MS SB2470

Revises penalties for forgery based on value: under $1,000 (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine); $1,000-$5,000 (up to 5 years); $5,000-$25,000 (up to 10 years); $25,000+ (up to 20 years).

Creates enhanced penalties for counterfeiting currency, foreign money, and possession of counterfeit money: under $5,000 (up to 5 years); $5,000-$25,000 (up to 10 years); $25,000+ (up to 20 years).

Expands counterfeiting prohibitions to cover paper currency in addition to gold and silver coins under Sections 97-21-13, 97-21-15, and 97-21-17.

Requires courts to suspend jail sentences for forgery under $1,000 and impose probation or fines instead, unless substantial and compelling reasons exist for incarceration.

Mandates aggregation of forgery values from a single victim when determining offense severity.

Effective July 1, 2019.