MS SB2561

Authorizes the Mississippi Department of Public Safety's Office of Public Safety Planning to prepare racial and ethnic impact statements examining how proposed legislation affects the racial and ethnic composition of the criminal offender population upon request from one legislator from each major political party.

Requires impact statements to include estimates of how proposed legislation would change the racial and ethnic composition of the criminal offender population, methodologies and assumptions used, and the estimated racial and ethnic composition of affected crime victims.

Establishes a timeline for ballot measures requiring impact statements to be filed 99 days before election, with a public hearing held 95 days before the election to receive suggestions for changes, and final certification 90 days before the election.

Requires state agencies that award grants to include racial and ethnic impact statements in grant applications documenting disproportionate impacts on minority persons, rationale for such impacts, and evidence of consultation with minority representatives.

Amends Section 23-17-45 to require inclusion of any racial and ethnic impact statement prepared under this act in the pamphlet containing initiative measures, ballot summaries, and fiscal analyses published by the Secretary of State.