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JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Several new laws in Mississippi will affect people's everyday lives, including their driving habits. Here's a look at some proposals approved by the Legislature during the 2015 session and signed into law by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant:
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LAWS TAKING EFFECT WEDNESDAY
TEXTING & DRIVING — House Bill 389 (http://bit.ly/1MMz3dV ) bans people from texting or using social media sites on a cellphone or other hand-held electronic devices while driving. The fine will be $25 the first year the law is in effect and $100 after that.
INSPECTION STICKERS — House Bill 982 (http://bit.ly/1E8zA1C ) eliminates the $5 annual vehicle inspection sticker. Drivers with tinted windows will still need to get a one-time inspection.
GUNS — Senate Bill 2394 (http://bit.ly/1AjNws4 ) eliminates the need for a concealed-carry license to have a gun in a purse, briefcase or enclosed satchel. It also would reduce the fee for a new concealed-carry license to $80 from $100, and the renewal fee for people younger than 65 would drop to $40 from $50. For people 65 and older, the renewal fee would drop to $20 from $25.
PRISON EMPLOYEES — Senate Bill 2804 (http://bit.ly/1AfOx4a ) removes civil-service protection from Mississippi Department of Corrections employees for one year, making it easier for the corrections commissioner to hire or fire workers.
LONG-TERM TRUSTS — House Bill 153 (http://bit.ly/1EDNyMA ) allows people to put real estate into trusts for up to 110 years and money, stocks or other financial assets into trusts for up to 360 years.
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LAWS THAT TOOK EFFECT IN APRIL
SPECIAL EDUCATION VOUCHERS — Senate Bill 2695 (http://bit.ly/1ykivgm ) creates $6,500-a-year vouchers for up to 500 special-education students the first year. The program is supposed to increase by 500 a year until it reaches 2,500 students. Money could go toward private school tuition, tutoring or other education services outside the public schools. Bryant signed the bill April 16, and it became law immediately. The state Department of Education will take applications July 1-10 for people seeking vouchers for the coming school year.
EDUCATION CHEATING — Senate Bill 2258 (http://bit.ly/1CPrLiY ) tightens sanctions against schools where cheating occurs. The state Board of Education could issue subpoenas to investigate cheating on standardized tests. School principals would be required to swear that tests were given following state rules, and they would have to report all potential violations. Bryant signed the bill April 22, and it became law immediately.
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LAW TAKING EFFECT IN 2016
HOSPITAL BOARDS — Senate Bill 2407 (http://bit.ly/1M3GVSK ) requires boards of publicly owned hospitals to keep most of their meetings open to the public. The boards could hold closed meetings to discuss patient information, competitive business matters or employment contracts for physicians and other workers. The bill was filed in response to losses in the Singing River Hospital pension program. Problems existed for months before becoming publicly known, partly because the hospital board was meeting in private. The new law will take effect Jan. 1.
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