Bill > HB1613

This bill amends Mississippi's expungement law to provide additional relief for victims of human trafficking. Specifically, the bill modifies Section 99-19-71 to allow a person who is identified as a "trafficked person" (as defined in existing law) to receive one additional expungement for the crime of prostitution, beyond the existing one-time felony expungement provision. The bill explicitly prohibits expungement for felony crimes related to procuring or promoting prostitution, meaning those who exploited trafficking victims cannot have those specific convictions erased. While the existing expungement law already allows for one felony expungement after five years and successful completion of sentencing (with numerous exceptions for serious crimes), this new provision specifically recognizes the unique circumstances of human trafficking victims by providing them an extra opportunity to clear their record for prostitution-related offenses. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving time for legal systems and agencies to prepare for the implementation of this new provision.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1613.xml