House Bill 1525

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-7-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO SET THE FEE THAT CHANCERY CLERKS SHALL CHARGE FOR A COMMITMENT ACTION; TO AMEND SECTION 41-21-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW THE COMMITMENT OF PERSONS WITH MINOR CRIMINAL CHARGES PENDING AS LONG AS THERE ARE NOT FELONY CHARGES PENDING; TO AMEND SECTION 41-21-65, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO SIMPLIFY AND MAKE UNIFORM THE BEGINNING OF THE COMMITMENT PROCESS; TO ALLOW CHANCELLORS TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO HEAR A CASE OF A PERSON WHO IS FOUND IN THEIR COUNTY, OR TRANSFER THE CASE TO THE COUNTY OF RESIDENCE; TO SIMPLIFY THE AFFIDAVIT PROCESS BY GENERALIZING THE INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR THE AFFIDAVIT, REQUIRING THE CHANCERY CLERK TO PROVIDE THE AFFIANT WITH A SIMPLE, ONE-PAGE FORM DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH TO FILL OUT AS AN AFFIDAVIT, AND PREVENTING CHANCERY CLERKS FROM REQUIRING THE AFFIANT TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY; TO PREVENT "ADD ON" FEES BEING CHARGED TO THE AFFIANT AND ALLOW THE FILING FEE TO BE WAIVED AT THE AFFIANT'S REQUEST; TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT OF FILING A BOND; TO PROVIDE FOR PUNISHMENT WITH CRIMINAL CHARGES AND CONTEMPT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO FILE AN INTENTIONALLY FALSE AFFIDAVIT FOR COMMITMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 41-21-67, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT PERSONS WAITING FOR COMMITMENT FROM BEING HELD IN JAIL; TO AMEND SECTION 41-21-71, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW THE JUDGE TO DISMISS THE AFFIDAVIT WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A HEARING IF THE EXAMINERS DETERMINE A PERSON IS NOT IN NEED OF TREATMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 41-21-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO SET A CAP ON THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT MAY BE CHARGED FOR ALL OF THE COSTS INCIDENTAL TO THE COURT PROCEEDINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 41-31-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• D. Stephen Holland

  Sponsor

• House of Representatives floor amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Feb 11

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Jan 18 – Feb 11

1. Jan 18Referred to the House committees on Public Health and Human Services and on Judiciary A
2. Jan 26Reported as a committee substitute from PH to JA in the House: title sufficient, do pass
3. Feb 1Reported as a committee substitute from JA to PH in the House: title sufficient, do pass
4. Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass as a committee substitute
5. Feb 9Tabled in the House, subject to being called up again
6. Feb 11Committee substitute adopted in the House
7. Amended in the House
8. Passed the House as amended

In the Senate Feb 17 – Mar 10

1. Feb 17Sent to the Senate
2. Referred to the Senate committee on Public Health and Welfare
3. Mar 2Reported from committee in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass
4. Mar 10Passed the Senate

To the Governor Mar 11 – Mar 17

1. Mar 11Returned to the House for enrolling
2. Mar 15Enrolled bill signed in the House
3. Mar 16Enrolled bill signed in the Senate
4. Mar 17Approved by the Governor