House Bill 711 Summary

• Creates Section 41-43-9 of Mississippi Code requiring owners and lessees of private land containing cemeteries, graves, or burial sites to allow reasonable access to family members, friends, descendants, cemetery plot owners, and persons conducting genealogical, historical, or cultural research upon reasonable notice.

• Limits access rights to visiting graves, maintaining gravesites or cemeteries, conducting research, or burying deceased persons, with landowners retaining the right to designate reasonable frequency, hours, duration, and access routes.

• Makes persons entering the property liable to the landowner or lessee for any damage caused to the private land, cemetery, gravesite, or burial site during their access.

• Provides immunity from civil liability to landowners and lessees for injuries or incidents arising from the granted access unless the landowner or lessee acts with gross negligence or willful misconduct.

• Takes effect July 1, 2025.