Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

Mississippi House Bill HB454 Compare Versions

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11 MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Judiciary B; Appropriations A By: Representative Hines House Bill 454 AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTIONS 9-23-101, 9-23-103, 9-23-105, 9-23-107, 9-23-109, 9-23-111, 9-23-113 AND 9-23-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AUTHORITY FOR A CHANCERY OR COUNTY COURT TO ESTABLISH A DOMESTIC ABUSE COURT AND TO PROVIDE AUTHORITY FOR JUSTICE AND MUNICIPAL COURTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH A COURT; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ENACTMENT OF STANDARDS OF OPERATION TO GOVERN THE OPERATION OF DOMESTIC ABUSE COURTS BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS; TO CREATE THE DOMESTIC ABUSE COURT SPECIAL FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AN ASSESSMENT TO FUND DOMESTIC ABUSE COURTS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-5-81 AND 9-9-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds that: (a) Domestic violence is a serious issue that causes substantial damage to victims and children as well as to the community. Families experiencing domestic violence are often involved in more than one (1) court proceeding including divorce and custody cases, civil and criminal proceedings regarding domestic violence, substance abuse and child protection. Substantial state and county resources are required each year for the incarceration, supervision and treatment of batterers. (b) Domestic abuse courts hold offenders accountable, increase victim safety, provide greater judicial monitoring, and coordinate information to provide effective interaction and use of resources among the courts, justice system personnel and community agencies. Effective case management and coordination ensures that decisions in one (1) case do not conflict with existing orders in other civil and criminal cases and provide courts with the necessary information to protect victims and families. (c) Domestic abuse courts have proven effective in reducing recidivism and increasing victim safety. It is in the best interests of the citizens of this state to authorize the establishment of domestic abuse courts. SECTION 2. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-101, Mississippi Code of 1972: 9-23-101. (1) A domestic abuse court is a court focused on the safety of the victim and the accountability of the offender by: (a) Bringing together criminal justice professionals, local social programs and intensive judicial monitoring; (b) Linking victims to programs and services by effective collaboration with social service providers and other stakeholders to refer victims to appropriate and available community services based on risk and need; (c) Linking eligible civil respondents to programs and services by effective collaboration with social service providers and other stakeholders to refer such individuals to appropriate and available community services based on risk and need; (d) Linking eligible criminal defendants to programs and services by effective collaboration with social service providers and other stakeholders to refer defendants to appropriate and available community services based on risk and need; and (e) Providing centralized monitoring of participants to ensure compliance with any civil domestic abuse protection orders or with any treatment orders or other orders issued by the court. (2) For the purposes of this act, "domestic abuse" and "domestic violence" shall have the meanings ascribed to "abuse" by Section 93-21-3 and to "misdemeanor which is an act of domestic violence" in Section 99-3-7. SECTION 3. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-103, Mississippi Code of 1972: 9-23-103. Any chancery or county court may establish a domestic abuse court program. Any municipal or justice court is authorized to participate in a domestic abuse court program established in the county. SECTION 4. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-105, Mississippi Code of 1972: 9-23-105. (1) A domestic abuse court and accompanying services of the domestic abuse court shall be available only to individuals over whom the court has established jurisdiction. (2) A domestic abuse court that does not have felony jurisdiction may assume jurisdiction over an individual convicted of a felony from another court within the county upon entry of an appropriate order by the criminal court referring that individual to the domestic abuse court for the purpose of participation in the domestic abuse court program. SECTION 5. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-107, Mississippi Code of 1972: 9-23-107. (1) The Administrative Office of Courts shall develop uniform standards for operation of a domestic abuse court. Any domestic abuse court shall operate pursuant to those standards. Such standards shall, at a minimum, include provisions for: (a) Establishment and coordination of the domestic abuse court; (b) Funding for the domestic abuse court; (c) Procedural matters; (d) Referral protocols; (e) Participant eligibility; (f) Services to be made available to participants referred to the court; and (g) Roles and duties of the court, which shall include, but not be limited to, assessment, referral, case management, supervision and evaluation. (2) Any court wishing to adopt local rules for the coordination of services and to address court procedures that may vary from those established by the Administrative Office of Courts shall submit those rules to the Administrative Office of Courts for approval prior to implementation. SECTION 6. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-109, Mississippi Code of 1972: 9-23-109. A domestic abuse court may hire employees necessary to carry out the functions of the court, including, but not limited to, an administrator, case manager, counselor or clerical staff. SECTION 7. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-111, Mississippi Code of 1972: 9-23-111. Nothing herein shall be construed to guarantee any individual the right to participate in a domestic abuse court program. SECTION 8. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-113, Mississippi Code of 1972: 9-23-113. (1) All monies received from any source by the domestic abuse court shall be accumulated in a fund to be used only for domestic abuse court purposes. Any funds remaining in this fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into any general fund, but shall be retained in the Domestic Abuse Court Fund for the funding of further activities by the domestic abuse court. (2) A domestic abuse court may apply for and receive the following: (a) Gifts, bequests and donations from private sources. (b) Grant and contract money from governmental sources. (c) Other forms of financial assistance approved by the court to supplement the budget of the domestic abuse court. SECTION 9. