Senate Bill 2022

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-1-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE EACH JUSTICE COURT IN THIS STATE TO ACCEPT ALL PLEADINGS AND OTHER PAPERS TO BE SERVED, FILED, SIGNED OR VERIFIED BY ELECTRONIC MEANS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE MISSISSIPPI ELECTRONIC COURT SYSTEM PROCEDURES; TO PROVIDE THAT A PARTY'S PARTICIPATION IN ELECTRONIC FILING IN JUSTICE COURT SHALL BE VOLUNTARY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 9-1-59, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

9-1-59. (1) Each circuit, chancery and county court in this state shall * * * ~~require~~ allow all pleadings and other papers to be served, filed, signed or verified by electronic means in conformity with the Mississippi Electronic Court System procedures by * * * ~~July 1, 2021~~ January 1, 2022. A party's participation in electronic filing under this subsection shall be voluntary.

(2) Each justice court in this state shall accept all pleadings and other papers to be served, filed, signed or verified by electronic means in conformity with the Mississippi Electronic Court System procedures by July 1, 2022. A party's participation in electronic filing under this subsection shall be voluntary.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.