AN ACT TO CREATE THE "REAL PROPERTY OWNERS PROTECTION ACT"; TO DEFINE SQUATTING; TO OUTLINE THE PROCESS TO REMOVE A SQUATTER; TO PROVIDE A FORM FOR THE SUMMONS TO THE ALLEGED SQUATTER; TO PRESCRIBE THE PROCEDURE FOR THE HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER A PERSON IS A SQUATTER; TO REQUIRE A WARRANT OF REMOVAL FOR SQUATTERS; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR FALSE COMPLAINTS OF SQUATTING; TO AMEND SECTIONS 89-8-3 AND 89-8-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE PROVISIONS OF LAW THAT REGULATE LANDLORD TENANT AGREEMENTS TO THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 95-5-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE WHEN ACTIONS FOR FORGERY CAN BE BROUGHT; TO AMEND SECTION 95-5-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR INTENTIONALLY SETTING FIRE TO LANDS; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY SQUATTER WHO COMMITS TRESPASS FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY OF THE OWNER SHALL NOT ACCRUE RIGHTS TO THE PROPERTY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE RIGHT TO MANAGE, CONTROL OR RECEIVE PAYMENTS FOR ANY USE OF REAL PROPERTY SHALL ONLY BELONG TO THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY OR A PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE OWNER FOR SUCH PURPOSES; TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REMEDIES TO LAND OWNERS BY AUTHORIZING AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE VALUE LOST TO THE OWNER FOR ANY RENTAL, MORTGAGE OR LEASE FEES THE OWNER COULD HAVE CHARGED DURING A TRESPASSER'S FAILURE TO EXIT AS A REQUIRED ADDITION TO ANY FINES; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR SUCH ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 97-17-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF LANDOWNERS TO TRESPASSERS BY INCLUDING SQUATTERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 15-1-13, 15-1-7, 15-1-9, 15-1-15, 15-1-3, 89-8-3, 89-8-7, 89-7-5, 97-21-7, 15-3-5, 97-21-33, 97-21-63, 97-19-51, 15-3-1, 89-5-13, 95-5-29, 95-5-25, 97-17-85, 97-17-103, 97-17-93, 97-17-97
Committee Substitute: 89-8-3, 89-8-7, 97-17-103
As Passed by the House: 89-8-3, 89-8-7, 97-17-103