Bill > HB1050

This bill revises Mississippi's law regarding the intentional transmission of infectious diseases, specifically updating the legal definition and penalties for knowingly exposing another person to certain diseases. The bill changes the language from "knowingly expose" to "act with specific intent to transmit an infectious disease" and defines key terms such as "infectious disease" and "conduct that poses a substantial risk of transmission." The legislation introduces new defenses to prosecution, including cases where the recipient was already aware of the defendant's positive status, no transmission occurred, or the defendant attempted to prevent transmission. The bill narrows the definition of infectious diseases to those that are nonairborne, potentially fatal, or cause long-term disabling consequences. For corrections-related contexts, the bill maintains provisions about endangerment by bodily substance but modifies the intent and penalty structure. The penalties remain a misdemeanor with up to one year in county jail and a potential fine of $1,000, with the law explicitly stating that these provisions are in addition to other potential legal prosecutions. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, providing time for legal and medical professionals to understand and prepare for the updated statute.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1050.xml