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-115, Mississippi Code of 1972: 9-23-115. There is created in the State Treasury a special interest-bearing fund to be known as the Domestic Abuse Court Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide supplemental funding to all domestic abuse courts in the state. Monies from the fund shall be distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Administrative Office of Courts to assist domestic abuse courts. The fund shall be expended by the Administrative Office of Courts upon appropriation by the Legislature, and shall consist of: (a) monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding domestic abuse courts; (b) the interest accruing to the fund; (c) monies received under the provisions of Section 99-19-73; (d) monies received from the federal government; and (e) monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law. SECTION 10. Section 99-19-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 99-19-73. (1) Traffic violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation in Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, except offenses relating to the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 63-11-1 et seq.) and offenses relating to vehicular parking or registration: FUND AMOUNT State Court Education Fund............................. [Deleted] State Prosecutor Education Fund........................ [Deleted] Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund........... [Deleted] Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund................... [Deleted] Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund................. [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................. [Deleted] Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund (for all moving violations)....................... [Deleted] Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund............... [Deleted] Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging Fund............ [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund......................... [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability Benefits Trust Fund.................... [Deleted] State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose of providing additional compensation for district attorneys and their legal assistants...... [Deleted] Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................. [Deleted] Intervention Court Fund................................ [Deleted] Judicial Performance Fund.............................. [Deleted] Capital Defense Counsel Fund........................... [Deleted] Indigent Appeals Fund.................................. [Deleted] Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund................... [Deleted] Victims of Domestic Violence Fund...................... [Deleted] Public Defenders Education Fund........................ [Deleted] Domestic Violence Training Fund........................ [Deleted] Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit.................... [Deleted] Children's Safe Center Fund............................ [Deleted] DuBard School for Language Disorders Fund............... [Deleted] Children's Advocacy Centers Fund....................... [Deleted] Judicial System Operation Fund......................... [Deleted] GENERAL FUND...................................... $ 90.50 (2) Implied Consent Law violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or any other penalty for any violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 63-11-1 et seq.): FUND AMOUNT Crime Victims' Compensation Fund....................... [Deleted] State Court Education Fund............................. [Deleted] State Prosecutor Education Fund........................ [Deleted] Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund........... [Deleted] Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund................... [Deleted] Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund................. [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................. [Deleted] Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund............... [Deleted] Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program Fund....... [Deleted] Federal-State Alcohol Program Fund..................... [Deleted] Mississippi Forensics Laboratory Implied Consent Law Fund.......................... [Deleted] Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund................. [Deleted] Capital Defense Counsel Fund........................... [Deleted] Indigent Appeals Fund.................................. [Deleted] Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund................... [Deleted] Victims of Domestic Violence Fund...................... [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund......................... [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability Benefits Trust Fund.................... [Deleted] State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose of providing additional compensation for district attorneys and their legal assistants...... [Deleted] Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................. [Deleted] Intervention Court Fund................................ [Deleted] Statewide Victims' Information and Notification System Fund.......................... [Deleted] Public Defenders Education Fund........................ [Deleted] Domestic Violence Training Fund........................ [Deleted] Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit.................... [Deleted] Domestic Abuse Court Fund................................ $ 1.00 General Fund............................................ $243.50 * * * GENERAL FUNDTOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT....................... $ * * *243.50244.50 (3) Game and Fish Law violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of the game and fish statutes or regulations of this state: FUND AMOUNT State Court Education Fund............................. [Deleted] State Prosecutor Education Fund........................ [Deleted] Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund........... [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................. [Deleted] Hunter Education and Training Program Fund.............. [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund......................... [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability Benefits Trust Fund.................... [Deleted] State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose of providing additional compensation for district attorneys and their legal assistants............... [Deleted] Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................. [Deleted] Intervention Court Fund................................ [Deleted] Capital Defense Counsel Fund........................... [Deleted] Indigent Appeals Fund.................................. [Deleted] Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund................... [Deleted] Victims of Domestic Violence Fund...................... [Deleted] Public Defenders Education Fund........................ [Deleted] Domestic Violence Training Fund........................ [Deleted] Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit.................... [Deleted] Domestic Abuse Court Fund................................ $ 1.00 General Fund............................................ $ 89.00 * * * GENERAL FUNDTOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT........................ $ * * *89.0090.00 (4) [Deleted] (5) Speeding, reckless and careless driving violations. In addition to any assessment imposed under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for driving a vehicle on a road or highway: (a) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by at least ten (10) miles per hour but not more than twenty (20) miles per hour..................................................... $10.00 (b) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by at least twenty (20) miles per hour but not more than thirty (30) miles per hour......................................................... $20.00 (c) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by thirty (30) miles per hour or more............................... $30.00 (d) In violation of Section 63-3-1201, which is the offense of reckless driving......................................... $10.00 (e) In violation of Section 63-3-1213, which is the offense of careless driving......................................... $10.00 All assessments collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the State General Fund. (6) Other misdemeanors. