MS HB108

Amends Section 99-36-7 of the Mississippi Code to allow the District Attorney of the Fourteenth Circuit Court District to appoint one additional victim assistance coordinator, for a total of two coordinators.

The First Circuit Court District is also granted the same authority to appoint an additional victim assistance coordinator.

Victim assistance coordinators ensure that crime victims, guardians, and relatives of deceased victims receive rights granted under Section 99-36-5 and work with law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary.

Salary for victim assistance coordinators cannot exceed the amount authorized for criminal investigators and is paid jointly by counties in the circuit court district on a pro rata basis.

Effective date is July 1, 2014.