Signed by Governor Tate Reeves

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that establishes legal recourse for property owners to deal with squatters in Mississippi.

Highlights:

• Specifies the process to remove a squatter shall be for the owner or managing agent to file a notice with the local law enforcement agency, upon which time the law enforcement agency has 24 hours to provide notice to the alleged squatter (Sec. 1-7).

• Specifies that if an alleged squatter is served notice and wishes to challenge the eviction, the individual has 3 days to provide notice to the applicable municipal or justice court and if notice is not made within those 3 days, the law enforcement agency has cause to remove the squatter (Sec. 1-7).

• Specifies that if the date the court ordered the squatter to move out passes and the squatter remains, that individual can be immediately removed by law enforcement, and any personal property in the home at that time is forfeited and can be disposed of by the property owner (Sec. 1-7). 

• Prohibits the agent or owner of the property and the law enforcement officer involved in removing the squatter from being liable for any damage to personal property during the eviction (Sec. 1-7).

• Establishes provisions that address instances of the alleged squatter using false documentation to challenge the eviction (Sec. 1-7).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes legal recourse for property owners to deal with squatters in Mississippi.

Highlights:

• Specifies the process to remove a squatter shall be for the owner or managing agent to file a notice with the local law enforcement agency, upon which time the law enforcement agency has 24 hours to provide notice to the alleged squatter (Sec. 1-7).

• Specifies that if an alleged squatter is served notice and wishes to challenge the eviction, the individual has 3 days to provide notice to the applicable municipal or justice court and if notice is not made within those 3 days, the law enforcement agency has cause to remove the squatter (Sec. 1-7).

• Specifies that if the date the court ordered the squatter to move out passes and the squatter remains, that individual can be immediately removed by law enforcement, and any personal property in the home at that time is forfeited and can be disposed of by the property owner (Sec. 1-7). 

• Prohibits the agent or owner of the property and the law enforcement officer involved in removing the squatter from being liable for any damage to personal property during the eviction (Sec. 1-7).

• Establishes provisions that address instances of the alleged squatter using false documentation to challenge the eviction (Sec. 1-7).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text