MS SB2824

Requires the Department of Public Safety Commissioner to implement and maintain a publicly accessible centralized database for jail census data and establish uniform reporting standards that all sheriff's departments must follow.

Mandates that jail census records include minimum data elements for each detainee such as name, arrest date, charges, bail conditions, race, mental health status, indictment date, conviction status, sentence length, and jurisdiction.

Amends existing jail docket requirements in sections 19-25-63 and 47-1-21 to require compliance with the Commissioner's uniform reporting standards and definitions to promote transparency and clarity.

Creates a six-member advisory committee chaired by the Director of the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center to research uniform data-reporting standards, centralized database best practices, and recommend a timeline for data submission; committee must report to the Legislature by December 1, 2019.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.