MS HB337

Prohibits law enforcement officers (other than officers of the court) from requesting, requiring, or inducing a person to waive their interest in property for forfeiture purposes; any such waiver is null and void and inadmissible in court

Raises the standard of proof required for the state to forfeit property from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence"

Requires forfeiture proceedings to be filed within 30 days of seizure or the property must be immediately returned to the person from whom it was seized

Maintains existing requirements that law enforcement must obtain a seizure warrant within 72 hours of seizure (excluding weekends and holidays) and notify property owners if forfeiture will not be pursued

Effective date: July 1, 2023