JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Several new laws are taking effect Monday in Mississippi, which includes one that gives a paid improvement to teachers and can be designed to ease burdens on folks who face courtroom fines or who are looking for jobs after having a criminal conviction.
Here are some of the measures passed by the Legislature and signed with the aid of Republican Gov. Phil Bryant:
CRIMINAL JUSTICE — House Bill 1352 eases consequences on a few Mississippians accused or convicted of crimes. It stops the automatic suspension of driver’s licenses for nonpayment of fines or easy drug ownership. It also creates “intervention courts” to deal with instances involving veterans, drugs, and intellectual fitness troubles.
JOB LICENSING — Senate Bill 2781, named the “Fresh Start Act of 2019,” says a criminal conviction no longer disqualifies people from receiving a job license until the conviction is directly associated with the job for which the permit is required. Groups that trouble task licenses are banned from using phrases that include “ethical turpitude.”
TEACHER PAY — Senate Bill 2770 authorizes a $1,500 pay increase for instructors.
PROPERTY OWNER LIABILITY — Senate Bill 2901, known as the “Landowners Protection Act,” says that everybody who owns, leases, operates, or continues business assets in Mississippi will now not be answerable for any damage on the belongings due to any other person, except the individual in fee of the assets did something that “impelled” the harmful action. Supporters say the new law will provide financial protection for property proprietors or managers, while critics say it can lead to negligence.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS — House Bill 571 prevents prices from being filed in opposition to trafficking victims who are more youthful than 18. The minor might be taken into protective custody, and counseling would be supplied. Foster, dad, and mom could learn to help trafficking victims.
MARRIAGE LICENSES — Senate Bill 2043 will increase the marriage license fee from $20 to $35.
TERROR THREATS — Senate Bill 2141 creates a brand new prison for making a terrorist threat. It is punishable with the aid of up to 10 years in jail.
GUNS IN COURTHOUSES — House Bill 1581 clarifies an existing law about weapons in courthouses to mention that weapons can be banned in courtrooms, jury rooms, witness rooms, and judges’ chambers but might not be banned in hallways, courthouse grounds, or different regions in or around a courthouse which can be commonly open to the general public.
CHURCH PROTECTION — House Bill 390 says retired law enforcement officials may provide protection for churches or other houses of worship and can be immune from civil complaints in that role.
SCHOOL SAFETY — House Bill 1283 might require public schools to conduct live shooter drills.
House Bill 1182 bans corporal punishment for any pupil with a disability or a special training plan.
COUNTY OFFICIALS’ PAY — Senate Bill 2827 creates project pressure to look at county officers’ salaries and make lengthy-time period suggestions. This part of the regulation takes an impact on July 1. Other elements of the identical provision will authorize pay raises for county supervisors, chancery clerks, circuit clerks, tax collectors, tax assessors, and other county officials, starting in January.
VEHICLE SALES TAX — Senate Bill 2229 says no income tax is charged while a car is offered from one sibling to another.
ISRAEL — House Bill 761 bans the state of Mississippi from investing in organizations that boycott Israel.
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Law, this is blocked:
ABORTION — Senate Bill 2116 would ban maximum abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, that is, at about six weeks, earlier than a few ladies may realize they’re pregnant. A federal decision has quickly blocked the regulation from taking effect on July 1, although the nation is appealing that choice.