House Bill 370

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-15-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE BAIL BOND OF A DEFENDANT/OFFENDER IS RELEASED WHEN THE JUDGE APPROVES ADMISSION TO THE INTERVENTION PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 99-15-117, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-15-117. In any case in which an offender agrees to an intervention program, a specific agreement shall be made between the district attorney and the offender. This agreement shall include the terms of the intervention program, the length of the program, which shall not exceed three (3) years, and a section therein stating the period of time after which the prosecutor will either dismiss the charge or seek a conviction based upon that charge. The agreement shall be signed by the offender and his or her counsel and filed in the district attorney's office. Before an offender is admitted to an intervention program, the court having jurisdiction of the charge must approve of the offender's admission to the program and the terms of the agreement. When the court approves the offender's admission to the program and the terms of the agreement, the court shall release the bail bond, if any.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.