MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Banking and Financial Services
By: Representatives Zuber, Gibbs (72nd), Stamps
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 39-3-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE PUBLIC LIBRARIES TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS, DEBIT CARDS AND OTHER FORMS OF ELECTRONIC PAYMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 39-3-369, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATES TO DISCLOSING INFORMATION AND COLLECTING FINES FOR OVERDUE ITEMS, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 39-3-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
39-3-21. Except as otherwise provided for in this section, every public library or public library system established or maintained under this article shall be free for the use of the residents of the territory included within the library service area, subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the administrative board of trustees finds necessary. Reasonable reimbursements may be collected for special library services, provided these are determined in advance and in writing by the administrative board of trustees.
The board of trustees of any public library may allow the payment of various fees and other accounts receivable to the public library, by credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and other forms of electronic payment, in accordance with policies established by the State Auditor. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any fees or charges associated with the use of such electronic payments shall be assessed to the user of the electronic payment as an additional charge for processing the electronic payment, so that the user will pay the full cost of using the electronic payment.
SECTION 2. Section 39-3-369, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
39-3-369. No provision of this article shall be construed to prohibit any library, or any business operating jointly with a library, from disclosing information for the purpose of collecting overdue books, documents, films or other items or materials owned or otherwise belonging to such library. No provision of this article shall be construed to prohibit or hinder any such library or business office from collecting fines on such overdue books, documents, films or other items or materials.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.