House puts adults on hook for gang activity by minors

Individuals who influence children to participate in gang or gang-related activities could be found guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor if House Bill 240 becomes law.

The measure, authored by Rep. Omeria Scott, D-Laurel, would make the offense a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Scott told the House that under current law nothing can be done to adults who encourage criminal activity by minors, unless they are the child’s parents.

“I’m sick and tired of seeing all this failure in my community,” Scott said. She continued that she desired to make the legislation more punitive but was advised it was not feasible.

"I'd give a hundred years for messing up children's lives if I could," Scott said.

SEE ALSO: Gang bill dies in committee 

The legislation cleared the House with little debate, but protests were raised by representatives in response to House Drug Policy Chairwoman Patricia Willis, R-Diamondhead, opting not to take up the committee substitute. A committee substitute is an amended version of a bill recommended by a committee.

Willis said the committee substitute took out a section that would have made knowingly causing a child to violate the uniform controlled substance law a crime. She argued that rather than using an amendment to put the language back in it would be easier to keep the original bill. After consulting with attorneys, Speaker Pro Tem Greg Snowden, R-Meridian, reported that the rules leave taking up committee substitute to the committee chairman’s discretion.

“You’re saying the rules provide for (the committee chair) to thumb down the committee substitute?” asked Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, to which Snowden answered yes.

The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration. There, its chances of survival might be shaky. For two years, the Senate Judiciary B Committee tabled legislation that would enhance penalties for gang activity, deeming it overly broad in scope.

Contact Bracey Harris  at 601-961-7248 or bharris2@gannett.com . Follow her on Twitter .