AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-61-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD THE DEATH OF ANY PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN TO THE LIST OF DEATHS CATEGORIZED AS "AFFECTING PUBLIC INTEREST"; TO AMEND SECTION 41-61-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINERS TO ENTER ELECTRONICALLY THE INFORMATION FOR ALL DEATHS, AND ALL ASSOCIATED TOXICOLOGY REPORTS, THAT OCCUR IN THE EXAMINER'S COUNTY IN A MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER; TO AMEND SECTION 13-1-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE AN EVIDENTIARY PRESUMPTION OF DEATH TO BE KNOWN AS THE "ZEB HUGHES LAW" WHENEVER UNCONTRADICTED SWORN TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE SUPPORT A DETERMINATION OF THE DEATH OF A MISSING PERSON WHO HAS UNDERGONE A CATASTROPHIC EVENT THAT EXPOSED THE PERSON TO IMMINENT PERIL; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 41-57-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS TO PREPARE A DEATH CERTIFICATE FOR A MISSING PERSON LEGALLY PRESUMED TO BE DEAD UPON RECEIPT OF A PROPER COURT ORDER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 41-61-59, 41-61-63
As Passed by the House: 41-61-59, 41-61-63
Approved by the Governor: 41-61-59, 41-61-63, 13-1-23