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any misdemeanor violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section, except offenses relating to vehicular parking or registration: FUND AMOUNT Crime Victims' Compensation Fund....................... [Deleted] State Court Education Fund............................. [Deleted] State Prosecutor Education Fund........................ [Deleted] Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund........................ [Deleted] Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund................... [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................. [Deleted] Capital Defense Counsel Fund........................... [Deleted] Indigent Appeals Fund.................................. [Deleted] Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund................... [Deleted] Victims of Domestic Violence Fund...................... [Deleted] State Crime Stoppers Fund.............................. [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund......................... [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability Benefits Trust Fund.................... [Deleted] State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose of providing additional compensation for district attorneys and their legal assistants...... [Deleted] Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................. [Deleted] Intervention Court Fund................................ [Deleted] Judicial Performance Fund.............................. [Deleted] Statewide Victims' Information and Notification System Fund.......................... [Deleted] Public Defenders Education Fund........................ [Deleted] Domestic Violence Training Fund........................ [Deleted] Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit.................... [Deleted] Information Exchange Network Fund...................... [Deleted] Motorcycle Officer Training Fund....................... [Deleted] Civil Legal Assistance Fund............................ [Deleted] Justice Court Collections Fund......................... [Deleted] Municipal Court Collections Fund....................... [Deleted] Domestic Abuse Court Fund................................ $ 1.00 General Fund............................................ $121.75 * * * GENERAL FUNDTOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT....................... $ * * *121.75122.75 (7) Other felonies. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any felony violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section: FUND AMOUNT Crime Victims' Compensation Fund....................... [Deleted] State Court Education Fund............................. [Deleted] State Prosecutor Education Fund........................ [Deleted] Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund........................ [Deleted] Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund................... [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................. [Deleted] Capital Defense Counsel Fund........................... [Deleted] Indigent Appeals Fund.................................. [Deleted] Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund................... [Deleted] Victims of Domestic Violence Fund...................... [Deleted] Criminal Justice Fund.................................. [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund......................... [Deleted] Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability Benefits Trust Fund.................... [Deleted] State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose of providing additional compensation for district attorneys and their legal assistants...... [Deleted] Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................. [Deleted] Intervention Court Fund................................ [Deleted] Statewide Victims' Information and Notification System Fund.......................... [Deleted] Public Defenders Education Fund........................ [Deleted] Domestic Violence Training Fund........................ [Deleted] Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit.................... [Deleted] Forensics Laboratory DNA Identification System Fund..... [Deleted] Domestic Abuse Court Fund................................ $ 1.00 General Fund............................................ $280.50 * * * GENERAL FUNDTOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT....................... $ * * *280.50281.50 (8) Additional assessments on certain violations: (a) Railroad crossing violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation involving railroad crossings under Section 37-41-55, 63-3-1007, 63-3-1009, 63-3-1011, 63-3-1013 or 77-9-249: Operation Lifesaver Fund............................. $25.00 (b) Drug violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of Section 41-29-139: Drug Evidence Disposition Fund....................... $25.00 Mississippi Foster Care Fund......................... $ 2.00 (c) Motor vehicle liability insurance violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of Section 63-15-4(4) or Section 63-16-13(1): Uninsured Motorist Identification Fund: First offense................................$200.00 Second offense...............................$300.00 Third or subsequent offense..................$400.00 (9) If a fine or other penalty imposed is suspended, in whole or in part, such suspension shall not affect the state assessment under this section. No state assessment imposed under the provisions of this section may be suspended or reduced by the court. (10) (a) After a determination by the court of the amount due, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court to promptly collect all state assessments imposed under the provisions of this section. The state assessments imposed under the provisions of this section may not be paid by personal check. (b) It shall be the duty of the chancery clerk of each county to deposit all state assessments collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in the county on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by the State Auditor. The chancery clerk shall make a monthly lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in the county under this section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total number of violations under each subsection for which state assessments were collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in the county during that month. (c) It shall be the duty of the municipal clerk of each municipality to deposit all the state assessments collected in the municipal court in the municipality on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by the State Auditor. The municipal clerk shall make a monthly lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the municipal court in the municipality under this section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total number of violations under each subsection for which state assessments