MS HB581

Amends Section 37-11-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, to revise penalties for disturbance of school sessions or meetings.

Reduces misdemeanor fine for willfully disturbing a school session or meeting from an unspecified amount to between $10.00 and $50.00.

Creates new felony offense for threatening to commit a crime of violence or cause bodily injury to school personnel or students, including threats made via social media.

Felony threat offense carries punishment of up to five years imprisonment in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and the threat must be intended to terrorize, harm, intimidate, disrupt or disturb school operations.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.