MS HB1444

Brings forward Section 43-21-255 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, which governs confidentiality of law enforcement records involving children in youth court.

Permits law enforcement to photograph and fingerprint children taken into custody for felony acts or offenses involving dangerous weapons or firearms, with fingerprint copies maintained locally only and returned promptly if sent to other agencies for identification.

Allows law enforcement, youth court officials, and school officials to release such records without a court order to each other, with recipients required to sign confidentiality statements and use records only for criminal or juvenile law enforcement purposes.

Requires law enforcement to report to the Commissioner of Public Safety any child's driver's license suspension for refusal to take an implied consent test, without court order.

Makes records public and non-confidential for children convicted as adults or twice adjudicated delinquent for sex offenses; effective July 1, 2025.