SB 2328 Mississippi Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Real property; clarify eviction procedures, provide procedure for removal from RV parks.

SB 2328 clarifies eviction procedures for residential tenants and RV park residents in Mississippi. It requires landlords to provide tenants 72 hours after a court-ordered removal to retrieve personal property, and mandates law enforcement to physically remove occupants (not just post notices) to hand possession to landlords. The bill also establishes specific rules for RV park removals, allowing owners to remove residents for certain violations but prohibiting removal based on race, disability, or other protected characteristics. Tenants must still be given access to their property during the 72-hour period following removal.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Feb 18, 2025 Signed Apr 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the upper → Current version · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill was significantly rewritten from a broad property rights and fair housing act into a focused amendment clarifying eviction procedures and adding protections for recreational vehicle park operators. The original bill included extensive provisions for immediate sheriff removal of unlawful occupants, new criminal penalties for trespassing, and a full Mississippi Fair Housing Act. The current version retains only the eviction code amendments and adds specific rules for RV park operators to refuse service and remove individuals for certain behaviors.

Scope change

The bill's scope was dramatically narrowed from covering general property rights, unlawful occupancy removal, and comprehensive fair housing protections to primarily addressing eviction notice procedures and recreational vehicle park operator authority.

SCOPE

Removed the entire 'Mississippi Fair Housing Act' section that prohibited discrimination in housing transactions based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status.

Added specific provisions allowing recreational vehicle park owners to refuse accommodations and remove individuals for intoxication, profanity, lewdness, brawling, non-payment, or disorderly conduct.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed the provision allowing property owners to request immediate sheriff removal of unlawful occupants without going through standard eviction court proceedings.

Removed new criminal penalties for detaining, occupying, or trespassing on real property that were previously included in the bill.

Added authority for law enforcement to arrest individuals who refuse to leave RV parks after being asked to vacate for violations of park rules.

REQUIREMENT

Modified eviction notice requirements in existing Mississippi Code sections to clarify timeframes for tenant personal property removal and writ execution.

DEFINITION

Added explicit language clarifying that the eviction chapter does not grant rights to persons who trespass or remain on property without landlord knowledge or permission.

As Introduced → As Passed the upper · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands Mississippi's existing eviction and property rights laws by creating a new sheriff-assisted removal process for unlawful occupants, amending trespass and property damage statutes, and establishing a new Mississippi Fair Housing Act. The changes significantly increase sheriff involvement in property disputes, modify criminal penalties for property crimes, and add comprehensive fair housing protections.

Scope change

The bill expands from primarily landlord-tenant eviction procedures to include a new sheriff removal process for squatters and unauthorized occupants, while also adding new criminal provisions for property fraud and establishing statewide fair housing standards.

REQUIREMENT

New sheriff-assisted removal process allowing property owners to request immediate sheriff removal of unlawful occupants after posting a 48-hour notice and submitting a sworn declaration.

Added civil remedy for wrongful removal allowing victims to recover actual damages, triple fair market rent, and attorney fees.

ENFORCEMENT

Sheriffs authorized to remain on property to keep peace while owners change locks and remove personal property, with fee authority for these services.

Amended Section 97-17-67 to increase criminal penalties for trespassing and property damage, with fines and imprisonment scaling based on property value from misdemeanor to felony levels.

New criminal provisions making it a misdemeanor to present false lease documents and a felony to list property for sale without legal authority.

DEFINITION

Created new Mississippi Fair Housing Act with definitions for housing accommodations, real estate brokers, and prohibited discriminatory practices.

TIMELINE

Modified eviction notice timelines, requiring landlords to provide at least 3 days notice for holdover tenants and 7 days for court-ordered move-out periods.

ELIGIBILITY

Added exemptions for lawful tenants, immediate family members, and cases with pending litigation to prevent misuse of the sheriff removal process.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2025 · House Mar 12, 2025

How they voted

51–0

Passed

Total votes 51

Feb 11, 2025

D Democratic16

16 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican35

35 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 10, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

executive

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Report Adopted

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference Report Filed

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Committee

Referred To Judiciary A

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed As Amended

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

upper

Jan 20, 2025

Committee

Referred To Judiciary, Division A;Judiciary, Division B

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors