) of this section.
(8) Charging of subsequent offenses. (a) For the purposes of determining how to impose the sentence for a second, third, fourth or subsequent conviction under this section, the affidavit or indictment shall not be required to enumerate previous convictions. It shall only be necessary that the affidavit or indictment states the number of times that the defendant has been convicted and sentenced within the past five (5) years for a second or third offense, or without a time limitation for a fourth or subsequent offense, under this section to determine if an enhanced penalty shall be imposed. The amount of fine and imprisonment imposed in previous convictions shall not be considered in calculating offenses to determine a second, third, fourth or subsequent offense of this section.
(b) Before a defendant enters a plea of guilty to an offense under this section, law enforcement must submit certification to the prosecutor that the defendant's driving record, the confidential registry and National Crime Information Center record have been searched for all prior convictions, nonadjudications, pretrial diversions and arrests for driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or while under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. The results of the search must be included in the certification.
(9) License eligibility for underage offenders. A person who is under the legal age to obtain a license to operate a motor vehicle at the time of the offense and who is convicted under this section shall not be eligible to receive a driver's license until the person reaches the age of eighteen (18) years.
(10) License suspensions and restrictions to run consecutively. Suspension or restriction of driving privileges for any person convicted of or nonadjudicated for violations of subsection (1) of this section shall run consecutively to and not concurrently with any other administrative license suspension.
(11) Ignition interlock. If the court orders installation and use of an ignition-interlock device as provided in Section 63-11-31 for every vehicle operated by a person convicted or nonadjudicated under this section, each device shall be installed, maintained and removed as provided in Section 63-11-31.
(12) DUI child endangerment. A person over the age of twenty-one (21) who violates subsection (1) of this section while transporting in a motor vehicle a child under the age of sixteen (16) years is guilty of the separate offense of endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. The offense of endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle shall not be merged with an offense of violating subsection (1) of this section for the purposes of prosecution and sentencing. An offender who is convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be punished as follows:
(a) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a first conviction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for not more than twelve (12) months, or both;
(b) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a second conviction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for one (1) year, or both;
(c) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a third or subsequent conviction shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both; and
(d) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which results in the serious injury or death of a child, without regard to whether the offense was a first, second, third or subsequent offense, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and shall be imprisoned for not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty-five (25) years.
(13) Expunction. (a) Any person convicted under subsection (2) or (3) of this section of a first offense of driving under the influence and who was not the holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense may petition the circuit court of the county in which the conviction was had for an order to expunge the record of the conviction at least five (5) years after successful completion of all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed for the conviction. Expunction under this subsection will only be available to a person:
(i) Who has successfully completed all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed for the conviction;
(ii) Who did not refuse to submit to a test of his blood or breath;
(iii) Whose blood alcohol concentration tested below sixteen one-hundredths percent (.16%) if test results are available;
(iv) Who has not been convicted of and does not have pending any other offense of driving under the influence;
(v) Who has provided the court with justification as to why the conviction should be expunged; and
(vi) Who has not previously had a nonadjudication or expunction of a violation of this section.
(b) A person is eligible for only one (1) expunction under this subsection, and the Department of Public Safety shall maintain a permanent confidential registry of all cases of expunction under this subsection for the sole purpose of determining a person's eligibility for expunction, for nonadjudication, or as a first offender under this section.
(c) The court in its order of expunction shall state in writing the justification for which the expunction was granted and forward the order to the Department of Public Safety within five (5) days of the entry of the order.
(14) Nonadjudication. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, "nonadjudication" means that the court withholds adjudication of guilt and sentencing, either at the conclusion of a trial on the merits or upon the entry of a plea of guilt by a defendant, and places the defendant in a nonadjudication program conditioned upon the successful completion of the requirements imposed by the court under this subsection.
(b) A person is eligible for nonadjudication of an offense under this Section 63-11-30 only one (1) time under any provision of a law that authorizes nonadjudication and only for an offender:
(i) Who has successfully completed all terms and conditions imposed by the court after placement of the defendant in a nonadjudication program;
(ii) Who was not the holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense;
(iii) Who has not previously been convicted of and does not have pending any former or subsequent charges under this section; and
(iv) Who has provided the court with justification as to why nonadjudication is appropriate.
(c) Nonadjudication may be initiated upon the filing of a petition for nonadjudication or at any stage of the proceedings in the discretion of the court; the court may withhold adjudication of guilt, defer sentencing, and upon the agreement of the offender to participate in a nonadjudication program, enter an order imposing requirements on the offender for a period of court supervision before the order of nonadjudication is entered. Failure to successfully complete a nonadjudication program subjects the person to adjudication of the charges against him and to imposition of all penalties previously withheld due to entrance into a nonadjudication program. The court shall immediately inform the commissioner of the conviction as required in Section 63-11-37.
(i) The court shall order the person to:
1. Pay the nonadjudication fee imposed under Section 63-11-31 if applicable;
2. Pay all fines, penalties and assessments that would have been imposed for conviction;
3. Attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months of the date of the order;
4. a. If the court determines that the person violated this section with respect to alcohol or intoxicating liquor, the person must install an ignition-interlock device on every motor vehicle operated by the person, obtain an interlock-restricted license, and maintain that license for one hundred twenty (120) days or suffer a one-hundred-twenty-day suspension of the person's regular driver's license, during which time the person must not operate any vehicle.
b. If the court determines that the person violated this section by operating a vehicle when under the influence of a substance other than alcohol that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle, including any drug or controlled substance which is unlawful to possess under the Mississippi Controlled Substances Law, the person must submit to a one-hundred-twenty-day period of a nonadjudication program that includes court-ordered drug testing at the person's own expense not less often than every thirty (30) days, during which time the person may drive if compliant with the terms of the program, or suffer a one-hundred-twenty-day suspension of the person's regular driver's license, during which time the person will not operate any vehicle.
(ii) Other conditions that may be imposed by the court include, but are not limited to, alcohol or drug screening, or both, proof that the person has not committed any other traffic violations while under court supervision, proof of immobilization or impoundment of vehicles owned by the offender if required, and attendance at a victim-impact panel.
(d) The court may enter an order of nonadjudication only if the court finds, after a hearing or after ex parte examination of reliable documentation of compliance, that the offender has successfully completed all conditions imposed by law and previous orders of the court. The court shall retain jurisdiction over cases involving nonadjudication for a period of not more than two (2) years.
(e) (i) The clerk shall immediately forward a record of every person placed in a nonadjudication program and of every nonadjudication order to the Department of Public Safety for inclusion in the permanent confidential registry of all cases that are nonadjudicated under this subsection (14).
(ii) Judges, clerks and prosecutors involved in the trial of implied consent violations and law enforcement officers involved in the issuance of citations for implied consent violations shall have secure online access to the confidential registry for the purpose of determining whether a person has previously been the subject of a nonadjudicated case and 1. is therefore ineligible for another nonadjudication; 2. is ineligible as a first offender for a violation of this section; or 3. is ineligible for expunction of a conviction of a violation of this section.
(iii) The Driver Services Bureau of the department shall have access to the confidential registry for the purpose of determining whether a person is eligible for a form of license not restricted to operating a vehicle equipped with an ignition-interlock device.
(iv) The Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program shall have secure online access to the confidential registry for research purposes only.
SECTION 55. Section 63-11-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-11-31. (1) (a) The provisions of this section are supplemental to the provisions of Section 63-11-30.
(b) (i) "Ignition-interlock device" means a device approved by the Department of Public Safety that connects a motor vehicle ignition system to a breath-alcohol analyzer and prevents a motor vehicle ignition from starting if the driver's blood alcohol level exceeds the calibrated setting on the device.
(ii) "Interlock-restricted license" means a driver's license bearing a restriction that limits the person to operation of vehicles equipped with an ignition-interlock device.
(iii) "Court-ordered drug-testing program" means a program that qualifies under Section 63-11-31.1.
(c) A person who can exercise the privilege of driving only under an interlock-restricted license must have an ignition-interlock device installed and operating on all motor vehicles owned or operated by the person.
(d) A person who installs an ignition-interlock device may obtain an interlock-restricted license.
(2) (a) (i) The cost of installation and operation of an ignition-interlock device shall be borne by the person to whom an interlock-restricted driver's license is issued, and the costs of court-ordered drug testing shall be borne by the person so ordered, unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
(ii) The cost of participating in a court-ordered drug-testing program shall be borne by the person, unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
(b) (i) A person convicted under Section 63-11-30 shall be assessed by the court, in addition to the criminal fines, penalties and assessments provided by law for violations of Section 63-11-30, a fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00), to be deposited in the Interlock Device Fund in the State Treasury unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
(ii) A person nonadjudicated under Section 63-11-30 shall be assessed by the court, in addition to the criminal fines, penalties and assessments provided by law for violations of Section 63-11-30, a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) to be deposited in the Interlock Device Fund in the State Treasury unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
(3) (a) The Department of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations for the use of an ignition-interlock device. The Department of Public Safety shall approve which vendors shall be used to furnish the systems, may assess fees to the vendors, and shall prescribe the maximum costs to the offender for installation, removal, monthly operation, periodic inspections, calibrations and repairs.
(b) A person who has an ignition-interlock device installed in a vehicle shall:
(i) Provide proof of the installation of the device and periodic reporting for verification of the proper operation of the device;
(ii) Have the system monitored for proper use and accuracy as required by departmental regulation;
(iii) Pay the reasonable cost of leasing or buying, monitoring, and maintaining the device unless the person is determined to be indigent; and
(iv) Obtain an ignition-interlock driver's license.
(4) (a) (i) A person who is limited to driving only under an interlock-restricted driver's license shall not operate a vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition-interlock device.
(ii) A person prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition-interlock device may not solicit or have another person attempt to start or start a motor vehicle equipped with such a device.
(iii) A person may not start or attempt to start a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition-interlock device for the purpose of providing an operable motor vehicle to a person who is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition-interlock device.
(iv) A person may not tamper with, or in any way attempt to circumvent, the operation of an ignition-interlock device that has been installed in a motor vehicle.
(v) A person may not knowingly provide a motor vehicle not equipped with a functioning ignition-interlock device to another person who the provider of the vehicle knows or should know is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle not equipped with an ignition-interlock device.
(b) A violation of this subsection (4) is a misdemeanor and upon conviction the violator shall be fined an amount not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both, unless the starting of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition-interlock device is done for the purpose of safety or mechanical repair of the device or the vehicle, and the person subject to the restriction does not operate the vehicle.
(5) In order to obtain an interlock-restricted license, a person must:
(a) Be otherwise qualified to operate a motor vehicle, and will be subject to all other restrictions on the privilege to drive provided by law;
(b) Submit proof that an ignition-interlock device is installed and operating on all motor vehicles operated by the person; and
(c) Pay the fee set forth in Section 63-1-43 to obtain the license without regard to indigence; no license reinstatement fee under Section 63-1-46 shall be charged for a person obtaining an interlock-restricted license.
(6) (a) In addition to the penalties authorized for any second or subsequent conviction under Section 63-11-30, the court shall order that all vehicles owned by the offender that are not equipped with an ignition-interlock device must be either impounded or immobilized pending further order of the court lifting the offender's driving restriction. However, no county, municipality, sheriff's department or the Department of Public Safety shall be required to keep, store, maintain, serve as a bailee or otherwise exercise custody over a motor vehicle impounded under the provisions of this section. The cost associated with any impoundment or immobilization shall be paid by the person convicted without regard to ability to pay.
(b) A person may not tamper with, or in any way attempt to circumvent, vehicle immobilization or impoundment ordered by the court under this section. A violation of this paragraph (b) is a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, the violator shall be fined an amount not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.
(7) (a) The Department of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations for the use of monies in the Interlock Device Fund to offset the cost of interlock device installation and operation by and court-ordered drug testing of indigent offenders.
(b) The court shall determine a defendant's indigence based upon whether the defendant has access to adequate resources to pay the ignition-interlock fee and the costs of installation and maintenance of an ignition-interlock device, or the costs of court-ordered drug testing or both, and may further base the determination of indigence on proof of enrollment in one or more of the following types of public assistance:
(i) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF);
(ii) Medicaid assistance;
(iii) The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as "food stamps";
(iv) Supplemental security income (SSI);
(v) Participation in a federal food distribution program;
(vi) Federal housing assistance;
(vii) Unemployment compensation; or
(viii) Other criteria determined appropriate by the court.
(c) No more than ten percent (10%) of the money in the Interlock Device Fund in any fiscal year shall be expended by the department for the purpose of administering the fund.
(d) The Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety must promulgate regulations for the program and for vendors, including at a minimum:
(i) That the offender must pay the cost of the testing program or, if the court finds the offender to be indigent, that the cost be paid from the Interlock Device Fund.
(ii) How indigent funds will be accessed by the vendors, and the maximum cost to the offender or the fund.
(e) (i) Money in the Interlock Device Fund will be appropriated to the department to cover part of the costs of court-ordered drug testing and installing, removing and leasing ignition-interlock devices for indigent people who are required, because of a conviction or nonadjudication under Section 63-11-30, to install an ignition-interlock device in all vehicles operated by the person.
(ii) If money is available in the Interlock Device Fund, the department shall pay to the vendor, for one (1) vehicle per offender, up to Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for the cost of installation, up to Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for the cost of removal, and up to Thirty Dollars ($30.00) monthly for verified active usage of the ignition-interlock device. The department shall not pay any amount above what an offender would be required to pay for the installation, removal or usage of an ignition-interlock device.
(iii) If money is available in the Interlock Device Fund, the department shall pay to the vendor an amount not to exceed that promulgated by the Forensics Laboratory for court-ordered drug testing. The department shall not pay any amount above what an offender would be required to pay individually.
(8) In order to reinstate a form of driver's license that is not restricted to operation of an ignition-interlock equipped vehicle, the person must submit proof to the Department of Public Safety to substantiate the person's eligibility for an unrestricted license, which may be a court order indicating completion of sentence or final order of nonadjudication; in the absence of a court order, the proof may consist of the following or such other proof as the commissioner may set forth by regulation duly adopted under the Administrative Procedures Act:
(a) Proof of successful completion of an alcohol safety program as provided in Section 63-11-32 if so ordered by the court;
(b) Payment of the reinstatement fee required under Section 63-1-46(1)(a);
(c) Payment of the driver's license fee required under Section 63-1-43;
(d) A certificate of liability insurance or proof of financial responsibility; and
(e) (i) For those driving under an interlock-restricted license, a declaration from the vendor, in a form provided or approved by the Department of Public Safety, certifying that there have been none of the following incidents in the last thirty (30) days:
1. An attempt to start the vehicle with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more;
2. Failure to take or pass any required retest; or
3. Failure of the person to appear at the ignition-interlock device vendor when required for maintenance, repair, calibration, monitoring, inspection, or replacement of the device; or
(ii) For a person who violated Section 63-11-30 with respect to drugs other than alcohol, proof of successful compliance with all court-ordered drug testing; or
(iii) Both subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (e) if applicable.
(9) The court may extend the interlock-restricted period if the person had a violation in the last thirty (30) days.
(10) The court that originally ordered installation of the ignition-interlock device for a violation of Section 63-11-30 and a court in the municipality or county in which the violation occurred have jurisdiction over an offense under this section.
(11) A person who voluntarily obtains an interlock-restricted license may convert at any time to any other form of license for which the person is qualified.
(12) (a) The Department of Public Safety shall require all manufacturers of ignition-interlock devices to report ignition-interlock data in a consistent and uniform format as prescribed by the Department of Public Safety. Ignition-interlock vendors must also use the uniform format when sharing data with courts ordering an ignition interlock, with alcohol safety education programs, or with other treatment providers.
(b) The Department of Public Safety shall require all vendors of drug testing programs approved under Section 63-11-31.1 to report test results in a consistent and uniform format as prescribed by the Forensics Laboratory. Vendors must report test results to the court on a monthly basis, except that a positive test or failure of the testing participant to submit to verification must be reported to the court within five (5) days of verification of the positive test or the failure to submit.
SECTION 56. Section 63-11-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
[Effective until July 1, 2020, this section will read as follows:]
63-11-33. There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Interlock Device Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide funding for the Driver's License Bureau of the Department of Public Safety and also to provide funding assistance for ignition interlock devices for persons determined to be unable to afford the installation and maintenance of an ignition interlock device. Monies from the fund shall be distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Public Safety. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal-year limitations, and shall consist of:
(a) Monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding the Driver's License Bureau;
(b) The interest accruing to the fund;
(c) Monies paid by a person for deposit into the fund under Section 63-11-31; and
(d) Monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.
[Effective from and after July 1, 2020, this section will read:]
63-11-33. There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Interlock Device Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide funding for the Driver's License Bureau of the Department of Public Safety and also to provide funding assistance for ignition interlock devices and court-ordered drug testing for persons determined to be unable to afford the installation and maintenance of an ignition interlock device or costs of drug testing. Monies from the fund shall be distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Public Safety. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal-year limitations, and shall consist of:
(a) Monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding the Driver's License Bureau;
(b) The interest accruing to the fund;
(c) Monies paid by a person for deposit into the fund under Section 63-11-31; and
(d) Monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.
SECTION 57. Section 63-11-40, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-11-40. Any person whose driver's license, or driving privilege has been cancelled, suspended or revoked under the provisions of this chapter and who drives any motor vehicle upon the highways, streets or public roads of this state, while such license or privilege is cancelled, suspended or revoked, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than forty-eight (48) hours nor more than six (6) months, and fined not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).
The Commissioner of Public Safety shall suspend the driver's license or driving privilege of any person convicted under the provisions of this section for an additional six (6) months. Such suspension shall begin at the end of the original cancellation, suspension or revocation and run consecutively.
SECTION 58. Section 63-15-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-15-3. The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(a) "Highway" means the entire width between property lines of any road, street, way, thoroughfare or bridge in the State of Mississippi not privately owned or controlled, when any part thereof is open to the public for vehicular traffic and over which the state has legislative jurisdiction under its police power.
(b) "Judgment" means any judgment which shall have become final by expiration, without appeal, of the time within which an appeal might have been perfected, or by final affirmation on appeal, rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction of any state or of the United States, upon a cause of action arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of any motor vehicle, for damages, including damages for care and loss of services, because of bodily injury to or death of any person, or for damages because of injury to or destruction of property, including the loss of use thereof, or upon a cause of action on an agreement of settlement for such damages.
(c) "Motor vehicle" means every self-propelled vehicle (other than traction engines, road rollers and graders, tractor cranes, power shovels, well drillers, implements of husbandry and electric personal assistive mobility device as defined in Section 63-3-103) which is designed for use upon a highway, including trailers and semitrailers designed for use with such vehicles, and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead wires but not operated upon rails.
For purposes of this definition, "implements of husbandry" shall not include trucks, pickup trucks, trailers and semitrailers designed for use with such trucks and pickup trucks.
(d) "License" means any driver's, operator's, commercial operator's, or chauffeur's license, temporary instruction permit or temporary license, or restricted license, issued under the laws of the State of Mississippi pertaining to the licensing of persons to operate motor vehicles.
(e) "Nonresident" means every person who is not a resident of the State of Mississippi.
(f) "Nonresident's operating privilege" means the privilege conferred upon a nonresident by the laws of Mississippi pertaining to the operation by him of a motor vehicle, or the use of a motor vehicle owned by him, in the State of Mississippi.
(g) "Operator" means every person who is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle.
(h) "Owner" means a person who holds the legal title of a motor vehicle; in the event a motor vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of this chapter.
(i) "Person" means every natural person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation.
(j) "Proof of financial responsibility" means proof of ability to respond in damages for liability, on account of accidents occurring subsequent to the effective date of said proof, arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle, in the amount of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of one (1) person in any one (1) accident, and subject to said limit for one (1) person, in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one (1) accident, and in the amount of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one (1) accident. Liability insurance required under this paragraph (j) may contain exclusions and limitations on coverage as long as the exclusions and limitations language or form has been filed with and approved by the Commissioner of Insurance.
(k) "Registration" means a certificate or certificates and registration plates issued under the laws of this state pertaining to the registration of motor vehicles.
(l) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety of the State of Mississippi, acting directly or through its authorized officers and agents, except in such sections of this chapter in which some other state department is specifically named.
(m) "State" means any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any province of the Dominion of Canada.
SECTION 59. Section 63-15-4, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-15-4. (1) The following vehicles are exempted from the requirements of this section:
(a) Motor vehicles exempted by Section 63-15-5;
(b) Motor vehicles for which a bond or a certificate of deposit of money or securities in at least the minimum amounts required for proof of financial responsibility is on file with the department;
(c) Motor vehicles that are self-insured under Section 63-15-53; and
(d) Implements of husbandry.
(2) (a) Every motor vehicle operated in this state shall have a motor vehicle liability insurance policy that covers the vehicle and is in compliance with the liability limits required by Section 63-15-3(j). The insured parties shall be responsible for maintaining the insurance on each motor vehicle.
(b) An insurance company issuing a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance as required by this section shall furnish to the insured an insurance card for each motor vehicle at the time the insurance policy becomes effective. The insurance card may be furnished in either paper or electronic format as chosen by the insured. Acceptable electronic formats include display of electronic images on a cellular phone or any other type of electronic device. Beginning on July 1, 2013, insurers shall furnish commercial auto coverage customers with an insurance card clearly marked with the identifier, "Commercial Auto Insurance" or "Fleet" or similar language, to reflect that the vehicle is insured under a commercial auto policy.
(3) Upon stopping a motor vehicle at a roadblock where all passing motorists are checked as a method to enforce traffic laws or upon stopping a motor vehicle for any other statutory violation, a law enforcement officer, who is authorized to issue traffic citations, shall verify that the insurance card required by this section is in the motor vehicle or is displayed by electronic image on a cellular phone or other type of electronic device. However, no driver shall be stopped or detained solely for the purpose of verifying that the motor vehicle is covered by liability insurance in the amounts required under Section 63-15-3(j) unless the stop is part of such roadblock. If the law enforcement officer uses the verification system created in Section 63-16-3 and receives a response from the system verifying that the owner of the motor vehicle has liability insurance in the amounts required under Section 63-15-3(j), then the officer shall not issue a citation under this section notwithstanding any failure to display an insurance card by the owner or operator.
(4) Failure of the owner or the operator of a motor vehicle to have the insurance card in the motor vehicle, or to display the insurance card by electronic image on a cellular phone or other type of electronic device, is a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and suspension of driving privilege for a period of one (1) year or until the owner of the motor vehicle shows proof of liability insurance that is in compliance with the liability limits required by Section 63-15-3(j) and has paid the fines and assessments imposed and the driver's license reinstatement fees imposed by the Department of Public Safety. A judge shall determine whether the defendant is indigent, and if a determination of indigence is made, shall authorize the reinstatement of that person's driver's license upon proof of mandatory liability insurance subject to compliance with a payment plan for any fines, assessments and/or fees. Fraudulent use of an insurance card shall be punishable in accordance with Section 97-7-10. If such fines are levied in a municipal court, the funds from such fines shall be deposited in the general fund of the municipality. If such fines are levied in any of the courts of the county, the funds from such fines shall be deposited in the general fund of the county. A person convicted of a criminal offense under this subsection (4) shall not be convicted of a criminal offense under Section 63-16-13(1) arising from the same incident.
(5) If, at the hearing date or the date of payment of the fine the owner shows proof that such insurance was in effect at the time of citation, the case shall be dismissed as to the defendant with prejudice and all court costs shall be waived against the defendant.
(6) No law enforcement officer may access any function, feature or other electronic image on a person's cellular phone or other type of electronic device when enforcing the provisions of this section except for the electronic image of an insurance card shown to the officer.
SECTION 60. Section 63-16-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-16-7. (1) The Department of Public Safety, hereinafter referred to in this section as "department," shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, as applicable, and shall make rules necessary for the administration of the motor vehicle insurance verification system created under Section 63-16-3.
(2) The rules must:
(a) Establish standards and procedures for accessing the system by authorized personnel of the department, the courts, law enforcement personnel and any other entities authorized by the department that are consistent with specifications and standards of the Insurance Industry Committee on Motor Vehicle Administration and other applicable industry standards;
(b) Provide for the suspension of a driver's license when required by this chapter;
(c) Prohibit the reinstatement of a driver's license unless the applicable fines have been paid; and
(d) Provide for insurance information from insurers, not more often than every thirty (30) days, to identify motor vehicle insurance policy information; however, no insurer shall be required to provide such information in a format other than those set forth by the Insurance Industry Committee on Motor Vehicle Administration "Insurance Data Transfer Guide," as amended.
(3) The department may adopt additional rules to:
(a) Assist authorized users in interpreting responses received from the motor vehicle insurance verification system and determining the appropriate action to be taken as a result of a response; and
(b) Otherwise clarify system operations and business rules.
SECTION 61. Section 63-16-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
63-16-13. (1) If the operator of a motor vehicle being operated on the public roads, streets or highways of the State of Mississippi or registered in the State of Mississippi has been found failing to have motor vehicle liability insurance in at least the minimum amounts required under Section 63-15-3(j), it is a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and suspension of driving privilege for a period of one (1) year or until the owner of the motor vehicle shows proof of liability insurance that is in compliance with the liability limits required by Section 63-15-3(j) and has paid the fines and assessments imposed and the driver's license reinstatement fees imposed by the Department of Public Safety. A judge shall determine whether the defendant is indigent, and if a determination of indigence is made, shall authorize the reinstatement of that person's driver's license upon proof of mandatory liability insurance subject to compliance with a payment plan for any fines, assessments and/or fees. If such fines are levied in a municipal court, the funds from such fines shall be deposited in the general fund of the municipality. If such fines are levied in any of the courts of the county, the funds from such fines shall be deposited in the general fund of the county. A person convicted of a criminal offense under this subsection (1) shall not be convicted of a criminal offense under Section 63-15-4(4) arising from the same incident.
(2) (a) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Uninsured Motorist Identification Fund." The fund shall consist of monies deposited therein as provided under subsection (1) of this section and monies from any other source designated for deposit into such fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund; however, one-half (1/2) of any monies in excess of the amount needed to defray the expenses and costs of the verification system created under Section 63-16-3 remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall be transferred to a special fund created in the State Treasury for the purpose of funding a Highway Patrol Trooper School, and one-half (1/2) of any monies in excess of the amount needed to defray the expenses and costs of the verification system created under Section 63-16-3 remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall be transferred to the Mississippi Trauma Care Systems Fund created under Section 41-59-75.
(b) Monies in the Uninsured Motorist Identification Fund may be used by the Department of Public Safety, upon appropriation by the Legislature, only for the purpose of defraying expenses and costs for the motor vehicle insurance verification system created under Section 63-16-3. In addition, at any time during a fiscal year, if the Department of Public Safety determines that funds in the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund created under Section 45-2-1 are insufficient, the department may request the State Fiscal Officer to transfer funds from the Uninsured Motorist Identification Fund. The State Fiscal Officer may make an appropriate transfer if he determines that the funds in the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund are insufficient and the funds in the Uninsured Motorist Identification Fund will be sufficient for defraying the expenses and costs for the motor vehicle insurance verification system created under Section 63-16-3. Monies in the fund used for the purposes described in this paragraph (b) shall be in addition to other funds available from any other source for such purposes.
SECTION 62. Section 45-1-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-1-3. When not otherwise specifically provided, the commissioner is authorized to make and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to be coordinated, and carry out the general provisions of the Highway Safety Patrol and Driver's License Law of 1938.
SECTION 63. Section 45-1-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-1-12. (1) The salaries of all officers of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol who have completed the course of instruction in an authorized highway patrol training school on general law enforcement, and are serving as a sworn officer of the Highway Patrol in the enforcement of the laws of the State of Mississippi, including service in the driver's license division and the sworn officers of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, shall be determined and paid in accordance with the scale for officers salaries as provided in this subsection:
Department of Public Safety Sworn Officers Salary Schedule -
2015-2016 Fiscal Year and Thereafter
Rank Years of Experience
Less than 4 Over 4 Over 8 Over 12
Trooper 38,000
Trooper FC 41,000
Corporal 44,000
Sergeant 47,000
Rank Years of Experience
Over 16 Over 20 Over 24 Over 29
Staff Sgt. 50,000
Sr. Staff Sgt. 53,000
Sgt. 1st Class 56,000 59,000
Rank Years of Experience
Over 5 Over 10 Over 15 Over 20 Over 25 Over 29
Master Sgt. 53,000 56,000 59,000 62,000 65,000 68,000
Lieutenant 62,000 65,000 68,000 71,000 74,000 77,000
Captain 74,000 77,000 80,000 83,000 86,000
Major 86,000 89,000 92,000 95,000
Lt. Colonel 95,000 98,000 101,000 104,000
Colonel 112,000 112,000 112,000 112,000
Department of Public Safety/MS Bureau of Narcotics
Sworn Officers Salary Schedule
2015-2016 Fiscal Year and Thereafter
Rank Years of Experience
Less than 4 Over 4 Over 8 Over 12
LE-Agent I 38,000
LE-Agent II 41,000
LE-Agent III 44,000
LE-Agent IV 47,000
Rank Years of Experience
Over 16 Over 20 Over 24 Over 29
LE-Agent V 50,000
LE-Agent VI 53,000
Rank Years of Experience
Over 7 Over 12 Over 17 Over 22 Over 27 Over 32
Lieutenant 62,000 65,000 68,000 71,000 74,000 77,000
Captain 74,000 77,000 80,000 83,000 86,000
Major 86,000 89,000 92,000 95,000
Lt. Colonel 95,000 98,000 101,000 104,000
Colonel 112,000 112,000 112,000 112,000
(2) All sworn officers in the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics employed on a full-time basis shall be paid a salary in accordance with the above scale. The rank and years of experience of each sworn officer to be used in establishing the salary shall be determined by the rank and years of experience on July 1 of the current fiscal year.
(3) For purposes of applying the rank designation to the above scale, the following job classifications of the State Personnel Board shall be applicable for the Mississippi Highway Patrol:
Rank Job Classes
(a) Trooper DPS-Highway Patrol Officer I
LE-Investigator II
(b) Trooper First Class DPS-Highway Patrol Officer II
LE-Investigator III
(c) Corporal DPS-Highway Patrol Officer III
LE-Investigator IV
(d) Sergeant DPS-Highway Patrol Officer IV
LE-Investigator V
(e) Staff Sergeant DPS-Highway Patrol Officer V
(f) Senior Staff Sergeant DPS-Highway Patrol Officer VI
Tech Spec
(g) Master Sgt/Sgt. F/C DPS-Assistant Inspector
DPS-Highway Patrol Officer VII
DPS-Investigator I
DPS-Supv. Driver Serv.
(h) Lieutenant DPS-Air Operations Officer
DPS-Dir. Corr. Intelligence
DPS-Dist. Executive Officer
DPS-Regional Supv. Driver. Serv.
DPS-Branch Director
LE-Dir/Training
LE-Dist. Investigator
(i) Captain DPS-Staff Officer (MHP)
(j) Major DPS-Bureau Director II
(k) Lt. Colonel DPS-Deputy Administrator;
DPS-Chief of Staff
(l) Colonel/Chief of Patrol Dir-Office of MS Hwy Safety Patrol
(4) For purposes of applying the rank designation to the above scale, the following job classifications of the State Personnel Board shall be applicable for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics:
Rank Job Classes
(a) Agents LE-Agent I
LE-Agent II
LE-Agent III
LE-Agent IV
LE-Agent V
LE-Agent VI
(b) Lieutenant BN-District Investigator (LT)
(c) Captain BN-District Commander
(d) Major BN-Bureau Director II
Office Director I
(e) Lt. Colonel BN-Deputy Administrator
(f) Colonel Director, Bureau of Narcotics
(5) In any fiscal year after July 1, 2015, in the event the Legislature provides across-the-board salary increases to state employees whose compensation is paid from the State General Fund and subject to specific appropriation therefor by the Legislature, the State Personnel Board shall revise the salary scale above to provide the same percentage or dollar amount increase as has been appropriated for other state employees.
(6) It shall be the duty of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to file with the Legislative Budget Office and the State Fiscal Officer such data and information as may be required to enable the said Legislative Budget Office and State Fiscal Officer to budget and distribute the funds necessary to compensate the sworn officers of the Department of Public Safety according to the requirements of the salary scale. Such data and information so filed may be revised from time to time as necessitated to reflect the current number and experience of sworn officers employed by the department.
SECTION 64. Section 45-1-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-1-13. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 45-1-1, 45-1-5, 45-1-17, 45-3-7 through 45-3-9, 63-1-13, 63-1-15, and 63-1-45 through 63-1-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, designating or specifying the division or department in which any employee shall be employed and the duties which such employee shall perform, the commissioner shall have full power and authority, in his discretion, to place and use any employees in any other division or department and to require such employees to perform and discharge duties arising under the Highway Safety Patrol and Driver's License Law of 1938.
SECTION 65. Section 45-1-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-1-21. (1) (a) The Mississippi Department of Public Safety being required by law to keep various records and perform various services and being authorized to furnish certain records and services, the department, by direction of the Commissioner of Public Safety, shall establish and collect for such services a proper fee, commensurate with the service rendered and the cost of the service for the furnishing of any record or abstract thereof in the Department of Public Safety now or which may hereafter be required by law to be kept by said department, any photograph or photo copy or any report of any kind authorized by law, including services for polygraph tests and reports thereof.
(b) No records shall be furnished by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety which are classified as confidential by law. All fees collected under this section shall be paid into the General Fund of the State Treasury in accordance with the provisions of Section 45-1-23(2).
(2) (a) (i) The Commissioner of Public Safety, by rule duly filed with the Secretary of State under the Administrative Procedures Act, may establish a card stock fee to be paid by an applicant when specifically authorized by statute for producing a license, permit or identification card bearing the likeness of the applicant. The card stock fee shall be the actual cost of producing the license, permit or identification card as set by contract rounded off to the next highest dollar.
(ii) The administrative rule filing shall include either:
1. A copy of the contract governing the actual cost of producing the license permit or identification card, from which nonpublic information may be redacted; or
2. An abstract of the pertinent parts of the contract verified to be correct by the person responsible for the administrative rule filing.
(b) Monies collected for the card stock fee shall be deposited into a special card stock fee account which the Department of Public Safety shall use to pay the actual cost of producing the licenses and identification cards. Any monies collected in excess of the actual costs of the card stock fee may be used by the department to defray the cost of future photography, fraud deterrence and driver's license technology initiatives. Money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund and any interest earned from the investment of monies in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.
SECTION 66. Section 45-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-3-1. This chapter and Article 1, Chapter 1, Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, may be cited as the Highway Safety Patrol and Driver's License Law of 1938.
SECTION 67. Section 45-9-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-9-101. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided, the Department of Public Safety is authorized to issue licenses to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers to persons qualified as provided in this section. Such licenses shall be valid throughout the state for a period of five (5) years from the date of issuance. Any person possessing a valid license issued pursuant to this section may carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or concealed revolver.
(b) The licensee must carry the license, together with valid identification, at all times in which the licensee is carrying a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver and must display both the license and proper identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer. A violation of the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall constitute a noncriminal violation with a penalty of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) and shall be enforceable by summons.
(2) The Department of Public Safety shall issue a license if the applicant:
(a) Is a resident of the state. However, this residency requirement may be waived if the applicant possesses a valid permit from another state, is active military personnel stationed in Mississippi, or is a retired law enforcement officer establishing residency in the state;
(b) (i) Is twenty-one (21) years of age or older; or
(ii) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age but not yet twenty-one (21) years of age and the applicant:
1. Is a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces, including National Guard or Reserve; and
2. Holds a valid Mississippi driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety;
(c) Does not suffer from a physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a stun gun, pistol or revolver;
(d) Is not ineligible to possess a firearm by virtue of having been convicted of a felony in a court of this state, of any other state, or of the United States without having been pardoned for same;
(e) Does not chronically or habitually abuse controlled substances to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired. It shall be presumed that an applicant chronically and habitually uses controlled substances to the extent that his faculties are impaired if the applicant has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a treatment facility for the abuse of a controlled substance or been found guilty of a crime under the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law or similar laws of any other state or the United States relating to controlled substances within a three-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted;
(f) Does not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired. It shall be presumed that an applicant chronically and habitually uses alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired if the applicant has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed as an alcoholic to a treatment facility or has been convicted of two (2) or more offenses related to the use of alcohol under the laws of this state or similar laws of any other state or the United States within the three-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted;
(g) Desires a legal means to carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver to defend himself;
(h) Has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent, or has waited five (5) years from the date of his restoration to capacity by court order;
(i) Has not been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or mental health treatment facility unless he possesses a certificate from a psychiatrist licensed in this state that he has not suffered from disability for a period of five (5) years;
(j) Has not had adjudication of guilt withheld or imposition of sentence suspended on any felony unless three (3) years have elapsed since probation or any other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled;
(k) Is not a fugitive from justice; and
(l) Is not disqualified to possess a weapon based on federal law.
(3) The Department of Public Safety may deny a license if the applicant has been found guilty of one or more crimes of violence constituting a misdemeanor unless three (3) years have elapsed since probation or any other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled or expunction has occurred prior to the date on which the application is submitted, or may revoke a license if the licensee has been found guilty of one or more crimes of violence within the preceding three (3) years. The department shall, upon notification by a law enforcement agency or a court and subsequent written verification, suspend a license or the processing of an application for a license if the licensee or applicant is arrested or formally charged with a crime which would disqualify such person from having a license under this section, until final disposition of the case. The provisions of subsection (7) of this section shall apply to any suspension or revocation of a license pursuant to the provisions of this section.
(4) The application shall be completed, under oath, on a form promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and shall include only:
(a) The name, address, place and date of birth, race, sex and occupation of the applicant;
(b) The driver's license number or social security number of applicant;
(c) Any previous address of the applicant for the two (2) years preceding the date of the application;
(d) A statement that the applicant is in compliance with criteria contained within subsections (2) and (3) of this section;
(e) A statement that the applicant has been furnished a copy of this section and is knowledgeable of its provisions;
(f) A conspicuous warning that the application is executed under oath and that a knowingly false answer to any question, or the knowing submission of any false document by the applicant, subjects the applicant to criminal prosecution; and
(g) A statement that the applicant desires a legal means to carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver to defend himself.
(5) The applicant shall submit only the following to the Department of Public Safety:
(a) A completed application as described in subsection (4) of this section;
(b) A full-face photograph of the applicant taken within the preceding thirty (30) days in which the head, including hair, in a size as determined by the Department of Public Safety, except that an applicant who is younger than twenty-one (21) years of age must submit a photograph in profile of the applicant;
(c) A nonrefundable license fee of Eighty Dollars ($80.00). Costs for processing the set of fingerprints as required in paragraph (d) of this subsection shall be borne by the applicant. Honorably retired law enforcement officers, disabled veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States shall be exempt from the payment of the license fee;
(d) A full set of fingerprints of the applicant administered by the Department of Public Safety; and
(e) A waiver authorizing the Department of Public Safety access to any records concerning commitments of the applicant to any of the treatment facilities or institutions referred to in subsection (2) and permitting access to all the applicant's criminal records.
(6) (a) The Department of Public Safety, upon receipt of the items listed in subsection (5) of this section, shall forward the full set of fingerprints of the applicant to the appropriate agencies for state and federal processing.
(b) The Department of Public Safety shall forward a copy of the applicant's application to the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence and, if applicable, the police chief of the applicant's municipality of residence. The sheriff of the applicant's county of residence and, if applicable, the police chief of the applicant's municipality of residence may, at his discretion, participate in the process by submitting a voluntary report to the Department of Public Safety containing any readily discoverable prior information that he feels may be pertinent to the licensing of any applicant. The reporting shall be made within thirty (30) days after the date he receives the copy of the application. Upon receipt of a response from a sheriff or police chief, such sheriff or police chief shall be reimbursed at a rate set by the department.
(c) The Department of Public Safety shall, within forty-five (45) days after the date of receipt of the items listed in subsection (5) of this section:
(i) Issue the license;
(ii) Deny the application based solely on the ground that the applicant fails to qualify under the criteria listed in subsections (2) and (3) of this section. If the Department of Public Safety denies the application, it shall notify the applicant in writing, stating the ground for denial, and the denial shall be subject to the appeal process set forth in subsection (7); or
(iii) Notify the applicant that the department is unable to make a determination regarding the issuance or denial of a license within the forty-five-day period prescribed by this subsection, and provide an estimate of the amount of time the department will need to make the determination.
(d) In the event a legible set of fingerprints, as determined by the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, cannot be obtained after a minimum of two (2) attempts, the Department of Public Safety shall determine eligibility based upon a name check by the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol and a Federal Bureau of Investigation name check conducted by the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol at the request of the Department of Public Safety.
(7) (a) If the Department of Public Safety denies the issuance of a license, or suspends or revokes a license, the party aggrieved may appeal such denial, suspension or revocation to the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his authorized agent, within thirty (30) days after the aggrieved party receives written notice of such denial, suspension or revocation. The Commissioner of Public Safety, or his duly authorized agent, shall rule upon such appeal within thirty (30) days after the appeal is filed and failure to rule within this thirty-day period shall constitute sustaining such denial, suspension or revocation. Such review shall be conducted pursuant to such reasonable rules and regulations as the Commissioner of Public Safety may adopt.
(b) If the revocation, suspension or denial of issuance is sustained by the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his duly authorized agent pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection, the aggrieved party may file within ten (10) days after the rendition of such decision a petition in the circuit or county court of his residence for review of such decision. A hearing for review shall be held and shall proceed before the court without a jury upon the record made at the hearing before the Commissioner of Public Safety or his duly authorized agent. No such party shall be allowed to carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver pursuant to the provisions of this section while any such appeal is pending.
(8) The Department of Public Safety shall maintain an automated listing of license holders and such information shall be available online, upon request, at all times, to all law enforcement agencies through the Mississippi Crime Information Center. However, the records of the department relating to applications for licenses to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers and records relating to license holders shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, and shall be released only upon order of a court having proper jurisdiction over a petition for release of the record or records.
(9) Within thirty (30) days after the changing of a permanent address, or within thirty (30) days after having a license lost or destroyed, the licensee shall notify the Department of Public Safety in writing of such change or loss. Failure to notify the Department of Public Safety pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall constitute a noncriminal violation with a penalty of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) and shall be enforceable by a summons.
(10) In the event that a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver license is lost or destroyed, the person to whom the license was issued shall comply with the provisions of subsection (9) of this section and may obtain a duplicate, or substitute thereof, upon payment of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) to the Department of Public Safety, and furnishing a notarized statement to the department that such license has been lost or destroyed.
(11) A license issued under this section shall be revoked if the licensee becomes ineligible under the criteria set forth in subsection (2) of this section.
(12) (a) No less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date of the license, the Department of Public Safety shall mail to each licensee a written notice of the expiration and a renewal form prescribed by the department. The licensee must renew his license on or before the expiration date by filing with the department the renewal form, a notarized affidavit stating that the licensee remains qualified pursuant to the criteria specified in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, and a full set of fingerprints administered by the Department of Public Safety or the sheriff of the county of residence of the licensee.
The first renewal may be processed by mail and the subsequent renewal must be made in person. Thereafter every other renewal may be processed by mail to assure that the applicant must appear in person every ten (10) years for the purpose of obtaining a new photograph.
(i) Except as provided in this subsection, a renewal fee of Forty Dollars ($40.00) shall also be submitted along with costs for processing the fingerprints;
(ii) Honorably retired law enforcement officers, disabled veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States shall be exempt from the renewal fee; and
(iii) The renewal fee for a Mississippi resident aged sixty-five (65) years of age or older shall be Twenty Dollars ($20.00).
(b) The Department of Public Safety shall forward the full set of fingerprints of the applicant to the appropriate agencies for state and federal processing. The license shall be renewed upon receipt of the completed renewal application and appropriate payment of fees.
(c) A licensee who fails to file a renewal application on or before its expiration date must renew his license by paying a late fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00). No license shall be renewed six (6) months or more after its expiration date, and such license shall be deemed to be permanently expired. A person whose license has been permanently expired may reapply for licensure; however, an application for licensure and fees pursuant to subsection (5) of this section must be submitted, and a background investigation shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of this section.
(13) No license issued pursuant to this section shall authorize any person to carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver into any place of nuisance as defined in Section 95-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972; any police, sheriff or highway patrol station; any detention facility, prison or jail; any courthouse; any courtroom, except that nothing in this section shall preclude a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon in his courtroom; any polling place; any meeting place of the governing body of any governmental entity; any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof; any school, college or professional athletic event not related to firearms; any portion of an establishment, licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, that is primarily devoted to dispensing alcoholic beverages; any portion of an establishment in which beer or light wine is consumed on the premises, that is primarily devoted to such purpose; any elementary or secondary school facility; any junior college, community college, college or university facility unless for the purpose of participating in any authorized firearms-related activity; inside the passenger terminal of any airport, except that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal if the firearm is encased for shipment, for purposes of checking such firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft; any church or other place of worship, except as provided in Section 45-9-171; or any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law. In addition to the places enumerated in this subsection, the carrying of a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver may be disallowed in any place in the discretion of the person or entity exercising control over the physical location of such place by the placing of a written notice clearly readable at a distance of not less than ten (10) feet that the "carrying of a pistol or revolver is prohibited." No license issued pursuant to this section shall authorize the participants in a parade or demonstration for which a permit is required to carry a stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver.
(14) A law enforcement officer as defined in Section 45-6-3, chiefs of police, sheriffs and persons licensed as professional bondsmen pursuant to Chapter 39, Title 83, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be exempt from the licensing requirements of this section. The licensing requirements of this section do not apply to the carrying by any person of a stun gun, pistol or revolver, knife, or other deadly weapon that is not concealed as defined in Section 97-37-1.
(15) Any person who knowingly submits a false answer to any question on an application for a license issued pursuant to this section, or who knowingly submits a false document when applying for a license issued pursuant to this section, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 99-19-31, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(16) All fees collected by the Department of Public Safety pursuant to this section shall be deposited into a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury and shall be used for implementation and administration of this section. After the close of each fiscal year, the balance in this fund shall be certified to the Legislature and then may be used by the Department of Public Safety as directed by the Legislature.
(17) All funds received by a sheriff or police chief pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be deposited into the general fund of the county or municipality, as appropriate, and shall be budgeted to the sheriff's office or police department as appropriate.
(18) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require or allow the registration, documentation or providing of serial numbers with regard to any stun gun or firearm.
(19) Any person holding a valid unrevoked and unexpired license to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers issued in another state shall have such license recognized by this state to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers. The Department of Public Safety is authorized to enter into a reciprocal agreement with another state if that state requires a written agreement in order to recognize licenses to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers issued by this state.
(20) The provisions of this section shall be under the supervision of the Commissioner of Public Safety. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
(21) For the purposes of this section, the term "stun gun" means a portable device or weapon from which an electric current, impulse, wave or beam may be directed, which current, impulse, wave or beam is designed to incapacitate temporarily, injure, momentarily stun, knock out, cause mental disorientation or paralyze.
(22) (a) From and after January 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations which provide that licenses authorized by this section for honorably retired law enforcement officers and honorably retired correctional officers from the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall (i) include the words "retired law enforcement officer" on the front of the license, and (ii) that the license itself have a red background to distinguish it from other licenses issued under this section.
(b) An honorably retired law enforcement officer and honorably retired correctional officer shall provide the following information to receive the license described in this section: (i) a letter, with the official letterhead of the agency or department from which such officer is retiring, which explains that such officer is honorably retired, and (ii) a letter with the official letterhead of the agency or department, which explains that such officer has completed a certified law enforcement training academy.
(23) A disabled veteran who seeks to qualify for an exemption under this section shall be required to provide, as proof of service-connected disability, verification from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(24) A license under this section is not required for a loaded or unloaded pistol or revolver to be carried upon the person in a sheath, belt holster or shoulder holster or in a purse, handbag, satchel, other similar bag or briefcase or fully enclosed case if the person is not engaged in criminal activity other than a misdemeanor traffic offense, is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a pistol or revolver under state or federal law, and is not in a location prohibited under subsection (13) of this section.
SECTION 68. Section 45-33-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-33-25. (1) (a) Any person having a permanent or temporary residence in this state or who is employed or attending school in this state who has been convicted of a registrable offense in this state or another jurisdiction or who has been acquitted by reason of insanity of a registrable offense in this state or another jurisdiction shall register with the responsible agency and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Registration shall not be required for an offense that is not a registrable sex offense or for an offender who is under fourteen (14) years of age. The department shall provide the initial registration information as well as every change of name, change of address, change of status at a school, or other change of information as required by the department to the sheriff of the county of the residence address of the registrant, the sheriff of the county of the employment address, and the sheriff of the county of the school address, if applicable, and any other jurisdiction of the registrant through either written notice, electronic or telephone transmissions, or online access to registration information. Further, the department shall provide this information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Additionally, upon notification by the registrant that he intends to reside outside the State of Mississippi, the department shall notify the appropriate state law enforcement agency of any state to which a registrant is moving or has moved.
(b) Any person having a permanent or temporary residence or who is employed or attending school in this state who has been adjudicated delinquent for a registrable sex offense listed in this paragraph that involved use of force against the victim shall register as a sex offender with the responsible agency and shall personally appear at a Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within three (3) business days of registering with the responsible agency:
(i) Section 97-3-71 relating to rape and assault with intent to ravish;
(ii) Section 97-3-95 relating to sexual battery;
(iii) Section 97-3-65 relating to statutory rape; or
(iv) Conspiracy to commit, accessory to the commission of, or attempt to commit any offense listed in this paragraph.
(2) Any person required to register under this chapter shall submit the following information at the time of registration:
(a) Name, including a former name which has been legally changed;
(b) Street address of all current permanent and temporary residences within state or out of state at which the sex offender resides or habitually lives, including dates of temporary lodgings. There is a presumption that a registrant owes a duty of updating registration information if:
(i) The registrant remains away from a registered address for seven (7) or more consecutive days; or
(ii) If the registrant remains at another address between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. for more than seven (7) consecutive days;
(c) Date, place and address of employment, including as a volunteer or unpaid intern or as a transient or day laborer;
(d) Crime for which charged, arrested or convicted;
(e) Date and place of conviction, adjudication or acquittal by reason of insanity;
(f) Aliases used or nicknames, ethnic or tribal names by which commonly known;
(g) Social security number and any purported social security number or numbers;
(h) Date and place of birth and any purported date and place of birth;
(i) Age, race, sex, height, weight, hair and eye colors, and any other physical description or identifying factors;
(j) A brief description of the offense or offenses for which the registration is required;
(k) Driver's license or state or other jurisdiction identification card number, which license or card may be electronically accessed by the Department of Public Safety;
(l) Anticipated future residence;
(m) If the registrant's residence is a motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home or manufactured home, the registrant shall also provide vehicle identification number, license tag number, registration number and a description, including color scheme, of the motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home or manufactured home; if the registrant's place of residence is a vessel or houseboat, the registrant shall also provide the hull identification number, manufacturer's serial number, name of the vessel or houseboat, registration number and a description, including color scheme, of the vessel or houseboat, including permanent or frequent locations where the motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, manufactured home, vessel or houseboat is kept;
(n) Vehicle make, model, color and license tag number for all vehicles owned or operated by the sex offender, whether for work or personal use, and the permanent or frequent locations where a vehicle is kept;
(o) Offense history;
(p) Photograph;
(q) Fingerprints and palm prints;
(r) Documentation of any treatment received for any mental abnormality or personality disorder of the person;
(s) Biological sample;
(t) Name of any public or private educational institution, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution or institution of higher education at which the offender is employed, carries on a vocation (with or without compensation) or is enrolled as a student, or will be enrolled as a student, and the registrant's status;
(u) Copy of conviction or sentencing order for the sex offense for which registration is required;
(v) The offender's parole, probation or supervised release status and the existence of any outstanding arrest warrants;
(w) Every online identity, screen name or username used, registered or created by a registrant;
(x) Professional licensing information which authorizes the registrant to engage in an occupation or carry out a trade or occupation;
(y) Information from passport and immigration documents;
(z) All telephone numbers, including, but not limited to, permanent residence, temporary residence, cell phone and employment phone numbers, whether landlines or cell phones; and
(aa) Any other information deemed necessary.
(3) For purposes of this chapter, a person is considered to be residing in this state if he maintains a permanent or temporary residence as defined in Section 45-33-23, including students, temporary employees and military personnel on assignment.
(4) (a) A person required to register under this chapter shall not reside within three thousand (3,000) feet of the real property comprising a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school, a child care facility, a residential child-caring agency, a children's group care home or any playground, ballpark or other recreational facility utilized by persons under the age of eighteen (18) years.
(b) A person residing within three thousand (3,000) feet of the real property comprising a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school or a child care facility does not commit a violation of this subsection if any of the following apply:
(i) The person is serving a sentence at a jail, prison, juvenile facility or other correctional institution or facility.
(ii) The person is subject to an order of commitment under Title 41, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(iii) The person established the subject residence before July 1, 2006.
(iv) The school or child care facility is established within three thousand (3,000) feet of the person's residence subsequent to the date the person established residency.
(v) The person established the subject residence between July 1, 2006, and January 1, 2014, in a location at least one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet from the school or child care facility.
(vi) The person is a minor or a ward under a guardianship.
(c) A person residing within three thousand (3,000) feet of the real property comprising a residential child-caring agency, a children's group care home or any playground, ballpark or other recreational facility utilized by persons under the age of eighteen (18) years does not commit a violation of this subsection if any of the following apply:
(i) The person established the subject residence before July 1, 2008.
(ii) The residential child-caring agency, children's group care home, playground, ballpark or other recreational facility utilized by persons under the age of eighteen (18) years is established within three thousand (3,000) feet of the person's residence subsequent to the date the person established residency.
(iii) The person established the subject residence between July 1, 2008, and January 1, 2014, in a location at least one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet from the residential child-caring agency, children's group care home, playground, ballpark or other recreational facility utilized by persons under the age of eighteen (18) years.
(iv) Any of the conditions described in subsection (4)(b)(i), (ii) or (vi) exist.
(5) The Department of Public Safety is required to obtain the text of the law defining the offense or offenses for which the registration is required.
SECTION 69. Section 45-33-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-33-27. (1) A person required to register on the basis of a conviction, adjudication of delinquency or acquittal by reason of insanity entered shall register with the responsible agency within three (3) business days of the date of judgment unless the person is immediately confined or committed, in which case the person shall register before release in accordance with the procedures established by the department. The responsible agency shall immediately forward the registration information to the Department of Public Safety. The person is also required to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within three (3) days of registration with the responsible agency and to obtain a sex offender registration card.
(2) If a person who is required to register under this section is released from prison or placed on parole or supervised release or in a restitution center or community work center, the Department of Corrections shall perform the registration duties before placement in a center or before release and immediately forward the registration information to the Department of Public Safety. The person is also required to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within three (3) days of release or placement in a restitution center or community work center.
(3) If a person required to register under this section is placed on probation, the court, at the time of entering the order, shall register the person and immediately forward the registration information to the Department of Public Safety. The person is also required to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within three (3) days of the entry of the order.
(4) Any person required to register who is neither incarcerated, detained nor committed at the time the requirement to register attaches shall present himself to the county sheriff to register within three (3) business days, and shall personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within three (3) days of the time the requirement to register attaches.
(5) An offender moving to or returning to this state from another jurisdiction shall notify the Department of Public Safety ten (10) days before the person first resides in or returns to this state and shall present himself to the sheriff of the county of his residence within three (3) business days after first residing in or returning to a county of this state to provide the required registration information. The person is also required to register by personally appearing at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within three (3) days after first residing in or moving to a county of this state. If the offender fails to appear for registration as required in this state, the department shall notify the other jurisdiction of the failure to register.
(6) A person, other than a person confined in a correctional or juvenile detention facility or involuntarily committed on the basis of mental illness, who is required to register on the basis of a sex offense for which a conviction, adjudication of delinquency or acquittal by reason of insanity was entered shall register with the sheriff of the county in which he resides no later than August 15, 2000, or within three (3) business days of first residing in or returning to a county of this state.
(7) Every person required to register shall show proof of domicile. The commissioner shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to enforce this requirement and shall prescribe the means by which such person may show domicile.
(8) Any driver's license photograph, I.D. photograph, sex offender photograph, fingerprint, driver's license application and/or anything submitted to the Department of Public Safety by a known convicted sex offender, registered or not registered, can be used by the Department of Public Safety or any other authorized law enforcement agency for any means necessary in registration, identification, investigation regarding their tracking or identification.
(9) The department will assist local law enforcement agencies in the effort to conduct address and other verifications of registered sex offenders and will assist in the location and apprehension of noncompliant sex offenders.
SECTION 70. Section 45-33-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-33-29. (1) Upon any change of address, including temporary lodging, an offender required to register under this chapter is required to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station not less than ten (10) days before he intends to first reside at the new address.
(2) Upon any change in the status of a registrant's enrollment, employment or vocation at any public or private educational institution, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution or institution of higher education, the offender is required to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within three (3) business days of the change.
(3) Upon any change of employment or change of name, a registrant is required to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within three (3) business days of the change.
(4) Upon any change of vehicle information, a registrant is required to report the change on an appropriate form supplied by the department within three (3) business days of the change.
(5) Upon any change of e-mail address or addresses, instant message address or addresses, or any other designation used in Internet communications, postings or telephone communications, a registrant is required to report the change on an appropriate form supplied by the department within three (3) business days of the change.
(6) Upon any change of information deemed by the department to be necessary to the state's policy to assist local law enforcement agencies' efforts to protect their communities, a registrant is required to report the change on an appropriate form supplied by the department within three (3) business days of the change.
SECTION 71. Section 45-33-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-33-31. (1) (a) Registrants who are in compliance with a program of electronic monitoring under this chapter are required to reregister annually.
(b) All other registrants are required to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station to reregister every ninety (90) days.
(2) Reregistration includes the submission of current information and photograph to the department and the verification of registration information, including the street address and telephone number of the registrant; name, street address and telephone number of the registrant's employment or status at a school, along with any other registration information that may need to be verified and the payment of any required fees.
(3) A person who fails to reregister and obtain a renewal sex offender registration card as required by this section commits a violation of this chapter. The Department of Public Safety will immediately notify any sheriff or other jurisdiction of any changes in information including residence address, employment and status at a school if that jurisdiction, county or municipality is affected by the change.
SECTION 72. Section 45-33-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-33-33. (1) (a) The failure of an offender to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station or to provide any registration or other information, including, but not limited to, initial registration, reregistration, change of address information, change of employment, change of name, required notification to a volunteer organization or any other registration duty or submission of information required by this chapter is a violation of this chapter. Additionally, forgery of information or submission of information under false pretenses, whether by the registrant or another person, is also a violation of this chapter.
(b) A person commits a violation of this chapter who:
(i) Knowingly
harbors, or knowingly attempts to harbor, or knowingly assists another person
in harboring or attempting to harbor a sex offender who is in violation of this
chapter; * * *
(ii) Knowingly assists a sex offender in eluding a law enforcement agency that is seeking to find the sex offender to question the sex offender about, or to arrest the sex offender for, noncompliance with the requirements of this chapter; or
(iii) Provides information to a law enforcement agency regarding a sex offender which the person knows to be false.
(c) A registrant who is required to submit to electronic monitoring who does not comply with all the terms and conditions of the electronic monitoring commits a violation of this chapter.
(2) (a) Unless otherwise specified, a violation of this chapter shall be considered a felony and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than five (5) years, or both fine and imprisonment.
(b) A person who is required to register under this chapter who is subsequently convicted for a registration violation under this section, upon release from incarceration, shall submit to mandatory electronic monitoring under the program established under Section 45-33-45 for a period computed by subtracting the time the person spent in actual incarceration from the five-year maximum imprisonment for the offense and the period of post-release monitoring shall not be suspended or reduced by the court or the Department of Corrections.
(3) Whenever it appears that an offender has failed to comply with the duty to register, reregister or submit to electronic monitoring, the department shall promptly notify the sheriff of the county of the last-known address of the offender as well as the sheriff of the county of the last-known location of the offender, if different. Upon notification, the sheriff shall attempt to locate the offender at his last-known address or last-known location.
(a) If the sheriff locates the offender, he shall enforce the provisions of this chapter, including initiation of prosecution if appropriate. The sheriff shall then notify the department with the current information regarding the offender.
(b) If the sheriff is unable to locate the offender, the sheriff shall promptly notify the department and initiate a criminal prosecution against the offender for the failure to register, reregister or comply with electronic monitoring. The sheriff shall make the appropriate transactions into the Federal Bureau of Investigation's wanted-person database and issue a warrant for the offender's arrest. The department shall notify the United States Marshals Service of the offender's noncompliant status and shall update the registry database and website to show the defendant's noncompliant status as an absconder.
(4) A violation of this chapter shall result in the arrest of the offender.
(5) Any prosecution for a violation of this section shall be brought by a prosecutor in the county of the violation.
(6) A person required to register under this chapter who commits any act or omission in violation of this chapter may be prosecuted for the act or omission in the county in which the act or omission was committed, the county of the last registered address of the sex offender, the county in which the conviction occurred for the offense or offenses that meet the criteria requiring the person to register, the county in which he was designated a sex offender, or the county in which the sex offender was found.
(7) The Commissioner of Public Safety or his authorized agent shall suspend the driver's license or driving privilege of any offender failing to comply with the duty to report, register or reregister, submit to monitoring, or who has provided false information.
(8) When a person required to register under this chapter is accused of any registration offense under this section, pretrial release on bond shall be conditioned on the offender's submission to electronic monitoring under the program established under Section 45-33-45.
SECTION 73. Section 45-33-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-33-35. (1) The Mississippi Department of Public Safety shall maintain a central registry of sex offender information as defined in Section 45-33-25 and shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out this section. The responsible agencies shall provide the information required in Section 45-33-25 on a form developed by the department to ensure accurate information is maintained.
(2) Upon conviction, adjudication or acquittal by reason of insanity of any sex offender, if the sex offender is not immediately confined or not sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the clerk of the court which convicted and sentenced the sex offender shall inform the person of the duty to register, including the duty to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station, and shall perform the registration duties as described in Section 45-33-23 and forward the information to the department.
(3) Before release from prison or placement on parole, supervised release or in a work center or restitution center, the Department of Corrections shall inform the person of the duty to register, including the duty to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station, and shall perform the registration duties as described in Section 45-33-23 and forward the information to the Department of Public Safety.
(4) Before release from a community regional mental health center or from confinement in a mental institution following an acquittal by reason of insanity, the director of the facility shall inform the offender of the duty to register, including the duty to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station, and shall perform the registration duties as described in Section 45-33-23 and forward the information to the Department of Public Safety.
(5) Before release from a youthful offender facility, the director of the facility shall inform the person of the duty to register, including the duty to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station, and shall perform the registration duties as described in Section 45-33-23 and forward the information to the Department of Public Safety.
(6) In addition to performing the registration duties, the responsible agency shall:
(a) Inform the person having a duty to register that:
(i) The person is required to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station at least ten (10) days before changing address.
(ii) Any change of address to another jurisdiction shall be reported to the department by personally appearing at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station not less than ten (10) days before the change of address. The offender shall comply with any registration requirement in the new jurisdiction.
(iii) The person must register in any jurisdiction where the person is employed, carries on a vocation, is stationed in the military or is a student.
(iv) Address verifications shall be made by personally appearing at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within the required time period.
(v) Notification or verification of a change in status of a registrant's enrollment, employment or vocation at any public or private educational institution, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution, or institution of higher education shall be reported to the department by personally appearing at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within three (3) business days of the change.
(vi) If the person has been convicted of a sex offense, the person shall notify any organization for which the person volunteers in which volunteers have direct, private or unsupervised contact with minors that the person has been convicted of a sex offense as provided in Section 45-33-32(1).
(vii) Upon any change of name or employment, a registrant is required to personally appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver's License Station within three (3) business days of the change.
(viii) Upon any change of vehicle information, a registrant is required to report the change on an appropriate form supplied by the department within three (3) business days of the change.
(ix) Upon any change of e-mail address or addresses, instant message address or addresses or any other designation used in Internet communications, postings or telephone communications, a registrant is required to report the change on an appropriate form supplied by the department within three (3) business days of the change.
(x) Upon any change of information deemed to be necessary to the state's policy to assist local law enforcement agencies' efforts to protect their communities, a registrant is required to report the change on an appropriate form supplied by the department within three (3) business days of the change.
(b) Require the person to read and sign a form stating that the duty of the person to register under this chapter has been explained.
(c) Obtain or facilitate the obtaining of a biological sample from every registrant as required by this chapter if such biological sample has not already been provided to the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory.
(d) Provide a copy of the order of conviction or sentencing order to the department at the time of registration.
SECTION 74. Section 45-33-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-33-43. At the time a person surrenders a driver's license from another jurisdiction or makes an application for a driver's license, temporary driving permit, intermediate license, commercial driver's license or identification card issued under Section 45-35-3, the department shall provide the applicant with written information on the registration requirements of this chapter and shall require written acknowledgment by the applicant of receipt of the notification.
SECTION 75. Section 45-35-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
45-35-7. (1) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1), each applicant for an original or renewal identification card issued pursuant to this chapter who is entitled to issuance of such a card shall be issued a four-year card or an eight-year card, at the option of the applicant. Each card shall expire at midnight on the cardholder's birthday and may be renewed any time within six (6) months before the expiration date of the card upon application and payment of the required fee.
(b) Any applicant who is blind, as defined in Section 43-6-1, upon payment of the fee prescribed in Section 63-1-43, shall be issued an original or renewal identification card which shall remain valid for a period of eight (8) years, shall expire at midnight on the cardholder's birthday, and may be renewed any time within six (6) months before the expiration date of the card upon application and payment of the required fee.
(2) (a) Any applicant who is not a United States citizen, upon payment of the fee prescribed in Section 63-1-43, shall be issued an original or renewal identification card which shall expire four (4) years from date of issuance or on the expiration date of the applicant's authorized stay in the United States, whichever is the lesser period of time, and may be renewed, if the person is otherwise qualified to renew the license, within thirty (30) days of expiration.
(b) An applicant for an original or renewal identification card under paragraph (a) must present valid documentary evidence documenting that the applicant:
(i) Is a citizen or national of the United States;
(ii) Is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence in the United States;
(iii) Has conditional permanent residence status in the United States;
(iv) Has an approved application for asylum in the United States or has entered into the United States in refugee status;
(v) Has a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa status for entry into or lawful presence in the United States;
(vi) Has a pending application for asylum in the United States;
(vii) Has a pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
(viii) Has approved deferred-action status;
(ix) Has pending an application for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States or conditional permanent resident status in the United States; or
(x) Has a valid employment authorization card issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
(3) The fee for the issuance of an original or renewal identification card shall be as prescribed in Section 63-1-43.
(4) Any person who, for medical reasons, surrenders his unexpired driver's license, and any person whose unexpired driver's license is suspended for medical reasons by the Commissioner of Public Safety under Section 63-1-53(2)(e), upon request shall be issued an identification card without payment of a fee. The identification card shall be valid for a period of four (4) years from its date of issue. Subsequent renewals shall be subject to the fees prescribed in Section 63-1-43.
(5) The department shall maintain a record of all identification cards issued.
(6) (a) Any male who is at least eighteen (18) years of age but less than twenty-six (26) years of age and who applies for an identification card or a renewal of an identification card under this chapter shall be registered in compliance with the requirements of Section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act, 50 USCS Appx 451 et seq., as amended.
(b) The department shall forward in an electronic format the necessary personal information of the applicant to the Selective Service System. The applicant's submission of the application shall serve as an indication that the applicant either has already registered with the Selective Service System or that he is authorizing the department to forward to the Selective Service System the necessary information for registration. The commissioner shall notify the applicant on, or as a part of, the application that his submission of the application will serve as his consent to registration with the Selective Service System, if so required. The commissioner also shall notify any male applicant under the age of eighteen (18) that he will be registered upon turning age eighteen (18) as required by federal law.
SECTION 76. Section 23-15-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
23-15-7. (1) The Secretary of State shall negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding which shall be entered into by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the registrar of each county for the purpose of providing a Mississippi Voter Identification Card. The card shall be valid for the purpose of voter identification purposes under Section 23-15-563 and available only to registered voters of this state. No fee shall be charged or collected for the application for or issuance of a Mississippi Voter Identification Card. Any costs associated with the application for or issuance of a Mississippi Voter Identification Card shall be made payable from the state's General Fund.
(2) The registrar of each county shall provide a location in the registrar's office at which he or she shall accept applications for Mississippi Voter Identification Cards in accordance with the Mississippi Constitution; however, in counties having two (2) judicial districts the registrar shall provide a location in the registrar's office in each judicial district at which he or she shall accept applications for Mississippi Voter Identification Cards in accordance with the Mississippi Constitution.
(3) No person shall be eligible for a Mississippi Voter Identification Card if the person has a valid unexpired Mississippi driver's license or an identification card issued under Section 45-35-1 et seq.
(4) (a) The Mississippi Voter Identification Card shall be captioned "MISSISSIPPI VOTER IDENTIFICATION CARD" and shall contain a prominent statement that under Mississippi law it is valid only as identification for voting purposes. The identification card shall include the following information regarding the applicant:
(i) Full legal name;
(ii) Legal residence address;
(iii) Mailing address, if different; and
(iv) Voting information.
(b) The Mississippi Voter Identification Card shall also contain the date the voter identification card was issued, the county in which the voter is registered and such other information as required by the Secretary of State.
(5) The application shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant and any falsification or fraud in the making of the application shall constitute false swearing under Section 97-7-35.
(6) The registrar shall require presentation and verification of any of the following information during the application process before issuance of a Mississippi Voter Identification Card:
(a) A photo identity document; or
(b) Documentation showing the person's date and place of birth; or
(c) A social security card; or
(d) A Medicare card; or
(e) A Medicaid card; or
(f) Such other acceptable evidence of verification of residence in the county as determined by the Secretary of State.
(7) A Mississippi Voter Identification Card shall remain valid for as long as the cardholder remains qualified to vote. It shall be the duty of a person who moves his or her residence within this state to surrender his or her voter identification card to the registrar of the county of his or her new residence and that person may thereafter apply for and receive a new card if such person is eligible under this section. It shall be the duty of a person who moves his or her residence outside this state or who ceases to be qualified to vote to surrender his or her card to the registrar who issued it.
(8) The Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, shall adopt rules and regulations for the administration of this section.
SECTION 77. Section 23-15-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
23-15-47. (1) Any person who is qualified to register to vote in the State of Mississippi may register to vote by mail-in application in the manner prescribed in this section.
(2) The following procedure shall be used in the registration of electors by mail:
(a) Any qualified elector may register to vote by mailing or delivering a completed mail-in application to his or her county registrar at least thirty (30) days before any election; however, if the thirtieth day to register before an election falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, the registration applications submitted on the business day immediately following the Sunday or legal holiday shall be accepted and entered into the Statewide Elections Management System for the purpose of enabling voters to vote in the next election. The postmark date of a mailed application shall be the applicant's date of registration.
(b) Upon receipt of a mail-in application, the county registrar shall stamp the application with the date of receipt, and shall verify the application either by matching the applicant's Mississippi driver's license number through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety or by matching the applicant's social security number through the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. Within fourteen (14) days of receipt of a mail-in registration application, the county registrar shall complete action on the application, including any attempts to notify the applicant of the status of his or her application.
(c) If the county registrar determines that the applicant is qualified and his or her application is legible and complete, the county registrar shall mail the applicant written notification that the application has been approved, specifying the county voting precinct, municipal voting precinct, if any, polling place and supervisor district in which the person shall vote. This written notification of approval containing the specified information shall be the voter's registration card. The registration card shall be provided by the county registrar to the applicant in accordance with Section 23-15-39. Upon entry of the voter registration information into the Statewide Elections Management System, the system shall assign a voter registration number to the applicant. The assigned voter registration number shall be clearly shown on the written notification of approval. In mailing the written notification, the county registrar shall note the following on the envelope: "DO NOT FORWARD". If any registration notification form is returned as undeliverable, the voter's registration shall be void.
(d) A mail-in application shall be rejected for any of the following reasons:
(i) An incomplete portion of the application makes it impossible for the registrar to determine the eligibility of the applicant to register;
(ii) A portion of the application is illegible in the opinion of the county registrar and makes it impossible to determine the eligibility of the applicant to register;
(iii) The county registrar is unable to determine, from the address and information stated on the application, the precinct in which the voter should be assigned or the supervisor district in which he or she is entitled to vote;
(iv) The applicant is not qualified to register to vote pursuant to Section 23-15-11;
(v) The county registrar determines that the applicant is already registered as a qualified elector of the county;
(vi) The county registrar is unable to verify the application pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section.
(e) If the mail-in application of a person is subject to rejection for any of the reasons set forth in paragraph (d)(i) through (iii) of this subsection, and it appears to the county registrar that the defect or omission is of such a minor nature and that any necessary additional information may be supplied by the applicant over the telephone or by further correspondence, the county registrar may write or call the applicant at the telephone number or address, or both, provided on the application. If the county registrar is able to contact the applicant by mail or telephone, the county registrar shall attempt to ascertain the necessary information, and if this information is sufficient for the registrar to complete the application, the applicant shall be registered. If the necessary information cannot be obtained by mail or telephone, or is not sufficient to complete the application within fourteen (14) days of receipt, the county registrar shall give the applicant written notice of the rejection and provide the reason for the rejection. The county registrar shall further inform the applicant that he or she has a right to attempt to register by appearing in person or by filing another mail-in application.
(f) If a mail-in application is subject to rejection for the reason stated in paragraph (d)(v) of this subsection and the "present home address" portion of the application is different from the residence address for the applicant found in the Statewide Elections Management System, the mail-in application shall be deemed a written request to update the voter's registration pursuant to Section 23-15-13. The county registrar or the election commissioners shall update the voter's residence address in the Statewide Elections Management System and, if necessary, advise the voter of a change in the location of his or her county or municipal polling place by mailing the voter a new voter registration card.
(3) The instructions and the application form for voter registration by mail shall be in a form established by rule duly adopted by the Secretary of State.
(4) (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish without charge the necessary forms for application for voter registration by mail to each county registrar, municipal clerk, all public schools, each private school that requests such applications, and all public libraries.
(b) The Secretary of State shall distribute without charge sufficient forms for application for voter registration by mail to the Commissioner of Public Safety, who shall distribute the forms to each driver's license examining and renewal station in the state, and shall ensure that the forms are regularly available to the public at such stations.
(c) Bulk quantities of forms for application for voter registration by mail shall be furnished by the Secretary of State to any person or organization. The Secretary of State shall charge a person or organization the actual cost he or she incurs in providing bulk quantities of forms for application for voter registration to such person or organization.
(5) The originals of completed mail-in applications shall remain on file in the office of the county registrar with copies retained in the Statewide Elections Management System.
(6) If the applicant indicates on the application that he or she resides within the city limits of a city or town in the county of registration, the county registrar shall enter the information into the Statewide Elections Management System.
(7) If the applicant indicates on the application that he or she has previously registered to vote in another county of this state or another state, notice to the voter's previous county of registration in this state shall be provided through the Statewide Elections Management System. If the voter's previous place of registration was in another state, notice shall be provided to the voter's previous state of residence.
(8) Any person who attempts to register to vote by mail shall be subject to the penalties for false registration provided for in Section 23-15-17.
SECTION 78. Section 23-15-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
23-15-49. (1) (a) The Secretary of State shall, with the support of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, establish a secure Internet website to permit registered electors to change their name, address or other information set forth in the elector's existing voter registration record.
(b) Upon the request of an elector through the secure website, the software used by the Secretary of State for processing applications through the website shall provide for verification that:
(i) The elector has a current and valid Mississippi driver's license or photo identification card issued by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the number for that driver's license or photo identification card provided by the applicant matches the number for the elector's driver's license or photo identification card that is on file with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety;
(ii) The name and date of birth provided by the voter matches the name and date of birth that is on file with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety; and
(iii) The information provided by the elector matches the information on file with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
If any of the information does not match that on file with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the changes shall be rejected.
(2) Any person who attempts to change registration information under this section shall be subject to the penalties for false registration provided for in Section 97-13-25.
(3) The Secretary of State and the Department of Public Safety shall enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for the sharing of information required to facilitate the requirements of this section.
SECTION 79. Section 23-15-169.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
23-15-169.1. The Secretary of State and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall enter into an agreement to grant the Secretary of State's Office "read only" access to the driver's license database and identification cardholder database for the purpose of matching information in the database of the Statewide Elections Management System created in Section 23-15-163 et seq. to the extent required to enable the Secretary of State to verify the accuracy of information provided on applications for voter registration in compliance with the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
SECTION 80. Section 27-19-56, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
27-19-56. (1) (a) Upon application by any legal resident of the State of Mississippi with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, or by the owner of a motor vehicle who has a child, parent or spouse with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk and the child, parent or spouse is living with the applicant, the Department of Revenue shall prepare and issue through the county tax collectors a special license plate bearing the International Symbol of Access adopted by Rehabilitation International in 1969 at its Eleventh World Congress on Rehabilitation of the Disabled for not more than two (2) vehicles that are registered in the applicant's name. The initial application shall be accompanied by the certification of a licensed physician that (i) the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse meets the definition of persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk; and (ii) that the physician has determined that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse will have the disability for at least five (5) years. The Department of Revenue shall prepare and issue to the tax collectors of the various counties, decals for placement on the special license plates. The decals shall bear thereon the month in which the license plate was issued and the year in which the special license plate will expire. The special license plate issued under this section is valid for the period of time that the license tag attached upon a motor vehicle is issued pursuant to Section 27-19-31(1). A person to whom the special license plate is issued may retain the special license plate and may renew it by submitting to the county tax collector, on or before its expiration, the certification of a licensed physician that the physician has determined (i) that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk; and (ii) that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse will have the disability for at least five (5) years. If an applicant fails to renew the special license plate before its date of expiration, then he or she shall surrender the special license plate to the county tax collector and the tax collector shall issue to such person a regular license plate to replace the special license plate.
(b) Upon application by any legal resident of the State of Mississippi who has a disabled American veteran plate or tag issued under Section 27-19-53 properly displayed on his vehicle and a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, the Department of Revenue shall prepare and issue through the county tax collectors a special decal bearing the International Symbol of Access adopted by Rehabilitation International in 1969 at its Eleventh World Congress on Rehabilitation of the Disabled for not more than two (2) vehicles that are registered in the applicant's name and properly display the plate or tag issued under Section 27-19-53. The decal shall be affixed to the plate or tag issued under Section 27-19-53. The initial application shall be accompanied by the certification of a licensed physician that (i) the applicant meets the definition of persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk; and (ii) that the physician has determined that the applicant will have the disability for at least five (5) years. The Department of Revenue shall prepare and issue to the tax collectors of the various counties, decals for placement on the plate or tag issued under Section 27-19-53. The decals shall bear thereon the month in which the license plate or tag was issued and the year in which the plate or tag will expire. The special decal is valid for the period of time that the license tag attached upon a motor vehicle is issued pursuant to Section 27-19-53. A person to whom the special decal is issued may retain the decal and may renew it by submitting to the county tax collector, on or before its expiration, the certification of a licensed physician that the physician has determined (i) that the applicant meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk; and (ii) that the applicant will have the disability for at least five (5) years. If an applicant fails to renew the special license plate decal before its date of expiration, then he shall surrender the decal to the county tax collector.
(c) (i) The terms "vehicle" and "motor vehicle," as used in this section, include motorcycles.
(ii) The term "persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk" when used in this section means those persons who, as determined by a licensed physician:
1. Cannot walk two hundred (200) feet without stopping to rest; or
2. Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device; or
3. Are restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the person's forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one (1) second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one (1) liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty (60) mm/hg on room air at rest; or
4. Use portable oxygen; or
5. Have a cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association; or
6. Are severely limited in their ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition.
(d) An applicant for a special license plate or decal bearing the International Symbol of Access shall not be required to pay any fee or charge for the issuance of such license plate or decal separate from or in addition to the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees otherwise required by law to be paid for the issuance of a regular license plate for such vehicle.
(2) The Department of Revenue shall prepare removable windshield placards and such placards shall be issued and periodically renewed upon the applications of persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk, or upon the applications of owners of motor vehicles who have a child, parent or spouse with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk and the child, parent or spouse is living with the owner of the motor vehicle. The placards shall be issued, free of charge, to applicants through the offices of the tax collectors of the counties. The initial application shall be accompanied by the certification of a licensed physician that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse meets the definition of persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk. These placards shall be valid for the period of time that the license tag attached upon a motor vehicle is issued pursuant to Section 27-19-31(1) and may be renewed in the same manner as provided for the renewal of the special license plates or decals under subsection (1) of this section. The removable windshield placard must be displayed on the left side of the vehicle dashboard or by hanging it on the rearview mirror of the vehicle. The Department of Revenue shall prescribe the placement for motorcycles.
(3) The Department of Revenue shall provide for the issuance of a temporary removable windshield placard, upon the application of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, or upon the application of the owner of a motor vehicle who has a child, parent or spouse with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk and the child, parent or spouse is living with the owner of the motor vehicle. Temporary removable windshield placards authorized by this subsection shall be prepared by the Department of Revenue and shall be issued, free of charge, to applicants through the offices of the tax collectors of the counties. Application for a temporary removable windshield placard must be accompanied by the certification of a licensed physician that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse meets the definition of persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk. The certification shall also include the period of time that the physician determines the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse will have the disability, not to exceed six (6) months. The temporary removable windshield placard must be displayed on the left side of the vehicle dashboard or by hanging it on the rearview mirror of the vehicle. The temporary removable windshield placard shall be valid for a period of time for which the physician has determined that the applicant will have the disability, not to exceed six (6) months from the date of issuance. The Department of Revenue shall prescribe the placement for motorcycles.
