MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency By: Senator(s) Parker Senate Bill 2576 AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-61-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW PUBLIC BODIES TO PROCESS REQUESTS MADE AS A RESULT OF A CRIMINAL OR CIVIL PROCEEDING, EMPLOYEE APPEALS BOARD OR ARBITRATION FOR WHICH THE PUBLIC BODY IS A PARTY, AS PRIVILEGED AND SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE DISCOVERY RULES, WHEN REQUESTED BY AN OPPOSING PARTY OR AN AGENT THEREOF; TO REQUIRE THAT REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BY AN OPPOSING PARTY OR THEIR AGENT BE MADE TO THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE PUBLIC BODY IN THE CRIMINAL OR CIVIL PROCEEDING, EMPLOYEE APPEALS BOARD OR ARBITRATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 25-61-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 25-61-11. (1) The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to conflict with, amend, repeal or supersede any constitutional law, state or federal statutory law, or decision of a court of this state or the United States which at the time this chapter is effective or thereafter specifically declares a public record to be confidential or privileged, or provides that a public record shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter. (2) Any request under this chapter for records in possession of a public body by a party to a criminal or civil proceeding, employee appeals board or arbitration, in which the public body is a party, or by an agent of the party, must comply with applicable discovery rules or orders, and be made to the attorney representing the public body in the criminal or civil proceedings, employee appeals board proceeding or arbitration. The public body may deny a request from a party or an agent of a party under this subsection if the request seeks records that are privileged under applicable discovery rules. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
By: Senator(s) Parker
# Senate Bill 2576
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-61-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW PUBLIC BODIES TO PROCESS REQUESTS MADE AS A RESULT OF A CRIMINAL OR CIVIL PROCEEDING, EMPLOYEE APPEALS BOARD OR ARBITRATION FOR WHICH THE PUBLIC BODY IS A PARTY, AS PRIVILEGED AND SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE DISCOVERY RULES, WHEN REQUESTED BY AN OPPOSING PARTY OR AN AGENT THEREOF; TO REQUIRE THAT REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BY AN OPPOSING PARTY OR THEIR AGENT BE MADE TO THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE PUBLIC BODY IN THE CRIMINAL OR CIVIL PROCEEDING, EMPLOYEE APPEALS BOARD OR ARBITRATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 25-61-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-61-11. (1) The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to conflict with, amend, repeal or supersede any constitutional law, state or federal statutory law, or decision of a court of this state or the United States which at the time this chapter is effective or thereafter specifically declares a public record to be confidential or privileged, or provides that a public record shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Any request under this chapter for records in possession of a public body by a party to a criminal or civil proceeding, employee appeals board or arbitration, in which the public body is a party, or by an agent of the party, must comply with applicable discovery rules or orders, and be made to the attorney representing the public body in the criminal or civil proceedings, employee appeals board proceeding or arbitration. The public body may deny a request from a party or an agent of a party under this subsection if the request seeks records that are privileged under applicable discovery rules.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.