House Bill 647

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE VETERANS AND CERTAIN OTHER MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FREE ADMISSION INTO ALL SCHOOL-SPONSORED AND MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION GOVERNED EXTRACURRICULAR ATHLETIC EVENTS HOSTED BY THE DISTRICT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning with the 2024-2025 academic term, the local school board of each public school district shall adopt a policy that authorizes each school under its jurisdiction to provide veterans and other qualified military service members of the United States Armed Forces free admission into all school-sponsored and Mississippi High School Activities Association governed extracurricular athletic events hosted by the district. In order to avail themselves of free admission, the veteran or other qualified military service member must present proof of veteran, active duty or reserve status at the ticket window on the day of their attendance. For purposes of this section, proof of veteran, active duty or reserve status may be verified upon the person seeking admission's presentation of either of the following:

(a) A copy of his or her DD-214 discharge form, which indicates the veteran's honorable discharge status, along with photo identification that contains corresponding identifying information by means of name, date of birth and gender;

(b) A Veteran's Identification Card (VIC);

(d) A current Common Access Card (CAC), which is the standard identification for active duty uniformed service personnel, Selected Reserves, Reserve and National Guard members, which identifies the branch of service the cardholder is affliated; or

(e) If a nonresident on leave from active duty, a current CAC and any documentation of proof of leave orders as may be required by the school district.

(2) For purposes of this section the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed in the subsection:

(a) "Veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

(b) "Qualified military service member" means an active member of the military, naval or air service, which include:

(i) The United States Army;

(ii) The United States Navy;

(iii) The United States Marine Corps;

(iv) The United States Air Force;

(v) The United States Coast Guard;

(vi) The Mississippi Army or Air National Guard; or

(vii) As an active reservist of either of the above.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.