(4) The removable windshield placard and the temporary removable windshield placard shall be two-sided and shall include:
(a) The International Symbol of Access, which is at least three (3) inches in height, centered on the placard (the color of the removable windshield placard shall be white on a blue shield; and the temporary removable windshield placard shall be white on a red shield);
(b) An identification number and, on the reverse side, the name of the individual to whom the placard is issued;
(c) A date of expiration; and
(d) The seal of the State of Mississippi.
(5) (a) It shall be unlawful to park a motor vehicle in an area set aside for persons who are disabled if the motor vehicle does not (i) have displayed the removable windshield placard authorized in this section with the date of expiration visible, (ii) have the special license plate issued under this section properly displayed upon the motor vehicle, (iii) have the disabled American veteran tag or plate issued under Section 27-19-53 properly displayed upon the motor vehicle, (iv) have the disabled Purple Heart Medal recipient tag or plate issued under Section 27-19-56.5 properly displayed upon the motor vehicle, or (v) have the disabled Bronze Star recipient tag or plate issued under Section 27-19-56.62 properly displayed upon the motor vehicle. Any person who unlawfully parks a motor vehicle in such areas, or who blocks such spaces or access thereto, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for each such violation. For the third and subsequent offenses under this section, the offender's driver's license shall be suspended for ninety (90) days by the Commissioner of Public Safety in accordance with Section 63-1-53 in addition to any fine imposed. The court shall not suspend or reduce any fine required to be imposed under this subsection.
(b) A person who is charged with a violation of this section by parking a motor vehicle in an area set aside for persons who are disabled and failing properly to display (i) a removable windshield placard on the dash of the vehicle or by hanging it on the rearview mirror of the vehicle, (ii) a special license plate issued under this section upon the vehicle, (iii) a disabled American veteran tag or plate issued under Section 27-19-53, (iv) have the disabled Purple Heart Medal recipient tag or plate issued under Section 27-19-56.5 properly displayed upon the motor vehicle, or (v) have the disabled Bronze Star recipient tag or plate issued under Section 27-19-56.62 properly displayed upon the motor vehicle, shall not be convicted and shall have the charge dismissed upon presentation to the court of proof by means of sworn oral testimony or sworn affidavit that at the time of the charged violation such person or a passenger in the vehicle possessed a valid removable windshield placard issued under this section.
(6) Any person who, for the purpose of obtaining a special license plate or windshield placard under this section, files with the county tax collector a physician's certification, knowing the certification to be false or to have been fraudulently obtained, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).
(7) All law enforcement officers are authorized to enforce this section on public and private property. Provision of spaces restricted to handicapped parking and proper marking of such spaces shall be considered as intent and permission to enforce such designated parking on private property. Any owner of private property may tow away a vehicle that is parked on the owner's private property in violation of the disabled parking restrictions set forth in this section at the vehicle owner's expense. In addition, the vehicle owner may be subject to any fines or other penalties provided in this section. Only areas marked in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines or equivalent standards shall be enforced. Spaces shall bear the International Symbol of Access.
(8) Motor vehicles displaying a special license plate, license plate decal, placard or parking certificate or permit bearing the International Symbol of Access issued to a person with a disability by any other state or district subject to the laws of the United States shall be allowed the special parking privileges under this section provided the license plate, decal, placard, permit or certificate bears the International Symbol of Access and is displayed in a prominent place on the vehicle.
(9) Parking in any area set aside for persons who are disabled is limited to vehicles which, immediately before or after the utilization of such an area, are used to transport a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk. The identification required to park in such an area, except as provided in subsection (8) of this section, is as follows:
(a) For a vehicle used to transport a person with a permanent disability, that person's permanent windshield placard must be displayed or the vehicle must have a special license tag issued under this section or Section 27-19-53 properly displayed.
(b) For a vehicle being used by a person who has a temporary disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, or which is being used to transport such a person, a temporary windshield placard must be displayed.
Any person who parks in an area set aside for persons who are disabled in violation of this subsection shall be punished as provided for in subsection (5) of this section.
(10) Upon application by a nursing home, retirement home or other institution that transports disabled persons, the Department of Revenue may issue the special license plate authorized pursuant to this section for not more than one (1) vehicle that is registered in the applicant's name that is used to transport disabled residents of the institution. Such institution shall comply with all other laws regarding the registration of such vehicle.
SECTION 81. Section 37-25-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
37-25-7. Each school district providing driver training and education shall prescribe regulations determining who can best profit by and who shall receive instruction under this program. It is provided, however, that any student receiving instruction under this chapter shall be:
(a) Fourteen years of age or above;
(b) A regularly enrolled student in the ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade; and
(c) A full-time student in the respective secondary school.
Any driver education student under fifteen (15) years of age shall secure a learner's permit issued by the Department of Public Safety which shall be valid only while the student is under the direct supervision of a driver education instructor and is actually enrolled in an approved course of driver education which consists of thirty (30) hours of classroom and six (6) hours of dual driving instruction. The learner's permit shall expire at the end of the driver training course. The Department of Public Safety shall charge a fee of One Dollar ($1.00) for the issuance of a learner's permit.
SECTION 82. Section 41-39-103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
41-39-103. In Sections 41-39-101 through 41-39-149:
(1) "Adult" means an individual who is at least eighteen (18) years of age.
(2) "Agent" means an individual:
(A) Authorized to make health care decisions on the principal's behalf by a power of attorney for health care; or
(B) Expressly authorized to make an anatomical gift on the principal's behalf by any other record signed by the principal.
(3) "Anatomical gift" means a donation of all or part of a human body to take effect after the donor's death for the purpose of transplantation, therapy, research, or education.
(4) "Decedent" means a deceased individual whose body or part is or may be the source of an anatomical gift. The term includes a stillborn infant and, subject to restrictions imposed by law other than Sections 41-39-101 through 41-39-149, a fetus.
(5) "Disinterested witness" means a witness other than the spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandchild, grandparent, or guardian of the individual who makes, amends, revokes, or refuses to make an anatomical gift, or another adult who exhibited special care and concern for the individual. The term does not include a person to which an anatomical gift could pass under Section 41-39-121.
(6) "Document of gift" means a donor card or other record used to make an anatomical gift. The term includes a statement or symbol on a driver's license, identification card, or donor registry.
(7) "Donor" means an individual whose body or part is the subject of an anatomical gift.
(8) "Donor registry" means a database that contains records of anatomical gifts and amendments to or revocations of anatomical gifts.
(9) "Driver's license" means a license or permit issued by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to operate a vehicle, whether or not conditions are attached to the license or permit.
(10) "Eye bank" means a person that is licensed, accredited, or regulated under federal or state law to engage in the recovery, screening, testing, processing, storage, or distribution of human eyes or portions of human eyes.
(11) "Guardian" means a person appointed by a court to make decisions regarding the support, care, education, health, or welfare of an individual. The term does not include a guardian ad litem.
(12) "Hospital" means a facility licensed as a hospital under the law of any state or a facility operated as a hospital by the United States, a state, or a subdivision of a state.
(13) "Identification card" means an identification card issued by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
(14) "Know" means to have actual knowledge.
(15) "Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen (18) years of age.
(16) "Organ procurement organization" means a person designated by the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services as an organ procurement organization.
(17) "Parent" means a parent whose parental rights have not been terminated.
(18) "Part" means an organ, an eye, or tissue of a human being. The term does not include the whole body.
(19) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(20) "Physician" means an individual authorized to practice medicine or osteopathy under the law of any state.
(21) "Procurement organization" means an eye bank, organ procurement organization, or tissue bank.
(22) "Prospective donor" means an individual who is dead or near death, Glasgow Coma Scale of five (5) or less, and has been determined by a procurement organization to have a part that could be medically suitable for transplantation, therapy, research, or education. The term does not include an individual who has made a refusal.
(23) "Reasonably available" means able to be contacted by a procurement organization without undue effort and willing and able to act in a timely manner consistent with existing medical criteria necessary for the making of an anatomical gift.
(24) "Recipient" means an individual into whose body a decedent's part has been or is intended to be transplanted.
(25) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(26) "Refusal" means a record created under Section 41-39-113 that expressly states an intent to bar other persons from making an anatomical gift of an individual's body or part.
(27) "Sign" means, with the present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:
(A) To execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or
(B) To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or process.
(28) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(29) "Technician" means an individual determined to be qualified to remove or process parts by an appropriate organization that is licensed, accredited, or regulated under federal or state law. The term includes an enucleator.
(30) "Tissue" means a portion of the human body other than an organ or an eye. The term does not include blood unless the blood is donated for the purpose of research or education.
(31) "Tissue bank" means a person that is licensed, accredited, or regulated under federal or state law to engage in the recovery, screening, testing, processing, storage, or distribution of tissue.
(32) "Transplant hospital" means a hospital that furnishes organ transplants and other medical and surgical specialty services required for the care of transplant patients.
SECTION 83. Section 41-39-127, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
41-39-127. (a) When a hospital refers an individual at or near death to a procurement organization, the organization shall make a reasonable search of the records of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and any donor registry that it knows exists for the geographical area in which the individual resides to ascertain whether the individual has made an anatomical gift.
(b) A procurement organization must be allowed reasonable access to information in the records of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to ascertain whether an individual at or near death is a donor.
(c) When a hospital refers an individual at or near death to a procurement organization, the organization may conduct any reasonable examination necessary to ensure the medical suitability of a part that is or could be the subject of an anatomical gift for transplantation, therapy, research, or education from a donor or a prospective donor. The organ procurement organizations, tissue bank, or eye bank, or hospital medical professionals under the direction thereof, may perform any and all tests to evaluate the deceased as a potential donor and any invasive procedures on the deceased body in order to preserve the potential donor's organs. During the examination period, measures necessary to ensure the medical suitability of the part may not be withdrawn unless the hospital or procurement organization knows that the individual expressed a contrary intent. The procurement organization representative shall initiate the consent process with reasonable discretion and sensitivity to the family's circumstances, values and beliefs.
(d) Unless prohibited by law other than Sections 41-39-101 through 41-39-149, at any time after a donor's death, the person to which a part passes under Section 41-39-121 may conduct any reasonable examination necessary to ensure the medical suitability of the body or part for its intended purpose.
(e) Unless prohibited by law other than Sections 41-39-101 through 41-39-149, an examination under subsection (c) or (d) may include an examination of all medical and dental records of the donor or prospective donor.
(f) Upon the death of a minor who was a donor or had signed a refusal, unless a procurement organization knows the minor is emancipated, the procurement organization shall conduct a reasonable search for the parents of the minor and provide the parents with an opportunity to revoke or amend the anatomical gift or revoke the refusal.
(g) Upon referral by a hospital under subsection (a), a procurement organization shall make a reasonable search for any person listed in Section 41-39-117 having priority to make an anatomical gift on behalf of a prospective donor. If a procurement organization receives information that an anatomical gift to any other person was made, amended, or revoked, it shall promptly advise the other person of all relevant information.
(h) Subject to Sections 41-39-121(i) and 41-39-143, the rights of the person to which a part passes under Section 41-39-121 are superior to the rights of all others with respect to the part. The person may accept or reject an anatomical gift in whole or in part. Subject to the terms of the document of gift and Sections 41-39-101 through 41-39-149, a person that accepts an anatomical gift of an entire body may allow embalming, burial or cremation, and use of remains in a funeral service. If the gift is of a part, the person to which the part passes under Section 41-39-121, upon the death of the donor and before embalming, burial, or cremation, shall cause the part to be removed without unnecessary mutilation.
(i) Neither the physician who attends the decedent at death nor the physician who determines the time of the decedent's death may participate in the procedures for removing or transplanting a part from the decedent.
(j) A physician or technician may remove a donated part from the body of a donor that the physician or technician is qualified to remove.
SECTION 84. Section 41-39-139, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
41-39-139. (a) The Mississippi Department of Public Safety may establish or contract for the establishment of a donor registry.
(b) The Mississippi Department of Public Safety shall cooperate with a person that administers any donor registry that this state establishes, contracts for, or recognizes for the purpose of transferring to the donor registry all relevant information regarding a donor's making, amendment to, or revocation of an anatomical gift.
(c) A donor registry must:
(1) Allow a donor or other person authorized under Section 41-39-107 to include on the donor registry a statement or symbol that the donor has made, amended, or revoked an anatomical gift;
(2) Be accessible to a procurement organization to allow it to obtain relevant information on the donor registry to determine, at or near death of the donor or a prospective donor, whether the donor or prospective donor has made, amended, or revoked an anatomical gift; and
(3) Be accessible for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) seven (7) days a week on a twenty-four-hour basis.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (f), personally identifiable information on a donor registry about a donor or prospective donor may not be used or disclosed without the express consent of the donor, prospective donor, or person that made the anatomical gift for any purpose other than to determine, at or near death of the donor or prospective donor, whether the donor or prospective donor has made, amended, or revoked an anatomical gift.
(e) This section does not prohibit any person from creating or maintaining a donor registry that is not established by or under contract with the state. Any such registry must comply with subsections (c) and (d).
(f) At the time that a person is renewing his or her driver's license, the Department of Public Safety shall ask the person if he or she would like to be a donor. If the answer is yes, the department shall inform the prospective donor that his or her decision to be a donor cannot be revoked, changed or contested after his or her death by the donor's next of kin or by any other person, and shall ask the person if he or she desires information about the person's decision to be a donor to be sent to another person or persons. If the answer is yes, the department shall obtain the name and mailing address of the person or persons designated by the prospective donor, and the donor registry shall send the information about the prospective donor's decision to the designated person or persons as requested.
