Bill > HB1312

This bill amends Mississippi's manslaughter laws to explicitly include knowingly inciting someone to commit suicide as a form of manslaughter. Specifically, the bill adds language to two sections of the state criminal code (Sections 97-3-25 and 97-3-35) that would make it a crime to intentionally encourage suicide through various communication methods such as telephone, social media, or electronic communications, when such incitement results in the victim's self-inflicted death. Under the new provisions, if the incitement occurs when the perpetrator is over 21 years old and the victim is under 18 years old, it would be classified as "child homicide" and could result in imprisonment for up to 30 years. For other cases, the penalty could range from a fine of at least $500 to imprisonment for up to one year in county jail or between two to twenty years in state corrections. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to provide legal recourse for cases where someone deliberately and maliciously encourages another person, particularly a minor, to end their own life.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1312.xml