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JACKSON, Miss. — Members of the Mississippi House voted to pass House Bill 578 on Tuesday allowing citizens to report suspicious activity without the fear of retribution.

Known as the “Mississippi See Something, Say Something Act of 2016,” the bill aims to encourage individuals to speak up when they see suspicious activity when it comes to terrorism in the state.

As written, the bill provides “civil and criminal immunity for a person who, in good faith, makes a report to an authorized official of suspicious activity or behavior that the person reasonably believes relates to an act of terrorism.”

If the claim is proven to be false, and the person knew it to be so, the immunity rule would not apply.

Governor Phil Bryant praised the Mississippi House of Representatives for the passing of the bill.

“We have seen too many examples of terror groups’ determination to strike here in the United States,” he said. “Citizens who feel comfortable alerting law enforcement to activity they have a legitimate reason to believe is related to terrorism are an important tool in preventing these terrible attacks. This legislation enables that due diligence, and I commend the House for passing it.”

The bill now moves on to the Senate for consideration.

For more information on the bill, click here.

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