SECTION 85. Section 43-21-159, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
43-21-159. (1) When a person appears before a court other than the youth court, and it is determined that the person is a child under jurisdiction of the youth court, such court shall, unless the jurisdiction of the offense has been transferred to such court as provided in this chapter, or unless the child has previously been the subject of a transfer from the youth court to the circuit court for trial as an adult and was convicted, immediately dismiss the proceeding without prejudice and forward all documents pertaining to the cause to the youth court; and all entries in permanent records shall be expunged. The youth court shall have the power to order and supervise the expunction or the destruction of such records in accordance with Section 43-21-265. Upon petition therefor, the youth court shall expunge the record of any case within its jurisdiction in which an arrest was made, the person arrested was released and the case was dismissed or the charges were dropped, there was no disposition of such case, or the person was found not delinquent.
In cases where the child is charged with a hunting or fishing violation or a traffic violation, whether it be any state or federal law, a violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, or municipal ordinance or county resolution, or where the child is charged with a violation of Section 67-3-70, the appropriate criminal court shall proceed to dispose of the same in the same manner as for other adult offenders and it shall not be necessary to transfer the case to the youth court of the county. However, unless the cause has been transferred, or unless the child has previously been the subject of a transfer from the youth court to the circuit court for trial as an adult and was convicted, the youth court shall have power on its own motion to remove jurisdiction from any criminal court of any offense including a hunting or fishing violation, a traffic violation, a violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, or a violation of Section 67-3-70, committed by a child in a matter under the jurisdiction of the youth court and proceed therewith in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) After conviction and sentence of any child by any other court having original jurisdiction on a misdemeanor charge, and within the time allowed for an appeal of such conviction and sentence, the youth court of the county shall have the full power to stay the execution of the sentence and to release the child on good behavior or on other order as the youth court may see fit to make unless the child has previously been the subject of a transfer from the youth court to the circuit court for trial as an adult and was convicted. When a child is convicted of a misdemeanor and is committed to, incarcerated in or imprisoned in a jail or other place of detention by a criminal court having proper jurisdiction of such charge, such court shall notify the youth court judge or the judge's designee of the conviction and sentence prior to the commencement of such incarceration. The youth court shall have the power to order and supervise the destruction of any records involving children maintained by the criminal court in accordance with Section 43-21-265. However, the youth court shall have the power to set aside a judgment of any other court rendered in any matter over which the youth court has exclusive original jurisdiction, to expunge or destroy the records thereof in accordance with Section 43-21-265, and to order a refund of fines and costs.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) shall apply to a youth who has a pending charge or a conviction for any crime over which circuit court has original jurisdiction.
(4) In any case wherein the defendant is a child as defined in this chapter and of which the circuit court has original jurisdiction, the circuit judge, upon a finding that it would be in the best interest of such child and in the interest of justice, may at any stage of the proceedings prior to the attachment of jeopardy transfer such proceedings to the youth court for further proceedings unless the child has previously been the subject of a transfer from the youth court to the circuit court for trial as an adult and was convicted or has previously been convicted of a crime which was in original circuit court jurisdiction, and the youth court shall, upon acquiring jurisdiction, proceed as provided in this chapter for the adjudication and disposition of delinquent child proceeding proceedings. If the case is not transferred to the youth court and the youth is convicted of a crime by any circuit court, the trial judge shall sentence the youth as though such youth was an adult. The circuit court shall not have the authority to commit such child to the custody of the Department of Youth Services for placement in a state-supported training school.
(5) In no event shall a court sentence an offender over the age of eighteen (18) to the custody of the Division of Youth Services for placement in a state-supported training school.
(6) When a child's driver's license is suspended by the youth court for any reason, the clerk of the youth court shall report the suspension, without a court order under Section 43-21-261, to the Commissioner of Public Safety in the same manner as such suspensions are reported in cases involving adults.
(7) No offense involving the use or possession of a firearm by a child who has reached his fifteenth birthday and which, if committed by an adult would be a felony, shall be transferred to the youth court.
SECTION 86. Section 43-21-255, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
43-21-255. (1) Except as otherwise provided by this section, all records involving children made and retained by law enforcement officers and agencies or by the youth court prosecutor and the contents thereof shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed except as provided in Section 43-21-261.
(2) A child in the jurisdiction of the youth court and who has been taken into custody for an act, which if committed by an adult would be considered a felony or offenses involving possession or use of a dangerous weapon or any firearm, may be photographed or fingerprinted or both. Any law enforcement agency taking such photographs or fingerprints shall immediately report the existence and location of the photographs and fingerprints to the youth court. Copies of fingerprints known to be those of a child shall be maintained on a local basis only. Such copies of fingerprints may be forwarded to another local, state or federal bureau of criminal identification or regional depository for identification purposes only. Such copies of fingerprints shall be returned promptly and shall not be maintained by such agencies.
(3) Any law enforcement record involving children who have been taken into custody for an act, which if committed by an adult would be considered a felony and/or offenses involving possession or use of a dangerous weapon including photographs and fingerprints, may be released to a law enforcement agency supported by public funds, youth court officials and appropriate school officials without a court order under Section 43-21-261. Law enforcement records shall be released to youth court officials and to appropriate school officials upon written request. Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, any law enforcement agency releasing such records of children in the jurisdiction of the youth court shall immediately report the release and location of the records to the youth court. The law enforcement agencies, youth court officials and school officials receiving such records are prohibited from using the photographs and fingerprints for any purpose other than for criminal law enforcement and juvenile law enforcement. Each law enforcement officer or employee, each youth court official or employee and each school official or employee receiving the records shall submit to the sender a signed statement acknowledging his or her duty to maintain the confidentiality of the records. In no instance shall the fact that such records of children in the jurisdiction of the youth court exist be conveyed to any private individual, firm, association or corporation or to any public or quasi-public agency the duties of which do not include criminal law enforcement or juvenile law enforcement.
(4) When a child's driver's license is suspended for refusal to take a test provided under the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, the law enforcement agency shall report such refusal, without a court order under Section 43-21-261, to the Commissioner of Public Safety in the same manner as such suspensions are reported in cases involving adults.
(5) All records involving a child convicted as an adult or who has been twice adjudicated delinquent for a sex offense as defined by Section 45-33-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be public and shall not be kept confidential.
SECTION 87. Section 67-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
67-3-69. (1) Except as to Sections 67-3-17, 67-3-23, 67-3-27, 67-3-55 and 67-3-57, any violation of any provision of this chapter or of any rule or regulation of the commissioner, shall be a misdemeanor and, where the punishment therefor is not elsewhere prescribed in this section, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both, in the discretion of the court. If any person so convicted shall be the holder of any permit or license issued by the commissioner under authority of this chapter, the permit or license shall from and after the date of such conviction be void and the holder thereof shall not thereafter, for a period of one (1) year from the date of such conviction, be entitled to any permit or license for any purpose authorized by this chapter. Upon conviction of the holder of any permit or license, the appropriate law enforcement officer shall seize the permit or license and transmit it to the commissioner.
(2) (a) Any person who shall violate any provision of Section 67-3-17, 67-3-23, 67-3-27 or 67-3-55 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.
(b) Any person who shall violate any provision of Section 67-3-57 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or by both, in the discretion of the court. Any person convicted of violating any provision of the sections referred to in this subsection shall forfeit his permit, and shall not thereafter be permitted to engage in any business taxable under the provisions of Sections 27-71-301 through 27-71-347.
(3) If the holder of a permit, or the employee of the holder of a permit, shall be convicted of selling any beer or wine to anyone who is visibly intoxicated from the licensed premises or to any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years from the licensed premises in violation of Section 67-3-53(b), then, in addition to any other penalty provided for by law, the commissioner may impose the following penalties against the holder of a permit:
(a) For the first offense on the licensed premises, by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and/or suspension of the permit for not more than three (3) months.
(b) For a second offense occurring on the licensed premises within twelve (12) months of the first offense, by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) and/or suspension of the permit for not more than six (6) months.
(c) For a third offense occurring on the licensed premises within twelve (12) months of the first, by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and/or suspension or revocation of the permit to sell beer or light wine.
(d) For a fourth or subsequent offense occurring on the licensed premises within twelve (12) months of the first, by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and/or suspension or revocation of the permit to sell beer or light wine.
(4) A person who sells any beer or wine to a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years shall not be guilty of a violation of Section 67-3-53(b) if the person under the age of twenty-one (21) years represents himself to be twenty-one (21) years of age or older by displaying an apparently valid Mississippi driver's license containing a physical description consistent with his appearance or by displaying some other apparently valid identification document containing a picture and physical description consistent with his appearance for the purpose of inducing the person to sell beer or wine to him.
(5) If the holder of a permit to operate a brewpub is convicted of violating the provisions of Section 67-3-22(3), then, in addition to any other provision provided for by law, the holder of the permit shall be punished as follows:
(a) For the first offense, the holder of a permit to operate a brewpub may be fined in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).
(b) For a second offense occurring within twelve (12) months of the first offense, the holder of a permit to operate a brewpub may be fined an amount not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
(c) For a third or subsequent offense occurring within twelve (12) months of the first offense, the holder of a permit to operate a brewpub may be fined an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and the permit to operate a brewpub shall be suspended for thirty (30) days.
(6) If a small craft brewery is convicted of violating the provisions of Section 67-3-48, then, in addition to any other provision provided for by law, the small craft brewery shall be punished as follows:
(a) For the first offense, the small craft brewery may be fined in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).
(b) For a second offense occurring within twelve (12) months of the first offense, the small craft brewery may be fined an amount not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
(c) For a third or subsequent offense occurring within twelve (12) months of the first offense, the small craft brewery may be fined an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and the permit to operate as a manufacturer shall be suspended for thirty (30) days.
SECTION 88. Section 93-11-153, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
93-11-153. As used in Sections 93-11-151 through 93-11-163, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein:
(a) "Licensing
entity" or "entity" means any entity specified in Title 73,
Professions and Vocations, of the Mississippi Code, and includes the Mississippi
Department of Public Safety with respect to driver's licenses, the Mississippi * * * Department of Revenue
with respect to licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages and other licenses
or registration authorizing a person to engage in a business, the Mississippi
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks with respect to hunting and fishing
licenses, and any other state agency that issues a license authorizing a person
to engage in a business, occupation or profession. For the purposes of this
article, the Supreme Court shall be considered to be the licensing entity for
attorneys.
(b) "License" means a license, certificate, permit, credential, registration, or any other authorization issued by a licensing entity that allows a person to engage in a business, occupation or profession, to operate a motor vehicle, to sell alcoholic beverages, or to hunt and fish.
(c) "Licensee" means any person holding a license issued by a licensing entity.
(d) "Order for support" means any judgment or order that provides for payments of a sum certain for the support of a child, whether it is temporary or final, and includes, but is not limited to, an order for reimbursement for public assistance or an order for making periodic payments on a support arrearage, or a sum certain due for a support arrearage.
(e) "Out of compliance with an order for support" means that the obligor is at least thirty (30) days in arrears or delinquent in making payments in full for current support, or in making periodic payments on a support arrearage.
(f) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
(g) "Division" means the division within the department that is charged with the state administration of Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
(h) "Delinquency" means any payments of a sum certain ordered by any court to be paid by a noncustodial parent for the support of a child that have remained unpaid for at least thirty (30) days after payment is due. Delinquency shall also include payments of a sum certain ordered by any court to be paid for maintenance of a spouse that have remained unpaid for at least thirty (30) days.
SECTION 89. Section 97-17-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
97-17-43. (1) If any person shall feloniously take, steal and carry away any personal property of another under the value of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), he shall be guilty of petit larceny and, upon conviction, may be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six (6) months or by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both, if the court finds substantial and compelling reasons why the offender cannot be safely and effectively supervised in the community, is not amenable to community-based treatment, or poses a significant risk to public safety. If such a finding is not made, the court shall suspend the sentence of imprisonment and impose a period of probation not exceeding one (1) year or a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both. The total value of property taken, stolen or carried away by the person from a single victim shall be aggregated in determining the gravity of the offense. Any person convicted of a third or subsequent offense under this section where the value of the property is not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), shall be imprisoned in the Penitentiary for a term not exceeding three (3) years or fined an amount not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.
(2) If any person shall feloniously take, steal and carry away any property of a church, synagogue, temple or other established place of worship under the value of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), he shall be guilty of petit larceny and, upon conviction, may be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one (1) year or by a fine not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), or both, if the court finds substantial and compelling reasons why the offender cannot be safely and effectively supervised in the community, is not amenable to community-based treatment, or poses a significant risk to public safety. If such a finding is not made, the court shall suspend the sentence of imprisonment and impose a period of probation not exceeding one (1) year or a fine not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), or both. Any person convicted of a third or subsequent offense under this section where the value of the property is not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), shall be imprisoned in the Penitentiary for a term not exceeding three (3) years or fined an amount not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), or both.
(3) Any person who leaves the premises of an establishment at which motor fuel offered for retail sale was dispensed into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle by driving away in that motor vehicle without having made due payment or authorized charge for the motor fuel so dispensed, with intent to defraud the retail establishment, shall be guilty of petit larceny and punished as provided in subsection (1) of this section and, upon any second or subsequent such offense, the driver's license of the person shall be suspended as follows:
(a) The person shall submit the driver's license to the court upon conviction and the court shall forward the driver's license to the Department of Public Safety.
(b) The first suspension of a driver's license under this subsection shall be for a period of six (6) months.
(c) A second or subsequent suspension of a driver's license under this subsection shall be for a period of one (1) year.
(d) At the expiration
of the suspension period, and upon payment of a restoration fee of Twenty-five
Dollars ($25.00), the suspension shall terminate and the Department of Public
Safety shall return the person's driver's license to the person. The
restoration fee shall be in addition to the fees provided for in Chapter 1,
Title 63, * * *
and shall be deposited into the State General Fund in accordance with Section
45-1-23.
SECTION 90. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.