MS HB580

Mississippi Transportation Commission may require contractors to provide law enforcement safety operations in work zones on high-volume roadways or high-risk projects through contract provisions or bid requirements.

Contractors may fulfill this requirement by entering into agreements with state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to provide work zone safety operations within those agencies' jurisdictions.

If contractor and law enforcement agencies cannot reach agreement through good faith negotiations, the Mississippi Department of Transportation Office of Law Enforcement may provide work zone safety operations and shall engage oscillating blue lights on their vehicles.

Establishes new criminal penalties for highway work zone violations: speeding violations causing property damage of $500 or more result in misdemeanor with fines of $250-$1,000 and/or 30 days to 1 year imprisonment plus restitution.

Creates felony offense for violating work zone speed limits that cause death or serious bodily injury (mutilation, disfigurement, permanent disability of any body part), punishable by 3-15 years imprisonment per victim.