were collected in the municipal court in the municipality during that month. (11) It shall be the duty of the Department of Finance and Administration to deposit on a monthly basis all state assessments into the State General Fund or proper special fund in the State Treasury. The Department of Finance and Administration shall issue regulations providing for the proper allocation of these funds. (12) The State Auditor shall establish by regulation procedures for refunds of state assessments, including refunds associated with assessments imposed before July 1, 1990, and refunds after appeals in which the defendant's conviction is reversed. The Auditor shall provide in the regulations for certification of eligibility for refunds and may require the defendant seeking a refund to submit a verified copy of a court order or abstract by which the defendant is entitled to a refund. All refunds of state assessments shall be made in accordance with the procedures established by the Auditor. SECTION 11. Section 9-5-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 9-5-81. The chancery court in addition to the full jurisdiction in all the matters and cases expressly conferred upon it by the Constitution shall have jurisdiction of all cases transferred to it by the circuit court or remanded to it by the Supreme Court; and such further jurisdiction, as is, in this chapter or elsewhere, provided by law. A chancery court is authorized to establish a domestic abuse court as provided in Sections 1 through 9 of this act. SECTION 12. Section 9-9-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 9-9-21. (1) The jurisdiction of the county court shall be as follows: It shall have jurisdiction concurrent with the justice court in all matters, civil and criminal of which the justice court has jurisdiction; and it shall have jurisdiction concurrent with the circuit and chancery courts in all matters of law and equity wherein the amount of value of the thing in controversy shall not exceed, exclusive of costs and interest, the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), and the jurisdiction of the county court shall not be affected by any setoff, counterclaim or cross-bill in such actions where the amount sought to be recovered in such setoff, counterclaim or cross-bill exceeds Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00). Provided, however, the party filing such setoff, counterclaim or cross-bill which exceeds Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) shall give notice to the opposite party or parties as provided in Section 13-3-83, and on motion of all parties filed within twenty (20) days after the filing of such setoff, counterclaim or cross-bill, the county court shall transfer the case to the circuit or chancery court wherein the county court is situated and which would otherwise have jurisdiction. It shall have exclusively the jurisdiction heretofore exercised by the justice court in the following matters and causes: namely, eminent domain, the partition of personal property, and actions of unlawful entry and detainer, provided that the actions of eminent domain and unlawful entry and detainer may be returnable and triable before the judge of said court in vacation. The county court shall have jurisdiction over criminal matters in the county assigned by a judge of the circuit court district in which the county is included. (2) In the event of the establishment of a county court by an agreement between two (2) or more counties as provided in Section 9-9-3, it shall be lawful for such court sitting in one (1) county to act upon any and all matters of which it has jurisdiction as provided by law arising in the other county under the jurisdiction of said court. (3) A county court is authorized to establish a domestic abuse court as provided in Sections 1 through 9 of this act. SECTION 13. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.
22
33 MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
44
55 2025 Regular Session
66
77 To: Judiciary B; Appropriations A
88
99 By: Representative Hines
1010
1111 # House Bill 454
1212
1313 AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTIONS 9-23-101, 9-23-103, 9-23-105, 9-23-107, 9-23-109, 9-23-111, 9-23-113 AND 9-23-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AUTHORITY FOR A CHANCERY OR COUNTY COURT TO ESTABLISH A DOMESTIC ABUSE COURT AND TO PROVIDE AUTHORITY FOR JUSTICE AND MUNICIPAL COURTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH A COURT; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ENACTMENT OF STANDARDS OF OPERATION TO GOVERN THE OPERATION OF DOMESTIC ABUSE COURTS BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS; TO CREATE THE DOMESTIC ABUSE COURT SPECIAL FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AN ASSESSMENT TO FUND DOMESTIC ABUSE COURTS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-5-81 AND 9-9-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
1414
1515 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
1616
1717 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds that:
1818
1919 (a) Domestic violence is a serious issue that causes substantial damage to victims and children as well as to the community. Families experiencing domestic violence are often involved in more than one (1) court proceeding including divorce and custody cases, civil and criminal proceedings regarding domestic violence, substance abuse and child protection. Substantial state and county resources are required each year for the incarceration, supervision and treatment of batterers.
2020
2121 (b) Domestic abuse courts hold offenders accountable, increase victim safety, provide greater judicial monitoring, and coordinate information to provide effective interaction and use of resources among the courts, justice system personnel and community agencies. Effective case management and coordination ensures that decisions in one (1) case do not conflict with existing orders in other civil and criminal cases and provide courts with the necessary information to protect victims and families.
2222
2323 (c) Domestic abuse courts have proven effective in reducing recidivism and increasing victim safety. It is in the best interests of the citizens of this state to authorize the establishment of domestic abuse courts.
2424
2525 SECTION 2. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-101, Mississippi Code of 1972:
2626
2727 9-23-101. (1) A domestic abuse court is a court focused on the safety of the victim and the accountability of the offender by:
2828
2929 (a) Bringing together criminal justice professionals, local social programs and intensive judicial monitoring;
3030
3131 (b) Linking victims to programs and services by effective collaboration with social service providers and other stakeholders to refer victims to appropriate and available community services based on risk and need;
3232
3333 (c) Linking eligible civil respondents to programs and services by effective collaboration with social service providers and other stakeholders to refer such individuals to appropriate and available community services based on risk and need;
3434
3535 (d) Linking eligible criminal defendants to programs and services by effective collaboration with social service providers and other stakeholders to refer defendants to appropriate and available community services based on risk and need; and
3636
3737 (e) Providing centralized monitoring of participants to ensure compliance with any civil domestic abuse protection orders or with any treatment orders or other orders issued by the court.
