Bill Text: MS SB2281 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: The Mississippi First Responder Protection Act; enact.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2021-02-02 - Died In Committee [SB2281 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2021-SB2281-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Judiciary, Division B; Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

By: Senator(s) England

Senate Bill 2281

AN ACT TO ENACT THE MISSISSIPPI FIRST RESPONDER PROTECTION ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF BIAS MOTIVATED INTIMIDATION; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES UPON CONVICTION OF THE OFFENSE OF BIAS MOTIVATED INTIMIDATION; TO AUTHORIZE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO BRING SUIT FOR DAMAGES SUFFERED DURING THE OFFICER'S PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi First Responder Protection Act."

     (2)  As used in this act, unless the context requires otherwise, "first responder" means any certified, Mississippi firefighter, law enforcement officer, or emergency medical technician.

     (3)  A person commits the offense of bias motivated intimidation when the person maliciously and with specific intent to intimidate, harass, or terrorize another person because of that person's actual or perceived employment as a first responder causes:

          (a)  Death or serious bodily injury to another person; or

          (b)  Damage to or destruction without permission of any real or personal property of a person because of that person's actual or perceived employment as a first responder where the amount of the damage exceeds Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or the value of the property destroyed exceeds Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00);

     (4)  (a)  Any person who violates subsection (3) of this section shall be guilty of the offense of bias motivated intimidation and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than one (1) nor more than five (5) years and shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both;

          (b)  Each violation of subsection (3) of this section shall constitute a separate offense and shall not merge with another crime; and

          (c)  A sentence imposed under subsection (3) of this section shall run consecutively to any sentence for any other offense related to the act or acts establishing an offense under subsection (3) of this section.

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