False pretenses; increase service charge for dishonored check, draft, order or electronically converted check.

HB 1226 would have increased the service charge for dishonored checks from $40 to $100 in specific notices sent when a payee may pursue criminal prosecution for check fraud under Mississippi law. It directly affects individuals and businesses who write checks that bounce, requiring them to pay the check amount plus the service charge within 15 days of receiving a formal notice. The bill revised notice templates to specify the $100 charge for criminal prosecution notices and kept the $40 charge for standard civil notices, while adding new requirements for electronic payment dishonor notices. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.