3838
3939 (2) For the purposes of this act, "domestic abuse" and "domestic violence" shall have the meanings ascribed to "abuse" by Section 93-21-3 and to "misdemeanor which is an act of domestic violence" in Section 99-3-7.
4040
4141 SECTION 3. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-103, Mississippi Code of 1972:
4242
4343 9-23-103. Any chancery or county court may establish a domestic abuse court program. Any municipal or justice court is authorized to participate in a domestic abuse court program established in the county.
4444
4545 SECTION 4. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-105, Mississippi Code of 1972:
4646
4747 9-23-105. (1) A domestic abuse court and accompanying services of the domestic abuse court shall be available only to individuals over whom the court has established jurisdiction.
4848
4949 (2) A domestic abuse court that does not have felony jurisdiction may assume jurisdiction over an individual convicted of a felony from another court within the county upon entry of an appropriate order by the criminal court referring that individual to the domestic abuse court for the purpose of participation in the domestic abuse court program.
5050
5151 SECTION 5. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-107, Mississippi Code of 1972:
5252
5353 9-23-107. (1) The Administrative Office of Courts shall develop uniform standards for operation of a domestic abuse court. Any domestic abuse court shall operate pursuant to those standards. Such standards shall, at a minimum, include provisions for:
5454
5555 (a) Establishment and coordination of the domestic abuse court;
5656
5757 (b) Funding for the domestic abuse court;
5858
5959 (c) Procedural matters;
6060
6161 (d) Referral protocols;
6262
6363 (e) Participant eligibility;
6464
6565 (f) Services to be made available to participants referred to the court; and
6666
6767 (g) Roles and duties of the court, which shall include, but not be limited to, assessment, referral, case management, supervision and evaluation.
6868
6969 (2) Any court wishing to adopt local rules for the coordination of services and to address court procedures that may vary from those established by the Administrative Office of Courts shall submit those rules to the Administrative Office of Courts for approval prior to implementation.
7070
7171 SECTION 6. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-109, Mississippi Code of 1972:
7272
7373 9-23-109. A domestic abuse court may hire employees necessary to carry out the functions of the court, including, but not limited to, an administrator, case manager, counselor or clerical staff.
7474
7575 SECTION 7. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-111, Mississippi Code of 1972:
7676
7777 9-23-111. Nothing herein shall be construed to guarantee any individual the right to participate in a domestic abuse court program.
7878
7979 SECTION 8. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-113, Mississippi Code of 1972:
8080
8181 9-23-113. (1) All monies received from any source by the domestic abuse court shall be accumulated in a fund to be used only for domestic abuse court purposes. Any funds remaining in this fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into any general fund, but shall be retained in the Domestic Abuse Court
8282
8383 Fund for the funding of further activities by the domestic abuse court.
8484
8585 (2) A domestic abuse court may apply for and receive the following:
8686
8787 (a) Gifts, bequests and donations from private sources.
8888
8989 (b) Grant and contract money from governmental sources.
9090
9191 (c) Other forms of financial assistance approved by the court to supplement the budget of the domestic abuse court.
9292
9393 SECTION 9. The following shall be codified as Section 9-23-115, Mississippi Code of 1972:
9494
9595 9-23-115. There is created in the State Treasury a special interest-bearing fund to be known as the Domestic Abuse Court Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide supplemental funding to all domestic abuse courts in the state. Monies from the fund shall be distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Administrative Office of Courts to assist domestic abuse courts. The fund shall be expended by the Administrative Office of Courts upon appropriation by the Legislature, and shall consist of: (a) monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding domestic abuse courts; (b) the interest accruing to the fund; (c) monies received under the provisions of Section 99-19-73; (d) monies received from the federal government; and (e) monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.
9696
9797 SECTION 10. Section 99-19-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
9898
9999 99-19-73. (1) Traffic violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation in Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, except offenses relating to the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 63-11-1 et seq.) and offenses relating to vehicular parking or registration:
100100
101101 FUND AMOUNT
102102
103103 State Court Education Fund............................. [Deleted]
104104
105105 State Prosecutor Education Fund........................ [Deleted]
106106
107107 Vulnerable Persons Training,
108108
109109 Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund........... [Deleted]
110110
111111 Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund................... [Deleted]
112112
113113 Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund................. [Deleted]
114114
115115 Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................. [Deleted]
116116
117117 Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund
118118
119119 (for all moving violations)....................... [Deleted]
120120
121121 Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund............... [Deleted]
122122
123123 Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging Fund............ [Deleted]
124124
125125 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
126126
127127 Death Benefits Trust Fund......................... [Deleted]
128128
129129 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
130130
131131 Disability Benefits Trust Fund.................... [Deleted]
132132
133133 State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose
134134
135135 of providing additional compensation for
136136
137137 district attorneys and their legal assistants...... [Deleted]
138138
139139 Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................. [Deleted]
140140
141141 Intervention Court Fund................................ [Deleted]
142142
143143 Judicial Performance Fund.............................. [Deleted]
144144
145145 Capital Defense Counsel Fund........................... [Deleted]
146146
147147 Indigent Appeals Fund.................................. [Deleted]
148148
149149 Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund................... [Deleted]
150150
151151 Victims of Domestic Violence Fund...................... [Deleted]
152152
153153 Public Defenders Education Fund........................ [Deleted]
154154
155155 Domestic Violence Training Fund........................ [Deleted]
156156
157157 Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit.................... [Deleted]
158158
159159 Children's Safe Center Fund............................ [Deleted]
160160
161161 DuBard School for Language Disorders Fund............... [Deleted]
162162
163163 Children's Advocacy Centers Fund....................... [Deleted]
164164
165165 Judicial System Operation Fund......................... [Deleted]
166166
167167 GENERAL FUND...................................... $ 90.50
168168
169169 (2) Implied Consent Law violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or any other penalty for any violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 63-11-1 et seq.):
170170
171171 FUND AMOUNT
172172
173173 Crime Victims' Compensation Fund....................... [Deleted]
174174
175175 State Court Education Fund............................. [Deleted]
176176
177177 State Prosecutor Education Fund........................ [Deleted]
178178
179179 Vulnerable Persons Training,
180180
181181 Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund........... [Deleted]
182182
183183 Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund................... [Deleted]
184184
185185 Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund................. [Deleted]
186186
187187 Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................. [Deleted]
188188
189189 Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund............... [Deleted]
190190
191191 Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program Fund....... [Deleted]
192192
193193 Federal-State Alcohol Program Fund..................... [Deleted]
194194
195195 Mississippi Forensics Laboratory
196196
197197 Implied Consent Law Fund.......................... [Deleted]
198198
199199 Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund................. [Deleted]
200200
201201 Capital Defense Counsel Fund........................... [Deleted]
202202
203203 Indigent Appeals Fund.................................. [Deleted]
204204
205205 Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund................... [Deleted]
206206
207207 Victims of Domestic Violence Fund...................... [Deleted]
208208
209209 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
210210
211211 Death Benefits Trust Fund......................... [Deleted]
212212
213213 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
214214
215215 Disability Benefits Trust Fund.................... [Deleted]
216216
217217 State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose
218218
219219 of providing additional compensation for
220220
221221 district attorneys and their legal assistants...... [Deleted]
222222
223223 Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................. [Deleted]
224224
225225 Intervention Court Fund................................ [Deleted]
226226
227227 Statewide Victims' Information and
228228
229229 Notification System Fund.......................... [Deleted]
230230
231231 Public Defenders Education Fund........................ [Deleted]
232232
233233 Domestic Violence Training Fund........................ [Deleted]
234234
235235 Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit.................... [Deleted]
236236
237237 Domestic Abuse Court Fund................................ $ 1.00
238238
239239 General Fund............................................ $243.50
240240
241241 * * * GENERAL FUNDTOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT....................... $ * * *243.50244.50
242242
243243 (3) Game and Fish Law violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of the game and fish statutes or regulations of this state:
244244
245245 FUND AMOUNT
246246
247247 State Court Education Fund............................. [Deleted]
248248
249249 State Prosecutor Education Fund........................ [Deleted]
250250
251251 Vulnerable Persons Training,
252252
253253 Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund........... [Deleted]
254254
255255 Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................. [Deleted]
256256
257257 Hunter Education and Training Program Fund.............. [Deleted]
258258
259259 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
260260
261261 Death Benefits Trust Fund......................... [Deleted]
262262
263263 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
264264
265265 Disability Benefits Trust Fund.................... [Deleted]
266266
267267 State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose
268268
269269 of providing additional compensation for district
270270
271271 attorneys and their legal assistants............... [Deleted]
272272
273273 Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................. [Deleted]
274274
275275 Intervention Court Fund................................ [Deleted]
276276
277277 Capital Defense Counsel Fund........................... [Deleted]
278278
279279 Indigent Appeals Fund.................................. [Deleted]
280280
281281 Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund................... [Deleted]
282282
283283 Victims of Domestic Violence Fund...................... [Deleted]
284284
285285 Public Defenders Education Fund........................ [Deleted]
286286
287287 Domestic Violence Training Fund........................ [Deleted]
288288
289289 Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit.................... [Deleted]
290290
291291 Domestic Abuse Court Fund................................ $ 1.00
292292
293293 General Fund............................................ $ 89.00
294294
295295 * * * GENERAL FUNDTOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT........................ $ * * *89.0090.00
296296
297297 (4) [Deleted]
298298
299299 (5) Speeding, reckless and careless driving violations. In addition to any assessment imposed under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for driving a vehicle on a road or highway:
300300
301301 (a) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by
302302
303303 at least ten (10) miles per hour but not more than twenty (20) miles per hour..................................................... $10.00
304304
305305 (b) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by at least twenty (20) miles per hour but not more than thirty (30) miles per hour......................................................... $20.00
306306
307307 (c) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by thirty (30) miles per hour or more............................... $30.00
308308
309309 (d) In violation of Section 63-3-1201, which is the offense of reckless driving......................................... $10.00
310310
311311 (e) In violation of Section 63-3-1213, which is the offense of careless driving......................................... $10.00
