MS SB2819

Declares payday lending, deferred presentment services, and advance cash services illegal in Mississippi and strengthens penalties for violators.

Prohibits any person from making loans of $3,000 or less outside specified exemptions including banks, credit unions, small loan companies, pawnbrokers, and tax refund anticipation loans.

Creates criminal penalties of up to one year imprisonment and $5,000 fine for violations, with repeat offenders facing felony charges of up to five years and $10,000 fine after three prior convictions.

Allows borrowers to recover three times the amount of interest or charges in civil actions and bars lenders from collecting the debt, with courts awarding attorneys' fees and costs to prevailing borrowers.

Declares payday lending business locations public nuisances and repeals the Mississippi Title Pledge Act and Check Cashers Act, effective July 1, 2018.