AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-25-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD OF ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT MAINTAINING A SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN DRIVER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR PUPILS ENROLLED IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THAT DISTRICT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-25-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION AND THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHALL JOINTLY PREPARE AND RECOMMEND TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE SCOPE OF DRIVER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS; TO PROVIDE THAT ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2025, THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION AND THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHALL JOINTLY PREPARE AN ESTIMATED BUDGET AND FISCAL REPORT OF THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES AND COSTS RELATED TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MANDATORY DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND PRESENT THE SAME TO THE LEGISLATURE; TO AMEND SECTION 37-25-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A DRIVER'S EDUCATION STUDENT SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO POSSESS A LEARNER'S PERMIT OR DRIVER'S LICENSE WHILE THE STUDENT IS UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OR AN INSTRUCTOR; TO DELETE CERTAIN FEES THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY COULD CHARGE FOR A LEARNER'S PERMIT; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-25-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT UPON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF A DRIVER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM, A DRIVER'S EDUCATION STUDENT SHALL BE ISSUED A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION AND COPY OF SAID CERTIFICATE SHALL BE DELIVERED TO THE DRIVER SERVICE BUREAU OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-25-14, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNUAL STATISTICS REGARDING CRASH AND FATALITY DATA FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND NATIONALLY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, STATISTICS INVOLVING TEENAGE DRIVERS; TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATED TO DRIVER'S LICENSE TRAINING PROGRAMS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSIONER MAY ESTABLISH RULES, REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE DURING THE FIRST 12 MONTHS THAT AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE AGE OF 18 POSSESSES A LICENSE; TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING JULY 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHALL ESTABLISH A DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM TO BE TAUGHT THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND MADE AVAILABLE FOR HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ADULTS WHO HAVE NOT OTHERWISE TAKEN A DRIVER'S EDUCATION COURSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 37-25-3, 37-25-5, 37-25-7, 63-1-9
As Passed by the Senate: 37-25-3, 37-25-5, 37-25-7, 63-1-9
Approved by the Governor: 37-25-3, 37-25-5, 37-25-7, 63-1-9