Mississippi Civil Rights Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed July 26, 2022
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We may think that civil rights movements were confined to the 1960s, but civil rights laws continue to combat racial discrimination, guarantee fair housing, and ensure equal opportunity hiring today. Most recently, the theories that supported early civil rights movements have been used to overturn bans on gay marriage. So how do the Magnolia State’s civil rights laws work, and whom do they cover? Here is a brief overview of civil rights laws in Mississippi.
Civil Rights Laws
The phrase “civil rights” refers to the collective rights of citizens to fair and equal treatment under the law. Most of our civil rights protections are guaranteed by federal law under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, while state civil rights laws can mirror federal regulations and in some cases provide greater protections against discrimination.
Civil Rights Laws in Mississippi
Mississippi’s civil rights statutes are listed in the table below.
Code Section |
Mississippi Code 43-33-723, et seq. (Government Housing); Mississippi Code 25-9-149 (State Service Employment) |
Agency |
Government Housing: Home Corporation Oversight Committee; State Service Employment: None |
Administrative Preemption |
Government Housing: Yes; State Service Employment: Yes |
Private Action Permitted? |
Government Housing: No; State Service Employment: No |
Attorney Fees Recoverable by Plaintiff? |
Government Housing: No; State Service Employment: No |
Statute of Limitations |
Government Housing: Not specified; State Service Employment: Not specified |
Filing Civil Rights Claims
In order to enforce civil rights protections, most states have a state civil rights office or commission that is able to file civil lawsuits on behalf of citizens that can punish cases of discrimination under the state’s civil rights statutes and hopefully deter them in the future. These offices can answer your questions relating to discrimination in employment, education, housing, and elder care, as well as provide forms and resources for filing civil rights claims.
Employment issues this state are handled by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. There are several options and legal requirements when it comes to filing a civil rights claim, like where, and how, state civil rights laws overlap with federal civil rights statutes and which courts can hear a civil rights claim.
Mississippi Civil Rights Laws: Related Resources
The inner workings of state and federal civil rights laws, and how they work together, can be confusing. You can consult with a Mississippi civil rights attorney if you would like legal assistance regarding a civil rights matter. You can also find more resources and information on this topic FindLaw’s section on Civil Rights.