312312
313313 All assessments collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the State General Fund.
314314
315315 (6) Other misdemeanors. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any misdemeanor violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section, except offenses relating to vehicular parking or registration:
316316
317317 FUND AMOUNT
318318
319319 Crime Victims' Compensation Fund....................... [Deleted]
320320
321321 State Court Education Fund............................. [Deleted]
322322
323323 State Prosecutor Education Fund........................ [Deleted]
324324
325325 Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation
326326
327327 and Prosecution Trust Fund........................ [Deleted]
328328
329329 Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund................... [Deleted]
330330
331331 Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................. [Deleted]
332332
333333 Capital Defense Counsel Fund........................... [Deleted]
334334
335335 Indigent Appeals Fund.................................. [Deleted]
336336
337337 Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund................... [Deleted]
338338
339339 Victims of Domestic Violence Fund...................... [Deleted]
340340
341341 State Crime Stoppers Fund.............................. [Deleted]
342342
343343 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
344344
345345 Death Benefits Trust Fund......................... [Deleted]
346346
347347 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
348348
349349 Disability Benefits Trust Fund.................... [Deleted]
350350
351351 State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose
352352
353353 of providing additional compensation for
354354
355355 district attorneys and their legal assistants...... [Deleted]
356356
357357 Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................. [Deleted]
358358
359359 Intervention Court Fund................................ [Deleted]
360360
361361 Judicial Performance Fund.............................. [Deleted]
362362
363363 Statewide Victims' Information and
364364
365365 Notification System Fund.......................... [Deleted]
366366
367367 Public Defenders Education Fund........................ [Deleted]
368368
369369 Domestic Violence Training Fund........................ [Deleted]
370370
371371 Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit.................... [Deleted]
372372
373373 Information Exchange Network Fund...................... [Deleted]
374374
375375 Motorcycle Officer Training Fund....................... [Deleted]
376376
377377 Civil Legal Assistance Fund............................ [Deleted]
378378
379379 Justice Court Collections Fund......................... [Deleted]
380380
381381 Municipal Court Collections Fund....................... [Deleted]
382382
383383 Domestic Abuse Court Fund................................ $ 1.00
384384
385385 General Fund............................................ $121.75
386386
387387 * * * GENERAL FUNDTOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT....................... $ * * *121.75122.75
388388
389389 (7) Other felonies. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any felony violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section:
390390
391391 FUND AMOUNT
392392
393393 Crime Victims' Compensation Fund....................... [Deleted]
394394
395395 State Court Education Fund............................. [Deleted]
396396
397397 State Prosecutor Education Fund........................ [Deleted]
398398
399399 Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation
400400
401401 and Prosecution Trust Fund........................ [Deleted]
402402
403403 Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund................... [Deleted]
404404
405405 Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................. [Deleted]
406406
407407 Capital Defense Counsel Fund........................... [Deleted]
408408
409409 Indigent Appeals Fund.................................. [Deleted]
410410
411411 Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund................... [Deleted]
412412
413413 Victims of Domestic Violence Fund...................... [Deleted]
414414
415415 Criminal Justice Fund.................................. [Deleted]
416416
417417 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
418418
419419 Death Benefits Trust Fund......................... [Deleted]
420420
421421 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
422422
423423 Disability Benefits Trust Fund.................... [Deleted]
424424
425425 State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose
426426
427427 of providing additional compensation for
428428
429429 district attorneys and their legal assistants...... [Deleted]
430430
431431 Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................. [Deleted]
432432
433433 Intervention Court Fund................................ [Deleted]
434434
435435 Statewide Victims' Information and
436436
437437 Notification System Fund.......................... [Deleted]
438438
439439 Public Defenders Education Fund........................ [Deleted]
440440
441441 Domestic Violence Training Fund........................ [Deleted]
442442
443443 Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit.................... [Deleted]
444444
445445 Forensics Laboratory DNA Identification System Fund..... [Deleted]
446446
447447 Domestic Abuse Court Fund................................ $ 1.00
448448
449449 General Fund............................................ $280.50
450450
451451 * * * GENERAL FUNDTOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT....................... $ * * *280.50281.50
452452
453453 (8) Additional assessments on certain violations:
454454
455455 (a) Railroad crossing violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation involving railroad crossings under Section 37-41-55, 63-3-1007, 63-3-1009, 63-3-1011, 63-3-1013 or 77-9-249:
456456
457457 Operation Lifesaver Fund............................. $25.00
458458
459459 (b) Drug violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of Section 41-29-139:
460460
461461 Drug Evidence Disposition Fund....................... $25.00
462462
463463 Mississippi Foster Care Fund......................... $ 2.00
464464
465465 (c) Motor vehicle liability insurance violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of Section 63-15-4(4) or Section 63-16-13(1):
466466
467467 Uninsured Motorist Identification Fund:
468468
469469 First offense................................$200.00
470470
471471 Second offense...............................$300.00
472472
473473 Third or subsequent offense..................$400.00
474474
475475 (9) If a fine or other penalty imposed is suspended, in whole or in part, such suspension shall not affect the state assessment under this section. No state assessment imposed under the provisions of this section may be suspended or reduced by the court.
