MS HB1340

Amends Section 99-36-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, to authorize district attorneys in the First and Fourteenth Circuit Court Districts to each appoint one additional victim assistance coordinator for a total of two coordinators.

Victim assistance coordinators ensure that victims, guardians of victims, and close relatives of deceased victims are afforded rights under Section 99-36-5 and work with law enforcement, prosecutors, state agencies, and judiciary to fulfill that duty.

Salary of victim assistance coordinators shall not exceed the salary authorized for criminal investigators in Section 25-31-10 and shall be paid jointly by counties in the circuit court district on a pro rata basis determined by the senior circuit court judge.

Takes effect July 1, 2015.