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MS HB968
MS HB968School resource officers; authorize to search a student's person and possession upon reasonable suspicion of unlawful activity.
summary
Introduced
01/16/2026
01/16/2026
In Committee
01/16/2026
01/16/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Amend Sections 37-3-82 And 37-11-29, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Authorize School Resource Officers Acting Within The Scope Of Their Employment With A School District To Detain And Conduct A Reasonable Search Of The Person And Possessions Of Any Student That The School Resource Officer Has Reasonable Suspicion To Believe Is Engaged In Unlawful Activity, So As To Establish Probable Cause To Conduct The Search; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill authorizes School Resource Officers (SROs), who are law enforcement officers assigned to schools, to detain and search a student and their possessions if the SRO has a reasonable suspicion that the student is engaged in unlawful activity, as defined by Mississippi law, on school grounds. This search must be reasonable in scope and not overly intrusive, considering the student's age, sex, and the nature of the suspected offense, and must still comply with the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The bill amends existing Mississippi Code sections related to school safety programs and reporting unlawful activities to grant this authority, with the changes taking effect on July 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0968.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/0900-0999/HB0968IN.htm |
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