476476
477477 (10) (a) After a determination by the court of the amount due, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court to promptly collect all state assessments imposed under the provisions of this section. The state assessments imposed under the provisions of this section may not be paid by personal check.
478478
479479 (b) It shall be the duty of the chancery clerk of each county to deposit all state assessments collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in the county on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by the State Auditor. The chancery clerk shall make a monthly lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in the county under this section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total number of violations under each subsection for which state assessments were collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in the county during that month.
480480
481481 (c) It shall be the duty of the municipal clerk of each municipality to deposit all the state assessments collected in the municipal court in the municipality on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by the State Auditor. The municipal clerk shall make a monthly lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the municipal court in the municipality under this section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total number of violations under each subsection for which state assessments were collected in the municipal court in the municipality during that month.
482482
483483 (11) It shall be the duty of the Department of Finance and Administration to deposit on a monthly basis all state assessments into the State General Fund or proper special fund in the State Treasury. The Department of Finance and Administration shall issue regulations providing for the proper allocation of these funds.
484484
485485 (12) The State Auditor shall establish by regulation procedures for refunds of state assessments, including refunds associated with assessments imposed before July 1, 1990, and refunds after appeals in which the defendant's conviction is reversed. The Auditor shall provide in the regulations for certification of eligibility for refunds and may require the defendant seeking a refund to submit a verified copy of a court order or abstract by which the defendant is entitled to a refund. All refunds of state assessments shall be made in accordance with the procedures established by the Auditor.
486486
487487 SECTION 11. Section 9-5-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
488488
489489 9-5-81. The chancery court in addition to the full jurisdiction in all the matters and cases expressly conferred upon it by the Constitution shall have jurisdiction of all cases transferred to it by the circuit court or remanded to it by the Supreme Court; and such further jurisdiction, as is, in this chapter or elsewhere, provided by law. A chancery court is authorized to establish a domestic abuse court as provided in Sections 1 through 9 of this act.
490490
491491 SECTION 12. Section 9-9-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
492492
493493 9-9-21. (1) The jurisdiction of the county court shall be as follows: It shall have jurisdiction concurrent with the justice court in all matters, civil and criminal of which the justice court has jurisdiction; and it shall have jurisdiction concurrent with the circuit and chancery courts in all matters of law and equity wherein the amount of value of the thing in controversy shall not exceed, exclusive of costs and interest, the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), and the jurisdiction of the county court shall not be affected by any setoff, counterclaim or cross-bill in such actions where the amount sought to be recovered in such setoff, counterclaim or cross-bill exceeds Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00). Provided, however, the party filing such setoff, counterclaim or cross-bill which exceeds Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) shall give notice to the opposite party or parties as provided in Section 13-3-83, and on motion of all parties filed within twenty (20) days after the filing of such setoff, counterclaim or cross-bill, the county court shall transfer the case to the circuit or chancery court wherein the county court is situated and which would otherwise have jurisdiction. It shall have exclusively the jurisdiction heretofore exercised by the justice court in the following matters and causes: namely, eminent domain, the partition of personal property, and actions of unlawful entry and detainer, provided that the actions of eminent domain and unlawful entry and detainer may be returnable and triable before the judge of said court in vacation. The county court shall have jurisdiction over criminal matters in the county assigned by a judge of the circuit court district in which the county is included.
494494
495495 (2) In the event of the establishment of a county court by an agreement between two (2) or more counties as provided in Section 9-9-3, it shall be lawful for such court sitting in one (1) county to act upon any and all matters of which it has jurisdiction as provided by law arising in the other county under the jurisdiction of said court.
496496
497497 (3) A county court is authorized to establish a domestic abuse court as provided in Sections 1 through 9 of this act.
498498
499499 SECTION 13. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.